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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  Sorrento is a Great Value - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By LCB - July 12 - 2:00 am

  Looked at many SUVs ... owned two Jeep Grand Cherokees ... this is far the best valued SUV on the market. Great exterior styling and many interio extras. Very quite motor ... very impressive SUV... be sure and check-out the Sorrento before you purchase your next SUV.

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  For being older, it is hanging in there well - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Greg - July 11 - 11:20 pm

  For the price, it has been a good car. I had to replace an intake manifold sensor a couple months ago, but that wasnt too expensive. This car has had problems with the transmission in its history. The torque converter had to be replaced. On a positive note, I have all the original suspension at 148,000k. Wisconsin winters (read: salty/slushy crap) are rough on the undersides of cars, but it is doing really good. The only thing that is rusted out is the parking brake, and I got all new parts for that for pretty cheap to rebuild it myself.

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  Would buy 5!!! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By sweet_deal - July 11 - 3:11 pm

  I love this car! It I has been my favorite! I bought it used, with 16500 miles on it. For an 06 I bought in 07, the one thing I have replaced on it and right now its 2014, is a battery! Knock on wood... Gas isnt really good but I put better gas in it rather than unleaded, that raises it almost double. I put injection cleaner in all the time! Keep it clean, all fluids good all the time. Best kinds, to make sure runs tip top! I could not ask for a better car.

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  Happy Nursing Student - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Kiley - July 9 - 10:03 pm

  Bought this car Aug 2007. Drove it off the lot with 12 miles on it (now has 40,000miles in 2009). It gets great gas miles and has been very reliable. I bought it to get through nursing school and could not be more pleased (payments are awesome too! Only $230 month). I have heard a lot of negative things about Kia cars and honestly dont know what is so horrible. I graduate in 8 months and will drive my Rio for as long as I can.

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  Great Deal for The Money - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By gvtrai58 - July 9 - 6:00 pm

  I purchased a 2007 Sedona (20K miles) about 6 months ago and would do it again. I would have had to buy a 5 year old Honda or Toyota to get the price I did. I bought this thing because I heard kids prone to car sickness do well in minivans. And my 3 year old used to vomit on any trip over about 30m. Well, it worked. The kid doesnt vomit on trips anymore. The vehicle really has a nice ride to it. I am fairly impressed with this vehicle as far as value for the money. My kids call it Daddys truck and I dont really feel like telling them that its a minivan. On the other hand I am not embarrassed because I have another vehicle that is the opposite of a minivan.

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  Beautiful car, outstanding - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By debra roberts - July 9 - 4:45 am

  The only reason I am getting another car is , it is to fancy and too much technology for me. Not a thing wrong with it.

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  Piece of junk - 2007 Kia Rio
  By frustrated - July 8 - 11:56 am

  I bought this car in hopes of having a reliable vehicle for once. Day 1 02 sensor went out. 9 months later electrical problems. Went through 4 Cruise controls in 1 year because Kia kept putting the same one in. Went to private custom shop they put a better one in and told me that my car was destroying the Cruise because the car and Cruise control were not compatible. 2 years running lights and fog lights to make sure they are on I have to tap them before I drive away. Handles horrible in the winter. Gets worse gas mileage than the car I traded in for 1995 Dodge intrepid. I got 28 the first month of owning this car now I am lucky if I get 18 mpg. Everyone one I see I say stay away from Kia!

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  love my kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By belkie11 - July 7 - 3:13 pm

  Great SUV for the money. Fun to drive. Overall very smooth except when going over large bumps. I would recommend it to anyone.

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  Awesome Car! - 2013 Kia Optima
  By me me - July 7 - 1:10 am

  Good in every way.

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  Initial Review of 06 Sedona LX - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By akolive - July 6 - 11:23 pm

  A great driving experience. Almost too much power. I suspect that will be nice when we tow our future pop-up. It is roomy though a bit less than the Senna or Odyssey. For the price, that is OK. I think KIA needs to work on being a little more consistent with their controls. They have dials for temp control up front and push buttons for the rear, for example.