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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  Worst car ever - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By jazzmine3 - August 29 - 2:14 am

  I got this car brand new for around $11k. I have had to replace the starter twice in the 10 yrs Ive had it. It also KILLS brakes. Ive had to have the rear brakes completely redone twice. The front brakes always squeek. The EBrake needs constant adjusting and interferes with the function of the rear brakes. The door handle drive side busted off after I tried to get out when it was freezing outside. The door wont shut when its freezing out even after running the defrost for 20 mins. Its extremely thin body allows a ton of air and road noise, especially on the freeway.. it is really scary driving at high speeds. It doesnt handle very well and constantly needs alignment.

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  a lemon - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By notveryhappy3 - July 7 - 3:46 am

  I bought a 2008 Kia Sorento brand new. After 6 months i had to take back to dealer and the rotors had to be resurfaced so $150 later I had to take it back a couple of months later the throttle sensor went out. From there was every sensor in the car. I had to take it back to the dealersip every 3 months for a year, It has been 1 problem after another with this car. I started haveing a problem with the car when I would crank it of a morning it sounded like the motor was gonna come out of the car. I took it to the dealership and they told me it wsa just over due for an oil change (not) then they put some oil additavies in the car told me to drive it for a week and it would be fine (not) took

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  safety problem - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By kim - July 6 - 12:31 pm

  my daughter and I have owned this car for 2 years, both back seatbelts are fraying in the same spots. They said because there are dog hairs in the car the dog must have chewed them. My daughter is a dog groomer, she does have a dog but it would be impossible for him to chew them considering where they are wearing (inside the housing). These are my grand children, they deserve to be safe. they said they are not covered....what the heck!!!!!

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  Dealers lie SO BAD! - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Ben - July 4 - 6:28 pm

  We have a 2014 Soul. Been taking it in 3 years because one side of the rear was lower than the other. Told nothing wrong. Took it in last week because the key would not come out of the door. Was told the key, the gas cap, the rear struts, the rear springs, and the headlight connector are all"worn out" - on a 3-year old car! Paid $2500 for the only extended warranty offered, but it covers absolutely nothing. I would MEVER recommend anyone ever buy a Kia.

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  KIA Sedona is so terrible car. - 2015 Kia Sedona
  By Dijei - April 24 - 1:11 pm

  KIA Sedona is so terrible car. Because I experienced lots of car problems and poor service about KIA Sedona and car agency in only one year after buying the car. For example, several times water leaking of sun roof, Front windows projecting rubber, Flat tire, Failure of auto alarm, etc.. The worst thing is terrible service of KIA car agency and Support Center. They didnt take care of customers inconvenience and discomport due to their car, not at all. And they didnt response customers problem. Their service is so terrible. So I would not buy KIA car in the future any more.

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  worthless - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By moonvilla - April 8 - 11:30 pm

  This vehicle is of extreme poor quality. The electronics started to fail immediately (e.g. radio, remote device, doors locks). Lack of quality control is appalling.

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  Piece of garbage - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Lane - March 26 - 3:10 pm

  I have owned seven cars in my life and my Kia Optima is by far the worst car I have ever owned. I am on my third automatic transmission. Looking at the other reviews my engine will likely die soon. Please avoid this car, its awful. Hyundai told me I did not service the vehicle at the dealership and they refused to replace the transmission the third time. I was on the hook for a rebuilt tranny which was over $2,500.

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  Poor reliability and price for the features - 2016 Kia K900
  By Daniel H - February 9 - 9:58 am

  We have two identical K900s that we bought in October 2016 we have taken both of the cars in since day 2 with small to large problems. Kia Motors was aware of some of the issues prior to us buying our two cars. As an example, the cruise control set speed indicator and speedometer do not match, ex. If the cruise is set at 70 mph it says you are going 75 mph on speedometer they still have no idea how to fix it from Kia Motors and its been over 4 months since I reported it. Backup camera wouldnt show picture had camera replaced. Auto Hold Brake feature on both have issues, on one it lets off the brake when it shouldnt which could make you get into an accident. Our other K900 is also having an issue with Auto Hold but it now doesnt work at all and has lights on indicating it knows there is an issue. For both, parts have been ordered to replace a different module on each respectively one a Trac module and other an ABS module, but it sounds like the Field Technician is guessing at least with the ABS module been waiting for ABS module since November 26. 2016. Trac module was ordered in late December. Fuel door doesnt open now without using manual release in trunk along with pushing the door open. Vibration, tire and alignment issues continue to be present even after multiple times of tires being replaced. Finally, overall customer service satisfaction from Kia Motors in handling my cases is Extremely Poor, I asked Kia on December 19 for a callback and even after multiple attempts to speak with upper management and for callbacks, the first time someone called me back was on January 12. I only received a callback because I had to file a BBB Autoline complaint since they never responded to my lemon law notice even after 30 days and even though I already had an open case. Also, be aware although Kia promises on their site that K900 customers should get a Cadenza or K900 loaner car dont bet on it. My dealer only has 2 loaner cars in its tiny fleet, an Optima or Sorrento dont expect to be blown away for the start of a luxury car experience. I think it is funny that the dealer employees have to be K900 certified but they dont follow Kias rules even though they know the rules. And if youre wondering my dealer is the largest in the world so why cant they follow the rules and meet customer expectations.

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  Never buy a Kia - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By andy - January 25 - 1:36 pm

  I am so pissed at kia, I have to rant. I am so pissed that I paid almost $30,000 for a V6 sorento to tow my boat and I cant use it. two dealers told me it can tow 3500 pounds, the brochure and website says it can tow 3500 lbs. I get the vehicle home buy a hitch and then I see in the owners manual that everything I was told was wrong. Kia advertises the 4 cylinder tows 2000 pounds, but the owners manual say not to tow with it. They advertise the v6 tows 3500 pounds but the owners manual say it tows 2000 pounds. After dealing with Kia on this issue I will never deal with them again. Sorry about the rant review but I have to get it out.

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  Give me back my Ford - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Darrell D. Pratte - January 8 - 1:22 pm

  Took this car to the dealer cause it just did not seem like the turbo would kick in, never found anything wrong. They charge $85.00 every time to do a diagnostic check, and there is never any thing wrong. Then the engine threw a rod. Paid $6000.00 for a new short block. Then I got a letter in the mail telling me Kia is extending the warranty on the engine, cause they are blowing up. Im waiting to see if the company will refund the cost of the short block. Took the car to the dealer yesterday, something is wrong with the turbo. Its doing exactly what I described before the $6000.00 repair, and now its the turbo. I do not know if the problem is the car, the car company, the dealer, the mechanics, or just a little bit of all.