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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  Bye bye 12 Forte SX 5 door & hello 16 Forte5 EX - 2016 Kia Forte
  By RonB - December 31 - 6:20 am

  We shared the 12 for over 3 years and over 80,000 miles until I bought myself a 2015 Sonata Sport 2.0T Limited 6 months ago. Love that car and reviewed it on here also. Got a great deal. Now that were back to two cars, mileage will accumulate a lot less. While I was getting the 12 serviced 2 weeks ago and "someone" took my car to work, I was asked "Do you think you can get me a deal on trading my car like you did buying yours ?" So I walked the lot and found a Snow White Pearl Forte5 EX 2.0 GDI - loaded with Premium/Technology package and remote start with black leather with white stitching. I texted the pictures. "I really wasnt a fan of white until you got yours (Quartz White Pearl) but I really like it. See what you can do. If it works out, Ill come sign the papers". The 12 was in excellent condition except for the 82,000 miles they beat down the trade in value on, but with the rebate and financing, it was a good deal regardless. The 12 had leather and sunroof. Great little car. No complaints other than it could have used more sound insulation. Compared to the 12: The tech options are great. Stereo is better. Bluetooth streaming is a world better. Its quieter. Much better legroom - were both 6ft tall. Headroom was never an issue even with the 12 - sunroof in both. The 2.0GDI doesnt have the off the line punch of the 2012s 2.4 port-injected engine but feels fine overall (same 173hp rating) and better fuel mileage makes it worthwhile. Neither are pocket rockets but were not race car drivers lol. Has plenty of zip. Warranty cant be beat. This now makes 4 Hyundai / Kia products since 2008 and dont regret any of them. Im a semi-retired mechanic and choose my/our cars wisely. The only 2 gripes with the 16: 1 - gone with the 2014+ 5 door redesign is the split-folding rear seat bottoms which was great when we needed to haul stuff around. A minor gripe really because the 16 is still plenty roomy with the seat backs folded down. 2 - For the 2016 Forte line up, HID headlights were deleted, even with the Tech package. I remedied that with the same brand HID kit I installed in the 2012. Also installed LED plate and reverse lights - nice difference with the back-up camera at night. Experience has us anticipating the same reliability. The 2008 Sonata we traded for the 2012 Forte is still on the road with nearly 250,000 miles on it. Traded with nearly 120,000 trouble-free miles and came across it recently.

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  I love it!! - 2013 Kia Soul
  By haystfang - December 31 - 1:14 am

  I bought my Kia Soul ! In white back in November of 2013 and I have never been happier with a vehicle. Everywhere I went for the first year I owned it I received nothing but compliments from friends, coworkers and even strangers at gas stations and other places. The look from the outside made me think that the car was extremely small but when I stepped inside I realized I was wrong. Nearly 2 years later Ive only had a problem with the spoiler and the aux input, which my dealership fixed for free and also washed, waxed, changed my oil and rotated my tires for free as well. Needless to say, its a tiny car that packs a punch, I love to drive it everywhere and I will def choose Kia again.

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  Whod have thought??? - 2013 Kia Optima
  By longbeachjim - December 29 - 9:30 pm

  Im almost 50 and have owned many cars...Mercedes, Audi, BMW, Volvo, Acura, and am probably a bit of a car snob. I never would have thought Id own a Kia, but had long been drawn to the exterior design for the fact that theres nothing else on the road that looks like it. So, I went to the dealer for a closer look. Wow! Interior design is outstanding! Quality is amazing, and more features than my loaded Acura TL had! Im seriously in love with this car... Beautiful, stylish, excellent fit and finish. The steering is a little touchy, and took me a bit to get used to. Otherwise, theres not a vehicle out there that delivers more bang for the buck than this bad boy.

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  Go ahead & laugh - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Kim Wilson - December 28 - 8:33 pm

  Everyone seems so hyped on having the latest & greatest vehicle without regard to cost, mileage, etc. It seemed that bigger was better. How I proved them wrong. My Kia Rio is very peppy, auto insurance cost-effective, makes it to the gas pump every two weeks on $15.00 a fill, has a 10yr/100,000 warranty and has a great big trunk to put all my shopping in! And I can park in the compact car parking spaces! I have never had a mechanical/performance problem whatsoever in the three years Ive owned, since purchased new.

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  Great Car! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Cheryl - December 28 - 6:40 am

  I just recently traded in my 2003 Kia Spectra for a 2004 4 cylinder XL car. Im impressed with the quality Kia makes. I like having the bigger car with the same gas mileage.

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  total ten - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By e.c.magruder - December 27 - 2:00 am

  it has every thing that a family would want.a good paint job nicely deorated intirior,great radio system plenty of seats,lots of cup holders it looks as any other mini van on the road.we like it...

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  Best SUV for the money - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By jmark23 - December 26 - 10:03 pm

  When comparing the V8 Borrego to other SUVs of this size, it is the best bang for the buck. We picked up a 2009 Borrego EX V8 which was driven by a KIA Rep for 6 months. He put 8,000 miles on it. The sticker price was $37,415 we paid $24,700 plus tax and title. Overall, very pleased. Strong acceleration, luxurious accommodations, great build quality. The suspension on ours is not to stiff for us. All in all, the best vehicle that I have ever had to date.

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  Better than any car in its class - 2002 Kia Optima
  By Mac Man - December 26 - 10:00 am

  My Optima is just awesome. My wife and I love it. It has great power(actually it will fly). Blows away the Accord cost less than a loaded Civic. You have to give this car a chance if your in the market for a great car for a great price. Rides like a cadilac. Kia did a good jod on the styling also. I would definatly buy another one of these cars. Watch out Honda & Toyota!! Kia is on its way

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  What a car!! - 2002 Kia Optima
  By C. Estes - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Absolutely amazed with this vehicle. Totally impressed w/ the standard features on the the SE. Not just comparible with the Honda Accord, but highly exceeds. And you cannot beat the price. Still in shock with what I got for my money!!!

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  Best Little Compact Station Wagon For Your Money - 2012 Kia Soul
  By lovemysoul1 - December 23 - 11:11 am

  I bought my 2012 Kia Soul Exclaim 2 weeks ago and have driven it over 800 miles without any issues. My Exclaim is loaded and for the value, coming in at apprx. $23,000--it cant be beat. I test drove the Scion XD, XB, Nissan Cube and the Honda Element-- no comparison. The Kia Soul beat all of them hands down. My family gave me a very hard time about being a Kia, stating the quality would be horrible. This might have been true several years ago, but Kia has since brought in German engineering and the car is fabulous for the money. Plus a blast to drive-- just love it--Also the sunroof and leather seats are totally worth the extra $$ if you are used to having a nicer vehicle. Two thumbs up!