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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  New car - 2004 Kia Rio
  By itsmecloie - June 2 - 2:00 am

  I recently purchased a 2003 leftover, I was leary at first because the Kia company has not been around for long but I am VERY happy with the Rio. Its small but has lots of room, Its sporty and the fuel economy is incredible!

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  Good car for the price - 2011 Kia Soul
  By jimr91 - May 31 - 7:11 am

  I had this car for almost 3 years and i loved every minute in it. I was extremely comfortable. The seats fit me perfectly and and a lot of head and leg room. It also had great gas mileage. $40 would fill it up and i could go almost 400 miles before i would fill it again. It did have small problems though. I didnt like the steering that much. It felt stiff and Im not a fan of stiff steering. Also the accelerator wasnt very smooth. These tine problems aside I never had any other issues with this car. It was a great car for the money. I put a total of 83000 miles on mine and only did regular maintenance on it. I would recommend getting this car to anybody.

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  Kia Forte Opinion - 2011 Kia Forte
  By skc6 - May 29 - 2:28 pm

  Purchased Forte in late May 2011. Interioe comfort is good. Mileage could be better that current average of 26 mpg. Took it on vacation and the average mpg jumped to 30.5-more highway miles at higher speeds. On rain slick streets it handles good.

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  High gas use - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Martha - May 28 - 10:26 am

  I love this car but it uses a lot of gas. I take very good care of the car and go every 3 months for oil change and maintenance. When I drive long distance I get 32 miles a gallon and that is nice but most of the time I drive it in town not more that 8 miles each time and I get only 18 miles a gallon.

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  optiam - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Phil Santopietro - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This my 3rd kia optiam we love them.I get from 25 to 30 miles per gallon.We enjoy driving them.We have the same features as more expensive cars.good car for the value.

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  Kia is great - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By burlyii - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Grea valuse. Very well dedigned. No problems despite a lot of driving.

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  Automatic door locks - 2011 Kia Soul
  By tinakaycasteel - May 27 - 12:22 pm

  I am very disapointed that the Soul does not have automatic door locks. If I would have known that up front.....I would not have bought the car. The automatic door locks have been on my cars for the last 18 yrs and with children and a four door car I feal that; that is a must have. I also think that the insides scuff up real easy and its hard to come clean. The 2 cup holders in the middle are useless when you can only use one of them. If you put a 2nd drnik in the cup holder it gets caught on the console and spills all over the place. So your passenger has to hold there drink "fountain drink that is" The middle console is very small and sits to far back. I cant use it for an armrest.

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  unhappy owner - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Christine - May 26 - 10:43 pm

  I have had this kia for 3 and 1/2 years I am on the second battery and I have replaced many headlights tail lights brake lights and even a bulb on the inside dash. I just put it in for the 4th recall and also asked them to check the battery because it is all corroded they are now telling me that I need a new battery again which kia will pay 70% I am responsible for the other 30% they also say that I need a new cable end and wiring harness. which is not covered under the warranty. there is something going on that is doing damage to the lights and batteries 2 batteries in 3 and 1/2 and numerous light bulb replacement. the first battery was replaced @ 27,000 I am now at 55,000.

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  We love our new Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By rodshep - May 26 - 10:00 am

  We bought the sorento after looking at the Nissan Xterra, Honda CRV and Toyota Rav4. A big plus for us was the exterior body style. I was also very SUPRISED with the performance and the fit and finish of the interior. I never dreamed i would purchase a KIA for anything other than a work car. The warranty is icing on the cake.

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  Just what I needed! - 2008 Kia Rio
  By J.L. - May 26 - 2:56 am

  Im really happy with this car. Ive had it almost two years, and Im still enjoying it. The only thing Id ask Kia to improve would be the height of the arm rest - its too low. I feel very safe in my car. Its even comfortable on ten-hour vacation trips! The interior is nice, and easy to clean - great for people with kids. It really is easy to park. Id be happy buy another one.