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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  VERY smart purchase. - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Dentuso - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Although we are in a position to purchase vehicles that are more expensive than Kias, weve found that we simply dont want to. We now own 2, (1 Cinco, 1 Sedona), and have every intention of making the next 2 vehicles Kias as well. For the money, you simply cannot beat the quality, warrantee, and simple (albeit modest) comforts. I sincerely believe that Kia and Hyundai have, and will continue to change the North America car market forever.

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  Second review - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Jada - April 1 - 11:40 pm

  Hi, This is my second review. My first review was done right after we bought our van and it was a good review but, after having had it for several months I do have some new issues. One being the paint. It scratches and dents very easy. The gas mileage is horrible, the cargo room is next to none. We keep one captains chair out in order to have extra room and we have a chirping noise that happens when we first start the van in the morning or after it has sat for awhile. We were told it is a normal sound because the pistons may stick or get something in them? After the first start up and after it drives awhile it does quit. However it bothers/worries me. Overall It is a good van and we are happy with it!

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  How could I say no? - 2002 Kia Optima
  By 3letterword - March 31 - 10:00 am

  I wanted something comfortable, reliable, and inexpensive to own. With a $17k budget my options were several off-lease vehicles that I admire (audis, bmws, etc) but they all had 50k + miles on the odometer. Sure, theyll go another 100k - but not cheaply. In the new car segment there were lots of 4-cyl compacts with sparse interiors. The Optima SE V6 came loaded with every option. Combine the demo discount plus the rebate and it came into my price range. Amazing! Sure, its not one of those German beauties that I drool for, but sometimes reality intervenes. V6 power, comfort, and should anything go wrong - an unmatchable warrantee, plus free road-side assistance.

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  A great car - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By drummajorgeek1 - March 29 - 10:56 pm

  My Spectra an 02 and has 178,000 miles and Im shocked to say it is still running great. My dad and i bought this car over two years ago for about 2K as i was finishing high school. Everything in the interior and exterior still functions. I couldnt ask for a quicker and cooler AC, it works very well. The only set back is that mine has no CD player, but the radio and speakers are good and running. My father and I were a bit skeptical prior to purchasing a Kia, let alone a Used uncertified one, but it has definitely given us a lot to think back on. Im going into my third year of college and doing just well with this auto. It is a very reliable car and hasnt had any mechanical errors.

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  So Far So Bad - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Kia Disappointment - March 29 - 1:40 am

  Own a EX V6 FWD with the Premium Package. Interior Fit and Finish are excellent. Exterior in the Titamium Silver is beautiful. Car has been a disappointment though. Many rattles have developed after only 2650 miles on the car. Second and Third row seats are way too tight for adults or teens for that matter. With our 11 month old grandsons car seat in my wife who is 59" tall has to have her seat so far up that her knees touch the dash. Climate Control Sensor has gone bad two times. This is the first car I have ever bought that I regret my decision. To think that I traded an very reliable 04 Mountaineer which I loved, but the MPG was a killer.

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  New purchase! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Jack - March 16 - 11:30 am

  I just bought this today. Noted items: As others have said, great performance, looks good, good ride, OK on road noise,lots of features at a great price. Id like better rear view with the mirror, but the headrests seem to block a bit. I didnt notice any problem with the 4-speed gearing like the main review; things felt fine to me. Door closing seemed a little tinny, as in "not as solid" as some Id driven. I mainly looked at Elantras as an option, but their high engine noise and lower acceleration made the difference. Minor differences include a more solid feel in the Elantra and better cup holders, but for overall value, the Forte seems hard to beat. I havent tried all the features yet.

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  My Rio Wagon. - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Liseannedg - March 14 - 3:23 am

  The price could not be beat. Enjoy the ease of a hatchback. Very family friendly. Easy to tell that materials, i.e., hatchcover are not of highest quality. Otherwise, great car.

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  My First KIA and car in a long time - 2013 Kia Optima
  By shoxxaholix - March 10 - 4:35 am

  Ok, typcially i am a SUV truck\guy. I got this car based on gas mileage and looks. It is like any other car, you drive it hard.. burns gas.. drive it nice.. it does pretty decent.. anything to me was better than 12-17mpg i was getting with my older suv. Its roomy for 7 yr old triplets... driving is a pleasure even though im on the ground again.. even the passenger size has room for my 6.8 friend who fits in it. Overall i am satisfied with it. The dash is nice, performance feels right for a 4 banger... and gas when going from what i was to what i am ..awesome.. i mean.. if i get over 200 miles on a half tank.. and 400 on a full tank.. and im not the nicest of drivers.car is good for me

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  Colors Do Count - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Michelle in MA - March 9 - 5:53 pm

  Love my Sorento. Considered a used Lexus 300 or 330, but got a new,comparable car at an extremely affordable price. My first SUV and would highly recommend to anyone!

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  love the car - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By green eyes - March 4 - 11:00 pm

  I love this car. I was looking to get a car and trade in the car i was driving and kia was the only one that was willing to work around my budget. I fell in love with how nice and smooth it drives, i also love how easy the cruise is to use and the air conditioning really works i mean i get cold almost instantly when i turn it on.