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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  Excellent van for the money! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By cbnsoul - October 27 - 4:26 pm

  Since we have our first child on the way, safety was paramount. Once I found out about the crash ratings for this van, I was at the dealer in a matter of days. We really like how easily it drives and all the comfort features like tri-zone climate control standard. Definitely look long and hard at this van if you are in the minivan market - you wont be disappointed.

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  Excellent Value - 2010 Kia Optima
  By DD - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Here at the end of 2010, the 2010 model optima is a great deal. The options you can get for your money on an ex or sx blow the Toyota/Honda competition away. The only close competitor price wise was the Malibu, which was also discounted. The optima has the Malibu beat in most regards in my opinion. Gas mileage is good, Im getting 24-25 mpg in the city around la and Im not an easy driver. On the highway, if I try I can push around 35 mpg. The 4 cylinder has plenty of power, more than most of its competition. Interior is great. Exterior looks really sharp, better than Hyundais and I like over the Camry and Accord.

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  Koup sx 2 dr 2010 year - 2010 Kia Forte
  By D Hardison - October 24 - 4:26 am

  Bought this car for my son only had a few days but fun to drive lots of power with the sx good safety loaded features and a great looking car no problems so far good car for the money. sx is the way to go i read up and would not buy the lx or ex. seems to be well built. 2010 year modle SX

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  Make fun if you want, but its a good car - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Gifted1388 - October 21 - 8:46 pm

  My friends like to pick on my little car, but it is perfect for zipping down the roads. Put a CD player in there and now I am jamming. Learning to drive a 5- speed as my first car was an experience but now I can take off fast and it impresses people that girls can drive a stick!

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  first new car in 20? years - 2004 Kia Optima
  By neededacar - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I originally went for the least expensive, highest mpg I could find. The Rio was just to small and offered no extras to speak of. I purchased a demo with 15K on it already. Very Impressive functionality and preformance for a comfortable vehicle with 28.7 open road mpg.

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  LOVE IT - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By DEEM292002 - October 17 - 10:00 am

  I JUST GOT MY NEW KIA AND I LOVE IT NEVER HAD A NEW CAR BEFOR GLAD THIS ONE WAS MY FIRST

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  Love this car! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By DonnaG - October 11 - 10:00 am

  We loved the Amanti as soon as we test drove it. Got a great deal for all the bells and whistles. Comfort is exceptional. The AC is terrific with climate control for the driver and passenger as well as back seat. The sound system is awesome. We were looking at new Bonneville/Grand Prix but purchased an Amanti. Head room, with a sunroof great for a 63" person. Head hit the sunroof of the Grand Prix.

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  great sporty car for the money - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Favian - October 9 - 12:36 am

  This is my first Kia that I have ever purchased and Im pleasantly impressed. Build quality is great and so far reliability is excellent. The gearing configuration in the automatic could use some improvement as well but overall the car is an excellent value in looks, safety, options, warranty and reliability.

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  Sorento is truly a plus - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Sorento EX - October 8 - 1:40 am

  This point is just from the 2nd day and I am really enjoying the ride the look the comfort the stability. Still need time for mileage and reliability. Good price for the comfort and room and well equipped extras. I am happy with kia this is my 4th year into kia vehicles and I can really really on good service and good attitudes.

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  It saved my life!!! lots of love! - 2008 Kia Rio
  By slr1985 - October 7 - 3:01 pm

  I am writing this 2 days after I totaled my 08 Kia Rio. Very sad day. My main problem with this car is the rear defroster stopped working twice. after the 2nd time, i never bothered to get it fixed. I used to affectionately refer to it as my POS Kia, though it did get GREAT gas mileage and was always a fun and sporty drive. I loved zipping along the highway, the city, suburbia in my Rio! however, the best thing about this car is how it saved me during the worst accident ive been in. My back tire was bad, I slipped on wet highway, hit a guardrail, spun into oncoming traffic, had a head on collision with a F250 and walked away w/o a SCRATCH. Thank you for holding up, Rio!