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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  Happy Kia Owner - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By kia - loyal forever - August 7 - 12:03 am

  I traded in my Ford Ranger for a smaller sedan-type car and was so surprised by the quality offered in my Spectra. I have owned it now for 2 years and never had one bit of trouble. It is beautiful and I laugh at how many people mistake it for a BMW when I first drive up! Side by side, they are very similar in looks! Dealership is awesome and I feel like I have joined the Kia family for life!!

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  Mountain Happy - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mountain Happy - August 6 - 7:02 pm

  I researched the Kia Sorento along with other vehicles with 3rd row seating. I wanted a 6 cyl, awd vehicle and luv, luv, luv this vehicle. Its smooth ride, feels like your riding on a cloud. My son hooked up my phone to the vehicle s Bluetooth--so nice to answer and have your phone contacts at your finger tips. Its got tons of leg room both front and back. I havent had it long enough to know everything about it but finding something new everytime I get in it. and you can set your mode to regular, economy, or sport when driving and it tells you how many miles per gallon your getting as you drive. and how many miles you have on the tank of gas which I find very helpful. I keep it on the economy setting and this rig has get up and go when you need to move. Such a smooth running vehicle. Absolutely love this rig. The price you pay for this rig versus the other rigs I looked at are not even in the ball park for what you get for the money. And I found out KIAs are made in the USA in Georgia. I wanted a rig that wasnt going to cost me an arm and a leg that would house my grandchildren (8) this rig has 3rd row seating and sits up to 7. I bought a used 2017.

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  Mountain Happy - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Mountain Happy - August 6 - 7:02 pm

  I researched the Kia Sorento along with other vehicles with 3rd row seating. I wanted a 6 cyl, awd vehicle and luv, luv, luv this vehicle. Its smooth ride, feels like your riding on a cloud. My son hooked up my phone to the vehicle s Bluetooth--so nice to answer and have your phone contacts at your finger tips. Its got tons of leg room both front and back. I havent had it long enough to know everything about it but finding something new everytime I get in it. and you can set your mode to regular, economy, or sport when driving and it tells you how many miles per gallon your getting as you drive. and how many miles you have on the tank of gas which I find very helpful. I keep it on the economy setting and this rig has get up and go when you need to move. Such a smooth running vehicle. Absolutely love this rig. The price you pay for this rig versus the other rigs I looked at are not even in the ball park for what you get for the money. And I found out KIAs are made in the USA in Georgia. I wanted a rig that wasnt going to cost me an arm and a leg that would house my grandchildren (8) this rig has 3rd row seating and sits up to 7. I bought a used 2017.

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  Piece of Garbage - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Jonathan N - August 5 - 4:53 pm

  I bought my Sedona used two years ago and have had nothing but problems. After three months the check engine light came on and when I took it to the shop, the mechanic said the hose used to transfer the anti-freeze to the radiator was missing. He installed the hose but apparantly didnt check the rest of the van. Less than two years later my engine blew and its not covered. The warranty and the KIA name are a joke. I take excellent care of all of my vehicles and this one is plain old Korean garbage. I will never buy a KIA again.

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  2 summers old and AC BAD, wont FIX IT! - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Diane Miller - August 5 - 2:26 pm

  IN 3/08 we bought our Rondo and in 4/10 the AC Compressor went our and the dealership or KIA company want fix it under warranty. A 18,000 dollar car should last more that 2 years! We had a KIA van before this Rondo and the AC also went out on it. KIA has bad compressors, so I want buy another one! Buyer Beware!

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  Dogs and I love it! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By RiowithDogs - August 5 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! I got it so I could haul my two mini-greyhounds in the back. They love it, too! Very fun to drive, great mileage. The dealership was awesome and the price was right! Everyone thinks it is a sporty Honda Civic. There are no bells and whistles, but truly a well put together car with a fantastic price. I would buy it again!

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  Satelite Radio defective - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Joe - August 4 - 12:16 pm

  The Sat radio reception is so bad in urban areas, I wont even bother renewing my subscription. Ive had XM for over four years on my Chevy and never came close to losing signal like this. The service dept. says "Oh yeah there all like that" Could the rough truck like ride be the cause? If I could go back in time I would buy something else

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  Satisfied Owner - 2007 Kia Optima
  By JK - August 3 - 2:53 am

  Build quality inside and out is first rate. Has good pickup and ride is quiet. Looks like a much more expensive car than it is. A great value and fully loaded with extras you would pay extra for in other cars. Tight responsive steering and good road feel...very European ride (which means youre not floating over bumps).

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  2001 Kia Sephia - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By whburroughs - August 2 - 10:00 am

  10 Year Warranty-what else can you expect? A quite, inexpensive little car that has "good" gas mileage and an low cost of ownership.

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  Have owned 2 Kia Sorentos - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Robin - August 2 - 8:40 am

  I have owned 2 Sorentos,EX is loaded,I love it all, gas mileage is good when comparing to other SUVs, Kia is built better and tougher than most, Great price range, sometimes you get what you pay for , but with Kia you get more than you pay for, Great job Kia!