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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  Got 166,000 miles but with problems - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By julia17 - May 23 - 10:00 am

  My 2002 Kia Spectra just threw a head gasket at 166,000 miles. Previous problems: the a/c went out in 2007 and was repaired for $1400. It went out again about 9 months later and the mechanic wanted another $750. Shortly afterwards, the heat went out. I replaced the clutch 3 times. Also replaced a valve in the braking system for $250. Lots of the cheap plastic interior broke and/or fell off including the drivers side sun visor. The driverside seatbelt also broke and had to be replaced. I did a lot of driving for work and both knees and hips were hurting me due to driving this car. If youre only going to put maybe 10-12,000 miles/year on a 2002 Spectra, it may be worthwhile.

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  eh... its good for the price - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Jamie - May 22 - 8:53 pm

  It gets me where I need to go. No major problems. The only bad part is the standard interior is not fun. No automatic door locks, windows etc. Other than that, its not too bad for the low price.

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  Soul Lover but Blue Tooth Problems - 2010 Kia Soul
  By dianimal - May 21 - 11:50 pm

  Got in some very hard rain/wind & car handled better than any car I have ever owned. Exterior is cute, inside fits my 5" 7" size & my husbands 6" 1". The car handles very well, very responsive to stops and turns. No problems getting up to speed or merging on highways. Fun to drive for this 54 year old. Head rest pushes head forward. To much engine noise at higher speeds/rougher highways. Bluetooth-I can hear people perfect unless driving at faster speed or on rougher paved highway-then the engine noise takes over-the volume wont go loud enough. People on other end of blue tooth often say my voice to soft/not loud enough or they hear static/ or their voice echos back to them.

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  Value for Money - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Tony G - May 21 - 7:16 am

  I researched many cars offering similar amenities. The KIA appeared to offer better features for the lowest price. I was not disappointed, it has great features and is very well built. While not a powerhouse the engine offers sufficient power for highway driving. The seating layout and flexibility is well done providing real flatbed storage. The transmission is smooth. I wish that KIA offered a larger tyre option, but it is not a major flaw. The finish and engineering are of high quality. The entertainment system, bluetooth and component inputs make offer more luxury features than are found on many prestige cars. I was surprised and disappointed to find an ashtray, GPS space would be better.

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  tremendously disappointed - 2013 Kia Soul
  By jenese2004 - May 21 - 5:33 am

  Ironically I had a kia soul plus, one that I got in 2010 and I had no complaints with it. I had a wreck in December of 2012 and had to get another car. I chose to upgrade and get another soul exclaim, premium package. BIG MISTAKE!! It is an extremely bumpy ride and my kia plus wasnt like that so I was confused by this!!! The leather seats are so hard I had to get a cushion to place on the seats. Whenever I clean my seats or sit on them, lent is always left on them. No matter what I do, lent is always left!!!! Plus i have nothing but problems with the Bluetooth!! The mpg is acceptable I guess and the wheel turns nicely. Those are the redeeming qualities. ALL in all im disappointed.

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  Bargain Small Car - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Rob - May 19 - 6:30 pm

  This is a fine small car that has all of the features you need at a price considerably less than the Japanese makes. Quality of the major Korean brands has improved markedly over the last 15 to 20 years and they are almost on par with the major Japanese brands. The ride is surprisingly smooth and quiet. Engine power is adequate but no "ball of fire". Handling is ok but this is no sports car. This is a great first car for a teen or a second car for getting around town. With rebates the selling price of this car was $14,200 + TTL vs. a list price of $16,700. That is a strong price vs. what late model used cars are selling for without the strong factory warranty.

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  Amazing Car! Worth every penny! - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Marjorie - May 19 - 12:23 pm

  Ive owned Hondas, Camrys, and other trendy cars in the past, but this is by far the best in terms of safety, price, and smooth riding. I love this car! Too bad people think its a cheap car b/c of the name brand, but its very reliable, rides smoothly, very safe 5 star-crash safety testing, 6 airbags, double safety bars on doors, etc. This car is by far better than any Honda, Camry, or Nissan in terms of gas mileage, price, warranty and safety. I highly recommend it to anyone buying a new car. You cant beat the warranty. I got free oil changes for 80K miles:)

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  Comfortable highway cruiser - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Rob - May 19 - 9:23 am

  Already took my Sedona on a 3,000 mile trip, and was surprised to have almost no aches and pains during that time. Besides great supportive seats, pros include good visibility and build quality/fit & finish. I like how its smaller then other mini-vans, which makes it easier to drive around town. Negatives include high Wind noise, and poor gas mileage. Acceleration could be a little better as well.

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  Thats a Kia? - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Dave5928 - May 19 - 4:36 am

  If I had a nickel for every time I heard that question! I just bought this car a week ago and already have 600 miles. The computer indicates my average MPG is 27. The car is just very well-built. Nothing squeaks, rattles or looks out of place. The fit and finish is first class. It doesnt feel like a cheap car. It is the real deal. I dont know how they pack that much value into such a (relatively) low sticker price. Kia made it easy to choose this car. They didnt hold back all the goodies and spent the time and money to make this car more than pretty. I didnt think I was entitled to this much car for so little money.

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  Surprisingly good - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By pickandpray - May 19 - 3:16 am

  We went to the dealer intending to buy a soul but after a test drive of the sportage, we were sold (space, trunk and power were pluses over the soul). Though it was more than we wanted to spend, it has proven to be a reasonably good choice with our limited budget. After 3 years, the only issues we have is the ignition switch which doesnt always sense the key is out and continues to beep as youre leaving the vehicle and the wide "A" pillars which can make a fairly large blind spot when you want to turn. The blue tooth phones voice recognition is spotty but is great when it works. Night visibility is mediocre without fogs (a must have). Original Tires lasted 52k miles.