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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  Not so bad! - 2018 Kia Sorento
  By mike - April 7 - 10:46 pm

  Good infotainment panel. Excellent warranty. Google maps on phone will display on screen.

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  You could pay more... - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By JMehling - April 7 - 9:20 pm

  Weve had this van for almost 3 years and 65,000 miles and its been everything that we expected. We got all the bells and whistles and theyve been worth every penny. I like fast vehicles and I am never left wanting for passing power. The manual control of the transmission is great, and eases the frustration that comes from the sometimes slow downshifts in full automatic mode. I feel very secure with the handling and think the steering is fine, too. I feel fuel economy is average for a vehicle of this weight and engine size. It doesnt have the cylinder deactivation like the Odyssey, but the extra money youd spend to buy that vehicle will fill up your Sedona many times over.

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  Fun from Korea - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By KAR120C - April 7 - 1:36 pm

  Took our 07 Rondo on a 3800 mile trip back to the midwest and was well satisfied with the handling and comfortability of this little crossover from our friends in Asia. Fuel mileage fit well within the EPA rating 21 to 29 mpg, where we got an avg of 26 mpg on the trip, and that was having the A/C on, cruise on at 80 mph. From graduating from an econobox on long trips to this Rondo, I never tired from sitting in this vehicle. Well worth the money these vehicles are priced at.

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  Kia Soul off the Show Room Floor - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Feleicia - April 6 - 9:03 pm

  Bought Soul off showroom floor @ 46miles. I compared with Scion XB/XD/TC,& the Cube. You get the full package w/the base price for a Soul. Those others were overpriced w/nothing in them. Soul has great design, comfortable & great seating space. I felt spoiled cuz I bought fully loaded Soul Sport & dealership had exterior customized already on showroom floor. Bought for $19,980. I get alot of compliments & people stop at the lights or in middle of traffic just to talk to me about the vehicle. It has all the luxuries I ever wanted in a vehicle - without paying that luxury price. I love my Soul. Bought it 05/01/09 & now has 6,400 miles. Like I said, I LOVE my Soul!!!

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  Cheap Thrills - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By bollybob - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Nice looking SUV but it cant go up hills without a tail wind. It takes about ten minutes of wheezing to get up to speed. Beware of side winds. ALL dash mounted controls are BEHIND the cupholder or hidden somewhere behind the steering wheel. Backseat works for groceries but not anyone over 4 foot tall. Zero problems mechanically. Amusing Kor-english owners manual. Radio/CD doesnt have a clock because, yes, the clock is also behind the cup holder. As is the heater controls and emergency flashers. But hey, coffee is more important.

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  Kia Sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By OkieRed - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive been happy with the sedona overall. It served its purpose with small children. However, the gas mileage has always stunk and the trade- in value is difinately something to consider. Were about $6000 upside- down and it only has 16,000 miles in 2 years. For a mini-van, probably a good buy if you intend to keep it forever.

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  Angry.... - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By luvpaj02 - April 5 - 11:13 pm

  I have owned my Borrego for two weeks exactly. Right off the bat, I had to have the radio replaced because the Sirius Satellite Radio portion of the radio did not work. Thats fine. Minor glitch. Unfortunately, when the dealership replaced it, they damaged the trim and interior of my vehicle. So now that has to be repaired. Very frustrating, but bearable. However, today, I got into my vehicle and my radio will not even turn on. I am so incredibly frustrated. It is an 80 mile round trip for me to go to the dealership and I resent that this is the FOURTH trip I will have had to make since purchasing the vehicle. I hope that I will have a more positive update in the future.

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  Rio LX, Great 2nd Car! - 2007 Kia Rio
  By clnels-dfw - April 2 - 11:36 pm

  Bought a new Hyundai Santa Fe Ltd last Fall. And although I love driving the vehicle, Im not thrilled with my mileage. I spent one night looking on the net for a "get about town" car and found the Rio. Love this little gem. A fun car to drive and 30+ mpg city. Sometimes miss the bells and whistles (my seat warmers and power door locks) but this car is a blast! Great heater, surprising trunk space. Add a good window tint, and it has a great look. Not "budget" at all; a real bargain. Remains to be seen about reliability, and the A/C. But with the great warranty, Im just not worried. Not my choice for a long road trip, except for mileage.

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  Love My Rio - 2006 Kia Rio
  By sempercool16 - April 2 - 6:46 am

  This is my first car and I bought it with my parents. It is the perfect car for me. I have a job and I go to school it is very enjoyable to drive. I mainly use it for around town, but seldom go highway. Its a peppy little car for its small little Kia engine. But its very fun to drive. Above all great car.

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  Just might get another - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Driverguy - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Sportage new and have not been disappointed. It is not a speed demon but does the job on and off road. In have not had any problems with mine I have read they have worked out the problems from previous models.