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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  Great value & safe for my kids! - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Robin - January 31 - 6:46 pm

  The only thing I dislike about the performance of my 2005 Sedona is the gas mileage. I got better mpg in my old SUV. However, the 10 year warranty, low price and roominess of the interior sold me on the Sedona. I love the captains chairs in the middle, but sometimes it makes it harder for the kids to squeeze into the 3rd row. The bench seat would have been a better bet. As for reliability, I have driven 8,000 miles in the last 8 months since purchasing this van. I havent had any trouble whatsoever. I love my Kia!

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  Brand new 16 Sorento AWD LX with Convenience pkg! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Michael DeSimone - January 30 - 11:46 pm

  Loving my new Sorento and still have money left in my pocket! Looks great and drives great. This new remodel turns heads. Everyone on my block and at my kids school has been asking about it. Sharp looking interior, well thought out with lots of cargo space plus additional storage bins underneath. Rear back-up camera, bluetooth, UVO services (voice command), heated seats, AWD, parking sensor, USB ports everywhere, power adjustable drivers seat and many other bells and whistles. Compared to Explorers, Highlanders and Pilots, you get so much more bang for your buck plus a far better bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranty. I now jump at the opportunity to run out and get something, anything, just to get me in my new 2016 Sorento!!

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  Awesome SUV - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By ZIG - January 29 - 8:16 pm

  We love the Borrego! Awesome driving experience, great handling, plenty of power, lots of room for the family, tons of safety features, it stacks up well against the Highlander!

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  Just Purchased - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By PatsFan - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Luxury Group and ABS for 25,485..500 dollars overinvoice..Had TO haggle dealers in Boston area...Herb Chambers was the best on price..Boch was horrible..Stay away from them. They wouldnt come down on price at all.They are actually trying to sell them for 2% over sticker price.

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  I HATE THIS CAR - 2008 Kia Rio
  By casey - January 28 - 4:50 am

  My car also is slow to shift from park reverse or drive to revervse. It also has been in the shop five times because something is draining the power from the battery that no one can figure out why. It has been thru two batteries and they put in a whole new fuse system... i drove it three weeks and the battery is dead again. They still cant figure it out so while it sits in the shop i have to borrow parents and friends cars because good ol kia doesnt provide loaner cars and i dont have the money for a rental. All this for a car ive only had four months!!!

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  KIA OWNER - 2005 Kia Rio
  By JEFF JACKSON - January 27 - 10:00 am

  RIO DRIVES WELL, HAS AVERAGE TO GOOD PICK UP. THE FUEL MILEAGE IS REAL GOOD. THE FEW LITTLE COMFORTS ARE OUTWEIGHED BY THE COST OF OPERATION.

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  sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By joep32757 - January 27 - 10:00 am

  good value ,handeling ,superior saftey and warranty, fit and finnish is very good .quiet ride.

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  Excellent value - 2002 Kia Optima
  By Owner - January 26 - 11:56 am

  Bought as a second car for wife, excellent value for money, Toyota reliability, only issues to be critical are certain interior material are level with price point. Others -- fit, finish, durability etc. are far above expected results. Definitely a contender for a repeat purchase. Great car!

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  Thanks Kia - 2008 Kia Optima
  By eager - January 25 - 7:56 pm

  This is a great car for the price. Kia really stepped up to plate on this one. I own the inline 4 cylinder model, the car is very efficient and its performance is excellent.

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  The Power to Suprise - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By ray1117 - January 25 - 2:33 pm

  We bought our Kia about 3 months ago and dont regret it a bit. Got to "test" it during a recent snow storm and its four wheel drive capability was incredible. Plowed through over two feet of snow on unplowed highway shoulders and it worked like a champ. Havent had a single problem with it and really dont expect any. Kia did an impressive job building this. Comfortable ride, nice controls, excellent quality, very quiet, and just enjoyable to drive. Thanks Kia.