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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  All the bells & more - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Art - May 7 - 1:43 am

  I have owned my Kia two years in Nov 2006, It is a 2005 EX-auto 4X4. It has so many options I havent found them all...3 garage door opener, compass and exterior temp. Great climate control AC and drove it a year before I discovered the lumbar adjustment for the power leather drivers seat. The 6 disc CD changer and sound system works flawlessly. It would have been outrageous if they had turbo charged the engine. It climbs steep N. Georgia mountain slopes but down shifts twice for more RPMs. It hugs the road in sharp high speed curves pretty well and the AWD kicks in without a hitch. All said, for the money ($27,000) less the power and 15-17 mpg, a full set discs at 12K miles, its a cool little machine.

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  Very Pleased, Fun to Drive - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Happy Camper - May 6 - 10:43 pm

  I bought my 2005 Spectra SX Feb. 2006, Ive been very pleased with this little car. Maintenance low. Everyone at the dealership is great. I am very pleased with the performance and looks of the car. I get a lot of comments how cute or cool it looks. I love this car. Its my third Kia. I would definitely buy another Kia.

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  Unquestionably in love with this car! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By poolgirl78 - May 6 - 6:42 pm

  After months of research, and driving my friends and family crazy with car talk, I decided to buy the 2012 Kia Optima EX-Turbo in Snow White Pearl with the Premium package. Ive owned this car for 4 months now and taken it on a couple long distance trips; overall I am EXTREMELY happy with my purchase.

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  Kia Rondo more than I expected - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Doug MacDonald - May 5 - 7:20 pm

  I wanted a retirement vehicle with good interior space, leg room and a comfortable ride. Researched the Rondo, test drove then ordered it. Just completed a 2500km trip through Rocky Mountains to Alberta, long hills no problem for V6 5 sp. auto trans. Very pleased with the Rondo.

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  Never expected to love this car... - 2014 Kia Soul
  By daisyp - May 5 - 5:35 pm

  I have had my Kia soul for a week and I love everything about it. I spent months researching and at the end of my search I ended up disappointed because all the cars in the price range I was looking (under 25k) seemed boring and missing that certain something. I fell in love with the Range Rover Evoque (70k) because it comes with a completely black interior and a huge panoramic sunroof but I cant afford that and as I decided to settle, I heard about the new Soul with all its goodies, panoramic sunroof and complete black interior, this car was not even on my list and after hearing so many awesome reviews I went to the Kia dealer and bought it that same day.

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  Kia, Kia, Kia - 2001 Kia Spectra
  By Amberismyenergy - May 5 - 4:50 am

  I have had it time in and time out with this car. I have had to replace the complete make up of the rear brakes, the battery, the rear break lights several times (not because i leave lights on) compressor, starter, plugs, the right axle. Yes when i go up a hill i have to turn air conditioner off. haha Very loud when Im trying to go fast, people think Im angry, when Im in a hurry. The dash board has completed folded because of the sun! WONDERFUL!!

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  Latent Battery Related Issues - 2010 Kia Sedona
  By mytwocents - May 3 - 6:27 pm

  Purchased in March 2010, roughly 6 months later began having unexplained occurrences of the battery dying. Dealer found nothing wrong, yet the issue persists sporadically even to this day.

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  Crazy about my KIA - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Love my KIA in Wisc. - May 3 - 10:33 am

  I wanted a midsize SUV after always having sedans, but wanted something good on gas, and a good warranty. I am SO HAPPY with this car! We cant believe how much we can fit in it, and will never have to ask friends to pick up large items for us that we cant fit in our car. My husband who drives a Cougar, says he doesnt like sitting up so high, but I can see better over snowpiles. Yet anytime we both go anywhere, he wants to drive my KIA! I must say, I am really impressed with this vehicle. I average about 19-20mpg city, 23-24Hwy. So far, not one problem with anything. I drove a Ford Escape, Jeep Patriot, Saturn Vue; all felt like riding in a truck! My KIA has a nice soft ride.

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  my first kia - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By kimne - May 2 - 3:03 pm

  After having my first accident with another type of car, I was particularly interested in a safe vehicle while still trying not to go over budget. I finally decided on a Kia Sportage and I think I made one of the best choices in a car that I have ever made. It has a 5 star rating, and it was not bad on my budget while I feel that I got a decent small SUV with a good warranty for my money. It has averaged about 22-23 mpg overall, but that is not bad compared to other SUVs on the market at the moment. I have three other family members who are buying Kias now, although they all opted for the Amanti. My little SUV handles great and I drive an avg of 700 miles per week.

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  Will never buy a Kia again - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Carmen - May 1 - 4:50 am

  I bought this vehicle 3 years ago and Ive had nothing but problems. Kias 100,000 mile warranty only applies if you are the original owner which is dumb. I see why the warranty expires at 100,000 mile because thats when all the problems begin. I always keep up with the maintenance because this is my only transportation to work, so I make it a point to take good care of it; but even then it seems like everything is going wrong with it. I absolutely hate it!