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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  highly satisfied - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By beendone - December 4 - 2:23 pm

  I was looking at suv type vehicles. Also Honda Ridgeline. I had not seen the Borrego advertised. Saw it on the lot. Went back, checked it out. I bought it and it did have a good discount. I am happier so far with this vehicle then any of my past vehicles. 3.8 plenty of power. Does downshifts abruptly when giving it gas. I am getting used to that. Ride good. You know it is a truck type frame over large bumps. This also means it will carry a load with no problem. Dash layout and control are the the best I have seen. Everything is easy to find and use including the radio. I am very satisfied and think they should keep selling it in the USA. When the word get out they will sell.

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  Kia Sorento Three Years Later - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By lad3 - December 3 - 6:44 pm

  I have had the Sorento for 3 years now and wanted to share my experience. It has been a great car. I have almost 50K now and I have not had any problems with the car. Very reliable. With the V6 the car has plenty of power for when you need it. The ride is very comfortable. After I bought it I immediately took it to a road trip from DC to Maine and back. I really had to use the cruise control because otherwise I would easily increase my speed to 80 MPH or more without even noticing it. I like the interior design and the controls. Overall, I am very happy that I purchased the Kia Sorento. Great car, great value.

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  I LOVE IT - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Mike - December 2 - 11:03 pm

  I LOVE IT!! Kia has really showed what they can do....i had a 202 sportage and i loved it!! i was out growing it so when i seen an add for the NEW sportage i jushed over to my kia dealer and bought my self the new kia....sa far so good....i love the sound system!! clean crisp clear sound. It had plenty of power for the highway....there is just one thing i have to test........THE 4X4...i havent tested that out yet , im just wating for another snow storm to hit so i can really have some fun with my sportage....if your looking for a cheap good looking mini-ute i would look at the Sportage.

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  Just Awesome - 2010 Kia Soul
  By 613Soul - November 30 - 8:46 pm

  This car is just amazing. If you are looking online for reviews and reading articles, STOP NOW, go and buy one. Very solid build, the motor is plenty powerful to haul the weight of the car and 5 passengers. People stop dead in their tracks and stare at this car with a huge smile - it demands attention. Sound system is insane. I have a 4 gig USB drive full of MP3s/ If i get sick of that, i switch to Sirius Satellite Radio, if i get sick of that, it switch to my ipod, i get sick of that i switch to FM radio, i get sick of that i switch to CDs. Ridiculous options. * I should not that my model is actually the 4U Retro in Canada.

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  Great Value for the Dollar! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By G.Peter - November 29 - 3:13 am

  This is one of finest compact cars on the market today. The features that this car offers are absolutely phenomenal. I initially checked out other compact cars such as the Dodge Caliber, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and Nissan Sentra. I have to admit that each of those cars left me desiring and seeking much more. Then I decided to check out the Kia Spectra 5 and that was the best decision I could have made. The car was everything I was looking for in a compact car. The look was sporty. The exterior quality was extremely obvious. The interior was loaded with features that even some bigger cars and SUVs didnt have. Then came the drive. I was sold and the car was mine. Thank you Kia.

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  Nice!!! - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By James Beach - November 28 - 10:05 pm

  Owned less than one month. Very happy with the car. I get 17.1 MPG city and 25 MPG in the mountains, very little highway miles at this point. Update: Six plus months now; with two great vacations. Very happy with the Kia Sedona. 28-30 HWY MPG. The middle seats kneel forward allowing for the folding raised platform I have that supports a full-size tri-fold mattress with storage underneath, push button side-doors, wonderful for camping and cargo. I am very pleased with the high quality of the Kia Sedona.

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  Great! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By neo - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This price cant beat, even with other better brand, reliable on normal driving condition, this is not for full size family, i like almost everything for the price i paid for this car except handling should improve.

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  Nice Ride! - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Optimas Prime - November 27 - 6:03 pm

  I bought my Optima EX V6 this month and its VERY nice. Leather seats, Infinity audio system w/6 CD, mp3 plugin. Got the electronic stability package and the premium package. Drives and handles much nicer than my Ford Taurus. Surprisingly smooth ride on freeways and in town. Auto air keeps the interior at a constant 72 degrees (adjustable of course). Night driving, dash lights (soft blue) are admirable and well laid out. Easy to see or disregard when concentrating on driving. Average 33 mpg! 27 mpg when using the 5 speed Sportmatic transmission (FUN FUN FUN). It feels like a "Drive by wire" car. Pearl White turns heads. Air bags galore. Safe 5*.

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  The best 4wd SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Family Vehicle - November 23 - 2:00 am

  This is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I always have people coming up to me and asking how I like It. I tell them I dont like I love it. If you own this vehicle you would understand what I was saying....VERY VERY HAPPY..This vehicle is the same as the Lexux LS300, but $20.000 less..oops that doesnt make it the same it makes it better.I would definatly recomend this vehicle to anybody..............Don (Long Island)

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  a wagon for Empty Nesters - 2002 Kia Rio
  By pizza driver - November 22 - 10:00 am

  It handled our late winter snows and our steep driveway. Gets 30+mpg on road trips. For a wagon, the AC is very good, weve had the hotest July in over 10 years. Its fun to drive, even with the Automatic. We are looking forward to an Autumn trip to the Ozarks.