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:

• 

  If Kia keeps this up the Big guys better - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Stylish - August 29 - 10:00 am

  My second Kia in one year. I bought a 2003 Kia Sedona and love it, now I looked into the All New Spectra. I love it. Looks great, good on gas and the engine is peppy. If youre in the market give Kia a try. I paid $10,900 for the EX need I say more.

• 

  Love my car - 2011 Kia Optima
  By sean_nock1 - August 28 - 6:28 am

  I initially bought a 2010 optima in November of last year. I was happy with it until a month later I saw the 2011 Kia Optima. I fell in love with the vehicle and what really caught my eye is the fact it came in a manual 6 speed. I recently gave in and went back to the same dealership I bought the 2010 to see if I could get a 2011. Thankfully everything worked out and I was able to get it not paying that much more.

• 

  just purchased 2010 forte sx koupe - 2010 Kia Forte
  By stevenmark - August 28 - 4:33 am

  just purchased this car yesterday and i must say Im in shock at how much car i got for my money.the car in the corsa blue color gets compliments every where i go.this is truly a great bang for the buck car. best looking car on the road bar none.

• 

  Great Value - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Dave - August 27 - 12:53 pm

  Love it so far. We tested similar foreign and domestic vehicles, and found the Sorrento to be the best value overall. It has everything we need for a family of four. The instrument panel has a clean look and the dashboard controls are simple and straightforward. The ride is quiet at all speeds, and so far is very comfortable in the seating area. For this size vehicle, the cargo area is adequate for everyday use, and the rear fold down seats are easy to operate. The powertrain is strong and easily accelerates even at highway speeds.

• 

  Excellent Pride - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By David - August 25 - 7:43 am

  Get lots of compliments on it. Everyone thinks its either a Mercedes 300 or Jaguar, then I tell them to go look at back of car.

• 

  Not worth the money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By srj01265 - August 25 - 6:27 am

  Owned a Sorento for a little over a yr, that was a year to long. The best thing I did was trade it in for another make. I made several complaints to KIA regarding the terrible, harsh, sloppy, noisey suspension, but they said that my Sorento was normal. Hardly, my Isuzu Rodeos suspension had a better ride. KIA went 15+ years backwards. The door panels, dash, center console all rattle, more so in cold weather. Road noise is really bad, always thought I left a window open. KIA service is terrible, I tried 3 dealers with no luck. All needed appointments for a simple oil change and tire rotation yet they still have the vehicle for 2+ hours. For an oil change? Really? I will never by a KIA again!

• 

  Very Poor Gas Mileage - 2013 Kia Optima
  By winks1 - August 24 - 11:54 pm

  I have had my 2013 Kia Optima for 6 months have over 15,000 mile on it do mostly highway driving have yet to get better that 26 mpg. Most of the time averaging low 20s. Although it is a beautiful car I would not buy it again. I would go with a car with more proven gas mileage. I Was getting 45+ with my VW Jetta TDI, Will probably go back to them next time.

• 

  Better than Honda or Toyota!!!!! - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By LM - August 24 - 11:40 pm

  My wife and I were looking to replace our 10 year old minivan. We started out with Honda and Toyota and of course we liked what we saw but the price was excessive. I parked next to a Sedona the next day, looked inside and was impressed. I went to look at one the next day and I just couldnt believe it. More features, better warranty and significantly less money. Full power, 3 zone air, front to back air bags, memory seats, side mirrors automatically adjust down when backing to improve vision. Too many features to mention. For a change, we did not feel like we were taken advantage of. Love it!!

• 

  Follow up review - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By jaedee33 - August 24 - 8:00 pm

  I purchased my sorento in 1/2010 I have had problems with sunroof not being fitted correctly and constant problems with Gas Mileage, Automatic AC, front seats not being secured properly and most recently Transmission problems. I have accumulated 15000 miles already and this week my car started out of nowhere slipping gears and revving unintentionally and even chirping the tires from each gear took it to a locale dealership and was provided with a rental car (dodge avenger) and notified i needed a new transmission after 15,000 miles Ive never experienced something like this and will no longer recommend or promote any Kia products. I was told it would be 2 weeks until i get my car. We will see

• 

  expensive repairs - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By resimc2 - August 24 - 5:16 pm

  I made a major trip ( 6000 miles back & forth & the van was wonderful).Very comfortable driving & interior. Once it crossed the 60,000 miles bumper to bumper warranty it started to have every major problem. # 1 some kind of pulley broke inside ( total cost $ 1300), then alternator ( cost $ 600), then seat belt ($ 125), then steering shaft ($ 200), then engine light ( minor issue but I didnt fix it).The plastic on the sides of the doors is kind of weak), bumpers are thin & fragile( I didnt fix it) finally a trauma to the backlight will cost $ 250 to replace. This vehicle is expensive to repair. Gas mileage is not great but not that terrible anyway.