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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  Itiswhatitis - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Getaclue - July 19 - 2:00 am

  I enjoy my sportage convertible! Did any of you that complain think you were buying an M Class or BMW SUV? For the money and considering the warranty its a solid value. Needed more power and the cup holders suck, but it looks like nothing else out there when the top is down and zips around town very well.The new generation Kias are much better, so I guess were...pioneers!

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  Kia you should not own - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Vilma Ramos - July 19 - 2:00 am

  This Mini van handles well its fun to drive. But the engine shakes, The shock obsorbers in the front make a thumping noise, the rear door is hard to close. The belts on the engine make noise and it has a flimzie accelerator. When you take it to the dealer to see if the can make adjustments/repairs they tell you its a kia. So my recomendation is not to buy one.

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  Im falling in love with this little Kia - 2012 Kia Soul
  By Justin - July 15 - 11:31 pm

  Ive always hated the "boxy" wagons(Scion, Cube, Element, etc), but the only one Ive liked was the Soul. Couldnt really give a reason they just looked cute. So naturally when we needed a 2nd car, I bought a 2012 Exclaim model. Im gonna start with the few things I dont care for. Its kinda harsh NVH when accelerating anything more than softly. Not sure if this is just an unavoidable 4cyl econobox(pun intended) trait, but just saying its more noticeable than other vehicles Ive had. Second gripe, the inside door panel sills are so thin you cant rest your forearm on them when the windows are up. No big deal, just a quirk Im not a fan of. Third, the damn sunroof doesnt tilt up like almost every other car. Fourth, the car has a backup camera but the screen is really small and the lines dont move with the steering wheel. All those small things aside, I still love this car. Its a dream to park, I average 29.6/33.6 mpg city/hwy. It has a great Infinity sound system w Bluetooth, Sat radio, and subwoofer. Its punchy from a stop(but only about average once youre out of 1st gear). Its damn cute and just all around excellent for a small family. Its like the perfect combination of cargo space, fuel economy, passenger space, and just an excellent city car. I highly recommend it if you get a good price(they dont have super resale value).

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  Something to think about. - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By dbgiles - July 13 - 2:00 am

  Why would I look at a KIA? That was my first reaction when it was suggested. . I started doing some research on the KIA Sorento (of course begining with Edmunds).I couldnt believe all the favorable reviews. I then test drove it and it was very smooth and for the money you pay the features and warranty cant be beat.When the only downside to a vehicle is that its gas mileage is about 10% worse than other models that is not at all much to complain about. if serious about purchasing neg. via the internet and you can usually get your best deal. I got mine that way for $200 over invoice well below even the Edmunds TMV.

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  First Trip - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By MEHTXO3 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  We got the EX. Rode really nice on summer trip. Kia quality on this vehicle is good

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  What, me buy a Kia? - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Charlie - July 5 - 3:26 am

  Picked up my Kia 2 weeks ago. I waited untill the dealer could locate a triple black 2 door koup. I moved out of a Volvo S60 turbo so I was used to the speed and handling. I wasnt expecting too much, but after driving the car and putting on the first 1000 miles, I was pleasantly surprised. This car is a winner for what it is. Over time the brand will make improvements so I hope that it wont loose too much value. The service guys I spoke with all said that the car surprises them with what little goes wrong. Lets hope theyre right. so far, so good.

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  What a car! - 2002 Kia Optima
  By damitch - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I own a 97 Sephia and bought the Optima for the value you get in a Kia. I have been thoroughly pleased with the increase in styling and performance Kia has shown. The leather seats are very comfortable with both front seats powered. The engine is very adequate for a 4- cylinder. The overall sleek appearance, 15 inch wheels, and chrome accents have turned heads on the road. I would say the Optima is dollar for dollar the best you can buy.

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  So far so good - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By snowdude - July 3 - 10:00 am

  We just bought an 03 Kia Sorrento EX and so far so good. The car provides a very comfortable ride and my wife loves it. I wanted a Toyota 4Runner but she liked the smaller size of the Kia. The outside and inside finish on our car is excellent. We love the smooth ride and cant wait to take it up to Snowbird for a few powder runs.

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  Cars!!Cars!!Everywhere, Cars!!! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Junior - July 3 - 7:50 am

  I love my spectra. Im 61 and fit in it perfectly. My friends range from 6 to 65 and fit in the back seats perfectly. There is a little dash rattle, but my music is normally high enough to where I dont recognize it. This is one of my first cars and I love it more than all of the others.

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  Transmission - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ernie1 - July 1 - 10:00 am

  We purchased our new 2011 Sorento and after 3 weeks and 2000 km we had 3 major transmission shocks in a single day, as well as one event when it seem to completely come out of gear, before once again dropping into gear with a major jolt. This is our second Kia, we traded our Spectra as it was also having transmission problems when it would lock in third gear and only reset if we would stop and shut off the engine. right now we are not to pleased with kia, they have had the Sorento in the shop or 4 days and say it is a sensor problem. right now we are not very happy with Kia and regret our purchase.