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:

• 

  We love it! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Hawkize1 - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Bought the EX-V6 AWD in June so far have 3800 trouble free enjoyable miles on it. Been on a couple day trips with the vehicle and have loved the ride, the mileage and value. We avg 25.7 mpg on 70-72 mph interstate driving and 27.5 at 55- 60mph. Fun to drive and has many great features. No problems with the Sorento what so ever. Id always opt for the V6.

• 

  Lots of features for budget family - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By billcsho - August 30 - 6:10 am

  I was looking for a car to replace my 13yr old Saturn wagon with more passenger and cargo capacity and a moon roof. We set a budget of $20k and had our eyes on the Mazda5 for the past several years. Recently we realized the Rondo to be the only direct competitor of Mazda5 that fulfilled our requirements. It has good mpg for my daily driving mostly on local. Highway mpg is slightly lower than expected but should be improved after breaking in. The V6 has good acceleration and is very quiet. The second row is roomy even with someone sitting in the 3rd row. With the $4K cash rebate, we got it loaded with options (leather, moonroof, 6CD/MP3, etc) and still within our budget.

• 

  Great Vehicle! - 2017 Kia Soul
  By Coy - August 29 - 8:32 pm

  Great Vehicle for My Granddaughter.

• 

  It really grows on you - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Allan J Birmantas - August 27 - 2:23 pm

  I have rated this car before (see mickeyrom), but since I have put a few thousand miles on it, it has really grown on me. All the bugs are now out of it and I have finally found a dealer who has a great service dept., so I am glad I bought this car. MPG in city remains poor, but in every other way it has met or exceeded my expectations. Once I figured out how to use the steering column adjustments, I easily and comfortably fit my 6 ft frame into the seat. It actually has more driver space than my 97 Town and Country. I would strongly recommend this brand and this model to friends.

• 

  love my new car - 2016 Kia Optima
  By hope robinson - August 26 - 5:24 am

• 

  fun - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Joan Rives - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, Easy to park, the view is outstanding, radio/cassette/cd very nice, leather seats and 6 captain seats, plenty of room on the inside, sun roof is a plus. All controls are easy to get to and read. Cruise in steering wheel.

• 

  BETTER VALUE FOR YOU DOLLAR - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By SUS56 - August 25 - 7:30 pm

  WE LOVE THE SORENTO SUV, THERE IS NO BETTER WARRANTY OUT THERE ESPECIALLY FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS FAMILY. STORAGE IS GREAT, INTERIORS ARE HANDSOME AND PRACTICAL. WE ONLY ADDED CUSTOM, COLOR CODED RUNNING BOARDS FROM A VAN CONVERSION PLACE AND THIS REALLY ADDED TO THE SHARPNESS OF THIS VEHICLE. EVERYONE THINKS IT IS A LEXUS, GUESS THAT WOULD BE A GREAT COMPLIMENT. YET THE PRICE IS MUCH MORE AFFORABLE.

• 

  Comfortable and reliable - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By rebecca Hunt - August 25 - 1:43 pm

  I love my Kia sportage ! I have owned it for a year now and I have enjoyed it more than I thought I ever would.I car pool kids in it I have driven through the mountains of west virginia in it and I went camping in it. and I love the interior, it isnt full of hard plastic everywhere. I have the basic model and I love the easy to care for fabric. The sound system is great and it has plenty of power for me. I highly recommend it for moms on a budget. It gets great mileage on trips and I also have 4 wheel drive and I can get anywhere in this SUV, believe me I have used it, and it cleans up nice too! I have lots of confidence in this SUV, my next trip will be Key west!

• 

  My 2005 Kia Sedona Ex - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Dave&Gretchen - August 25 - 10:56 am

  From the start the purchase of this vehicle was very pleasant, My wife did most of the research and I was suprised on all of the features that Kia had to offer. We elected for every option except the first aid kit. My wife enjoys driving and shopping in our Kia much more then our Suv. It is easy to load the kids and anything else you may have to hall around. I would purchase another Kia in the future.

• 

  Excellent value, excellent car! - 2005 Kia Optima
  By mark wilms - August 25 - 9:03 am

  I have had my Optima for 8 months and have done extensive traveling. I have had not one problem with the car. It has plenty of get up and go which is important to me especially since I used to own a Mustang. I would have no problems recommending this car. If you are on a budget it is an excellent value.