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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  Had this as a rental for one month - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Joe - February 26 - 11:30 am

  This SUV is quick. It revs high and will throw you back in your seat when you get on the gas. The ride is very smooth even over bumpy brick roads Ive been on. I took in on a 200+ mile road trip and was very comfortable. The stock stereo system isnt bad and would be adequate for most people. Its really a sharp looking SUV, the inside isnt Lexus or Mercedes fancy, but if youre not trying to impress everyone with your fancy car, then who cares? Ive carried up to 8 people in this thing, of course, two were in the seatless trunk area. Seats fold down real nice to make a ton of cargo room. Definitely a good family hauler, would be great for long roadies or just tooling around town.

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  great car for price - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By john zimmaro - February 25 - 7:26 am

  I get 27 mpg hwy handles great comfort seating display panel user friendly. handles nice at 120mph.radio controles on steering wheel is nice and very nice radio/speakers. roomy rear seating area. large trunk. hidden atenna nice

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  We LOVE it - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By coopster - February 23 - 6:06 pm

  We are very happy with our 2006 Kia Sedona. Highest safety rating, very comfortable and practical for our family of 5. Gas mileage leaves something to be desired. 6,000 miles on it so far and no problems to speak of. My only complaints are with the dealership service department. I dont know if that is a local problem with the dealership or a reflection on Kia. Handles well and feels sporty for a minivan. Even has Tiptronic-type shifting to allow you to go through the gears manually. Lots of extras for a reasonably priced vehicle. We compared with Chrysler, Nissan, Honda and Hyundai (which is the same van as the Kia) and found the Kia offers the most for the money.

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  Complete Car for the Majority of People-UPDATE - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By Stan Cochran - February 22 - 8:04 pm

  UPDATE: Bought the 2016 and couldnt be happier. Much nicer than the 14, Insurance rates dropped due to the additional safety equipment . You should shop and drive all the vehicles you have an interest in, investigate the cost of ownership, and the intangible pleasure factor of driving the car in as many situations as possible. Then and only then should the hesitant people should drive the Cadenza, with the comparative of your chosen vehicles, make an informed decision especially when you look at the cost to operate and buy plus the warranty. The answer is so apparent that Kia Cadenza is the right choice if those guidelines are important to you. I have never had anyone in my car that wasnt impressed and some ultimately bought a Cadenza. the ONLY issue I have had with my car is that upon starting after sitting for a short while, I get timing chain noise on startup. I have talked with other owners that do not have this issue and Kia is doing everything to fix the problem. When the 2016 Cadenza comes out I will most likely buy it, provided I can turn loose of my 14. UPDATE: Bought my 2016 Cadenza! Better actual gas mileage than my 2014 Cadenza with more safety features. Again totally happy with this car.

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  i love my kia - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By lisa steinbach - February 22 - 10:00 am

  i love driving my kia. i had a buick centry before and this is so much more fun to drive and easier. i feel like im in a sports car.

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  Great car for the money! - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Sam_Adams - February 21 - 10:56 am

  I previously owned a 98 Kia Sephia and all I can say about this new Kia is WOW. What a great deal. I got a great incentive on the car; $1500 off the MSRP (owner loyalty and other bonuses). I was going to buy it in February, but decided to wait. I looked at a few others, the Corolla, the Civic, even the new Yaris. The Kia, of course, had the best overall package. The outstanding warranty, good looks, lots of room, and its really fun to drive. For those of you considering this car, DO NOT buy the automatic. With all small 4 cylinder cars, it tends to drain the fun to drive factor out of the vehicle. I couldnt be happier with my purchase. Oh, and the dealership had outstanding service as well.

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  Eats Up Tires Really Bad - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By RA - February 21 - 10:53 am

  Its not best vehicle Ive ever had. It bounces too much and with only 25000 miles on the vehicle Ive gone through 2 sets of tires that are suppose to last 60000 miles. Some real problems with suspension on this the KIA. Buy a Honda or Toyota, I never had problems with those cars. Will NEVER buy another KIA.

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  Kia Soul Exclaim - 2012 Kia Soul
  By belleairbear - February 20 - 12:03 pm

  I just got a Red Exclaim with the Navigation System. It does have voice controls for navigation and phone and Radio. It does not have HD Radio. If you are 6ft 3in+ your foot will get very tired for any trips, because the seat will not go back enough.

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  Life saver - 2003 Kia Optima
  By tpp16 - February 20 - 10:00 am

  My Kia was my first car after turning 16. I liked he car a lot and it was very practical as a first car. The thing I will remember most is that this car saved my life. I totaled it through a light pole and into the trees at about 70 mph. I made out without a scratch because of the incredible safety of this car. I had heard that Kias has low crash test ratings but this car proved them wrong by saving my life.

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  Is that a Lexus? - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Paul Wernich - February 16 - 8:56 pm

  Several people have mistaken my black Optima for a Lexus and they are surprised to learn it is a $14,000 KIA. The car looks beautiful with its chrome trim and elegant lines. The interior is tasteful and stylish, although the seat fabric looks a little sub par compared to everything else. Lots of little extras make the car appear upscale including extended sun visors, steering wheel controls for cruise/stereo, and blue dash lighting. The car has 3000 miles and has had a few glitches. The center dome light didnt always come on, sometimes the trunk popped open when unlocking the doors and the 4 cyl engine sounds clattery. Hopefully the dealers are capable and cooperative. So far so good.