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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  Great deal - 2016 Kia Forte
  By David Mccorkle - August 12 - 2:22 pm

  Great!

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  kia - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Ashley Woody - August 10 - 10:00 am

  The van is a great vehicle. I have had zero problems and this year we put 33,000 miles on it. We live out in the country so the gas mileage hurts a little, but over all it is a great vehicle for the price. I would buy it again. NO regrets

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  KIA SORENTO - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By DRRO3 - August 10 - 10:00 am

  THIS HAS TO BE THE BEST SUV ON THE MARKET TODAY. IT LOOKS SLEEK, STYLISH AND DOESNT COST A FORTUNE. I RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE LOOKING FOR A LOW COST AUTOMOBILE THAT IS DEPENDABLE AND SAFE AS IT IS GOOD LOOKING.

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  THE BEST VALUE IN MINIVAN HISTORY!!! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By realwealth - August 10 - 2:00 am

  AMAZING MINIVAN!! Coming from a formerly dissatified and VERY CRITICAL Kia Sportage owner, this is an EPIPHANY! We got a decent deal on a 2004 EX with leather, ABS, a 10 yr/100k extended warranty and a security system for $20,345(minus $3000 rebate and $2100 for our 1993 Mercury Villager). I wanted a Nissan Quest S, but God had a better plan!

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  what a great car for a low price - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Bill - August 9 - 3:53 am

  Ive owned my Amanti for only 5 months and have not driven a lot of miles yet, but I love it. Everything about it shouts quality. ItÂ’s so quiet, smooth and responsive. IÂ’m 57 years old and this is truly the finest car IÂ’ve ever owned. And the price? Truly a bargain in todayÂ’s market. I have noticed other owners complaining about gas mileage. On the cars computer it says IÂ’m getting 11.5 mpg but IÂ’ve tested it the old fashioned way, miles driven and actual gallons used and have consistently come up with 19.8 mpg in town driving. I think the on board figures are wrong. Would strongly advise you to check it this way for a more accurate figure. Everything else, a-one!

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  Kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By RBHarris942 - August 8 - 8:23 pm

  This is a great car! Fun to drive, powerful, easy to run 80-90 without realizing it. This car gives very good value for the money! An exceptional car! Quality equal to or better than Toyota or Honda.

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  I would buy it again! - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By Marla - August 8 - 6:21 pm

  I have only needed standard maintenance AND I have 252,000 miles. I drive for a living, averaging over 200 miles a day.

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  Great Mini-Van ! Small Problem - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By soundman97 - August 8 - 10:00 am

  This van is awesome and fun to drive. It has all the features of vans 6K more. We have 4k miles on it and no problems yet except a stress cracked windshield. We were driving on the road and heard a sound like a rock hitting the windshield. The problem is that there was no car or truck in front of us. Two 8 inch cracks appeared toward the bottom of the windshield where the defrosters lays. I am taking it to the dealer monday to see if they belive me. There is no nick or any evidence of a rock chipping where the crack starts. I have seen other reports of this problem. Besides the windshield the van is a great buy.

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  unexpected... an inexpensive, great car - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By midwest customer - August 7 - 4:33 am

  Perfect for my purposes. Lots of city driving with the occasional cross country drive. I was blown away when I drove almost 500 miles at about 75mph before needing gas. The roomy interior is perfect as I often have a full car. Safety is a huge issue for me and I always feel good in this car. ABS served me well while driving through N.E. snowstorms. The cruise control is great too. Drives very smoothly, and the CD changer and iPod hookup are great for long drives. I love being able to have my GPS, cell phone charger, and iPod all plugged in at the same time. I have had this car for 4 months and have received tons of compliments.

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  Excellent for the money - 2007 Kia Optima
  By csandste - August 4 - 10:06 pm

  No problems so far in five months of light driving.