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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  KIA Sportage 4WD 2000 - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By a lukosky - August 23 - 10:00 am

  I have had three years of trouble free driving with my 2000 Sportage 4WD. The paint job has held up well. The 4WD is super-simple to engage and operate. Mechanically, nothing has occurred. No burned out light or brakelight bulbs. The only thing (which has been corrected in later models)is the on/off button for the radio. Most people like to just push the on/off button instead of having to manually turn it on/off. I just enjoy driving it. I feel it is the best SUV you could buy for the US dollar. Our Morande dealership is the best dealership I have ever had contact with. The service department is super great.

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  Nice car for the money - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Harry - August 23 - 1:56 am

  Chose this car for its features, safety, comfort, weight (Michigan winter winds are fierce!), first year depreciation and reliability. Paid $16k for a year-old, program car with 16k miles in like new condition. (Consumer Reports bad-mouthed the Amanti, but Ive learned to discount CR opinions about many things!) This car has been next to perfect for my needs. I wasnt a leather seat fan, but these are fine. Long trips are a joy, because of the comfortable, quiet ride. CR complains about its handling, but anyone with half a brain doesnt get into situations CR moans about, and the Kia ESC helps you out of those foisted upon you by idiots on the road.

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  Kia Rio Cinco Worst car ever - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Joe Cacadeech - August 20 - 12:40 pm

  I bought the Rio as mainly a commuter car and I regret I did. Its really cramped interior whether in the front or back. If thats not enough the totally underpowered engine will make you sick. The gas mileage is terrible considering how small the car is (average 19 city/25 hwy); come on it doesnt even compare to cars that are bigger or have more power, and forget about merging onto a highway or passing. If youre considering a car in this market, avoid this one at all costs and go with the also Korean made Chevy Aveo. Trust me the Kia is terrible. But to be fair it does start up every morning and it has an excellent warranty

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  Love my Rio!!!!! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By debj1 - August 19 - 5:16 pm

  I bougth my Rio used with about 50,000 miles on it in 2004. Ive only put normal maintanence in it, except for the rear wheel barring that need to be replaced. I absolutely love driving it!!!! Ill be buying a Sportage in the next few months, but I will be keeping my Rio. It will remain my go to car, at least until it dies. Im at 150,000 miles right now and hopeing Ill get a 100,000 more out of it. Not much on luxury, but a true JOY to drive!!!!!!!

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  A good dependable ride! - 2008 Kia Rio
  By RossM - August 18 - 10:43 am

  I bought this as my first "new" car and I like this little buggy. I am a sales rep and so am on the road a lot, it handles well and is fun to drive. It is pretty good on gas. I would say average for a car this size. I put a huge ski box on the roof and it gets a bit worse of course. I use it in the winter around Alberta/BC with good winter tires and its great, plowed through 1 foot of snow on mountain roads more then once. I have taken it on logging roads for hundreds of km, driven it to California, Vancouver Island and more. It feels like a Honda or Toyota in terms of build quality, pretty solid. Shifts nice. Looks Euro. A great car.

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  2009 Kia Optima SXV6 = Winner - 2009 Kia Optima
  By tsuttonjr - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle is a pleasure to drive. Solid road manners, quiet along normal paved surfaces, decent accelaration, most luxury features available for the money. It is very stylish, more reminiscent of an Infiniti or Acura vehicle. The build quality of Kia is higher than previously expected. The speedodmeter reads to 160 mph and may reach 140-150 mph given the gearing & feel of its accelaration if it is not speed governed. I ordered mine and received it with 4 miles total. I have been happy every since.

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  Amazing car for the price - 2012 Kia Forte
  By marco34 - August 18 - 1:14 am

  I purchased the Kia Forte Hatchback (really a wagon) with 16,000 miles for $12,400. I drive short distances to work and weekly long highway trips to family. Recently got 43.7 mpg on a flat highway for a 100 mile drive. Normally average 25 mpg in the city. Easy to hit 36 mpg on the highway at 70-75 mph. Absolutely no problems at current miles of 27K miles on the odometer-only oil changes so far.

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  Best minivan I have ever owned - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Shiela Barrett - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I have owned one of every minivan on the market (with the exception of the Honda)over the past 10 years, this one is by far my favorite. The hefty weight gives a strong feeling of stability and security on the road. The engine is a perfect match for the size of the vehicle. Acceleration is as good or better than the 2001 Cougar that I traded for it.

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  Sorento - a must L@@k for a SUV buyer - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By IowaRyans - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Sorento after considering the Toyota Highlander and Hyundai Santa Fe. Without question, the Sorento was an excellent value and a quality vehicle. Everyone asks..."Is that a Kia?" For +/- $8,000-$10,000 less than the Highlander...Toyota better keep their eye on this Korean manufacturer!! Buy one...You wont be sorry.

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  Optima SX 14,000 - 2013 Kia Optima
  By dlehnhoff - August 16 - 2:55 pm

  For me the car is fun to drive and Ive had a lot of high end German cars along with their high end service and many repair costs. With the SX,enjoy the horsepower and all the amenities inside. Get 23-24 mpg in city, 28 to 31 at 70 mph on freeway. My only complaint is the passenger seat not able to raise. Had a seat heater on front passenger go kaput took awhile to get a new one. Dwight Lehnhoff