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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  This little car is amazing - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Andre - August 10 - 10:22 am

  I was looking for a Honda CR-Vibrations but decided to get the Kia Soul. No regrets. - The best infotainment in the market. - 10 way power - very comfortable - heated and cooled front seats. Heated rear seats. - Cooled glovebox - Panoramic moonroof. Spectacular! - Best warranty 10 years - Great design. Unique. - Smooth ride - Easy to get in and out

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  Great Car for the Money - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Levi - August 10 - 10:00 am

  This has been a great car for the dollar. It has alot of the bells and whistles of the competition that you would be paying $20k or more for. The engine is surprisingly powerful. My car was in an accident and did well protecting me.

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  My new Kia van - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By fisher - August 10 - 10:00 am

  After looking at vans for several months we had decided to buy a mazda van but i couldnt make a favorable deal We have a small garage and it is only my wife and me and the grand kids some of the time.We looked at Kia and we were impressed with it we made an offer and they counter offered we countered and made the deal.We bought the 2003 lx model because of price.

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  kia sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By terryt - August 10 - 10:00 am

  i have owned several new cars over the years, this is the first one that i have had for six months that hasnt had something fail, break, or fall off, this includes cars and suvs made in the usa, japan, and germany. i am as satisified now as the day i purchased my new sorento!

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  The Car that will surprise you - 2002 Kia Optima
  By Aaron - August 8 - 9:40 pm

  Just a note to those thinking of buying this car. I owned my KIA Optima for 4 years. I recently was rear ended by a full size truck traveling 40+ miles per hour, totaling my KIA. I was amazed at how it reacted. The rear completely crumpled leaving the passenger compartment intact. Even the police officer was shocked at how well it handled and that I was able to walk away. This car has been the safest, lowest cost of ownership, and most fun sedan I have owned. I never had any problems with my car, I put on 96,000 miles on it, and tearfully will have to say goodbye to it. I recommend this car to anyone looking. I am going to purchase the new KIA Optima this week. Enjoy!

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  Initial enthusiasm has drained - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Brian - August 8 - 8:53 pm

  After overcoming many minor problems (tail lights burning out, clock not working, door ajar constantly coming on, etc.), I thought that overall I enjoyed driving my little SUV. Heat has now stopped working and I think it to be a cracked coolant reservoir which seems to be a recurring problem with Kia Sorento. This needs to be a warranty issue - if you dont fix the problem - your engine will overheat!! Crankshaft bolt failing three times and the numerous times Ive had to spend trying to get all of the minor things fixed, my patience is waning. Problems are getting more serious and my time is too valuable to be spending in the shop. Love the style, fun to drive - but wouldnt recommend.

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  Very happy - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Heather - August 8 - 10:16 am

  Since the purchase of our Kia Sorento, we have had no problems, no complaints and we actually fight over who will drive it. I won!

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  Dump your SUVs and minivans....... - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Mainardlaw - August 8 - 1:13 am

  For most people, their practical needs in a vehicle are gas consumption, space, highway performance, handling in city driving, and price. Ive had this car since February, and even though Id never even heard of this car until 9 days before I bought it, it is by far the best vehicle Ive ever driven on all of the practical counts above. You can use it like a cargo van with all seats down, you can carry 7 passengers, its deceptively fast on the highway (cruises at triple digit speeds while quiet as a luxury sedan inside), and comfortable in ways youd never thought of before (best seat entry ever), the ABS and ESC make handling smooth. Not for drag racing, but who really does that anyway?

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  Bought 2, Both working out great! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Tom - August 7 - 7:20 pm

  We traded an Acura MDX and a Ford Focus to get one Sportage for my wife and a second for my daughter. So far, they are great vehicles and a really good value. They drive well, have great safety features and feel solid. Since they are a first year model, only time will tell on reliability. So far, no complaints at all.

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  Mistake - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By kia girl - August 7 - 11:06 am

  I had a 2006 Sorento just loved it! Then Nov 4 2008 my dealership called w a great deal. I went for it the car had all I wanted in the 2006. The very next day had to take the car back it stumbled and then I had now RPMs. Turned it off then restart then off I go. They replaced the throttle sensor. Weeks later take it back for the same thing the clean a rodent nest they sold me, out of the air intake. lets just say have had this dang car in every week since ownership. Its going back in the AM its done it again and I have had it back for 6 days. I just paid my second payment I am sorry for making this trade.