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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  Love my new Kia - 2013 Kia Forte
  By paulestep - April 9 - 12:24 pm

  I recently purchased a 2012 Kia Forte EX. I absolutely love my car. It has plenty of pick-up, very quiet, great features and great gas mileage. Recently took it on a little road trip and was very impressed with how well it ran. It has more than enough room for my family of 4 and the trunk is large enough for our luggage plus my guitar.

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  We walked away from a high speed crash - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Tina - April 4 - 9:43 pm

  I do not normally write reviews but I do read them all the time for any item that I consider buying. I thought it was time that I wrote one. Husband, 2 kids and I (3 months pregnant) were hit from behind in our Kia Sedona by an SUV. We were on a highway traveling about 65 mph and were hit by a driver who fell asleep at the wheel, had accelerator to the floor and hit us at 80 mph plus. Kids were in the middle row and not a scratch or bump on them. Third row was intact and untouched. If my kids had been in a regular car, they would have been seriously injured or killed. Keep your family safe and put them in a minivan or SUV. Thanks Kia. That 5 star safety rating saved our lives.

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  this is a very nice - 2009 Kia Amanti
  By monica broussard - April 4 - 12:50 pm

  this is such a lovely car to drive, while it is a beautiful luxury car it is still sporty with with power like a mercedes benz E350 over all i love it.

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  V6 verses 4cyl AWD - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By trippingman - April 3 - 8:20 pm

  We previously owned a 2011 Sorrento EX V6 AWD. I thought moving to the 2012 EX AWD with a 4 cylinder would help with gas mileage. However, it didnt turn out that way. While we did get some improvement (apprx. 3mpg for both city and highway) it was not significant enough to give up the 6 cylinder. Fortunately for us we got such a good trade in value on the previous Kia, that we actually lowered our payment. The cars were both EX AWD models. The 2011 had a sunroof but no navigation system or premium sound. The 2012 does not have a sunroof but does have the premium sound and navigation system. Overall, we prefer the 2012. We think it rides smoother with a less jarring ride over road bumps.

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  Interesting - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By TIMP - March 31 - 10:56 pm

  Just bought this crossover/suv/van/whatever you call it. If you see one or drive one you will understand. Not that is a bad thing, it is not as attractive as other vehicles in this size, but the price was right. Also the 3rd row is what my family needed. Overall it drives nice and there is plenty of room in both front and second row. The 3rd row is for children, but how many adults ride in a 3rd row? There is virtually no room if the 3rd row is up. As most vehicles in this size there is not room with a 3rd row. The fold down of the 2nd and 3rd row is nice and has plenty of room if needed for storage with this feature. See below for check engine light issue.

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  Its not bad but... - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Georgia - March 29 - 2:56 pm

  I love how the van rides, sits and style of it. Ive only owned the van for 3 months, so I cant comment on the quality and reliability. However, I would throw caution to the wind when you consider Kia at the present moment. The issue I have with them is lack of parts in the U.S. and poor service. Again, this is at the present time and I would assume over the next few years this will be corrected. The driving and style of the van compares to Honda and Toyota; other than that Kia is not in their league. There is a bigger problem and it not under the hood. So before you buy ask yourself how much is inconvenience and poor service worth to you.

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  Great SUV, HORRIBLE Gas Mileage!!! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jc3656 - March 28 - 10:00 am

  This is the perfect mid-sized SUV, with one exception...12MPG gas mileage. how can a Koren vehicle have every ammenity under the sun and still not be created with fuel efficiency in mind? I chose the beige colored EX model LOADED with everything except towing package. I traded in a 2002 loaded Suzuki XL-7 for this vehicle and was like going from a Yugo to Lexus. Not even close (in my eyes) as far as quality of interior and "feel". Again, great all around SUV...HORRIBLE MPG!

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  good all around hauling vehicle-likatruc - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By stace2005 - March 23 - 12:50 pm

  I love my KIA. I had a 2001 YUKON DENALI for 4 years before I had to give it up for this car. It made the transition easier because the Yukon was very luxurious and had plenty of room. The issue with the fuel regulator cutting off when the tank was full was the only issue I have had. I have performed the maintenance early and replaced all tires. The a/c is frosty even in the rear rows and in the winter that heater burns us up!

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  Stopped Looking! - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By drew - March 19 - 7:00 am

  This is our new vehicle, "our" I mean my wifes. The test drive sold me. I have owned mostly ford products but owned enough other vehicles to know what is quality and what isnt. Borrego is no Mountaineer, the sheet metal could be a little thicker but the horsepower is OK. Anyways, Borrego is tough enough and fun enough for this Northern Minnesota resident.

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  Great Car, But Drinks Gas - 2013 Kia Forte
  By tekwrek - March 17 - 8:01 am

  We are pleased with all of the features except the mileage. Based on Kias specs and Edmunds city/highway mileage calculator we expected mileage of 30 to 32 mpg. (The specs said 34+, but you never get that mileage.) However, we are averaging 26-27 mpg for primarily highway driving. Kia should have included the Forte in its fuel economy rating correction program and should have included Forte owners in its Vehicle Owners Compensation program. We have written to the company and EPA about the omission.