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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  First-timer for a van and Kia - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By DavisFamily - October 1 - 9:10 pm

  We bought the Kia because of the 5-star rating. We liked many of the features and loved the way it handle. It was more affordable than any other van we had researched and offered more than enough comfort and safety for our family. However, this being our first van, we are still undecided if we would purchase another Kia. Its interior design is questionable-like the hazard button-it took me forever to figure out how to change the radio and climate without hitting it with the side of my hand. The back seat has a middle seatbelt that comes out of the ceiling and doesnt fit anyone right that uses it. And whats up with the conversation mirror-everyone is so tiny its of no use!

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  Ive had 9 brand new cars in my life...my Soul beats them all! Hands down! - 2013 Kia Soul
  By mazda5forme - October 1 - 9:06 pm

  Reliability would be a 6 or higher if the Edmunds ratings went that high! Build quality also. Ive owned brand new Hondas, Toyotas, Fords, a FIAT, Prius, Chevrolets, a 308 GTS Frerrari, a Mercedes....etc. All my family started trading in their cars for brand new KIAs in 2011. Including mine (2013 Soul), my wifes (2013 Sorento), my Daughters 2013 Sportage, my son and daughter-in-laws 2 Fortes, and the list goes on. No lemons, no issues, perfect build quality, great mileage, awsum paint jobs, a crazy amount of standard equipment that is unexpected in cars at this price...and a 100,000 mile drive train warranty is icing on the KIA cake!

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  Bless My SOUL! - 2013 Kia Soul
  By Di Matus - October 1 - 6:16 pm

  I LOVE driving my peppy little SOUL+...around town. But heaven forbid I have to get out on the open road/highway; then I feel like Im riding in a very lightweight, inexpensive vehicle (which it is). BUT...I like the styling, its fun to drive with great acceleration and the price was right. Nevertheless, Im upgrading after 3 years.

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  2 questions - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By deb - October 1 - 1:03 pm

  1st question. On the window it states that the vehicle has satelite radio, i called the no on the window and it states it dosnt have it. and 2nd question. it states it has mp3 player, im not sure if this means you can only play burned discs from a mp3 player or is there a plug in for the mp3 player somewhere hidden i cant find. the book states nothing.

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  Kias the Best!!! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By 4esterbooks - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Never thought I would buy a foreign car. The test drive and Kias outstanding engineering and feel brought me around. I love my car!!!!

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  fun fun fun - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By big rob - October 1 - 10:00 am

  looked at other vans and found that the sedona was close anough to the other name brand vans. liked the extra features that come standard on the ex. anti lock brakes are a must!!! have enjoyed this van very much. have a great ride.

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  Save $$$ and enjoy the ride! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By ubgood - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Well I went to the cheapest Van, as I was told by the missleading Ads (dodge) but did find out after looking at the numbers that the KIA van is better, cheaper, and yes, I can enjoy the saving, therefore more vacations money! $21500 for everything, compare with $31000, your choice!

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  best bang for the buck - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By E.J. - October 1 - 10:00 am

  An unbelievable value. To get this many features for that price is amazing! Stylish, sporty, comfortable. Build quality and "fit and finish" are outstanding. The cargo area holds more than you think. With this warranty, how can you go wrong?

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  Happy new owner - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Seibs - September 30 - 11:03 pm

  Took delivery of vehicle in the morning, and took a 250+ mile trip in the afternoon - mostly freeway in hilly country. Got 22/5 MPG. Traded in 1997 Pathfinder - much the same size vehicle. Having a super time with the manual control of the automatic tranny. Vehicle is so quiet, and great fun to drive. So far, best choice of car ever made -- and the price was definitely right

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  Great car, fun to drive, dependable. - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By pwdohio - September 30 - 9:23 pm

  We bought it new with about 40 miles on it. 3 wks later took it out west (we are from Ohio) pulling a 16 fiberglass/lightweight Casita trailer, pulled great!