Overview & Reviews

Kia Motors is a South Korean automaker that's relatively new to the United States. In its early years, Kia largely catered to budget-minded consumers with well-equipped vehicles priced below competing models. More recently, this growing brand has kept value a priority while also emphasizing technology and sportiness.

Founded in Korea in 1944, Kia started as a producer of steel tubing and bicycle parts. The company's name has its roots in the Chinese language, and means "to arise, to come up out of Asia." By the early 1950s, the company had produced Korea's first bicycle; by the latter part of the decade, Kia had branched out into motor scooters, with the rollout of the C100.

The 1960s saw Kia expanding its lineup to include motorcycles and three-wheeled cargo vehicles. Naturally, the next logical step was automobile production, and the company began moving in this direction in the early 1970s. By 1973, Kia had built a facility designed to make its automotive dreams a reality; its Sohari plant held the distinction of being Korea's first fully integrated automobile production facility, and went on to spawn Korea's first internal-combustion gasoline engine. A year later, Kia unveiled the Brisa, Korea's first passenger car. By the end of the decade, Kia's technology was being used to manufacture vehicles like the Peugeot 604 and the Fiat 132.

By the late '80s, Kia's lineup included new models like the Concord, Capital, Potentia and Pride. In 1987, Ford brought the Pride to U.S. shores, rebadging it as the Ford Festiva. Seven years later, Ford dealers got a replacement for the entry-level, subcompact Festiva in the form of another Kia constructed product, the Aspire.

Kia finally began selling vehicles in the U.S. under its own name in the early '90s, trumpeting its presence with the introduction of the compact Sephia. The car's rollout was gradual; in the early days of its production, the Sephia was only available in select Western states. By the mid-'90s, SUVs had emerged as a phenomenally popular and profitable vehicle segment. Kia responded with the 1995 Sportage, a compact SUV. By the end of the '90s, Kia's nationwide rollout was nearly complete.

Financial difficulties in the late '90s prevented Kia from expanding its lineup beyond those two models. Hyundai, South Korea's other major automaker, acquired the company in a merger in 1998.

Kia has been on a major upswing since its purchase by Hyundai, with improvements in build quality, performance and overall refinement. Reliability, previously a weak point, has also improved markedly and consumers' confidence was further bolstered by Kia's substantial warranty program. Today, Kia is on a dramatic upswing and offers a broad lineup of well-built coupes, sedans and crossovers that stand out for their value, performance and sporty styling.

User Reviews:

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  Bettys Ride - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Betty Carlin - May 14 - 10:33 am

  This is truly a girls car! I love driving and showing everyone my beautiful Amati!!! People stop and ask me what kind of car is that? They are impressed that its a Kia. They want to know all about it and the guys want the check out under the hood! The ride and drive is right up there with Cadillac and other great classic autos,as I have owned them too. The Amati has all the power you need on the road and handles beautifully. It is a pleasure to own such a wonderful auto at the most competitive price out there. I do look forward to my next Amati. ps.The gas mile is also very good! Thanks Betty C

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  Okay car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Probe - May 13 - 11:06 pm

  This is 4th year of my owner ship of kia Spectra5. Car seems to be ok , other than the fuel efficiency and service expenses.I keep my service schedule and I am not a agressive driver I get 21 MPG with in city ( got 24400 miles on car) and 28 -30 MPG on highway. Which is far lower than Japanese brands. I had to change my front brakes at 22000 miles I guess brakes should lost more. Good Year tires on this car lasted for 24400 miles and I guess they should last more. Bottom line is this car needs more maintenance in long run, that defeats the purpose of saving 2000 - 4000 bucks you save on this car when compared with other brands.

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  please warn your friends not to buy - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By poor and angry - May 13 - 10:33 pm

  As I pass off my paid off and still under warranty Sedona on trade in, I feel the need to warn low income people not to buy one used. We have had so many problems with the Sedona. Please trust the negative reviews (many of the positive ones were written with too few miles on the van). It may seem like a good deal for your family, but you will not be able to afford to repair it. For example, our harmonic balancer fell off the crank shaft and shredded 3 drive belts, the A/C was serviced 4 times in one summer, an engine cylinder blew, etc. Buy yourself a RELIABLE car and squeeze the kids in. You will not have transportation within a few months if you buy a used Sedona.

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  Good deal! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By great car! - May 13 - 9:33 pm

  My husband and I always bought American cars. We looked around, test drove many. For the value and what you get, you cant go wrong! We traded a big SUV we could not afford any more thanks to our changing economy and purchased this car and we cant say enough! Comfortable ride, good on fuel, nice looks. Get the convenience package with it.

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  not so reliable - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By wingnut20 - May 13 - 10:00 am

  transmission replaced at 14000 miles, exhaust system replaced at 16000 miles, at 28000 my radiator decided it had enough and blew a hole. overheated and shut the car off before I could pull over to the side of the road. otherwise its good.

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  sAFE & ECONOMICAL - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By smulvey - May 13 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR HAS PERFORMED WELL.IT IS ABOUT 300 LBS HEAVIER THAN THE SATURN SL IT REPLACED. IT FEELS IT. WHILE A LITTLE SLOWER TO ACCELERATE, THAT EXTRA POUNDS ADDS UP TO BIG SAFETY IF YOU LOOK AT PHOTOS OF WRECKED SATURNS AND WRECKED SPECTRA AT THE IIHS WEBSITE. WE LIKE THE SPECTRA A LOT. THE CAR HAS HAD NO SERIOUS FLAWS

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  wow - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By TGuess - May 13 - 10:00 am

  When I first looked at the Sorento I was impressed. After two months of looking around, Icould not find anything better. But a KIA? After owning the Sorento now for almost two months. All I can say is: If you want a GREAT SUV get to KIA and buy one!!

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  Great SUV - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By krysta - May 13 - 3:06 am

  Mu husband bought this for me when I was 6 months pregnant. This was the only car that I was comfortable in and still am . I really love this SUV. I would definitely buy another one in the future

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  kia lover - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By eric myers - May 12 - 1:23 pm

  three fun trips to atlanta,ga..did not have to worry about a thing.

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  cool car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Chris - May 11 - 8:30 pm

  This a very fun car to drive and be seen in. It handles great and I am averaging about 26 miles to the gallon. I took on a trip out of town recently in an unforeseen early spring snow storm and it performed at a level that left myself and my entire family at ease the entire trip. The engine has plenty of zip in it and the body looks like no other. The only minor downfall is that there are no cup holders for the rear seat only bottle holders in the doors. My kids also wished that it came with a free hamster, but I think they will get over it.