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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  I love this car!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2011 Kia Soul
  By avapink16 - November 15 - 12:35 am

  I love this car one of my friends got this car like 8 months ago I loved it so much that i bought one. It runs great it looks even better which is really important to me because i just turned 16 and this is my first car so looks were just as important as safty and gas milage.

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  great car - 2009 Kia Rio
  By wafa - November 14 - 12:00 pm

  Im so happy with my kia rio, I love it roomy, quite, and great gas saver

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  Do not buy one - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Dont Buy ONE! - November 13 - 4:23 pm

  I bought my Rio in January with 68K miles and not after 5 months of driving the engine died! I was on the freeway and it seized! After inspection they thought it was a timing belt but in the process of inspection of the engine found that the lower part of the engine died and then broke the timing belt, spark plugs blown into bits and pieces! After call KIA they said that the last 2 years they made better engines and the engine in the 2002 was not "good." They tried to sell me a new kia but after my experance I will never buy a kia and never recommend them to a friend, in fact I told my friend who owns a kia to sell his fast! Dont get one!

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  Quality, Looks & Unbelievably Priced - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By pacorona - November 13 - 10:00 am

  one of the quietest, smoothest rides I have experienced, bar none. I do not know how Kia can sell an auto of this quality for the asking price, but I am glad to be one of the first year model owners. People ask what kind it is and comments are always favorable. Big car style, Mercedes-look headlights,LOTS of chrome including front grill. Interior has wood trim & optional leather pkg. Very lg trunk w/full sized matching tire & wheel. Sideview mirror even angles down when backing up to avoid anthing on ground behind car. Beautiful full mats standard. Adjustable front & rear headrests. 20-23 MPG. I LOVE THIS CAR!

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  What A Surprise - 2004 Kia Optima
  By riverider - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I had drove several other cars before deciding on my Kia. It was loaded and under $20000 with the best warranty. I like it a lot, use to drive Nissans before they got to high. I like the V6 a lot, leather was nice to. So for that kind of stuff it would cost several $1000 more to buy a less loaded car.It is easy to park and see out of it.

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  New Kia Fan - 2004 Kia Optima
  By kia4life - November 13 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car two weeks ago, I never thought I would own a Kia, but now I may never own anything else. This car is great, it has looks and performance. It has been mistaked from anything from a Mercedes to a Lincoln. I am proud to tell people it is a Kia instead. You cant beat this car, I dont even miss my Pontiac Grand Am GT.

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  Great Car For The Price - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Brandonaf46 - November 11 - 7:00 pm

  I had an old beater before I bought my Kia Rio thinking I was saving money by not buying a new car. When I found out I could get a brand new car for about the same I was paying in repairs to my old car I was sold. The car has enough pick up to get going and a small enough engine to get great gas mileage. Not to mention the warranty is amazing. I recommend this vehicle for anyone who was a good, reliable car that doesnt cost them an arm and a leg.

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  A Great SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Sharlyn - November 11 - 6:53 pm

  I have had my Sorento for almost 3 years without any problems. The car runs great, takes trails with ease and is very sure-footed in the snow.

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  Great value, size...Eye Catching - 2010 Kia Soul
  By bx - November 10 - 9:46 pm

  After reading many of the 92 other reviews...my conclusion is that the Soul is very well equipped, great looking, with a great audio system. The quality and quantity of features in the Soul are amazing for a vehicle that tops out at $18000. The "18s" are beautiful with excellent spec tires. The fuel economy is as advertised, 25 mixed driving, and 31- 32+ on the highway. This vehicle has bluetooth, satellite radio, wonderful audio system, most power options, and very stylish looks inside and out. The fit and finish are excellent. At highway speeds the internal noise level is comfortable. This is a very "cool" ride.

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  2010 Kia Forte SX (5A) - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Chris - November 10 - 8:50 pm

  In August I purchased a 2010 Kia Forte SX with black cloth interior, and love it. I looked at the Civic, Mazda3 and Corolla; the Forte SX was ~$1500 less money, had a few more standard options (e.g., bluetooth)and to me, looks better than the other three. Plus, the warranty is very good (5/60 & 10/100). The exterior color is black, and I had the windows tinted, so it really adds to the overall looks. With the sport suspension, it takes the small road bumps kinda hard, plus there does seem to be a rattle in the suspension area when going over the bumps (Ill drive a little longer, if still an issue, Ill get this checked out). Overall, great ride, great looking compact car, great value.