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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  Hoped for more - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By helkins - March 23 - 6:11 pm

  I bought mine used last year a 2011. Had a few problems in the beginning but they fixed it. It seems it was electrical and needed a software update and something about a brake switch. Other than that it has been running good. The battery does wear down quickly. The engine runs louder than what I think a new car should. Coming up on 30K service so will have it checked. Also the gas mileage is terrible. Not sure how some people are getting 22-23 in city on a V6 AWD. I get 15mpg but I am probably avg speed 35 and a lot of stop and go. Maybe that has something to do with it. But also on highway I havent gotten more than 21mpg. Considering trading it in but wondering, cont below...

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  Love My new Opitima! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By SafetyFirst - March 23 - 8:13 am

  Just bought my second Kia Optima and I couldnt be more pleased. The exterior looks awesome and is a big improvement. I bought another Optima after having driven an 05 for 3 years and never having to take it in for repairs. This car is so much fun to drive and I plan to have it for a very long time!

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  new to kia - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Dave - March 23 - 6:03 am

  Fantastic car to drive. Lots of room!!!!! Ive received lots of positive remarks from friends and family about the comfort and great ride. Only negative...the rear door hatch only works manually.

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  Best car Ive ever owned - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By wonka - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Gotta say Im shocked at some people complaining about their Rondo. My 2007 Rondo LX is the best car Ive ever owned -- better than my Pontiac Vibe, Acura Integra, 99 Rav4, Chevy Prizm or many Corollas. Car is the most versatile thing on the road, comfortable, good balance of power and decent gas mileage. Have had no problems whatsoever after 3 years 40k miles. LOADS of safety features (6 airbags, antilock brakes, skid control). Cant beat this car w/out spending $10,000 more. Only thing I dont love about it is of the 4 doors plus hatchback, there is only ONE keyhole. Annoying because if someone opens the other doors from the inside alarm goes off & ignition is killed until you "beep" in

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  My second Kia in 1 year - 2010 Kia Forte
  By RSG91763 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is great. After I bought a 2011 Kia Sorento early in the year, I just had to buy the Forte with the fuel economy package for my transport car. Two weeks old with a thousand miles, this car will do just fine. Excellent buy.

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  Shocked at the value here - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Surpised_by_Kia - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Had it for 2 weeks. Still cant believe the value for the money. Styling is one of the best out there in the segment. Handles like a Honda. Loaded to the hilt, you can get one for $26.5K (invoice) and it comes with options only found in high end vehicles (rear camera, nav, BT, leather, USB, xeon, 18" rims, dual moonroof, backup sensors, 6spd auto, homelink, voice commands, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?). We shopped around and couldnt find anything close to it for the price - have to jump $8-10K to find a comp. Car feels like it has more than 176 HP, probably because of the 6 sp auto. In the market for a small, heavily optioned SUV? Look no further. Oh, and it has the 10yr/100K mile warranty. Nice!

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  Incredible - 2002 Kia Rio
  By paganboyscout - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Kia Rio as a last ditch effort to get out of used cars. I had just gotten my license, and I needed a car to get from home to work every day. The Rio proved to be a godsend, allowing me to go anywhere, do anything, without breaking my bank. Ive named her Regina, and shes done more than I ever expected, often out performing cars priced 2-3 times as much. She has never stalled, never gurgled, never gotten stuck. Ive hauled over 1400 pounds (no typo) with her, gotten her through 3 foot snowdrifts, plowed her through 1 1/2 foot streams, and never has she so much as complained. I love this car, and will tell anyone buying a car to Go Kia.

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  KIA is surprising! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By GGCOASTIE - March 19 - 2:00 am

  We have been looking at Minivans for about 2 months and have done our research and test drives. If you want to spend way to much money you can go buy another VAN. If you like spending your money wisely, than I would go test drive the KIA Sedona. This packs a punch with its 5 Star Safety rating and Rear Top and Floor Vents all around the van. All I have to say is that they are packing a punch with this van. I walked out the door with paying $17,000 for a 2004 Vehicle that has a unbelievable warranty.

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  I Love My Sedona - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By D&S Blau - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Extremely comfortable van to drive and ride in as a passenger...Very quiet, handles very well in windy driving conditions...Has great acceleration...

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  Kianator - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Mike Rodriguez - March 19 - 2:00 am

  After my first two minivans both of which were Dodge Caravans, I was impressed with the KIA. Our first van, a 1995 Caravan Sport was needed when our twins were born. 2004 brings new requirements for family and fun. Looked at all of them and I focused on the Dodge again. I looked at the KIA for the first time and was impressed. I kept returning to the Dodge dealer to compare the two. The KIA kept drawing me back due to its quality of build, drive, and safety. In the end, when fairly compared the KIA is the best comparison for features and when the price is factored it, there is no better buy on the market.