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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  2004 Kia - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Mack - November 15 - 4:50 am

  Excellent Vehicle!! I only had to buy new tires and perform the regular maintenance for this vehicles since I purchased it. Not a problem with it. If you take care of this vehicle, it will take care of you. Many people do not take care of their cars and expect them to last a long time. I tell you what, I am keeping my KIA and if I need to buy another vehicle, it will be a KIA! It is cheaper, I have all the toys and it rides great!

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  Happy with purchase, would buy again - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Marisol - November 13 - 11:53 pm

  I owned a Kia Spectra before and it protected me in a serious accident. This truck is very sharp looking, I get comments about it all the time. Very roomy inside, lots of extra features. The clock doesnt work right but the dealer already knows. The car is a little skittish on wet roads.

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  Nice exterior/poor reliability - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Brandrews - November 13 - 10:00 pm

  Bought this car brand new with 87 kilometers on it. Right off the bat the stereo didnt work right. Lost reception in the city all the time. Dealership replaced stereo, didnt fix it. Replaced wiring, didnt fix it. Replaced antenna, didnt fix it. Installed an aftermarket FM Modulator, didnt fix it. They hacked up my dashboard with their tools. 8 months later, countless calls to Kia Canada. Nothing has been fixed. The car hasnt started 5 times since I bought it brand new. The hinges on the back liftgate began to degrade and caused rust streaks down my back window. When fixing this issue, the dealership chipped two pieces off of the roof of my car. Now I need to have the roof repainted.

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  Forte SX - 2010 Kia Forte
  By carson - November 12 - 3:16 am

  Did the cash for clunkers. Drove Honda Mazda Toyota chevy ect. Was about to give up on the whole deal. went by the Kia dealer just as the Fortes where showing up on the lots. Drove it and bought it so many standard options. Kia hav come a long way they put the others to shame. My son drives 100 miles a day highway 35mpg average. Now if they would just offer a turbo option

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  GREAT VALUE - GREAT CAR - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By JACK IN TACOMA - November 11 - 9:33 pm

  Drove off the lot with a brand new 2005 Spectra LX, 5 speed - paying only $9450. What a deal !! The car drives great. The comfort and quality is on par with Toyota. My friends say "you bought a Kia" BUT when I show them the car, take them for a ride, and then tell them the selling price, they simply cant believe it. Everyone who sees the car is shocked by the quality, craftsmanship and the BANG for the BUCK.

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  Better be no troubles for 3 years - 2015 Kia Sedona
  By TouringNY - November 11 - 6:31 pm

  Leasing for 3 years, right now near end of model year Kia is giving incentives to lease, you should make sure before you go. what kinda sucks is the 8-passenger SXL takes away the sunroof that I wanted, makes no sense. paying so much and not getting a sunroof cause its only available on the 7 seater? My wife has trouble finding a comfortable seating position, she feels her old Odyssey seat was better. kids feels seats in back are comfortable. The power is supposed to be same as Odyssey but I cant help but feel it is more sluggish to accelerate. The surround view camera is only available on the highest level and seems on par with luxury car makes (Infiniti is what Ive experienced so far).

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  New Owner - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Brenda - November 11 - 5:43 pm

  Recently purchased Kia Sedona. Always owned cars, never a van. The inside still has the familiarity of a car. My children enjoy it, especially the DVD. I dont have 100 miles yet, so I really cant comment to much on the performance/mileage. The ride, so far, is nice, smooth and pretty fast.

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  I LOVE MY SPORTAGE! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Genie Candler - November 10 - 9:03 pm

  I knew the first time that I slIpped behind the wheel of my 2005 Kia Sportage that I was meant to drive it. I was scared, because Im only 52," so I had always feared the SUV, knowing I would never see out of it. But my salesman had more confidence than I did, as we went for a ride. It drove like a dream, and it still does, months later. And, for you short people out there -- I CAN SEE OUT OF IT (better, actually, than I could in my old car). The mileage is better than I could have hoped for in even a small SUV, and it is the most fun car that I have ever driven. I now know that my next car will be a Kia, and the next one, and the next one.

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  Dollar for dollar a great deal - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Nerdman - November 10 - 7:10 pm

  We purchased this after comparing it to the Honda and Toyota. Dollar for dollar, it was just a better deal. I was worried about reliablity but after owning it since we purchased it new in 2003 and taking several family long distance vacations, I have never regretted my choice. I bought this for the wife to haul the kids, but when Im home I opt to take the Kia over my Honda because of how comfortable it is to drive. The fit and finish on the interior is top notch. (I have the EX with leather) and the power to pass is excellent.

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  Best 4 wheels for the price - 2001 Kia Rio
  By skotty - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought the car hardly used (only 2500 miles) from the dealership for less than $5,000. No defects except a little minor damage inside on the cheap shift boot. Besides that the car is a blast to drive. pick up is fine, but shifting can seem tough with the hard gates. I am a highschool student who does a lot of city driving and this car has got me through it all not to mention dirt/off road driving daily... This car is a car for the masses, enjoy