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 Sorento SX V6 AWD is fantastic - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By RNOVAK - January 26 - 10:00 am

  This is a $50,000 MDX for $32,000. I love this vehicle. I have had it about 7 weeks and put about 1000 miles on it. i love everything about it. the complete package and 10 years 100,000 mile bumper to bumper for an extra 1300 is amazing. How can I go wrong? Handles like a car. Absolutely flies and is quiet as any car I have ever been in. Everyone I show it to is amazed with Kia.

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  Had it for a week and LOVE it! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By VegasGirl - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Just picked up my shiny black Sorento SX and cant say enough about it. What a sharp lookin ride! LOVE IT! My dealer experience at Findlay Kia in Las Vegas was fantastic! I averaged 25 MPG this week and am quite pleased with the smooth ride; especially compared the EX V6. This car had the most bang for the buck of any car I drove. I enjoy all of the convenience features and have made good use of the dual zone climate control, my mom can freeze on her side and I can stay unfrozen on my side! I love the voice activated features, the NAV, and the back-up camera. Stereo is good too. Even though its just been a week, I am impressed every time I go for a ride. Thanks Kia

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  Great Car - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Jim - January 25 - 4:40 am

  This is a great car. It gave me luxury at an affordable price. The car rides very smoothly and it is very comfortable for myself and passengers.

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  Very much worth buying! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Franics - January 24 - 6:46 am

  I have a Kia Sportage 2017 SX AWD which I bought in July 2016. I love it so much!. Fantastic design, comfort, and technology. The safety features help to prevent road accidents. My friends always say they like it too! Until now, I havent had any issues with it, still works nicely. It also has a backup camera but I just wish that the manufacturer included a 360-degree camera to better assist with parking. I compared the features of my Sportage to my friends Honda Civic and Ford Escape and I think the Sportage is better in total. I do not regret buying it.

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  MPG - 2010 Kia Soul
  By kylesplash - January 23 - 7:10 pm

  I own the base, On the highway I can easily hit 37MPG. Great car, have to love getting a vehicle for under 13K

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  Im glad i own a Kia Optima - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Proud Kiacar owner - January 22 - 12:40 pm

  A general perception with so many appealing ads on TV,people seem to be just convinced with brands like Toyota camry,Honda,Nissan.I have reviewed and test drived all of above but with their brand name,car seems too very expensive.Happened to try a Kia Optima and never had to give it a 2nd thought.With the price,safety features,mileage i rate this very much in par with Toyota honda nissan.Initially when i bought few asked me-Y did u go for a Kia,but whn i took them for a ride they had a different view altogether which made me so proud.classy sharp looks,smooth silent ride,responsive engine. Im glad i own a Gorgeous midnight metallic grey KIA OPTIMA.Mwaaah & a pat well tht goes to my car

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  First Car I Bought - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Kasie - January 22 - 7:13 am

  This was the very first I have bought and I must say I have been extremely pleased. I am even considering another Kia for my next car.

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  Never thought - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Scott Oaks - January 21 - 5:38 pm

  Ive had this Kia for a year and a half. Ive never had a issue with it. It is the most comfortable car Ive ever owned. A few years back I never would of purchased a Kia, but since the design change in 2012 they have made a remarkable convergence from one moment a disposable car and now its a car I want to keep until the wheels fall off. The options offer are technically sound and most are offered only by luxury cars at a much higher cost. As a personal note I normally do upgrades wheels, performance enhancing, eco and power. But this car has not needed one, great fuel mileage, excellent handling and power with more to spare. Its a well rounded car.

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  2003 KIA Sedona, Gotta Luv it! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By fishingmike - January 21 - 2:00 am

  Already have 3600 miles on it and it is great so far, if I were to say anything outside of great it would be ride over very bumby highways as it is a bit rough, not much more than the Caravan we tested though. Lots of power, trans shifts good so far, mileage is fair and better than stated, about 17 city and 22 to 24 highway, actaully got 27 the 1st trip but had heck of a tail wind across Ohio which is flat so that is NOT to be expected as norm. Radio is fair, better than most stock systems on standard option but not a Bose system either! Overall, so far so good, will report when we hit 12000 miles or a year.

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  My Look at KIA - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Robert Kerr - January 21 - 2:00 am

  I like my KIA it drives well in heavy rain, feel safe and in control. The cruse control on the steering wheel is handy.