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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  Kia vs. others - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By rubituli - November 16 - 6:40 pm

  We bought this Sedona on reviews alone. I read car and driver and trust their take on vehicle reviews. Also the consumer reviews were very helpful. This is a no frills product and very straight forward in design. Its very comfortable to drive and very practical. Better than the domestics and equal to the Japanese offerings. I would look to either this Kia or the Honda. In terms quality both are equal but the Honda is a bit more sporty. Lets see here - sporty vs. 10 year warranty? Take your pick, for me its the Kia, I really like this vehicle.

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  The worst drive ever - 2009 Kia Rondo
  By Troy - November 16 - 11:20 am

  I do not know what to say. The car has the worst seats of any car I have driven, the visibility is not the best, the transmission shift like a 1980 Chevy Citation with 100k on it. The 4speed auto is so outdated. I have this as a long term rental.

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  WHAT A LEMON - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By jskayaker - November 15 - 5:20 am

  I bought my 2008 Kia Rondo used with 19,000 miles on it...I really liked the car it suited my needs for hauling kids, dogs, kayaks and camping gear...but now at 51k miles the engine has locked up. I had the car serviced regularly and keep up on oil changes the whole nine. This is very very disheartening.....I still owe 9800 on the car and the new engine will cost 4800 to replace. I will never buy a KIA every again! I will also tell anyone buying a KIA to think again.

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  2007 Kia Sorento EX - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Lincoln63 - November 14 - 8:23 pm

  I have owned 3 Cadillacs, 3 mini vans, a 1988 Jeep Commanche (ordered from the factory while I was stationed in Germany), a 1997 Grand Am. Sorento has the minivans room, the comfort of Cadillac, the fun to drive sporty handling of the Grand Am, and a bigger foot print and smoother ride than the Jeep. Kia has an obvious comittment to safety. They have more standard safety features than the big three at a better price. Michelin P24570R16 tires on stylish machined aluminum wheels, even the spare. I am very happy with my fuel economy, 400 miles per tank, running the AC constantly. Some people balk at the speakers, thats why God made Polk audio.

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  My First Automatic! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Sam - November 14 - 7:26 pm

  Purchased my Kia Sorento almost 3 weeks ago and love the driving experience. Tight. Interior layout is great; suits my expectations and needs for a SUV. The quality in this vehicle will be felt every time you drive it. Feels like I drive something much more expensive. Want a vehicle for almost any need? Check out a Kia Sorento!

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  Kia Warranty - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Morgan - November 14 - 12:33 pm

  The battery and fuel pump had to be replaced within the first 2 weeks. If the battery fails call roadside assistance. Kia makes no allowances for extenuating circumstances and will strictly adhere to their written policies.

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  NOISE - 2010 Kia Soul
  By socalmoe - November 14 - 11:43 am

  OK little car for work. I cannot stand the interior wind noise. I am preparing for a fight w/ the service dept over this. My 03 diesel V8 is quieter than this car. I should of stuck to my original plan to purchase a used Mini instead. $16000 regret!

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  sporty SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Robert Swearingen - November 14 - 10:00 am

  This automobile has plenty of room for anything and everything that the family needs. The Sorento is reliable. Weve test driven the Ford Escape, the Chevy Trailblazer, the Dodge Durango, and the Saturn Vue, but the Kia Sorento topped them all with its comfort.

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  The Best Vehicle Ive ever owned - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Jow - November 14 - 10:00 am

  I have had several vehicles and most of them are great in the beginning, but later the fun wears off and its just a ride. I love every minute in my Sorento. Everytime I drive it I feel great, I feel I look great, and my pocket book didnt have to pay tons to get it. Thats how I feel. Warranty is the best.

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  Soul EV is a Plus - 2016 Kia Soul EV
  By Ethan Derner - November 13 - 8:47 am

  I drove a Nissan Leaf for three years prior to taking delivery of a new Soul EV+ last month, and thus far it has been enjoyable. This is my second all-electric vehicle, and while it has key differences from the Leaf I do like it for the positive ones. On the downside, the cargo space is not nearly as capacious as that in a Leaf. And the hatchback release on the key fob only does that: release the hatchback. I am constantly annoyed at having to unlock the doors after Ive already unlocked the hatch when I walk around to get in the car. The extended range is noticeably different from my 2013 Leaf, and the driver only AC as well as the ventilated seats are a huge energy saver. The UVO EV Services are functional if not entirely well-executed. And I wish I could get out of the car with it turned on and NOT have it beep as loud and as long as it does. (Some volume and duration control would be welcomed.) The ride quality is sporty, it handles excellently on the city and highway roads Ive been traveling on. Parking is quicker as the backend isnt as extended as the Leaf. I am taking it on our first extended trip to the coast this weekend.