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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  03 Kia Optima - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Wacko63 - February 23 - 2:00 am

  The Kia Optima is the first car in a long time I have been more than happy to brag about. It has the amenities of cars costing thousands more and the quiet, smooth ride of a larger luxury auto. I have nothing but praise for this car and the dealer who sold it to me. No buyers regrets at all! And dont even get me started on the 10/100 warranty! Where else does anybody have the guts to back up their product with that kind of warranty? You can spend more money on another car than you will at a Kia dealer, but, why would you?

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  I like it - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Kia owner - February 23 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Kia brand new in May 2002 (EX model with leather, moonroof, rear spoiler, the works). The price was excellent!! The Van runs great and weve had very few problems which only includes the check engine light coming on twice in 2 years. But it was for very minor problems. We also recently bought another one (used 2002 LX). I love that one too! The LX is mine and the EX belongs to my husband. The Sedona is just a great value.

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  "Looks like a Lexus; its Affordable" - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By TahitiOnline - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Being the proud owner of another Kia, with well over 100,000 trouble-free miles on it, we knew this was our next SUV. It is a beautiful vehicle and has received rave reviews from our "jealous" friends who love the style and color. During the recent 6 day "Storm Watch" with terrible driving conditions in the Pacific NW USA, our Kia handled the road like a "Hummer"! Nothing stopped it and we felt very safe inside. Of course, driving with some good old common sense helped also!

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  Great Van for the Money - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Mdunk - February 23 - 2:00 am

  Only have driven a couple hundred miles in it, but I love it. The ride is awesome, features are great, and the family loves it. We traded our Ford expedition due to gas mileage and for the ease of getting kids in and out. We love it so far!!!

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  A neat machine - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Thomas - February 21 - 8:42 pm

  I traded a Lincoln Town car for a 2010 Soul! I was tired of a large, bulky vehicle and decided it was time to "downsize" into something simple, clean and easy to maneuver. I drove it until the 2014 models came out and found many changes had been added since 2010. The navigation system is the best I have ever seen in a car. The radio audio quality is super and the handling is fine. Plenty of room in the rear for whatever you are hauling and, I will never own another car without the backup camera. It has saved me a few times from "bumping" into things that do not need to be bumped. I will buy a 2018 when they come out. It is an amazing car for the value and my dealership (Sunset KIA in Venice, FL) is beyond all in customer satisfaction.

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  Not comfortable - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By carmela larocco - February 20 - 1:36 pm

  The front seats are the worst seats I ever sat on headrest are just as bad no armrest up front so your right arm has no were to rest. Rear seat could use cup holders other then the door. The rear area is roomy and the seats are better. The Sportage is a great size and it is not a bad ride for an suv. I will say make sure you fully check what ever car you buy there are no returns. Take it for a good long ride not a short spin.

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  NEVER AGAIN! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By nothappy - February 18 - 3:03 pm

  I don’t know how or where to start. This car has been giving me problems from the start. The engine light goes on and off. The transmission has been replaced 3 times, the computer once, the alternator 1 time; the struts have been replaced twice. OMG! It has been my worse nightmare. I have missed so many days of work because of this. I wanted to sell it, but of course Kia does not hold their value. After I paid over 15,000 for this car, I only get $2,000 after 5 years with only 55,000 miles on it. I swear I would rather walk to work everyday before I buy another Kia. PLEASE do some research before you buy a Kia... They might be affordable, but you will pay so much at the end.

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  Very reliable car - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By CaliJoe - February 18 - 1:13 pm

  Ive had my Amanti 2006 model for 6 months now and I love it. The price is great also with great warranty. I had it serviced once with kia dealership and they took care of my issue promptly. I also get it confused very often for expensive rides. I have a jaguar parking ticket to prove it. Some of my friends make fun because it lookd like a mutt between a jaguar and a lexus.

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  2001 Kia - 2001 Kia Rio
  By FUSILIER - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had no major problems with this car. It needs a lot more power. 98HP is not enough

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  Big Mistake - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By bjohnson - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle partly due to the warranty and because of the affordability. Big mistake. I now know why it has such an extensive warranty - youll need it. Poor quality interior. Constant problems with electric windows not working. Replaced master cyclinder. Cup holders breaking. Air conditioner now broken. Shudders while sitting at lights. Transmission doesnt shift gears properly. Depreciates in value so quickly I will be stuck with it for years to come.