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:

• 

  Happy KIA Sorento owner - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Don Railey - March 29 - 9:03 am

  After reviewing the KIA website I was intrigued enough to go to a dealer and take a look. The quality, performance, ride, good looks and pride I feel when others look and inquire as to "what is it?" I traded a full sized luxury sedan thinking I would be giving up the luxury. Wow was I wrong. I not only have all the luxury I was accustomed to, I own one of the most unique vehicles on the road today.

• 

  Our 3rd Sorento - best yet!! - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mrs. E. - March 29 - 7:38 am

  The V6 is very responsive. In general, the car feels sturdier and more solid than previous years. Gas mileage is better even though it is a V6 - averaging between 24 and 25 mpg. Great car, good value.

• 

  Love my KiaPet - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Smackmaster - March 29 - 2:46 am

  The wife and I were looking at all kinds of different vehicles and since it was going to be "her" car she was fixated on a Toyota Matrix. There was one at the local Kia dealer and we went to look at it. While she was test driving I went and looked at the Soul !. I asked her to test drive it on a whim and the next thing I know were driving off the lot with our new Kia! She loves this cruck. Its not a car and not a truck so weve dubbed it a "cruck". Some people dont like the wind noise on the highway. Thats why they put such an awesome stereo in this cruck. Turn it up, drive on and watch the MINIs stare!!! BUY THIS RIDE!!!

• 

  Great car - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By pathlight - March 28 - 3:02 am

  14th car Ive owned and my first Kia after owning mostly Fords and Toyotas. I test drove virtually all of the competition and settled on the Sorento as the best combination of size, handling, quiet ride, technology, cargo layout (5-seater) and V6 option. The lengthy warranty helped me make the decision because Id never paid any attention to Kia in the past and reliability was an unknown. Ive driven it about 2,500 km and so far, Im delighted.

• 

  Can You Ignore The Ride? - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By ryan2006 - March 27 - 11:36 pm

  Ive had my Sportage for approx 1 month and 1000 miles. I traded in a 2010 Mazda 3 Grand Touring. The Sportage was the closest I could get to the 3s handling, performance and options. However, the 30k price tag was a bit hard to swallow. I really feel like I took a huge leap of faith buying a Kia...especially awith a $$ that could get me almost any other CUV out there. The warranty is great, but who wants a vehicle that needs to be in the shop alot. I only have two complaints: 1. The ride is rough. 2. Satellite reception is extremely spotty. So far, happy with the purchase. I just hope Kia is ready to deal with customers expectations of those spending 30K on a vehicle.

• 

  I love it! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Jennifer - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I was first drawn to the 2011 Sportage due to its aggressive exterior styling, which is really nice. When I went to test drive it, I was pleasantly surprised at the extreme value you get for the cost. The interior is really nice and very modern. And, there are extra features such as the bluetooth integration and iPod ports, as well as the shiftable automatic transmission that really make this car a great value. At first I was leery of it being a 4-cylinder, but that was before I drove it. It has plenty of get up and go! Doesnt drive like a 4-cylinder at all in my opinion. I cant really comment on reliability, as Ive only had it for 2 weeks.

• 

  Love it - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By BPO - March 27 - 10:00 am

  Test drove a lot of the competitors and felt this was the best value for its class. I have an automotive background and initially I looked down on the KIA. After test driving, Ive changed my views. The 6 cyl is a must. Like the design and currently have zero issues. My previous two FORDS had a list started of warranty work for the same time period. Waiting for snow to see how the AWD system will compare to our Jeep Grand Cherokee. I have the white pearl exterior, black interior. Looks great when its detailed.

• 

  Great and Cheap, but not built like it! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Tim - March 26 - 7:00 am

  What value! We looked at everything and could not beat the value in this. With 6 airbags, ABS, stablity control, power locks and windows, V6 with auto/manual trans, A/C and CD for 19K. The ride and power are fine. And then you have the warranty with roadside assistance. How could you go wrong? You cant beat this value!

• 

  Just got it - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By purpleletha - March 24 - 6:56 am

  I just got my kia a few days ago, and i just love it its a cute little car and im falling more in love with it everyday. I about to dress it up with some tint and u aint gone be able to tell me nothing!!!! lol

• 

  Crossed over - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Tim Pros - March 24 - 4:14 am

  I had a bmw 328i before and traded it in for 2016 Sorento Sx V6. Although I dont use the 3rd row often I have filled it up w 6 people including myself 2 on each row. My guests said very comfortable. My bmw was boring compared to the sorento. The value is great I got all bells and whistles for a lesser price getting the SX Fwd. Before sorento I was thinking of getting Tacoma but then I thought A truck with a bed I dont even tow 99% of the times! Sorento has excellent interior very upscale Kia. Kia is coming up nasty!