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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  VALUE! - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By corky - July 14 - 5:13 am

  Traded a 2003 Explorer, Rear end failed at 76000...Understand this is big problem with ford limited silp 4x4. Wanted a Huge warranty, Kia 10 years 100,000 drivetrain and 5 year bumper to bumper...25,000 with leather seating, looks goods drives good...and I sleep at night not worrying about big repair bills! Salesman said watch the maintance scedule; have proof and no one can say no to repairs. Goodnite I sleep like a baby!

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  3 Miles on Odometer - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Miel Sarr - July 13 - 7:10 am

  I started looking for cross over SUVs with the AWD, and a third row. I used to drive a 1996 Honda Accord LX (Manual transmission) I really wanted a Hyundai Vera Cruz but they stopped making the vehicle in 2012. Then I thought about the Mazda 5 (manual transmission) but it looked like mini-van car. I ended up focusing on the Santa Fe and Mazda CX9. I got a consumer report magazine and added the Outlander and Sorento to my research radar. In concert with a good friend I test drove all vehicles 3 months before I purchased. My friend road in the back while I test drove and used a check sheet to document wind noise and backseat comfort ability etc. By the end of the day I narrowed it down to the Mazda and the KIA. I purchased a 2016 LX Sorento with 3 miles on the odometer. The ride is smooth, I feel like I am riding in luxury without paying the price. The vehicle is not too big and able to do all the things I need it to do. Cargo room is great; however not when the third row is in use. I only have two issues the Bluetooth tends to spike in volume when a call comes in and that can be startling EVERY time and I never feel completely confident when parallel parking. I feel as if visibility is limited. I am overly satisfied with my purchase and the price. I may consider upgrading to EX in a few years.

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  Excellent Car - Best Bang for the Buck - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By dboisobe - July 11 - 6:29 pm

  I reviewed the Sorento all models, drove the Sportage LX, EX, SX, looked at the Honda CRV, Nissan Murano S, SV, SL. You cannot touch a Murano with leather and navigation / bluetooth for under $40,000, the Honda CRV doesnt come close, forget the RAV4 thats a tin can in comparatively Once I drove the Sorento SX, looked at the price tag coupled with the bumper-bumper 5/60,000 & 10/100K power train warranty, no brainer! I traded in my sporty Honda Accord EX-L with kicking zippy engine, excellent interior quality knowing that for $17 more a month and almost the same fuel economy I could have a brand new long warranty vehicle that is roomy, comfortable, powerful, and snazzy looking.

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  Second Kia - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By BILL F. - July 11 - 1:20 pm

  This is my second Kia, had a Sedona before with few problems that the dealer took care of with no hassels. I drove the Rondo and was impressed with the ride and drive in the 2.4 4 cylinder. Big room inside and better gas mileage than the Sedona. Yes Kia has come a long way.

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  Youd want this in your driveway - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By JTE7690 - July 11 - 12:06 am

  I bought my 2005 Kia Sorento because my Mitsubishi Eclipse was getting too small. I looked at the Ford Explorer V6 and also the Toyota Highlander. I loved the way this one looked and drove. I must recommend the EX 4WD model because it rides sooo much better then the LX. Especially if you want the moonroof and the power seats!

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  No real complaints - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Josh - July 10 - 11:53 am

  I bought my rio with 60,000 miles on it, it now has 128,000 and have done nothing but replace the rear wheel bearings, its very gutless but the manual tranny helps. it should have been made a coupe or roadster, since the backseat is pointless, and a manual w/o a tach. is just silly, but very relaible, economic, and out does all those useless SUVs in every way, especially the handling! I love my car, even though its not perfect

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  Mi Rondo - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By bassn1958 - July 8 - 8:33 pm

  After test driving this vehicle, my wife and I liked the roominess of the Rondo vs our previous two vehicles. However we are kind of disappointed in the mpg as it is advertised for 27 mpg on the highway and were getting about 22.75 avg through 5000 miles. We thought that we would be able to absorb the additional cost of negative equity on our previous vehicle with the lesser mpg on this vehicle. However with bigger discrepancy in mpg and the huge rise in gas prices its not as economical as first thought. However we do enjoy the spacious cabin and the power of the small V6 engine. And the overall performance has been satisfactory for the most part.

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  Cute - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By davey - July 7 - 11:46 am

  Kia is really cute and draws attention. Good mileage with 25 overall. Cup holder location is poor. Transmission shudders a little on starts. I like the little SUV but would probably go with Honda CR-V if had to do again.

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  Surprising - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Jordan - July 7 - 4:06 am

  I bought the Kia Spectra after owning a Hyundai Elantra for several years. I wanted something sportier and the Spectra certainly provides that. The EX is zippy for a 4 cylinder and still maintains good fuel economy. Much better gas mileage then my Elantra. Handling is very nice and tight. Stops on a dime due to 4 wheel disk brakes. Also, its the only car in the price range with 5 front air bags so I feel safer driving it. Kia is now coming out with performance after market parts for the Spectra and Rio as well. I got the body kit and wing installed and my car gets a lot of attention with them on. Overall you get a lot of features and a lot of bang for your buck. Surprisingly good value.

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  Not what we expected - 2010 Kia Soul
  By chick_poo - July 6 - 7:41 am

  We purchased our Soul ! used from a dealer with 33,000 miles. We bought this car because of the reviews in regards to gas mileage. This Soul is terrible in regards to mpg. I have written to Kia and I am waiting for a reply before I proceed further. I drive 60 miles a day (highway) to work, set my cruise on 70 (posted speed limit) and the best gas mileage I have gotten is 25.9 mpg. The advertised gas mileage is the main reason we bought our Soul. While it is very fun to drive, the gas mileage and the exterior quality (lack of) will not keep us a Kia customer. Paint chips very easily. Very sad because this is a fun car to drive and is very roomy.