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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  The real "smart" car! - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By drjjjj - May 9 - 7:36 am

  Have over 150k on my 07 Rondo with no mechanical issues ever! Been a flawless car, functional, comfortable, safe and reliable! If youre into funtion/practicality-this is the used car to choice! The 2.4 has the no maintenance timing chain, bullet proof 4 cylinder and simple 4 speed! 70% high strength steel/3300 lbs-about as light as you want to go! Can see 30 mpg on Highway! This year and newer is when the Koreans made the turn to world class quality folks!

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  Is that a Kia! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By wessam ka - May 7 - 8:56 pm

  Ive owned it for 10 months now. This car cost $14k! It will still be convincing if it cost $20k. It is so hard to criticizing my car. It is smooth, powerful, stylish, well equipped and cheap. Thats a good deal. BUT... its noisy and needs a stronger engine.

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  First 500 Miles - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By DUANE - May 6 - 5:00 pm

  The car performs very well and is amazingly quiet and well mannered. A long drive does not beat you up. Mileage at mostly 65 mph with periodic in town stop/go was 43 mpg - really! Conversations are in normal tone of voice at 60+ miles per hour. Many conveniences on the EX model I thought would cost more and do on competition models. We are happy with the car and look forward to saving gas $$. Also rated very "green" top 30.

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  Perhaps too much - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By Jeff Davis - May 6 - 12:36 am

  The dashboard seemed to contain too many things and appeared to be too close to the driver

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  Nice car for the money - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By steve schulz - May 5 - 10:40 pm

  I wanted a reasonably priced car with all the comfort features of a luxury sedan. The Amanti, while not the best on fuel economy, is a great driving car with all the bells and whistles. The warranty cant be beat. Resale value is still to be determined but it is a car I think you will keep for many years.

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  Sweden - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By LGE - May 2 - 10:00 am

  A greatful car thats works just fine for me, hopeful many great miles ahead!

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  good car - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By albert carns - May 1 - 10:53 am

  Weve had this car for some time (81,000 miles),and have only had a few minor issues. Master cylinder (warranty)rear window motors (warranty). Runs great, and though it will not accelerate very quickly, due to gear ratio and automatic trans, the top end is well in excess of 110 mph. Michelins make a difference, handles like a top heavy short wheel base narrow track vehicle it is, pretty damn good, lots of fun. Inexpensive fun s--t box.

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  Questionable reliability - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By FASV - May 1 - 10:00 am

  I still like this car; however; only after 55,000 miles the alternator failed and at 67,000 the ac compressor had to be rebuilt. The alternator repair was covered by the warranty but the ac I had to pay for it. Recently I replaced the brakes for the first time and the timing belt and engine belts. Tires twice and battery twice as well. Other than that I still like the car but will think twice again of buying another Kia. The 60,000 miles warranty is for a reason.

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  not sure about this car - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By vk2193 - April 29 - 11:51 am

  terrrible mileage i have 2.0 turbo sportage. i only have 600km on it but the fuel consumption is huge, around 13 Liters per 100 km (around 18mpg). It says on the manual that there is a break in period of 5000 km, but i have big doubts that the fuel economy will improve. not sure if i recommend this car to anyone

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  Inexpensive well equipped car - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Charles S. - April 28 - 12:12 pm

  Ride handles well for the most part. Steering feels sluggish at times and engine sounds cheap. But overall the car accelerates quick and delivers a sportier driving feel than most cars in the segment. It also has good looks and nice technology options. Would buy another forte