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! - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Chris Hoke - February 16 - 7:25 pm

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  My surprise - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Amanti - February 16 - 12:26 pm

  I have been a Cadillac owner for 30 years before I experience the Amanti. I rented this car on a business trip and had it for 2 weeks. I was to impressed with it, I drove to a local KIA dealer and told him to cloan it. He did give me a price and with the warranties I was very impressed. On my return home, I found a local dealer and just ordered it. I have taken two trips with it and found it like driving a Cadillac. You have one very satisfied customer. Please keep up the good work.

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  I love my Sorento - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Cathy - February 16 - 10:27 am

  I never in a million years thought I would buy a Kia. The car is so roomy for my giant husband. The seats are comfortable for my delicate back. The ride is smooth-I must watch my speed as I find I do 80 because it is so quiet and my speed creeps up on me. I thought I was going to get a Subaru Outback. They were giving me a poor trade in on my Cadillac and not offering a deal in any way and I was not in love with the car. I actually am not a lover of cars as many people are but, I love my Sorento. As far as trade in value, who knows and who cares. We tend to just keep them until they die anyway. I am still getting used to the bells and whistles.

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  Still Going! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By M D Wright - February 15 - 10:14 pm

  Purchased my Kia Spectra brand new in Sept of 2007. Over 453,000 later, Still Going Strong! Standard reccomended maintenance.

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  Made the right choice - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Mark Butler - February 15 - 9:50 pm

  I get so many compliments on my Amanti. I have never enjoyed a vehicle more. I look forward now to just driving to the grocery store. Heck, I just sit in it in the garage. The best warranty around. Awesome value and styling. The steering is so light; the ride the smoothest. I would put the quietness and comfort up against the Lexus any day.

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  Ill get another - 2002 Kia Optima
  By sissy - February 15 - 10:00 am

  I was recently in a car accident with my 7 month old car. The car held up very well, the air bags responded and the dash did not shift in or under. The car has not been rated as far as I know for front/side test ratings, but I would give it 5 stars. I was fortunate enough to live through it.

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  transmition problem and front noise - 2015 Kia Sedona
  By ignacio soto - February 14 - 1:52 am

  transmition replaced 2 times and damage tires also,i owned 5 kia before but this time my experience change completed.my last kia

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  BUILT SOLID & FUN TO DRIVE - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By alikcee - February 13 - 10:39 am

  My first foreigners car..I exchange my Ford explorer V8 to this Brand new Sportage 2012 in Signal Red..I really liked it. I thought I am down grading my car to 4cylender car but not. I cant feel the difference. While I am going up a stiff hill I thought this car will give up on me. This baby went up up up up zoommmmm...Very cool . Very quality , firmed , the audio package wow wow wow..I didnt regret to buy this suv , paid in cash too.. When I am driving, I got so much attention .:) Love my Brand new sportage . I am not going to the pump very often like my v8 ford explorer..I love american made cars but I want to give this a try...Glad I did...No regrets..

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  love escaping my Escape - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By lisa G - February 13 - 3:46 am

  I escaped my mistake . I love my Sorento. Have 2200 miles on it so far. The ride and fit are so much better than my 2003 Ford Escape. I feel much safer in this SUV. It sticks to the road better. I do wish it got better mileage. But its a small trade off. The sound system is pretty good to. I have added behind the seat pouches for my kids. The sunroof leaked the 1st week I had it and the dealer fixed it with no hassles at all.

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  Kia Sportage 4 Dr Base - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Jim - February 13 - 3:43 am

  Love my Sportage, fun to drive, decent power for 4 cylinder, enjoy standard shift, mechanically sound. Gas milage around 19-20 city, 26 mpg highway. Do not like cup holder location, AM/FM cassette radio could be better. Overall pleased with vehicle, plan on keeping for another 100,000 miles. Changing timing belt and water pump at 103,000 miles as preventative maintenance.