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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  2012 Kia Soul + - 2012 Kia Soul
  By jimrn - May 18 - 4:10 pm

  I bought the 2012 Kia Soul + with audio package a week ago. I have put on almost 500 miles so far and am loving it. I do a lot of open road driving and average about 34.5 MPG. It is quiet and comfortable on the road. The backup camera is great, and love the UVO system!

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  First car in 40 years - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By jharrelson - May 18 - 6:40 am

  So Far So Good, averages 28/30 mpg in town, has quick response with good acceleration. I’m amazed at roominess. At 6 ft and 200+ pounds, I am very comfortable with lots of head room to wear my Stetson when driving. Back seat is large and roomy, passengers can stretch out their legs and relax even with front seats slid back all the way. The one thing that convinced me to get the Kia was the number of Air Bags in it so in an accident, driver and all passengers are surrounded by air bags. Traded 1993 truck and got 2007 Kia for $7000.00 and monthly payments of $150.00

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  Kia Spectra - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By cynthia - May 18 - 4:36 am

  Cute car, good gas mileage, fun. I really love this car, the basic features are great! We bought 2 of them at once. The Spectra wouldve gotten 10s all the way down if they wouldnt have charged us six-thousand over market value each.

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  Worst Car Ive ever owned - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By frommissouir2 - May 16 - 2:46 am

  I have had the oil changed at the dealer for the entire life of this car simply because every time it was time to change the oil something else was broken on it. The air bag light just came on this morning, and the check engine light has been lighting up regularly so BACK TO THE DEALER we go. I still plan on driving it until the wheels fall off but I will NEVER buy another KIA.

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  The right balance - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Rob - May 15 - 5:36 pm

  I think Kia did a great job on finding the right balance between looks, safety, fuel economy and price. You usually have to trade gas economy for looks or price for safety. I have to drive 100 miles a day and this car gets me there as cheap as possible through initial cost and gas mileage. I have fun getting to work too.

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  Awesome car! - 2010 Kia Optima
  By Riya - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I have only had this car for about 2 months but so far so good. This is my second Kia, my previous Kia was an 06 Sorento, Kia is definitely stepping their game up. I chose this car over a new Honda Accord because Kia offers more bang for the buck. For less than the price of the Honda I got a touch screen system w/ nav and satellite radio, sunroof, ipod connection, and heated seats. This is the most comfortable vehicle I have ever owned and the gas mileage is decent also. The warranty is also awesome. I love my new car!

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  Who would have known? - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By dezcars - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the EX FULLY LOADED AWD version. With every conceivable option it still only came to $30,065. The Orange color is eye popping, went to Niagara Falls and back from Syracuse NY and got 29.4 mpg with only 700 miles on the odometer. The hidden tray in the back wasnt in any of the vehicles on the lot so the dealership ordered it for me. Since its supposed to be in the vehicles as standard equipment, I got it for free. I bought the optional 10 year 100K bumper to bumper warranty and looking over what it covers its worth every penny. I was looking at all types of vehicles for my wife, she spotted this as it came off the truck. Its an outstanding vehicle. Youll love it. KIA? You Bet!

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  Worth your consideration - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Soul_Driver - May 15 - 10:00 am

  I have a M/T+ with the audio upgrade. I like the roomy, SUV-like seating, while still getting good MPG and a low price tag. The interior is nice, though some plastics are easily scratched (but not as bad as 2010 Soul). The engine and transmission are older technology making driving performance just OK (i think this is how they kept the price so low). However, steering feel and braking are nice. I get exactly the EPA rating of 26-28mpg in mixed driving. I got a little over 31mpg on a purely highway trip. The feel of the manual shifter is not too good, but this can be easily upgraded aftermarket. My biggest complaint is 5th gear is not tall enough making RPM noticeably high above 70 mph.

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  2006 kia sportage fwd-problems - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Nanna56 - May 14 - 1:10 pm

  I purchased my KIA and loved it until 2 mo. after purchase, I left for Pa. to visit family. One hr. from destination it started shorting out. Acted like running out of gas-had half a tank. Had it towed to KIA Dealership, was told it was a filed out spark plug. Only replaced 1 spark plug. Went back to Vt. no problem. One month later left for Fl. One hour before destination started doing the same thing. Towed to KIA Dealership, after 3 days and a $250.00 car rental bill was told the problem was fuel pump. Has been fine since. Now my key will not turn in ignition everytime. Just came from KIA Dealership and will cost me $250.00- $300.00 for ignition.

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  100,000 miles with no problems - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Art Muriph - May 12 - 4:03 am

  We bought the Kia Sedona after having rented one while on vacation. Considered a Honda Odyssey at 30k but found a brand new 2006 left over for 16,700 a huge svings. We have driven the van daily and cross country for 2.5 years and put 100,000 miles on it without any problems. My only complaint was with the original tires that wore out at only 30k replaced them with goodyear assurance comford treat tires with a 80 k warantee and they are still going strong. The only service the van has seen is an walmart brand synthetic oil change every 7000 miles or so. I havent even had to do a brake job yet!!! I have had several hondas and I would say the kia is just as reliable for me.