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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  Excellent Vehicle - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By RBCOL - January 8 - 6:43 am

  Very comfortable, lots of power, no noise from the outside, good gas mileage.

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  SOUL(D)! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Zach - January 8 - 12:03 am

  OK I love this car (my new car). I bought a soul! AT about a week ago and I love this car. I get looks and complements all the time on it. (your driving the hampster car) lol It has everything I wanted and needed in it for the best price ever. I highly suggest this car to any parent looking for a great car for there children that is safe, reliable, and has a sporty look, but yet it great on gas. This is the car.

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  Pleasantly Surprised - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By DesertRose - January 7 - 9:56 pm

  No longer had need for a 4WD & rising gas prices caused me to switch to an econo car. Was very pleasantly surprised when I saw the Spectra up close, I expected a cheapy econobox but we were impressed w/the styling and quality. The most comfy seats ever for my low back. Just bought w/3300 mi on it so its too soon to comment on reliability but thus far I am very impressed.

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  Not a "Throw-Away Car" - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By jmc - January 6 - 6:23 am

  My wifes sister-in-law told her that Kias were cheap "Throw-Away cars." After 15 months and 30,000 miles this so called "throw-away" car with a 5 year 100,000 power train warranty has put her Ford minivan with a 3 year 36,000 mile warranty to shame. Her minivan will be thrown away long before this Sportage.

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  My Kia Spectra - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Larry - January 5 - 5:06 pm

  Even though I have only had the car for a few weeks, I found it to be a very fun car to drive. The fit and finish on this vehicle is better than I thought it would be. The seats are very comfortable compared to our Kia Optima. At 63 I find that there is plenty of head and leg room in this car.

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  Perfect and Light on the Wallet - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Little Red - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I am very pleased with my new Kia.I went to other name brand dealers,and was not happy with what they offered at the pice and payments that fit me.The dealership people were great,friendly and a very at home feeling.I will tell all my friends about my car and its people,who stand behind their product 100 percent and the people who buy them.

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  Like it so far - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By satkal - January 2 - 10:00 am

  It has been just a couple of days since we bought and it has been fun so far.

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  Another new happy owner. - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By KIAguy - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Most SUVs I looked at were practical but really did not excite me. I liked the Lexus but it was too steep for me to justify. The KIA was a stand out. For 20 grand Id feel foolish buying a Lexus. I really like the look and feel of the car from day one. And one month later this KIA continues to grow on me. This is my first new car and I feel really good about this car!

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  Lovin my Spectra 5 - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Robin G - January 2 - 7:43 am

  I looked for about 3 months, mainly at Corollas, Civics, and Mazdas. The minute I got in my Spectra, I knew that was the car for me. This car is sporty, corners well, looks great, gets great mileage, and the standard features are incredible. The interior design was the nicest I saw during my car searching, and since I have children, I was thrilled with the 6 air bags. I have received so many compliments on the look of my car. What more could you ask for?

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  More and better than expectation - 2005 Kia Optima
  By AstroBike - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Ive bought 2005 Kia Optima EX V6 from a private seller as a used car for my high school son. This is a hidden jewel! Fast, tight, luxurious, reliable, etc. Im more than 100% satisfied with this car. I think that Kia (and Hyundai) is under estimated than its real value. Its good factor to consumers though.