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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  visors - 2006 Kia Optima
  By luigi54c - October 2 - 5:59 am

  There is no reason that a car manufacturer can not use a proven design of a part that has never had any problems in the past, for any car make. I had my driver side replaced at the dealership, and although I used it normally, I gave them the benefit of the doubt. But when the passenger side went bad, with hardly any use, it sure made me wonder about their quality of product. Kia should stand behind it and provide a product that does not break!!!

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  A great SUV - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By KiaGene - October 2 - 4:50 am

  The Sportage is a great small SUV. The 4 cylinder engine has more power than I expected and the fuel mileage is great. The included features that you dont have to pay extra for are worth it also.

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  Good Vehicle - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Bob - October 1 - 11:03 am

  We have the car exactly 1 year, almost 17000 miles. Not 1 problem. Great for taking the kids to college. Plenty of rear space and great rear cargo for holding grocery bags. The V6 is perfectly matched to the car.Great visibility. Good car, and even better was the price. Look at Honda, Saturn, Mitsubishi and Mazda. Buy the KIA.

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  kias dont tow - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By gregg nagelhout - September 30 - 2:00 am

  this vehicle was not purchased to tow a boat but since it is three years old and we are still upside down on it we have to make the best of it. the specs say we can tow 2000 lbs w/ the vehicle but our boat motor and trailer are about 1800 lbs and its almost dangerous to tow it. not to mention that we have already broken a drive shaft and now the rear brakes are failing. after using it to tow, each time we use reverse the brakes lock up on it

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  Kia Spectra 5 - a serious competitor - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Jim G - September 29 - 1:10 pm

  One of my first trips was from Atlanta to Charleston SC. Five + hours on the road and still comfortable (Im 62"). The ride included some quick maneuvers and high speeds (80 plus to keep up with traffic). Engine power & response were great, even with the AC on. I averaged 33MPG highway! The versatility of being able to flip the seats gives it SUV versatility. The fit & finish are great. More room & power than a Matrix, at a much lower price. With the price of gas, this style car should be seriously considered.

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  Bad, bad car! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Big G - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Do not by it. Lease it only.

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  First Time Kia Owner - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By D Morris - September 29 - 7:36 am

  I paid top dollar for this little bugger, so I hope it last as long and the warranty says it should. I was looking for a SUV when the salesman pointed me toward the new luxury Amanti. I was a little nervous buying a Kia, but I remember back when Mazda and Honda were junk little cars. I love to be able to drive a luxury car, and it is a nice trade off for a SUV. The gas mileage is not as good as I hoped, but it is better than SUV’s I was looking at and about the same as my Windstar that I traded in.

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  Different is good - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By VegasRondo - September 29 - 7:33 am

  First of all, the Rondo is not an SUV, a station wagon or just a plain car. It is a people mover, cargo mover and wont get lost in a sea of cars in a parking lot. I have a 5 seat EX I4, with Premium Package. The exterior design is different, and everyone can draw their own opinions. It has a smooth ride on city streets, tracks well on highways. There is almost no wind noise at speed. Fit and finish is impeccable. Interior materials are highly acceptable for this price range. The 4 cylinder engine is powerful enough for most. The interior is spacious. The under floor storage is huge. My only complaint is that the stereo display is almost impossible to read without direct sunlight on it.

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  09 Kia Sportage long term review - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By acer - September 29 - 6:23 am

  Purchased new in April of 09,21000 miles later no issues. Great small suv. NH winters can be rough, have driven on unplowed roads with 2 feet of snow and had no problems getting through on stock Kumo tires. Solid as the day i bought. MPG is 25-27 city/hwy. The lx 4 cylinder is basic and functional the inside, w/4 cylinder a great commuter car. Excellent Family work horse. Exterior finish is excellent. Looked at the subaru, but sportage was roomier, cant beat the warrenty.

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  Kia Optima - 2005 Kia Optima
  By analyzerlx - September 28 - 11:10 pm

  I think the Optima is a worthy vehicle and will be excited to see what Kia and Hyundai hatch up in the future. Its a lot different than the Hyundai of the 80s and the Kia of the 90s.