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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  3 Weeks In and Loving It - 2012 Kia Optima
  By gscott04 - October 11 - 12:01 am

  I wanted something different. Ever since i saw the new Optima on a dealership lot I was intrigued. Ultimately traded in an old Volvo wagon for a loaded up Optima SX Turbo. I am not disappointed. Really love the looks and all the technology and creature comforts. Cant think of too many things this car doesnt have and for the price it just delivers a boatload of value. You can nitpick if you want... I see others complain about road noise and less than optimum build quality but I dont have an issue. I love this car and would buy it again. I feel like I got an amazing car for the money.

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  lots of minivan for the money - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By KT - October 10 - 6:10 am

  My wife and I traded a 99 Plymouth Grand Voyager for an 05 Kia Sedona due to transmission problems. Right off the bat I was impressed--build quality and interior design were light years ahead of what I expected. Nice ride, too. Handling is decent. I have to give credit on the interior as this is the 05 Sedonas best feature. Plenty of cupholders, 12v outlets, and storage spots. Seats are comfortable. We took this van to the beach about a week after we bought it, and it was a perfect match. I never thought I would "want" to drive a minivan but this one changed all that. Great sage green exterior paint job. Easy on the eyes.

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  Nice car for great price. - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By rangerdopp - October 10 - 2:00 am

  I have looked at the other reviews and have come to realize that Kia makes some really great cars and some really bad cars. I guess I lucked out because I got this one at 7,000 and have had little problem with it. It drives well, has good steering and great gas mileage. My only problem is that my foot falls asleep on long distance drives (its a standard) and the radio doesnt have an automatic search button. Otherwise I love it.

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  Research brought me to the SPORTAGE - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By KIAs race bred SUV - October 9 - 11:30 pm

  Man I looked all of em. Started with the Forester, then a ML benz, Rav4, CR-V, and on and on. For 20k you will get close to rubbish in Australia in this class of vehicle. Reading numerous reviews led me to the Kia and believe me I didnt want to go there but the reviews couldnt all be lying! I looked into it. I must admit I was very surprised when I test drove one and found it to be better than all the above mentioned when considering ride quality (smooth as butter) braking is excellent, power is much better than its competitors except the xt forester, the black one I bought my wife looks better than all these overpriced under performers. KIA got it right with this one what can I say?

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  Love MY KIA - 2005 Kia Optima
  By jasonE. - October 7 - 7:03 pm

  I purchased my Kia on the 13th of June after i got a letter in the mail from a Kia dealer stating that they were looking for a used 2004 Kia Optimas with less than 40,000 miles on them.I had a 2004 LX 4cyl and thought i could UPGRADE!!!!

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  Bad Car to purchase - 2004 Kia Optima
  By fireman33 - October 7 - 6:39 am

  I have read alot of reviews on this car and some are good and some are bad. The ones that are good i hope it keeps going good for you. Well i have an 04 kia optima and I thought it was going to be a good car. I thought wrong , I have had nothing but problems with it since i got it. I have had it for a year and a half and bought it with 78k on it and now it has 99k on it. I have had the timing belt replaced along with the crank sensor, the cluthch has been replaced in it , 4 new tires put on it and thats because the control are was bent and it had to be replaced, it had had the fuel pump replace twice and the fuel pump assembly replace twice and its in the shop right now getting that done.

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  A Great Little Car! - 2004 Kia Rio
  By armyboy404 - October 7 - 5:53 am

  Ive had my Cinco for 6 months now and it has been GREAT! I live in metro Atlanta so driving is a way of life around here. My Cinco handles wonderfully. Ive also done long distance driving and it was very comfortable.

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  I like it! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By truckee - October 6 - 6:16 pm

  The car handles well and rides well, comfortable to drive, and the controls are easily within reach. Gas mileage could be better. Nice little buggy for the money, I like mine!

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  3rd Kia - 2003 Kia Rio
  By JDcar guy - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I was pleased to have purchased my 3rd Kia the other day. I purchased a used 97 Kia Sephia first, liked it so well that when we were ready to buy a new car we purchased a 2002 Kia Rio. 33,000 miles later, I needed a seperate car and bought an additional 2003 Kia Rio. These cars are really reliable, and a blast to drive. And the monthly payments are a breeze compared to what some of my friends are paying for their cars. You know what? My Kias get me everywhere I want to go in comfort and style.

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  So Cal EX Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Lilscooter-SoCal - October 5 - 10:00 am

  I love this thing.....it runs & looks great BEST CAR I HAVE Ever Purchaed !!