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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  lemon - 2001 Kia Rio
  By mary196521 - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had a bad experience with this vechile. It has been in the shop 8 times and needs to go back because I am having the same problem I was having a year ago. I dont care for the car and wish there was some way to get out from under it. I thought about getting a lawyer to sue them to get out from under it. I will never buy another Kia as long as I live.

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  I Luv my Kia - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Reeny - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had the chance to drive my Kia in the snow this weekend and it did an amazing job! I love the look and the feel of my new SUV...and people even say it looks like a Lexus!

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  Everything better than expected - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Gene - February 9 - 12:06 am

  For a first new car purchase, I researched thoroughly through Edmunds and Consumer Reports. After 3 years, this car has surpassed my expectations, no complaints whatsoever. Excellent gas mileage, plenty of head and leg room, car has been consistently dependable in all driving situations. Have had it on 1000+ mile trip @ continuous speeds of 80mph, and have needed peppiness in interstate traffic as of late, the car keeps meeting expectations. The only complaint was one tire with a separated belt somewhere in it, didnt figure this out until after warranty was out on tires, no fault of car manufacturer. Car still runs fine, just low noise from the tire, faint wobble when rotated to front.

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  Great Camping/Towing Vehicle - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By Jimmy C - February 8 - 3:38 am

  I was skeptical about KIAs history, but I did a ton of research and discovered their reviews and quality have greatly improved since the 2000s. Weve owned our 2013 Sorento for almost 2 years and 25,000 miles. The 2013 Sorento LX 3.5 has greatly exceeded my expectations. I own a 16 TrailLite camper (3,500 lbs loaded). The Sorento EASILY pulls it at idle. I was amazed how well the KIA pulled my camper with my 2 fishing kayaks on the roof-rack. Granted Fuel economy drops while towing from 25mpg (@75mph) to about 11mpg (@70), but that was still better than expected. Acceleration is a little jumpy and takes some getting used to. Breaks are great. Handling is smooth and comfortable. Changing the oil was a learning experience; the filter is on the top of the engine, which was new to me; I searched for it for about 5 minutes before I gave in and Googled its location. The filter is about 2x more expensive that typical filters. It takes nearly 6 quarts of oil. Seating - Front is comfortable, but I wouldnt mind the seats being a little wider. Im 60, 220, 40" waist. The second row seating is fairly comfortable, and they recline! The 3rd row is tight for me, but I could fit if I lost a bet. Ideal size for 3rd row would be < 5. In my opinion, none of the mid-size SUV competitors can compare to the Sorento when talking about towing capacity, economy, features and price.

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  KIA how inexpensive thou are - 2013 Kia Optima
  By george marx - February 7 - 9:06 pm

  The car is the best value I could find. (and it do a lot of research on cars) I bought SLX turbo and its plenty quick for these old bones. Just dont drop the hammer on it, the turbo doesnt like it. (Turbo lag) It came with every option you can think of save for auto slow down when its in cruise control.

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  My review title - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Gurn Blanston - February 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased new in 2002. Havent had any major problems yet. No repairs needed. No warrenty claims. Ive had the services done at the dealership about every 3000 miles. Being 64" its a little tight for me on the leg room, but really not too bad considering. The only real aggravation Ive had with it has to do with a design flaw and my having size 12 shoes. There is an armature about where the toes of a right size 12 shoe that controls the air-handling system (where the air squirts out from) and about once a month I kick that armature off. Its been pretty easy to put back on though...30 second repair. Hmmm...75 characters remaining...oops, 46 now.

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  great car - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By wood00 - February 7 - 10:00 am

  i think it a very good car for the price range. very stylish ,people always turning their heads asking question. i just love the carso many icant just pick one . i like the look

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  Great so far - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By snbcdad - February 7 - 9:56 am

  I bought this car used to replace my 12 year old Altima. Its much smaller outside, but just as comfy and more rear seat legroom (Im 511"). Feels solid, peppy on take off, VERY respectable trunk size for its class, and cheap to buy. Gas mileage started out low (25.5 in mixed driving), but has steadily improved with warmer weather (31.6 in mixed driving). Not up to par with the Corolla for gas mileage, but rivals it everywhere else. Very happy with my purchase. Safety features were a sell along with price. Also, the outside styling is very nice.

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  I liked my 2013 Soul Exclaim soooo much...that I got a 2014 too! - 2013 Kia Soul
  By mazda5forme - February 7 - 7:52 am

  Im glad I finally found a car brand that doesnt build junk! KIA! Not only did I buy a new 2013 Soul Exclaim for myself...but also my wife got a new Sorento (made at KIAs West Point USA Factory!), my daughter bought a Sportage, my son got a new Forte AND a Soul also! Several great reasons to buy from KIA... 1) Quality. 2nd to none. 2) Perfect paint, well made, all the body panels line up. 3) Crazy level of standard equipment for the price. Bluetooth, steering wheel controls for sound system, backup camera! 4) Even the Dealerships for KIA are professional, clean, friendly and helpful. Im not used to that...I used to have all Fords! 5) The KIA styling is world class...

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  very bad! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By bakhtalo - February 7 - 12:13 am

  got it 3 years ago and always have had a problem with the engine, transmission, electrical and so so on. If Id not get it as a present from a friend Id never buy it. Now the compressor went and its very hot. Dont make the mistake of getting yourself KIA. I learned this lesson the hard way