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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  Nice Suv - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By mattblue - May 21 - 11:46 pm

  I like the Kia Sportage. I traded in my 2005 Kia Spectra and got this Sportage. I liked my Spectra but wanted something higher profiled. Gas mileage is quite a bit lower than my Spectra but knew it would be.

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  Its got its pros and cons. - 2014 Kia Optima
  By tylorness88 - May 17 - 11:44 am

  I bought my Optima in late May of this year and have been in love with it ever since. I went with an LX model but opted to get the convenience package for the back up camera. With any car though here will be issues and the 2014 Optima has a big steering issue. Everyone I talk with agrees that they dont have control of their car at high speeds and that the slightest correction to the steering grows the car too fast and far to the other side of the lane. Im also not a huge fan of the grey and beige options as well as the gas mileage.

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  Not all lemons grow on trees - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Lovebnretired - May 15 - 10:43 am

  Bought it used so expected some small problem right away. 2 days after purchase the dealer replaced the left front wheel, both front tire [they were all the way worn down on inside not outer side], all brakes including rotors. Drove great 5 months then just did not start. Turns out it needs cam sensor and some other sensor, new belts, water pump, power steering hose, manifold and tires rotated. New tires are beginning to wear too much on inside. If you are considering purchasing, RUN do not walk, RUN AWAY. Considering the mileage these parts should still be good. KIA parts do not last under normal use. KIA must use a cheap, bad grade, of plastic -all plastic parts easily break.

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  GREAT little car! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Josh - May 14 - 5:26 pm

  This is my first car and I absolutely love it. Every time I get in and turn the key, a huge grin appears on my face. Its peppy, responsive, reliable and very fuel efficient (I average 29 mpg in around-town driving). I have heard horror stories about sephias, but I have yet to have a major problem. I mean, it was tough enough to survive a 16 year old learning to drive stick:P My few complaints are the easily dented body panels, terrible cup holders, cheap tires, and engine noise on the highway (the final drive gear is very low, giving it great acceleration but poor top speed). I may be the butt of a lot of jokes, but when I see my friends volkswagens, old BMWs and toyotas dying early, I grin

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  no power steering - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By left in the cold - May 14 - 9:16 am

  I like my 2008 Kia Sportage but I am wondering if it built to withstand the extreme cold of northern Canadian climate. In under a year, it has been to the one and only Kia dealership in the Yukon to have the power steering hose repaired twice. Both times it let me down in the cold... to deal with two small children, no vehicle to travel 100 kms home and to arrange transportation and towing. Local dealer said to back into parking spots! And, to warm it up really good. It is at the dealership to be repaired again. Is this a design problem? I believe with this problem and in these temperatures it is not reliable! I wish I would have bought a FORD!

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  2002 sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Mine - May 9 - 10:00 am

  worth the $10,000.00 savings over the big 3 with the same equipment.will keep till the warranty expires.

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  2002 sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By mine - May 9 - 10:00 am

  worth the $10,000.00 savings over the big 3 with the same equipment.will keep till the warranty expires.

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  2011 Kia Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By redwinejl - May 9 - 8:00 am

  Bought new Aug. 2011. I have 117000 miles with no mechanical problems. I am retired and put many miles on this car going from home to our kid home almost weekly. I did have an alternator replaced on recall, but that is it. I had 60000 mile dealer service performed as well as regular oil changes( I have always used full synethic), and maintain proper tire service. When I bought this car, I would have never thought of buying a Kia, as I did not think they were quality cars, but after owning this one for 4 and 1/2 years, Kia is a quality product and a car company that seems to be doing things right. I think this SUV will continue to serve me well for several more years.

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  Surprising (in a good way) - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By sphal - May 7 - 9:42 pm

  I was surprised to see the Sportage at the top of most "cute ute" lists, but after driving one I was just surprised at what a great car it is. I was set on buying a Equinox, but none were in stock on the weekend I had to buy (my old car died). I drove the Kia and found a car that was just as nice for 3-4k less. After 1 month I have no regrets, it is the perfect car for me with decent gas mileage, good looks, and lots of amenities (AWD, leather, roof, GPS).

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  Kia Rio - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Taralyn - May 7 - 7:20 pm

  Ive only had this car few days and I already love it! Its my first car and Im very happy with it. Its cute and fun to drive. The gas mileage is wonderful. It gets me where I need to go and saves money on gas. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a fuel efficient car.