KIA models

Kia was founded in 1944 in Seoul, which makes it South Korea's oldest carmaker, though it began with bicycles and steel tubing before building motorcycles, trucks, and eventually cars. After near-collapse in the late 1990s, it was taken into the Hyundai Motor Group, and the two have shared engineering ever since while keeping separate identities.

For years Kia was the budget option, but it rewrote that story through design. Hiring a high-profile European design chief gave it a clear, confident look, and cars like the Sportage, Sorento, and the Stinger sports sedan proved Kia could lead on style rather than follow on price. The EV6 then showed it could do the same with electric cars.

The value is still there, just no longer the only argument. Kia typically pairs long warranties and generous equipment with styling that feels more expensive than the sticker. For buyers cross-shopping the mainstream brands, it has become one of the most well-rounded choices rather than simply the cheap one.