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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  2008 Kia Spectra5 SX - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Choncer - July 4 - 8:10 am

  The Spectra5 is a very fun spunky car that cant quite out-accelerate other like makes, at higher speeds it dominates. Turning and cornering is exceptional, sound system is lacking in quality, but replacing the door speakers makes a world of difference. Controls are very functional and convenient, construction is solid. After market accessories are limited, but thats to be expected with a new vehicle. Not fond of the fact that the glovebox doesnt lock. When rear seats are folded down though, all kinds of rear space. I cant say enough good things about this car.

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  Lots of Fun - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By llpacal - July 4 - 2:00 am

  Had a couple of problems at the beginning that were fixed not enthusiastically yet the car is rock solid and super fun to drive. The seating position is fantastic and very cofortable.The engine is very peppy and the ride is firm but verry grippy.I now know that most people use this format to complain which I think is legitamate,but your normal satisfied consumer will never take the time to write a review.

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  Luv Bug - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Nan Brenny - July 2 - 4:22 pm

  Its the most fun to drive I have ever encountered. Handles like a dream. Has all the great technology...easy to understand

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  Seriously Consider a Kia Amanti - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By EVFK - July 2 - 10:00 am

  While looking for a used Lincoln Town Car, my husband talked me into test- driving a new Kia. Id never considered purchasing a foreign car, much less a Kia. I researched the 2004 Amanti on the Edmunds website and was pleasantly surprised by the high consumer rating and positive editor review. What really sold me were the incredible warranties offered with the car. The used Lincoln Town Car was more expensive than the Kia Amanti, had little if any warranty remaining (unless I wanted to purchase one), and it suffered from basic wear-and-tear. Do yourself a favor and just take a test drive, consider the warranties, and then make an informed decision. Youll love the 2004 Kia Amanti!!

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  Best kept seceret in luxury car division - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By sliclron42 - July 2 - 10:00 am

  I rented an Amanti from Enterprise and could not believe the quality and ride of this vehicle. I even offered to purchase the one I was renting on the spot. Tuesday October 26, I bought a used siver on with all the options but the rear heated seats and traction control. The car rides like a $50K plus automobile. I agree with the other reviewers that the styling does turn heads. The car just floats down the highway. Excellent car for the money.

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  excellent suv - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By numnum - July 2 - 10:00 am

  i have owned this vehicle for only about 6 weeks and i love it. i am anxious to see how it handles in the winter weather. i compared the sorento to other suvs, mainly the hyundai sonata. the kia offered more options and quality for the price and it is easier to drive.

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  I love this little car! - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Mom of two - July 1 - 7:33 pm

  This little car has continued to impress. My SX Rio5 had the power and sport packages which turned heads. It has been SO FUN TO DRIVE, so sporty/adorable and the gas mileage is the envy of all my friends and complete strangers who ask and gasp about the excellent MPG! I have enjoyed this car for three years now and have been spoiled by my exceptional dealership. Whenever taking my car in for warranty service or an oil change, Id get a complimentary ride to work and back; theyd even give me a free car wash and replace lightbulbs in a jiffy. I now find myself needing a roomier car (minivan w/ a growing family of 4). Im sad to let go of my trusty friend; he was so reliable and kept me safe!

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  Great Crossover - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By johann sylvestre - July 1 - 6:04 am

  The only issue is being that my wife is vertically challenged (short), she does not find the headrests comfortable.

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  surprising gas mileage - 2013 Kia Forte
  By my_forte - June 30 - 6:03 pm

  Since I was starting a new job that entailed a considerable commute, I needed a car with good gas mileage that didnt hurt the wallet too much. However, since I was going to be spending a considerable amount of time in the car, I wanted as many creature comforts as possible for a low price. The Kia Forte SX 2.4 litre does not sip fuel as well as the 2.0 litre, but I found that driving 100km/hour(legal speed limit here in Ontario), I could attain exactly the 6.2 litres/100km that was advertised...until my last fill-up. The odometer reached 9700 km and at 70-80km/hr while taking the scenic route home, the average consumption dipped to 5.1litres/100km. The 80km trip averaged 5.5litres/100km.

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  great little green car LOVE 2 drive soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By martha flowes - June 29 - 4:50 am

  i waited almost 6 months o make sure i wanted it and then got the green soul.love it. one of the coolest cars ive ever owned in my life. everyone wants to check it out too.