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 Kia - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By ldocheng - April 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the first mini-van we have ever owned. And I love the room. You have all the luxuries without the high cost! We had test driven almost all out there, then this one. There was no question on which one we were going with. The only problem I have noticed so far is a very squeaky drivers seat and I just havent had the time to contact Kia about it. I highly recommend anyone out there looking for a mini-van to go and test drive a sedona and I lay odds you will walk out owning one!

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  Best vehicle Ive ever owned - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By pattistolar - April 8 - 12:09 am

  I love my 2005 Sportage. Ive had it since it was 6 months old and its never given me any problems whatsoever! Its 8 years old now, with 160,000 km and is the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Just change the oil and it just keeps on going. Great in the snow too with just all seasons tires. Yay for Kia!!

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  bought for too much...but love it - 2003 Kia Optima
  By SoberStarlet - April 6 - 9:16 pm

  Although I fell hook line and sinker for a full priced 2003 Kia Optima (just weeks before it would become "last years model"), I am truly loving it. Classy, and fun to drive (with optional sport shifter) I couldnt have picked a better car to be my first "new car" to buy. Next time though...I think I will bring my father to the dealership with me, so that I get a fair price. :) I recommend this car to anyone...its a great car to hand down to your kids (which is what we plan to do) and know that they are safe.

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  New Adventure! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By gd - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my Sportage in August and I mist say I am impressed. After owning 2 Hondas and a Maxima, I was afraid to go outside my comfort zone. So far so good. I enjoy the comfort but the ride is a little harsh. Hopefully I will get use to it. I will report back on the progress.

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  Kia Soul! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By SoulChick - April 6 - 10:00 am

  This is my update from about two months ago (7/12/2010). I now have 4106 miles on my Soul!. I still get about 26 mpg depending on my driving. My plastic doesnt seem to mar except for the areas with the controls. The one complaint I have is with the stereo. My original unit was bad and was replaced; however now we are on the 2nd replacement because the unit they put in "shorted itself out". I tend to think the dealer doesnt know how to install stereo equip. Now my two rear speakers and sub are crackling (possibly blown) and the bluetooth feature doesnt work. Hopefully when I get my new unit this will be the last I hear of this problem. Also, had my 1st recall repair; wiring harness

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  My other car is a Rio... - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Big John - April 3 - 8:23 pm

  Ive been sold on Kia since 2001. Always a long distance runner, I need a car with better than average MPG and durability. The other things dont really matter. I want some money in my pocket after the bills are paid. Before 2001 I was driving a 1970 Pontiac Catalina for 15 years. It ran great until my nit-wit son took it for a spin. He spun out and drove it into a tree. It had huge miles on it. The Catalina averaged 18 MPG. All my Rios average 35. It doesnt take long for the savings to pay for the car. Essentially I am driving a new car for free. The 2001 made a lot of noise but so does a Harley. You dont get wet in a Rio. A 2008 much quieter. I also own an 01, 03, and 06.

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  nice car - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By charles mcclenaghan - April 3 - 7:53 pm

  Loaded with safety features , rides and handles good , so far 19mpg (only 350 miles) plenty of luggage space

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  A Really Great Van - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By kialover15 - April 3 - 5:36 pm

  This van was purchased in August of 2002, because my grandmother needed to get a wheelchair lift for her cart for the back of the van. They were a little unhappy that they had to buy this van though, because they were the kind of people that would only buy GM or Ford. But Kia had the best price. 6 years later, they would easily buy another Sedona. They love and so do I. This van has such a great ride, looks cool, a strong engine, and very comfortable seats. I was only 10 when they bought this and didnt know much about cars then, but I fell in love with this van so much that I started doing research on Kia, and know, all that I will ever buy is a Kia.

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  Sporty, Great Small/Midsize AWD SUV, BEAUTY! - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By Rhea Addair - April 2 - 8:14 pm

  The Front Seats arent very Comfortable, lacks Support & Padding for Long-Trips Especially if You have Arthritis, Fibromyalgia or Other Physical Types of Pain b/c It can also be kinda hard to get out of if Traveling for a Period of Time in Combo w/ The Comfort Level (Poor) of The Front Seats... Other than this Issue, LOVE IT, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ECONOMICAL, SPORTY, AWESOME,SAFE, SUV... YOULL LOVE IT!!!.. I DO..and, Many More People also, Love em or The Larger KIA Sorento 4 cyl. AWD as well.. Great VALUE SUVs in a KIA!!.. I am now also a KIA LOVING FAN.. A Believer Myself...

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  Best Value for the money - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Kia Lover - April 2 - 6:13 pm

  I had a 2005 Sportage and upgraded to the Sorento because I purchased a boat and needed a vehicle to pull it. With a towing capacity of 5000 lbs you cant beat it. I got this one fully loaded with the Luxury Package. My Sorento is black with tan leather interior. This vehicle handles great and has more than enough power. Yeah, the gas mileage is not the best, but it is pretty average of other 6 cylinder SUVs. And if you are up for it, this vehicle can do some off roading. The Sorento was rated in the top 14 SUVs as a true off road vehicle. This was done by USA Today 3 years ago.