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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  New Owner - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By skchut - April 18 - 4:26 pm

  We just purchased our Sedona EX in July of this year. We made a switch from an 02 Windstar SE and already we love the Sedona. The Sedona has more leg room in the 2nd row. More power than the Windstar. The dealer was a pleasure to work with. We cant wait to go on a long road trip yet. We didnt get the DVD system. For the price they want to install one, we can purchase one installed at Best Buy with wireless headphones for half the price. That way I wont be singing SpongeBob Square Pants in my sleep.

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  Excellent - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Nathanc - April 18 - 11:20 am

  Good handling, good design both interior and exterior. Excellent reliability. Very good on gas mileage.

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  Sold a Pacifica to get a Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By SGalaxyM31 - April 17 - 10:00 am

  As far as the SUV market out there this KIA wins hands down. Ride handling and features are better than all the other models I test drove sold my Pacifica to buy it needless to say had about 9k left to take it on a vaction to the Keys 16 hour drive from Va.and could have turn around and drove right back the ride is that good,seats are great.I got the loaded model all but 4WD (dont need it here) tows my boat and other things great.

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  This is a great SUV for the money - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Christopher - April 14 - 2:36 am

  I love my Sorento. The gas mileage is abysmal. Once you get over that, and the fact that the stereo is a bit weak, it is terrific in all other respects. It is very well put together with intuitive controls, an attractive interior, great seats, nice exterior design, nice wheels and terrific paint quality. I also like that they dont try to make this a seven seater but instead are very thoughtful with the storage area and addl storage throughout. If Kia could get a better stereo, nav option and work on the gas mileage, this would be the best SUV in its class.

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  luv my kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Robin - April 12 - 5:20 am

  I enjoy driving my Kia but I will go back to a pickup with my next vehicle. This car makes a little wind noise when on the highway but other than that it is a great bang for the buck.

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  Great Buy! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Tina - April 10 - 9:30 pm

  This is my first new car and I dont think I could have done any better! Smooth driving and great gas mileage.

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  Awesome 4x4 - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By georgia_bunny69 - April 10 - 10:33 am

  I love my kia sportage 4x4, its small on the outside, but has way more room than you would expect inside. And the 4x4 has gotten me out of some tough spots. I took it through a creek with the tail pipe submerged in three feet of water, and my truck never once cut out or stalled.

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  Excellent Value - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By 1dukefan - April 9 - 8:16 pm

  Drove a 1000 mile round trip in the last 4 days. We do this trip at least twice a year and this is the first vehicle we have owned, including a Honda Odyssey that my back doesnt bother me. Very comfortable. Gas mileage varied 21 to 23.5 at 70 to 80 mph. Pretty good for a vehicle this size.

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  Rondo for the family - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By tgahan - April 9 - 3:36 am

  Were very impressed by the load capacity and the visibility. Big, beautiful windows that allow for a really fun and open drive-feel.

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  Optima - 2009 Kia Optima
  By gojo - April 5 - 6:03 pm

  I was originaly looking to replace my 2000 Hyundai Accent with a new one, when I came accross the 2009 optima for $500 more. I honestly only drove the Sonata and Optima. The Sonata has a nicer interior, but seems to float down the road more than the Optima and was $2000 more than the New Accent I was originaly looking at. Being strickly a lowest cost for the best milage type of guy I settled on the Optima for $15500. Acording to Edmunds specifications page, this car seems to be right in the hunt with other midsize sedans when it comes to safety, quality and room. Being owned by Hyundai , I felt secure in buying this car, since my last car from them cost $500 for repairs in 100,000 miles.