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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  Enjoying the ride! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Val S. - April 11 - 5:16 pm

  So far I love it. Quiet interior, handles very well, looks great and you cant beat the warranty. I think this is an up and coming vehicle that will prove to hold its value in the coming years.

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  great suv - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jwmII - April 10 - 2:00 am

  We now have 6700 miles and have not had a problem. I was really impressed when we went on vacation Christmas week and had to drive thru snow on mountain roads with up to 20" and this suv not only got us to our destination but it never lost traction!!! We passed numerous suv and 4wd trucks having traction problems.

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  Beats a minivan - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By scorionf89 - April 9 - 6:13 am

  I bought this because I was moving and needed a bigger vehicle than a car. I love all the space it has its the cheapest car that can fit a washing machine in it. I can haul almost anything in this car. I love all the leg room it beats out my wifes Toyota mine van from that stand point. I had the dealer drill holes so I can push the racks all the way to the front thereby make it so I can carry 3 large suitcases on the roof cant do that with any other cross over. I have been doing 28 mpg around town with the windows down. On a personal note if you need even more space you probably need a truck my fave being the m35a2 by Am General

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  You Gotta Drive This Car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By roberts - April 9 - 5:20 am

  Kia has produced an impressive large car that rivals anything in its class, and other classes as well. I drove nearly 45 different makes and models over a 3 month period before settling on the Amanti. I have not been disappointed at all. I think this car over time will be viewed as a breakthrough vehicle, and if Kia manages to improve on it, the world will soon see a new standard for a luxury automobile.

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  worthless - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By moonvilla - April 8 - 11:30 pm

  This vehicle is of extreme poor quality. The electronics started to fail immediately (e.g. radio, remote device, doors locks). Lack of quality control is appalling.

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  Out-Japanesing the Japanese - 2007 Kia Optima
  By spk - April 8 - 11:30 pm

  I thoroughly researched my next car. Have owned Hondas and Toyotas the past 20 years. Purchased a 2006.5 (07) Optima after reading about the redesigned engine, interior, exterior and suspension. Kia has put together a solid product, very ergonomic - everything fits well, easy to use, just plain feels great to drive, similar to the Japanese cars with a few thousand to pocket. Its the culmination of the little things that adds to the confidence in the car - the way the door shuts, outlet in trunk, cabin lighting, hand-holds, etc. Kia makes the leap easy, with transferable 5yr, 60k warranty, roadside assistance, etc.

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  Great Van - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By TPoston - April 8 - 6:23 pm

  We drove a rented Sedona in 2008 to Florida. Good van for long trips and we were impressed. We kept waiting for a 2008 with a few miles on it to become available. Finally did in May and we snatched it up. Bought the van for a little over $15K with 11K miles on it. Pick up is as good as my 2006 Monte Carlo. Great ride and comfortable as I am 53". The only complaint is no MP3 jack and the stereo really needs to be better quality. Got used to RDS display on the Monte Carlo and miss it. Other than the radio, its been great for hauling my german shepherd and my toddler granddaughter. Also theres no outside temperature guage which i find odd.

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  The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Busters Dad - April 8 - 5:56 pm

  I just love it love it love it Handles great, holds the road, well soundproofed.

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  I am sure I will buy another Kia in 2007 - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By E. Thomas - April 8 - 4:03 pm

  I love this SUV. It handles better than my Blazer Extreme did. And it has a lot more room. It is a beautiful SUV. It has good pickup and gets about 20 miles or more to the gallon -- for this big of an SUV that is great. The seats are comfortable and the ride is excellent. I plan to buy another one in a few years. I also test drove a Chevy Blazer and bought the KIA because of the way it drove and handled.

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  185,000 Miles!! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Chad Stevens - April 8 - 9:43 am

  I am the 2nd owner of this car. Bought it in 2013 wit 160,000 miles for 3k. The cars exterior was in reasonable condition, minor wear and tears,dents and dings. Mechanically she was sound. After a few thousand miles, the radio went, Clutch went, brake caliper froze up, replaced the timing belt. However, at 160,000 miles those items are expected to be replaced. Since then, everything has been great, except the transmission synchronizers are starting to fail. I still use this car as my daily driver, and commute my daily 48 miles. To date i have 186,458 miles on it. Not bad for KIA. I may just buy another when this one finally decides to rest. And for sake of argument, i drive very spirited.