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:

• 

  exceptional buy - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By appassionata - April 29 - 10:00 am

  Wow, when our 2000 Chrysler Voyager began five and diming us after 40000 miles, we decided to cut our losses and trade in. The Kia was 5,000 LESS than our stripped Chrysler. I would recommend this car to ANYONE!!!

• 

  Excellent Choice - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Erich - April 29 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a 4WD vehicle to deal with the past New England winter. After going through about (5) vehicles I caught a look at the KIA at my friends dealership. Everything about it appealed to me. The contents of the book complimentes the cover. One thing that really appeals to me is that the gas tank fill is on the passenger side. Good for all the Jersey natives.

• 

  Glad I Purchased - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Ynotturbo - April 28 - 7:23 pm

  I just purchased my spicey red EX Christmas Eve. I need a commuter car that not only looks good but is fun to drive. I selected the 5 speed version making my commute to work a pleasure. The Fortes fit and finish is outstanding and the sound system cant be beat for the price. I looked at other cars and found that the KIA had more standard options for the price making it a no brainer. Mine has the sunroof and upgraded wheel package. It is a clean looking, fun, and comfortable vehicle that gets great gas milage. The price was just a Tad over 17K out the door. Cant beat that for a new that appears to be built to last. My dealer also gave me free oil changes and tire rotations 4 life.

• 

  Great buy for your money - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By Elle - April 28 - 12:43 am

  Were expecting twins next month and couldnt avoid the inevitable minivan purchase (2 carseats in a Sentra just wouldnt cut it!). My father was the one who steered me towards a Kia based soley on its reviews and warranty. I test drove all the major brands and to my surprise, the Kia stood far out in my opinion. You get a LOT for your money (especially with the rebates) and its actually comfortable to drive. Some of the vans out there seriously make you feel like youre driving a bus! I would recommend the Kia Sedona to anyone looking for a minivan, even recommend the brand to anyone just looking for a car! I was always a Nissan person, but Im glad I opened my eyes to Kia.

• 

  AWESOME!! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Mrs. Tamara - April 25 - 9:00 pm

  I own a 2017 Kia Sportage and say no more, its easy on gas, quick on acceleration, quiet and I call it "My Lady Bug" lol. I love the style and the space in the back seat is good. I can fit 5 people in my Sportage with no problem. However I wish I could have got AWD instead of FWD, thats the only thing I would change. Its affordable, reliable, the trial SiriusXM Radio is so nice, hardly no commercials (Finally) I dont have to listen to the radio talking. Back to the Sportage, I own a Lexus SUV 2005 & I have two nice vehicles. Just goes to show me cars dont have to cost a fortune to be comfortable & cute.

• 

  My Kia is better than my Volvo - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Ro - April 24 - 4:23 am

  This car replaced a 2004 Volvo S40. I found the 2006 Kia to be comparable to the car it replaced in most respects: the sound system is superior as is the quiet, smooth ride. This car compares to a Volvo but the sticker shock and cost of maintenance is far lower. I would definitely recommend this car!

• 

  A Great Gift to the World of SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By George M - April 23 - 2:16 pm

  Sure everybody, all of us have our ups and downs, but your gonna have to go a long way to beat the little Sorento, What a great gift to the RV world! I cant wait to get a new one, Im sure it will be even better if thats possible. No complaints here!

• 

  Love it so far! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By jamieay - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Paid $18,400 after rebates for my new 2003 Kia Sedona EX. Traded in a very problematic 1999 Ford Windstar. If youre looking for a new van, PLEASE go look into the Kia Sedona. Its 95% of a Sienna or Odyssey at 70% of the cost. Very comfortable, *excellent* fit and finish, good sound system, and a much more comfortable driving position than my old Windstar. To get an Odyssey at the same price, it would have to be 3 years old and have 50,000 miles on it. Transmission is extremely smooth. Each seat has its own AC/heat vents that can be directed and closed. BTW - My drivers seat also squeaked - fixed it with a thin coat of grease on the seat tracks.

• 

  Economical surprise - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Farm Boy - April 22 - 11:33 am

  I have had reliability and economy problems with Ford, GM, & Chrysler. Honda and Toyota are extremely expensive. Decided to try something else. We decied to go out on a limb and try the Kia. What a surprise! We love it. Good economy, handles great and more reliable than other brands I have owned. The first vehicle I have owned in years that I can drive all day and not get a back ache. And all this for $8,000 less than a comparablly equiped Honda or Toyota. I would recommend it to anyone. Any one interested in a minivan should give the Sedona a good hard look. They are great vans.

• 

  Take another look - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Richard - April 21 - 5:33 pm

  Traded in a 2013 Sorento for the redesigned 2016 EX V-6. Outstanding vehicle. Quite, plenty of power, excellent handling. I will definitely keep this one. Also have a 2011 Kia Optima EX fully loaded and love it. Traded in a Hyundai XG 350L in for it. Have 79,000 miles on it now with no problems. I will continue to buy Kias. UPDATE: Had the vehicle now for 10 months, 14800 miles. Still completely satisfied. Get around 26 city/30 highway. No complaints. Would definitely buy another. Extra alarms like the back up warning and cars in your blind spots are very nice features.