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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  26,000 miles - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By Tunabear1 - April 2 - 3:28 pm

  Still enjoying the ride. Dread eventually having to replace expensive 19" tires. When Im using the wipers, I wish they would automatically sweep once each time I step off the brakes (like in my former 01 Acura TL). Trunk door collects rainwater which drips into cargo compartment when opened. Badly obstructed side-view vision.

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  4dr Kia Forte SX (5A) w/ leather - 2010 Kia Forte
  By MarquetteBBall - March 31 - 4:06 pm

  I know Im in the honeymoon period right now seeing as Ive only had the car for 3 days, but Im really impressed with my purchase. Kia definitely surprised me with the Forte. I never thought Id buy a Kia but I couldnt be happier at the moment. The SX with leather is definitely the best trim to go. I got it in Spicy Red, which comes with red stitching on the leather, heated seats. I love the auto shutoff on the headlights/fog lights. The steering wheel controls are very well planned out and the steering wheel itself looks great. The back seat and the trunk have significantly more room than other comparable compact sedans like the Focus, Corolla, and Civic.Engine has alot of peppiness to it

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  its all good - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By its all good - March 27 - 10:00 am

  i think this car is a good little car, there is a place for the cds. what most dealers will call a tape holder is also a cd holder. some of the kias come with out a radio so u can get ur own and as far as speakers u can always change those out. overall i think its a decent car for the money ur paying and its got a nice look to it. its affordable for most and can be fun to drive (espcially with a manual!). ive driven almost 7000 mi in less than 4 months of having the car and i havent seenanything yet. and i dont have any special features.

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  I probably just had a lemon - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By ldurbin03 - March 24 - 10:00 am

  I recently bought an 04 sedona with only 129 miles on it. Since then Ive put about 1400 miles on it, and had to gas up about 7 times...on a 20 gallon tank. Kinda hurts the budget spending that much on gas. Took it to the dealer, they said there was nothing wrong, so unfortunately, pretty much have to get rid of it. I figured I pretty much got messed over by a lemon...oh well, my dealer has done what they can to make it right by getting me into a good optima

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  greeat - 2007 Kia Rio
  By merrill3001 - March 22 - 10:33 pm

  Good car for basic transportation.

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  First Time Buyer - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By KenL - March 22 - 2:36 am

  Looking for small SUV and tried both Honda and Toyota and found that this was best for the money. We have not done any highway driving but was getting initial 17 - 19 MPG. I replaced the air filter with K&N and now getting 23 - 26 around town. Pickup is slow but once it gets going it is fine, but with I wish it had 5 or 6 speed automatic. For the price of $20K with V6 auto, power everything, CD / MP3, sunroof, keyless with alarm, alloy wheels, upgraded interior, etc.

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  Well made in America - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By joncab5 - March 19 - 12:03 pm

  We have owned it for 18 months and have 28,500 miles. Not one problem yet, except some minor recalls. I really like the leather, climate controls, navi is just as good as Lexus. Great 3rd row when you need it. This car is perfect for our family and has done well on long trips.

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  I love my new Spectra! - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Diskjokk - March 15 - 2:00 am

  Yup, I read Edmunds report before I purchased my new 2003 Kia Spectra. And for those of us who have read it, we know its not a favorable review. After spending a few days with the car, I will have to agree with the Edmunds report that the brakes seem a bit weak and the interior seems a bit "cheaper" when comparing it to a 2003 Focus or Neon. However, what my Spectra does provide me with is an awesome looking automobile with a 10 year warranty. The interior is very roomy and the seating is comfortable. The car does seem very responsive when driven. I think its a pretty neat car and it has grown on me a great deal.

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  So far, so Good - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Ivory_babe4u - March 15 - 2:00 am

  I just bought the Sorento 4x4 on the 14th of March 2003. I love it so far! www.kia.com Check them out. I went online and picked out features I wanted. Called my car company and they had the exact one just coming in. Is that service or what? like when you take the key out and you left your lights on, when you open the drivers side door the lights automatically go off! I have been caught more than 1x needing a jump. :-) I also like the features that windows work after key is removed from ignition until drivers side door opens. This is my second Kia vehicle.

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  great design, but flawed! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Doug B. - March 10 - 5:20 pm

  This is a company car; we wanted something fairly new with a warranty and the Sorento fit the bill. I am impressed with the ride, the handling, the comfort (I am 68") and the storage. Despite its low horsepower, I find it to be a quick when you mash the pedal. What really impressed me is the storage, all the reviews by car mags complain about the lack of storage but I found it to be more than enough. Dealer service has been exemplary. My personal car is a Lexus LS400, and the dealer treatment approaches the Lexus dealer. With every service they wash the car, amazing. Only complaint is the check engine light.