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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  satisfied driver - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By caesar benigno - July 27 - 10:13 am

  I feel like I am driving in luxury at a price that I used to afford when I only bought cars after they were 4 or five years old; i.e. Mark 8 or Town Cars.

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  Kia Rio - TIMING BELT FAILURE low miles! - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Henry - July 27 - 10:06 am

  Original owners of a 2004 Kia Rio with 10/100000k warranty, the other morning the car died at intersection. Had it towed to the dealer who says the Timing belt broke. The car has less than 60k, and is just barely 6 years old, and the timing belt is not covered under warranty. Now we have a lawn ornament because while Kia admits to a poor design in those 1.6L belts, they are sorry for our luck. Needs new engine! Recommend replacing belt at 5yrs or 60k

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  A Competitive vehicle - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By monere - July 26 - 3:06 pm

  This vehicle was 50 percent of the time used in very harsh, snowy, hilly and icy winter conditions of northern canada for the last 15 months. It performed mainly at low speed, backcountry road and also some highway conditions max speed 90 km/hour. Fuel consumption was normal under those conditions and was 12,63 litres/ km. Engine starts easily even under - 30 degrees celtius. Overall performance was more than more acceptable. Overall quality and handling was excellent. The engine performance improve sharply and significanly after 5000 miles. Breaks, ABS and ECS systems are excellent. Car suspension is optimum and bumps are absorbed easily.

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  Yes, The power to surprise - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By EMT4U - July 26 - 6:33 am

  With fuel over $3.00, I wanted to trade in my fuel hog for a small sedan. I drove Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet and Ford small sedans. The Kia is equal in build quality and driving impression to cars costing 3k to 4k more. Loaded with six airbags and plenty of space for not feeling confined this is an more than adequate car. The four cylinder is quiet until pushed hard, and the car accelerates quickly and is able to hold its own at highway speeds. Strong 4-wheel disc brakes. I dont have ABS. But I feel that a brake pedal falling to the floor and pulsing can take longer to stop than controlled lock-up. This Kia has smart handling and many standard options. Decent sound system and easy controls.

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  super little car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By mike - July 26 - 5:46 am

  Kia has a winner on there hands.Test rode other cars in this class, all seemed sluggish or to cramped.After 5 minutes of test driving this all new Spectra i was sold.Very nice interior and good looks on the outside.Our ex came with moonroor,alloys,embroidered floor mats and a simple spoiler all under 17k.Go read the reviews on other cars websites,rave reviews!!!!!

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  500 Mile Review - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By First Time KIA Buyer - July 26 - 4:16 am

  I drove a regular Spectra and wasnt impressed. The Spectra 5 has a sportier suspension, and the ground effects and trim rival the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe (For >$3000 Less). First mileage check at 500 miles is 28MPG hard highway driving. Stereo is mediocre, and more suseptible to power line interference on AM than others. Its easy to make the speakers buzz, as they havent been matched with the stereo. Low-end torque is small, and it takes a while to get going, but once you do car has plenty of pick up. Brakes are quick, transmission is smooth, although its too easy to shift from Park to 3rd, going past Drive. Wipers are smooth, both front and rear have intermittent.

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  Lovin Kia - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By E.Blake - July 25 - 7:36 pm

  I live in Cleveland, Ohio and wanted a 4x4 vehicle. The Sorento has been a dream in the snow. Ive never felt so safe (will do 55 mph on snow covered highway no problem). The 3.3L engine is amazing. After turning the ignition the engine has a great rumbling sound to it, but when its idling you might think the car is off. When you floor it the drivers youre blowing by get startled (LOL). The price, warranty, and quality are unbeatable. I have experienced the passenger air bag sensor light issue, but only once. Overall, the vehicle is a joy to drive.

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  Road noise and stiff steering, low clearance - 2011 Kia Optima
  By artsd1 - July 25 - 10:20 am

  I bought a 2011 Kia EX loaded, nice car until i drove on expwy. Way too much road noise and stiff steering made my wrist feel fatigue and low clearance of car. At night, headlight beams are too low and not bright and signs cant be read clearly because of low clearance. Since im a retiree, i wanted something i could keep for a few years. I could not keep it long due to ride quality which is more important to me than features. Plus other problems i mentioned made me trade for an Audi q5. What a difference, you get what you pay for. Made mistake and lost some cash but to be happy is more important to me than money. KIA resale value is not good if i keep it over 5yrs

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  not bad - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By almedinaizemir - July 25 - 10:00 am

  it is a very nice and comfortable ride, very smooth and very fun to drive. It is very quiet and good on gas.

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  MOST LUXURY, fOR A MODEST PRICE - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Mark Lindsay - July 25 - 10:00 am

  tO HAVE SUCH A LUXURY, FULL SIZE CAR, THAT HAS SHIFT TRONTIC, AND WRAP AROUND AIRBAGS FOR HEAD & ORGANS FOR SUPRIOR SAFTY.aND FUN TO DRIVE, AND 5000 OFF IN REBATES... NOTHING ELSE COULD EVEN COMPARE. WE FEEL HAPPY & LUCKY. ALL AT THE SAME TIME.