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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  Love my kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By chris - February 28 - 8:20 pm

  I traded my Kia Sportage for a Kia Sorento. It was the best choice that I made. The Sorento has more space and storage. Very comfortable. Its easy to handle on the road and has a lot of power. Everything you need while driving is easy to reach. It looks great and drives great!

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  Not your typical econobox - 2006 Kia Rio
  By mwrobe1 - February 27 - 5:26 pm

  A great commuter car for $13k. Im 65" 235lbs and the Rio fit me the best out of all the subcompacts. Adequate power and excellent mpg. Front seats are very comfortable! Stereo system is pretty decent for stock. Fun to drive...easy to park...cruises nice and smooth on the highway. Handling is surprisingly sporty. Interior is styled and laid out well.

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  Great car so far... - 2004 Kia Optima
  By ledbus1259 - February 27 - 6:10 am

  My last two cars were Nissan Altimas. I got priced out of that market and picked up a new Optima for $4100 less then and Altima. The gas mileage has been great and I just love the all around good looks of this vehicle. Read the fine print on the warranty though, lots of items not covered after the first year.

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  Quite a nice car! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By bromelski - February 27 - 2:00 am

  I own a Carbon Gray Amanti, (leather, sunroof, etc.), and as most others, I love it! People dont seem to know what to make of it. At first I thought styling looked a little odd, -now I absolutley love it. I have yet to see another one on the road, which makes it exclusive (for now at least).

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  I Luv my Kia - 2010 Kia Forte
  By TLG - February 26 - 5:16 pm

  Ive had my Coup for just a little over 2 months. I still love walking out to the parking lot at work and seeing my baby. Even better when I get in to enjoy the drive home. I have had so many compliments on this car as well. It feels like I should have paid much more for it. The acceleration is great on this car! I need to be careful though, I have tendency to want to go faster than what the speed limit is because its so fun to drive! Oh, and the gas mileage is awesome! The way this car drives and performs it feels like shouldnt be so efficient. And my teenagers actually dont mind being seen with me in this car racy red car. :)

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  Worth the wait - 2010 Kia Forte
  By TomR10 - February 26 - 12:16 pm

  I first saw the Koup in online reviews from the 2008 New York Auto Show. I was really impressed with the body lines, and intrigued by the 2.0 with Turbo. When the Genesis Coupe came out with the Turbo, I was certain the Koup wouldnt be far behind - alas it was not to be. I do have to say, however, that the 2.4 with the 6 speed manual has plenty of pep and is fun to drive - once youre used to first gear! After driving an 05 Spectra5 for 111,000 miles, I was certain that another Kia purchase would be a wise one. My milage is a little less than the Spectra - but the engine is larger... After over 2000 miles, I am not disappointed!

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  My 1st Kia - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By rwanek6 - February 26 - 1:00 am

  Have owned this car for over a year. Outstanding in every sense of the word except for the poor gas mileage. Have taken it on three trips so far and comfort and driving experience outstanding, very disappointed in gas mileage with or without a full load of people and luggage. Outstanding exterior appearance.

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  Kia has winner in the Sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By HappyWithSedona - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Kia Sedona EX, all options for $21,500 Everything is perfect.It drives great & is very quiet. As a service to those who are in the market for a minivan, I offer the following to consider: #1. You would have to pay $7,000 to $10,000 extra to get a comparable mini van from Honda, Toyota, Dodge … #2. The only real question mark concerns the quality and reliability of the Sedona. To put my mind at ease, I talked to 3 different Kia mechanics, from 3 different dealers, and they all said the same thing…The Sedona is the first vehicle Kia has produced that meets the Japanese in initial quality and reliability.

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  Great Value/Not What I Expected - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Niteman - February 25 - 10:00 am

  I had a Ford Ranger for 5 years prior to this purchase. I must admit how wary I was to buy Korean, my doubts were proved wrong. This car has alot of bang for your buck. If youre in the market for a small sedan you should definitely take this one for a spin. I fell in love with this car once I drove it. Whoever gave this vehicle a bad review must have either gotten a lemon or expected to get a luxury car on a small budget. For the price you just cant beat it! I expected an economy car, and got much more! p.s.- its peppy too!

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  Best Bang For The Buck! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By MTLOVESKG - February 25 - 1:20 am

  Goodbye 08 Corloa, hello 2010 Forte SX! Features I love: Bluetooth, sirius radio, metal trim, leather steering wheel with audio controls, foglights, chrome tailpipe, 2.4 Liter 173 HP engine that is peppy yet economical, awesome styling (in and out). FUN TO DRIVE!! SEXY CORSA BLUE COLOR!