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:

• 

  Just what I was looking for - 2011 Kia Soul
  By raven66 - August 12 - 2:23 am

  After putting 110,000 miles on a 2006 Kia Rio, I decided last November to take a look at a new 2011 Kia Soul. I was looking for something with more cargo room and easier to get in and out of. I was also hoping for at least similar gas mileage as the Rio. The Soul fit the bill perfectly. I also like the greater ground clearance and better visibility afforded by the extra overall height. It does ride more truck-like than the Rio, but that is fine with me: I feel Im in more control and in tune with the road. With a mix of highway and in-town driving, Im getting on average 32 to 35 mpg with the Soul, which was unexpected. A great car for the price, with all the standard perks.

• 

  Love My Van, She part of the family - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Yogi & Mike Healy - August 11 - 6:30 pm

  I have enjoyed this van from day one. Bought it new,with under 10 miles on it.Have enjoyed every mile on it.She has all the power that my wife wants and needs,w/3.8 v6.I dont think that will we every trade her in. Everything has worked great. The Dealerships are becoming far and few.They have taken care of any small problem w/ no problem. One thing that needs to be address is lites front,fog they have gone out and can only be changed at the dealership? Why cause you have to take off the front bumper? That stinks. The Van drives so smooth has great pick up also drives like a sports car.I would buy another but only used as they do drop in value fast.Paid $29950 worth $8750 ouch :-(

• 

  2012 Kia Sorento - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By sdrayton - August 11 - 1:51 pm

  This is my 2nd Sorento. My first one (2011) made a grinding noise when breaking. After confirming it was not the ABS brakes and multiple attempts by the dealership and Kia to repair the car Kia agreed to replace it (with a reasonable charge for the mileage). The 2012 Sorento I purchased as a replacement started making the same noise after approximately 2 weeks. Kia has now says it is a common characteristic of Sorentos but it will not affect the safety or value of my car. Want to buy a 2012 Sorento with less than 10,000 miles that intermittently makes a grinding noise when you stop?

• 

  Good SUV - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By jrgleason2003 - August 11 - 9:19 am

  I purchased the LX with the GDI Engine. So far I am impressed with the way it drives. I had a 2010 ford escape that was plagued with problems. Leith Kia in wendell, NC really worked with me to get me into a 2012 sorento. It really drives smooth, Im not sure why they say its a firm ride...has anyone rode in a civic? Thats a firm ride. I got the LX w/convenience pkg for a little over 23K. My only complaint is that at low speeds (idle or under 5mph), the GDI engine seems a little "rough". However it does accelerate VERY smoothly (smoothest tranny Ive felt) and gets up to speed adequately. The GDI engine wont blow your hair back or anything, but there is a little extra pep to get into traffic

• 

  not bad at all - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By nichos - August 10 - 9:56 am

  Purchased this vehicle 9 months ago for my 100 mile round trip commute. Gas mileage has been better than expected 25-28 mpg. Interior is good size for my 64 300lb frame. Power is okay. Not going to win races, but does fine for my commute. Put almost 20000 mile on it so far and had no problems.

• 

  Yet another big mistake - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By dswanson1 - August 9 - 2:40 pm

  We bought it and withing 3 months had to put a new transmission into it. That was under 100000 miles. It has been back into the shop 6 more times so far and we are only at 106000 miles. Nothing but issues left and right. Everything seems to break. Unfortunately we financed and are stuck with it for the next 2 years.

• 

  Perfect car for commuting - 2014 Kia Forte
  By won_yoon - August 8 - 11:31 pm

  I purchased my a completely redesigned 2014 Forte in October 2013. Now with 24k miles with it, I have no complain what so ever. It has an adequate power and great gas mileage. I get constantly 35 miles combined city and highway. I cannot imagine any better car for what I paid. I graduated from Honda Civics (3 previous generations) and have no regret. Every time I park my car and I smile at the car to see how good it looks from front.

• 

  YOU GOTTA DRIVE IT - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By ski - August 8 - 8:43 pm

  You have to drive this vehicle. Powerful, fun, and looks great. The transmission is awesome, its manual and automatic so you can pick your gear. Plenty of room for moving what I need, but not a land yacht with a lot of wasted space.

• 

  excellent - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Anthonygag - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I had one problem only with the evaperator it was repair in 30 mins.

• 

  NOT BAD - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By TRUECRITIC - August 8 - 2:00 am

  WELL IT HAS A SMOOTH RIDE,SLIDES IN SNOW (MAYBE ITS THE TIRES THAT CAME FROM MANUFACTURE)THE CUP HOLDER THAT PULLS OUT UNDER THE RADIO THE CLAW THAT TIGHTENS TO HOLD CUP BROKE.LEANING ON FENDERS PUTS A DENT.THE PAINT CHIPS VERY EASY.THE ONLY TIME YOU GET GOOD EXCELARATION IS WHEN YOU SHUT OFF THE OVERDRIVE FOR ON HIGHWAY RAMP.THE FABRIC SEATS IN THE FRONT HAVE LITTLE FABRIC PULLS FROM GETTING IN AND OUT.(I NEVER LIKED LEATHER ALWAYS HAD FABRIC AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SEEING THE FABRIC PULL OUT FROM SIMPLE USE)DRIVER SIDE MIRROR INSIDE MOTOR WILL NOT ADJUST OUT (CLICKING NOISE)CANNOT SWITCH REAR BUCKET SEATS TO MIDDLE AND MIDDLE BENCH TO REAR.