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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  First new car - 2007 Kia Optima
  By happyasaclam - May 7 - 2:03 pm

  I have owned this car for one year today, and I love it more and more each day that I get behind that wheel. I hate to say that my baby has had to be in the shop a total of 8 times now. That is all do to the dealer that I bought it from. It got so bad, that I had to find a better dealership. There are a few things that are going wrong, and I am hopeful that they will be fixed right this time. The air bags in the front passenger side work when they want, the gas mileage is something all on its own, and the rear end is now having some problems that I have been waiting for to be fixed. All in all, I would never drive anything else. I love my KIA.

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  Not bad for a cheap car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Cheap Car - May 7 - 12:36 pm

  Bought it used for my wife to commute in with 44K on it. It now has 86K on it and is still running strong.That pesky check engine light goes on and off when it feels like it.It must be something minor because it has no effect on performance or gas mileage.Other than normal maintenance I have had no problems with it. I did notice that in hot, hot weather the speedo and tack go wacky for a while. I have changed the transmission oil twice and have had no problems with it after reading about transmission problems other owners have had. I must have got a descent one because I do not have all the problems that other Kia owners have.

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  Awesome car, awesome price! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Nicole - May 7 - 3:20 am

  I traded in a 2005 Lincoln LS V8 for this and I was amazed at the pick up that this 4 cylinder has. I needed something with better gas mileage and I am getting between 35-40 mpg, which is roughly double from the Lincoln. If you arent too crazy about the exterior design, the interior might change your mind. It has a very young and sporty feel and is rather comfortable with all the standard features. I am happy with the trade and look forward to saving big bucks on gas and maintanence!

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  Worst car Ive ever owned - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By have to say - May 6 - 10:16 pm

  Im glad Kia offers a 60 thousand mile warranty, because I had to have this lemon in 8 times for warranty work. Many times the work was for the same problem over and over (cheap seat covers that tore, gear shift that locked up, locks that locked the car on it’s own, mechanical issues of all kinds). I’m over 60 thousand miles now, and the car is just slowly crumbling. There’s no way I’m ever buying a Kia again after this.

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  Worth the savings?? - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By DomesticDog - May 6 - 10:00 am

  Price over all else was the the deciding factor in this purchase. The moment we drove the van off the dealer lot the "check engine" light was on. After three trips and three weeks in their service department, the problem was fixed.There have been other problems as well including: Oil leaks, intermittent A/C clutch noise, loose rear-view mirror and numerous squeeks and rattles (nine months of ownership and six trips to the service department). I would gladly add $50-$100 to my monthly payment to be driving a Honda or Toyota. remember, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!.

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  New Kia - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Ex SUV owner - May 6 - 12:16 am

  My wife and I just recently purchased a 2008 Kia Rio and traded in her 01 Ford Escape. She is very happy with the car. It cost her about half to fill the gas tank than it did before and she can drive for almost twice as long. The interior is very sporty with black and red stitched seating. My question is Why would anyone want to buy a base model Rio when the price of a almost fully loaded one isnt much more.

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  Kia? Thats right. - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By cheeks - May 4 - 1:36 pm

  Just purcahsed this vehicle this week and I have to say I never thought about Kia. I wanted a new 4Runner, but I could not get any kind of deal, but sticker plus. I was on the way home when I remembered that the Sorento redisgn for 2011 was to be released so I stop in and took one for a test drive. I am on the road about 40k miles a year for work and need a functional vehicle which will allow me to carry some samples and equipment. The one thing I love about this CUV is that it is large. I opted for the stogage in the back and no third row seating option. I have the 4 cylinder and will average about 24-25 in mixed driving. There are a lot of options for your money, great value. 0%/48.2.9%/60

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  2004.5 Kia Spectra - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By bman41202 - May 3 - 3:50 pm

  This is the best car I have ever owned. It has more horsepower and torque than the Civic or the Corolla. Every performance part store is trying to get new parts for the Spectra because they realize what potential it has.

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  2013 KIA Optima SX - 2013 Kia Optima
  By achero1 - May 2 - 10:00 pm

  Compared BMW 328, MB 300, Audi A4, and infiniti g37x to the KIA SX. Optima SX had more options and performance. The optima is a gorgeous car. the outside styling and paint finish is incredible. Interior materials are excellent quality. The navigation and radio respond very quickly. Front and rear seats are heated. I have had the car for a month, love how it drives and handles. The SX turbo flies with almost 274HP. this is my 3rd kia. They have been extremely dependable. There is nothing on the market that has the same value as a KIA. This is not the KIA of past. Toyota and Honda take note. I traded out of a m35x for the SX. The m35x was very expensive to maintain almost $12k a year.

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  Bye-Bye SCION XB - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Joe S - April 26 - 3:40 am

  After comparing the Scion XB and the Kia Soul.There is NO comparison in comfort, finish, style, price or warantee...After seeing both vehicles at Syracuse Auto show, I decided to test drive and compare both vehicles in Spring.The Scion definately has the more powerful engine, but it all ends there. The Soul has a more comfortable driving position, more standard features , bluetooth, better stereo system ,16 inch aluminum alloy wheels, better rear visability,better seats and interior quality, smooth controls, and free satillite radio( 3 mth trial).