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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  Economical Car - 2013 Kia Forte
  By smrast - April 9 - 4:45 am

  I needed a car that got good gas and good value. I commute 160 miles a day (20 miles dirt road). Getting 31 MPG on average. This is my 4th Kia and one of the reasons of staying with them is the 100,000 warr. & all the options that are included with them. We drive our cars till they fall apart so the resale value means nothing.

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  Great everywhere except gas - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Roger - April 9 - 3:50 am

  I bought the Rondo new and love it. Just hit 1000 miles, handles great rides like a sports car with a softer feel on bumps, gas mileage is lacking (6cyl) not close to what the sticker says average 23 on highway. But other than that has all the bells and whistles that higher priced cars have and feels safe and secure on the road, went from a Subaru Legacy wagon, huge improvement for our family, very easy with kids car seats,lots of room in front for drivers (510"230 lb football player) and man can it move when you need it to,long drives are now fun but city driving will kill your wallet,but worth it, dont miss out on this for a better name brand car is worth the test drive.

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  Great Mid-Size Vehicle - 2007 Kia Optima
  By bullitt - April 8 - 9:26 pm

  The Optima is well built and fun to drive. The 2.4 liter has plenty of power and the automatic transmission shifts smoothly. Has numerous standard features that are options on Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. Five Star safety rating. The 2007 Optima certainly is at the same level as Accord, Camry and Altima.

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  Not so bad! - 2018 Kia Sorento
  By mike - April 7 - 10:46 pm

  Good infotainment panel. Excellent warranty. Google maps on phone will display on screen.

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  You could pay more... - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By JMehling - April 7 - 9:20 pm

  Weve had this van for almost 3 years and 65,000 miles and its been everything that we expected. We got all the bells and whistles and theyve been worth every penny. I like fast vehicles and I am never left wanting for passing power. The manual control of the transmission is great, and eases the frustration that comes from the sometimes slow downshifts in full automatic mode. I feel very secure with the handling and think the steering is fine, too. I feel fuel economy is average for a vehicle of this weight and engine size. It doesnt have the cylinder deactivation like the Odyssey, but the extra money youd spend to buy that vehicle will fill up your Sedona many times over.

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  Fun from Korea - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By KAR120C - April 7 - 1:36 pm

  Took our 07 Rondo on a 3800 mile trip back to the midwest and was well satisfied with the handling and comfortability of this little crossover from our friends in Asia. Fuel mileage fit well within the EPA rating 21 to 29 mpg, where we got an avg of 26 mpg on the trip, and that was having the A/C on, cruise on at 80 mph. From graduating from an econobox on long trips to this Rondo, I never tired from sitting in this vehicle. Well worth the money these vehicles are priced at.

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  Kia Soul off the Show Room Floor - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Feleicia - April 6 - 9:03 pm

  Bought Soul off showroom floor @ 46miles. I compared with Scion XB/XD/TC,& the Cube. You get the full package w/the base price for a Soul. Those others were overpriced w/nothing in them. Soul has great design, comfortable & great seating space. I felt spoiled cuz I bought fully loaded Soul Sport & dealership had exterior customized already on showroom floor. Bought for $19,980. I get alot of compliments & people stop at the lights or in middle of traffic just to talk to me about the vehicle. It has all the luxuries I ever wanted in a vehicle - without paying that luxury price. I love my Soul. Bought it 05/01/09 & now has 6,400 miles. Like I said, I LOVE my Soul!!!

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  Cheap Thrills - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By bollybob - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Nice looking SUV but it cant go up hills without a tail wind. It takes about ten minutes of wheezing to get up to speed. Beware of side winds. ALL dash mounted controls are BEHIND the cupholder or hidden somewhere behind the steering wheel. Backseat works for groceries but not anyone over 4 foot tall. Zero problems mechanically. Amusing Kor-english owners manual. Radio/CD doesnt have a clock because, yes, the clock is also behind the cup holder. As is the heater controls and emergency flashers. But hey, coffee is more important.

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  Kia Sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By OkieRed - April 6 - 2:00 am

  Ive been happy with the sedona overall. It served its purpose with small children. However, the gas mileage has always stunk and the trade- in value is difinately something to consider. Were about $6000 upside- down and it only has 16,000 miles in 2 years. For a mini-van, probably a good buy if you intend to keep it forever.

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  Angry.... - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By luvpaj02 - April 5 - 11:13 pm

  I have owned my Borrego for two weeks exactly. Right off the bat, I had to have the radio replaced because the Sirius Satellite Radio portion of the radio did not work. Thats fine. Minor glitch. Unfortunately, when the dealership replaced it, they damaged the trim and interior of my vehicle. So now that has to be repaired. Very frustrating, but bearable. However, today, I got into my vehicle and my radio will not even turn on. I am so incredibly frustrated. It is an 80 mile round trip for me to go to the dealership and I resent that this is the FOURTH trip I will have had to make since purchasing the vehicle. I hope that I will have a more positive update in the future.