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:

• 

  I love my Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By philm - December 5 - 9:33 pm

  After driving two Explorers for the past nine years, it was time for a change. Dollar for dollar the Sorento puts the Explorer to shame. Although I would like for the MPG to be better, overall I could not be happier. Style, comfort, options, warranty, price, the Sorento has the competition beat hands down. If youre looking for an SUV, I would seriously consider a Sorento.

• 

  New Owner - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By C R Earley - December 5 - 6:30 pm

  Very impressive acceleration from a standing start. After reaching cruise speeds the engine seems flat and slow to increase higher speeds in high gear, but even at 65 & 70 the ability to down shift is still there to gain power for passing. The braking is good for a vehicle of its size. They are a proper match for the vehicles power. The ride seemed harsh, and noisy over road bumps. A quick check of the tire pressure solved that. Kia is notorious for over inflating the tires. The tires had from 42 to 44 PSI from the lot. A drop to 34 PSI still gives a crisp feel to the handling along with a much improved ride. The gas mileage is pretty much as stated. Even with a heavy foot gets 21 MPG.

• 

  Filling a niche - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Roger - December 5 - 12:06 pm

  Excellent combination of size and versatility. We have a family of 6 and wanted to carry all 4 kids if we needed to (other vehicle is a larger Pathfinder). Very surprised by the amount of shoulder room throughout the car. Fit and finish at this price range is excellent. Just got out of a minivan and really like the lower to the ground feeling of being in this car. Excellent visibility while driving. Just plain cute!

• 

  A Great car - 2006 Kia Rio
  By BHunter - December 4 - 9:23 pm

  My first car I ever bought and I love it to death. Im in the process of trying to upgrade it as far as performance and found a few things. But its still a new car so theres not much out there for now. But its still a great car through and through.

• 

  Great value in an SUV - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mike - December 4 - 5:34 pm

  Great ride, very quiet. Handling is good but if quick acceleration is your thing go for the v6. The vehicle has the feel inside of a much more expensive car and you can really tell it when you shut the door- very quiet. This car has the best warranty in the business and the overall impression of this vehicle is very positive.

• 

  LOVE IT!!!! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Bonnie - December 4 - 1:06 pm

  I just got out of college and this is the first car that i bought on my own. I LOVE IT!!! It rides great and i have taken it on many 4 to 5 hour trips. It has alot of features that i didnt expect from a kia and the exterior design is great. I feel like its kind of a luxury car without the price. I did take it in for the charger lighter wasnt working but they fixed it right away no charge. Great gas mileage, and it is just a smooth ride.

• 

  Best Value on the Market - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By Steve Ice - December 3 - 5:10 am

  I have been shopping for a while and done much research on the Sienna, Odyssey and Sedona. All are great vehicles but I just couldnt justify spending $5K more and for less features on the the Honda or Toyota. Plus not to mention the 10 yr warranty. Kia dealers are giving employee pricing (you must ask) plus huge rebates on 2008s. This is a great time to be in the market. Kids love it and cant wait to take it anywhere. Kia Sedona is the best value for the money on the market today.

• 

  Safety features sold us - 2016 Kia Optima
  By akley - December 1 - 11:27 am

  Auto hold braking, lane change warning, full body cameras, auto cruise follow distance and braking features are amazing and useful. The luxury items of seat air/heat, leather and electric EVERYTHING are icing on the cake. Stereo is like a theater. Very VERY roomy, front and back. Sunroof extends the entire top of car. Rides SMOOTH and quiet. Cant say enough good. Price tag was high, at least for us, but the car is certainly proving itself.

• 

  OUR KIA - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By phyllis alcaro - November 26 - 5:50 pm

  Very impressed with handling, driving, and quietness, Have been told by many car looks great.

• 

  Impressed - 2010 Kia Optima
  By shaun - November 26 - 10:00 am

  never thought of kia as a car in par with hondas , toyotas and chevys. Dealer said, take it for a ride. going from a saturn ion to this 100 % improvement. handles well, nice looks, sharp car , had less than a week and very impressed. feels alot more solid than previous cars Ive had, Kia is onto a whole new audience. Look out honda, toyota, nissan.