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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  Love this car!! - 2011 Kia Soul
  By deeburgess - November 7 - 5:09 pm

  Let me keep it simple! I bought my 2011 Kia Soul about a week ago and so far I am super impressed, though the ride is a little noisey and stiff I can not complain about anything else. I previously owned a 2000 Kia Sportage and after 11 years it was still going strong. This car for the price is an absolute dream I love it and I am very happy!!

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  Love This New Kia Toy! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Marie - November 7 - 12:19 pm

  Do your homework. The only things I miss in the technology area is a compass, the front passenger seat has no height adjustment, remote start is not standard equipment. There is a lot of stuff I will never use. We were looking for an SUV with lots of leg room in front and this has it, an impressive 44 inches. Way more than others, even Jeep. Another selling point was the 60,000 mile warranty. Mileage is outstanding. I drive mostly highway and am averaging 31-33 mpg combined in Eco Mode. On my way home from the dealership I was in Standard Mode and got 31.8 mpg for the 75 mile trip. Overall we love this vehicle. Comfortable and quiet. Winter in Iowa will be the real test!

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  We love it - 2002 Kia Optima
  By Bill - November 6 - 9:36 pm

  Bought new. Been to the dealer twice for warranty work, once for power window motors and once on emission recall. Its a 10 in our book. Only down side is that it does not hold its resale value well. But other than that is one sweet ride.

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  2nd one - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Bill - November 6 - 5:26 am

  The 1st was hit in the rear by a Caddy in November and totaled. Bought Amanti, gave to wife and then bought 2nd. Great car and will hold its own against others in same class costing thousands more. Best is the warranty, 100K. Looks, features, economy (looking at $3 gallon gas), interior room. Fun to drive and not tired after driving 100s miles on highway for business. Should definitely consider in todays market.

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  Kia Spectra a good car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By dkrosell - November 6 - 2:50 am

  Having previously owned several Toyota Camrys, we were surprised to find the Kia Spectra so reliable. We never had to have it repaired - only maintenance in the 5 years we owned.

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  Fun car and a great value! - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Tim Parker - November 4 - 9:22 pm

  I shopped for a Soul a year ago and ended up buying a Honda Civic instead. No knock on the Civic, but it just wasnt the right car for me, and I found myself still looking. I came back around to the Soul. Kia had special financing, and the dealer was offering a better deal than I could find a year ago, so I took the plunge and bought the 2016 Soul+ with the Audio/Nav package. Wow! Im so glad I bought it! I love the extra driving height and extra headroom. Theres more room in the back seat. Theres more cargo room. Its fun to drive. Acceleration is good with the 2.0 liter engine. Handling is good. Pro reviewers talk about "numb" steering but I dont notice it. It drives and handles fine. That said, its not a sports car so dont buy this if thats what you want. It has lots of creature comforts like a great audio system that thumps you in the chest if you want it to, but can be tamed if desired. The nav system works well. I didnt think I wanted it, but now that I have it I use it often. I like the climate control system. I have it set and never need to touch it. It keeps the cabin comfortable no matter what the outside temp is. It has a large touch screen that is easy to use and pretty intuitive. You can check Kias site for a full breakdown of features. For me the important thing is the features it has all work together to create a fun and comfortable driving experience. Ive only had it a month so I cant comment on long term durability, but so far theres not a squeak, not a rattle, everything works flawlessly, and the materials and workmanship are first rate, especially for a vehicle in this price range. A+ for the Soul!

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  LOVE the 2014 Forte! - 2014 Kia Forte
  By mrsbaker - November 4 - 2:40 pm

  I purchased a Crimson Red 2014 Kia Forte with black interior and UVO eServices features in March 2014. I absolutely love this car (Im getting the Super Polysteel coating added this week). It rides smooth and is very quiet. Myself, my husband and our two children fit in the vehicle comfortable (one infant carseat in back) and the trunk is very spacious. It has a lot of "get up and go" as my Mom would say. A compact, powerful, and stylish car for your money. I have fun driving it I know ill love it for years to come.

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  Beyond Expectation - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Shaun - November 4 - 1:53 pm

  Right after purchase we took it on a road trip to S. Lake Tahoe. The handling was very smooth and controlled even in the twists and turns of the mountain roads. The 4 cylinder engine performed beyond my expectations. It accelerated smoothly and passing at high speeds was a breeze. The engines uphill performance was surprising; I had no trouble climbing the 7,000+ foot grade to Lake Tahoe. Round trip-the Sorento delivered an unbelievable 30 MPG. This was a mix of highway, twisting mountain roads, and around the City of S. Lake Tahoe. Overall, Im very please with my purchase.

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  BUY A HYUNDAI - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By DBMK34 - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WHTH MY AIRBAG SYSTEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALER NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THE THREE YEARS THAT I HAVE OWNED THE CAR THE MOLDING FROM THE FRONT WINDSHIELD STARTED COMING OFF. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE THE EXTRIOR DESIGN IS GOOD

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  Great Purchase - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Panotchr - November 3 - 10:00 am

  We looked at a Honda Odyssey, but for the money, the Kia had more features and a better warranty. True, I did give up some cargo room, but I need the warranty more.