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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  Great Bargain - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By Judy - October 24 - 4:33 pm

  I purchased my 2009 Kia Sorento just one week ago. What a great SUV for the price. I really thought that I would not be able to afford another SUV, but the pricing on this vehicle was great. Fun to drive, easy handling, and great look. I cant say enough about this vehicle. For under $20,000 you get a lot of truck.

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  My Kia - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By KayJac - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Great mini van! Low price with high perks and a great warrenty.

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  Great vehicle for the money - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By fancypnts4 - October 24 - 10:00 am

  Overall, this is a great van. 5 Star safety crash test rating and you can get one fully loaded for less than the stripped down model costs for the others. Cornering is not the best, but other than that, this minivan is great!

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  Great Budget Van - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Wild One - October 24 - 10:00 am

  If needing a new car with more room and are on tight budget this is the car for you. If rides and drives nice. For the money you can not beat it. Comfortable to drive and ride in. My child who just turned one hated riding in the car, since we have purchased the van he loves it and we have been to IN and back to MD.

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  Love my KIA - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Joseph Mitchell - October 23 - 10:20 pm

  This 2017 KIA replaces my 2012 KIA and is much improved over the 2012. The 2012 is the very first 4 cylinder that I had ever purchased and it exceeded my expectations for performance particularly speed increase. The 2017 is every bit as good if not better.

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  Problems after purchase - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By SANDY - October 23 - 7:03 am

  The looks of my Kia attract a lot of comments from people. Its black-two tone & sharp. All in all I will never buy a Kia again, looks are not everything. I have had numerous probs from transmission to the smell of antifreeze in the cab. I had to have the rotors replaced after 27K miles. The transmission was shifting incorrectly 3 months after purchase, I purchased it with 11 miles on the odometer, brand new.The smell of antifreeze was so strong it was making me sick. The serv dept told me there was nothing wrong with the car but the last time I took it in for this smell they finally did something, I have not smelled it since.

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  Never again - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Cricket - October 22 - 5:03 am

  Every month has been problems & when you try to trade it - be sitting down because you wont get offered much. The last time I handed the dealership the keys & said just pay it out & Ill leave - THEY didnt want it - what does that tell you! I bought it fully loaded with all the bells & spent a lot in add ones - which as long as it doesnt move it looks really pretty. At 32,000 km the tranny started on fire while pulling my new trailer that was rated 8000 pounds less then what the Kia is to be able to haul. This was the 1st new vehicle Ive every bought & I kick myself every day for doing it.

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  Rondo is a keeper - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Bryan - October 21 - 12:10 am

  Ive owned my Rondo now since new a little over 2 years. Completely satisfied. Not a rattle,engine is quiet and no mechanical issues. What more can you expect from the cheapest 7 seater? Mind you, it wont turn anybodys eye though. :)

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  Great car...but mpg - 2013 Kia Optima
  By coliveri - October 20 - 11:15 pm

  I think this car is great. Great handling, acceleration, love the interior and bluetooth, the exterior is sharp and aggressive. BUT the gas mileage is a turn off! Im averaging 26 mpg..on the high way! Ive tried everything. Tried cruse control, driving light footed and watching the instant mpg monitor....all of that with eco mode and still nothing!!! Its becoming very frustrating because first of all this is a 4 cylinder! My old lincoln ls (v8) could get that kind of mileage. Thank god Im leasing this car. Kia stop lying about youre mpg.

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  What kind of meds are the hamsters on? - 2013 Kia Soul
  By John Ranous - October 20 - 12:36 pm

  The Soul is a vehicle with great potential. Good looks. Nice interior. Lots of room (Im 64"). Good entertainment system in my base model. BUT, with just 12000 miles on the odometer, Ive got a rattle in the front suspension AND the steering column. The big negative for the Soul is the suspension. Everyone describes it as firm. Id say brutally, and unnecessarily stiff. If you are fortunate enough to drive nothing but new pavement, you will love this vehicle. Real world roads bring out the worst in the Souls road manners. I drive 22 miles to work, and Ive been introduced to every pavement fault along the route. You soon learn to avoid the big ones, or suffer the bone jarring consequences. But, even the small irregularities are magnified to uncomfortable proportions. Lots of road noise...suspension rumbles...now I know why the hamsters have the music cranked up. If you are considering a Soul, give it a good real world test drive, or rent one for a weekend.