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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  3 years with this car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By illnino - July 10 - 10:00 am

  When i first got it, i wasnt sure at first on getting a KIA, it wasnt my dream car. I had it for 3 years now and ive seen some of the reviews. It CAN be true when it comes to breaking down..but the fact is, its only for some people that could just get to point A to Point B. I only had trouble TWICE within 3 years of having it. Im very patient when it comes to driving, slowing down, and i always do my oil/transmission/ and tune ups on time. I recommend ONLY for slow patient drivers, its a long lasting vehicle

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  Loving the new model! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Blair - July 10 - 10:00 am

  The 2011 Sportage has come far from its predecessors. I am a middle school administrator, and each morning, one of my students is dropped off by a parent driving one of the early Sportages. I look past that older one to my brand new one sitting in the parking lot, and I cant believe they wear the same label. I drove an 06 for three years and only got rid of it because my lease was up. I bought a high mileage accord because I didnt want a payment, but after a year and a half, I decided it was time for something new. I checked out the Soul but decided it was too small. I saw the new designs for the Sportage last spring and decided it was worth the wait.

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  2007 Kia Spectra5 - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Thepumkin - July 10 - 5:10 am

  I read all of the reviews posted here before buying. This is a great car! I could not fault one thing with the car. Granted I have only had it a week. I have found good reasonable performance from the engine, the suspension, the transmission, the fit and finish inside and out is good and the car is not "plain Jane". It is a stunning car just as it is. Then there is the price. I will report more after a few miles have been put on it.

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  Watch out for Rust!!! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By kiaMgirl - July 9 - 6:46 pm

  I saw someone driving this car and I had to have one. I spent months researching it before test driving. Bought it Oct. 31st, and found rust LESS THAN A MONTH later!!! Car is great otherwise. So take your chances people, remember you get what you pay for.

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  Great price,geat ride - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By Jeff - July 9 - 4:30 pm

  Bought the 09 Serreno new, Vehicle go 400 miles or more every tank, runs great and has good power. Rear seat leg room is better than other suvs this size. only thing I would add is a foot operated emergency brake and do away with the hand operated one this would add a little more room. Also would add a compass and outside temp. feature to all models.

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  its great! - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Kaysie - July 9 - 5:10 am

  I have a 2001, and its an awesome car. Its very reliable, and it is very stylish as well. One of my favorite things about it is how it doesnt use a ton of gas at one time, it is very conservative about gas usage. I really cant think of any major drawbacks to it, it is an all around great car. Ive had it for 5 years and it hasnt let me down yet!

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  Great value, Great car, Great company - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Kevin - July 9 - 1:13 am

  Super experience with the KIA dealership. Test drove in pouring rain, handled great w/o abs. Got the EX w/ auto trans. Simple controls, easy drive, decent safety features, and impressive looks for 17,000 car. You wont win the Indy 500, but youll look great driving in everyday traffic and save $ on gas and laugh at people in their big, expensive gas guzzling SUVs and trucks. Warranty super, so no need for ext. warranty. Auto trans, cruise, and rear spoiler, and I drove away paying less than 17000. KIA has arrived. Give it a try.

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  LOVE THIS CAR! - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Em Cer - July 8 - 8:34 am

  best first car to buy ever! im so happy with my decision.

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  I would do it again.... - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By TeeBrock - July 8 - 6:47 am

  Great all around vehicle. Low maintenance other than routine stuff. Great in the snowy midwest. Lacks a bit in the fuel mileage, but its a trade off.

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  more you drive it the more you like it - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By gpf - July 8 - 5:46 am

  Very good power, holds well in sharp curves with ESP option. Exceptional ride and build quality. Extremely quiet at all speeds. Good ergonomics and loads of space. Gas mileage is mediocre. Fit and finish is top drawer. Styling is not offensive but a little stodgy. I would buy it again. Lots of bang for the buck.