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:

• 

  Exactly what I was looking for!!! - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By ontheroad09 - July 15 - 8:38 am

  I needed a 7 seater suv...but I did not want to go over a certain amt. my friend told me to go to yonkers kia. she got one from there and she said they were great. I called and spoke with Jaslyn. she was great and knew that what i needed. I came in and spoke with John I took my car hom.e with me the same day. everything was so nice and professional. the manager said he would make it happen for me and he did. I will tell all my friends and family to go see Yonkers Kia. thanks

• 

  What a Deal - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By Jay Swearingen - July 14 - 12:57 am

  Got the car as a dealer demo model with 15K miles. I have put over 20k new miles on in 8 months. My average mileage, city and road, is about 26mpg, Love all the amenities and features. The entertainment/info capability is great and works very well. Easy Bluetooth connection. I did update the nav map info (about $180) that I thought was high. Not thrilled with mileage of original Hankook tires. I have to drive all over Colorado, so mountains and plains. Got some Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter tires and they really allowed great traction even in blizzard conditions. The bang for the buck is great, particularly as I got the car "used." All who have ridden in it love the features. Heated steering wheel has to be the favorite. Paddle shifters for the mountains, with adaptive headlights really helps. There arent many out there, but its absolutely a car to consider, if you need or want a more full sized sedan. The value over euro sedans is tremendous. Learn to love the name Kia.

• 

  Great Second Car - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By happy - July 13 - 2:20 pm

  I bought this car used for my daughter who will be licensed in a year (2010). I can already tell it is going to be hard to give it up. Good pep and acceleration, low engine/road noise. GREAT fuel mileage and easy to handle on the highway and on snow. Bad blind spot on the right side mirror so be careful. Otherwise it is comfortable inside. Takes bumps pretty well and has just enough amenities for the price to make it a good buy.

• 

  My New Chariot - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Dave - July 12 - 12:43 pm

  I traded in a 2004 Sedona for this one and am really pleased with the van. Serene driving and riding comfort, quiet, and the turning radius is much improved. Roomy and plush.

• 

  Im happy (so far) - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By agentzero - July 11 - 11:53 pm

  Ok, my wife was extremely reluctant to go with Kia, we turned in a Murano as the lease was expiring. For the $$$ though, there was nothing coming close to the deal Kia was willing to swing. $36.4k sticker for $29.5k plus tax. 3 year old loaded Pilots go for that around here. If you can find a 2011 on the lot, thats the key, theres no way to get $7k knocked-off a 2012, and IMO opinion the differences from the 11 to 12 were not huge. 11 was the major redesign year.

• 

  Top Notch! - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By joatrades - July 8 - 1:25 pm

  I bought my Sorento used in 06 with 12,000 miles on it. Now have 89K. Love the fact that it is a true 4x4! The rear end is just like a truck, unlike most newer SUVs (including the 12 Sorento!) Never had issues with lights but brakes are below par as is the sheet metal (thin), fuel economy is not great either. Paint, A/C engine, & tranny all are top notch. Very reliable & would buy another 05 or 06.

• 

  Redesgin The Dead Pedal!!! - 2015 Kia Sedona
  By D - July 7 - 10:55 pm

  Would be the perfect minivan if they could redesign the dead pedal for the driver. There is NO WAY I could purchase this vehicle due to the lack of space available for my left leg. EVERYTHING else was PERFECT but that mammoth dead pedal would not allow me to stretch out my left leg. (You could half the size of the pedal and the problem is solved by the way!)

• 

  Never Imagined a KIA - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By jclaeys - July 7 - 8:27 am

  Good looking, good driving, incredible fit and finish, better than Toyota, better priced, the reviews dont lie. New 4cyl. GDI engine has plenty of spunk...gas mileage may be the same for the 6 cyl. but if you want to pay 5K more for it, youll get more power and smoother performance....spend 5K somewhere else IMO.

• 

  Kia is the best bang for your buck! - 2016 Kia Forte
  By John P. - July 6 - 12:06 am

  Ive had my 2016 Kia Forte EX 4 dr sedan for little over a week now and I absolutely love this car. Going from a 2013 Kia Optima LX, I was worried about interior room, but the Forte has equally the amount of interior room as the Optima in my opinion. My new Forte EX is loaded with all the bells and whistles, and rides great with a quiet interior. Ive gotten quite a few compliments on it so far, and the Crimson Red Metallic color has really grown on me, as I wasnt a big fan of red vehicles before I laid my eyes on this beauty. The 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine has plenty of pep to get me onto the interstate, or just zipping around town. I dont see much difference at all from the 2.4 liter I had in my Optima to the 2.0 liter in my new Forte EX, they both get up and go with ease. This car is awesome and so comfortable to drive, whether it be just across town or on a long road trip. I cannot yet comment on fuel economy as Im still in the break in phase of the motor only having 400 miles on it so far, but even with my lead foot, Im pulling in 30+ mpg combined city/highway driving. I fell in love with Kias after I bought my first (2013 Kia Optima LX), and Im still in love with my new 2016 Kia Forte EX. These cars are so dependable and very well equipped for the price, they really do look more expensive than they actually are both interior and exterior. If you are thinking about buying a Kia Forte, you wont be disappointed.

• 

  Minivan Done Right - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By mwwestiii - July 4 - 8:10 pm

  This is the first minivan Ive really liked, very well thought out. With 10K on the odometer weve had no problems. Recommend comparing the Sedona directly with an Odyssey EXL or Touring and youll probably find the Sedona a much better buy in terms of included features, safety, warranty and most of all price. Built on the same assembly line, the Sedona is basically a Hyundai Entourage with a simpler option package for a few thousand dollars less. Comfortable flip-forward middle seats make more sense than stow-and-go for us, plus you get more ground clearance. Love the euro-styling, 17" alloy wheels, Michelin tires and sport shifter.