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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  Horrible gas mileage - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By b99munson - August 17 - 12:23 am

  I enjoy owning this car, and Im satisfied with it in every way, except for the giant gas mileage ripoff. I paid an extra $1700 to buy the "Convenience Package" with the 22 city/32 highway sticker. Now those numbers have been readjusted down to 21/30, which is a big laugh. I drive like an old lady (actually I AM an old lady) and the ECO light is on almost all the time, supposedly reflecting the fact that I dont do any jackrabbit starts, stomp the brakes, etc. My normal driving is a mix of city and highway, and I dont get 21 mpg. I took it on the highway, completely unloaded, with the A/C turned off, and got up to 28 mpg going 65mph on cruise. Big woop. Kia should be closed down!

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  Very good buy for the money - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By wade0 - August 16 - 10:00 am

  A well built mini van, waited too long for a Honda, so decided on the EX with all the options for under $24K on the road. Thought I could have gotten a better deal but what the heck. The dealership seems to be on my side as far as any work to be done (a couple scrapes to be taken care of) so well see what happens there. The van rides great otherwise, hope the warranty holds true. One question? Can I get some other place to change the oil without warranty problems? The salesamn told me I had to use Kia filters.

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  A good car for a good price - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By TH - August 16 - 10:00 am

  I had a Kia Rio before the Kia Spectra .I diffently prefer the Spectra over the Rio.For the money you save, the purchase was well worth it. You can not beat the warranty and reliability of this car!

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  Only had it a month ... - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By dheff - August 16 - 7:33 am

  But I love it. Great value minivan. No ego, no flash, but its great for the kids and groceries. A little slow to blow hot air on cold mornings, and the turning radius is ridiculously wide. Other than that, no complaints. Purchased Dec. 2005 with 9k miles for $14,500. DVD, sunroof, EX model with ABS.

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  Just got it today - 2010 Kia Soul
  By impressed - August 13 - 5:46 pm

  After seeing it at the autoshow this car is awesome! I got the only one in the city gad milage is GREAT SO FAR.

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  The best we have owned - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By mary - August 13 - 10:46 am

  We love our stylish new car. We have received many compliments on the style. It is very comfortable with a nice zip to it. We are very happy with it.

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  AMANTI - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By JON D - August 12 - 2:00 am

  THE KIA AMANTI IS THE LUXURY CAR FOR THE NON RICH. IT HAS ALL THE LUXURY THAT A JAGUAR MERCADIES AND BMWS HAVE FOR A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER. I FOUND OUT THAT IT FULLY LOADED (WICH MINE IS) ONLY COSTS ABOUT 30,000.00 UNLIKE THE JAGUAR OR THE MERCADIES

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  Nice Job Kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By bk pots - August 12 - 2:00 am

  Overall very nice ride. Some simple improvements from Amer. counterparts would be nice. Very solid and high performing 6 cyl.

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  GREAT SUV POOR MPG - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By CARROW - August 12 - 2:00 am

  THe ride is smooth as aluxury car. The moon roof. am/fm, cass. cd sterero sytem are a great investment. The navigation system is another added plus. The electric drivers seat, tilt stearing wheel and cruise control make a long drive an enjoyable experience.

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  best bang for all bucks - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By laid back bill - August 12 - 2:00 am

  I just bought my new kia. I love the way it looks and the way it handles.It has everything i was looking for in an suv. I am a first time suv owner. I love the warranty the best around, and also the creature comfortes that my kia gives me. There are so many suvs on the market today. I am very happy today that i did the research on owning one, and the new kia serento gives me the best of it all, an suv with all the high marks, and the best for my bucks.