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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  Forte SX hatch vs. Mazda 3 or Elantra Touring - 2011 Kia Forte
  By rb7385899 - July 13 - 4:06 am

  We already have an 09 elantra touring. The Kia is a step up (173 hp, 6 speed auto) and better styled. We cross shopped it against the Mazda 3 (too little rear seat room) and Subaru Forrester (noisy, handles worse). After about 1,000 miles im pretty satisifed with the Kia. Returning about 26 mpg on my commute, and is fully loaded (leather, sunroof, power everything for $21K and change). Much peppier than the elantra, which I still love anyway.

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  Crash Test - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Chris Chappell - July 9 - 1:16 am

  My wife and I bought a 2005 Sedona that has 16,500 miles on May 21. Three days later while driving home from work I had an accident. A lady in a Lexus pulled in front of me and I slammed into her going approximately 50mph. After recovering from the initial shock of it all, I got out and found, to my surprise, very little damage to our van. The lexus was totaled. The van sustained damage to the front end and radiator, but had no intrusion into the engine. I was also very pleased with my lack of any serious injury, an air bag burn to my hand was all that happened. And now I have become a believer in the Sedona and its high crash rating.

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  Great Car for the $$ - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Leslie - July 8 - 11:03 am

  I bought the Sorento for my company car and 227,000 miles later am amazed at how its held up. No its not a Lexus, but with only minor problems in 5 years I am looking to buy another one. I have owned GM, Ford and Toyota cars and this Korean one has been by far the least trouble and the overall best ride. I have recommended it to many who were skeptical when I purchased it!

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  Love My Baby - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By gypsy - July 6 - 10:00 am

  This is my first new car and I am happy with the choice I made. The car is economical and cute. I have had no major problems, just some cabin noise which was resolved within the first month. The brakes lasted two years and the tires are still the originals.

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  Great Little SUV - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Chief - July 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Kia in spring of 2001 and have loved it. Its 4X4 capability is incredible for such a low priced vehicle. Ive taken it to the beach and it goes right along with the rest of of the bigger SUVs and trucks. Just remember to let some air out of the tires when you ride on sand. My kids love to ride in it. I would recommend a Kia to anyone who doesnt want to go broke buying a new SUV. I have had only one mechanical problem since purchase and that was a faulty oxygen sensor.

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  Like the car but gas mileage is not there - 2012 Kia Rio
  By talanj - July 4 - 8:40 am

  Good little car. Great features. Good price. Good warranty. Good dealer service. Car scoots along good on the highway. By far the best looking car in the class.

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  Great value - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Larry Hofmeister - July 3 - 10:00 am

  For a $7000 car this thing has been very impressive. Runs like a watch, comfortable to drive, great mileage and nice looking car.

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  black and fully loaded - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By pbsigma93 - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I love the newly redesigned Kia Spectra. I have a 2004 Black Sedan fully loaded with a sunroof and very stylish.

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  Rear Passenger Door Wont Open - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By annoyed7 - July 2 - 10:26 pm

  Purchased 2012 Sorrento Ex in June and 3 days after purchasing it we had problems with the rear passenger door. It would either stick or would not open at all. We had it at the dealership numerous times to try and fix it. The last time we had taken it in they said they were going to order a whole new door panel. We had to wait weeks for it to arrive from Korea. It was finally fixed or so we thought. About 8 weeks later the door will still not open. Presently the door has not opened for close to two weeks now. We have 3 children and feel this suv is not safe to drive. Trying to get Kia to help is very difficult. It is usually days to get a response from them.

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  MY 2001 KIA SEDONA LX - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By LAM THANG - July 1 - 10:00 am

  HAD PROBLEM WITH PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR WEATHER STRIPPING. AIR CONDITION PROBLEM. VAN VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MILE. IT STUMBLES ONCE A WHILE WHEN GAS PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON INDICATES PROBLEM WITH SYSTEM. BRAKES SQUEAK WHEN VAN IS SLOWING DOWN TO COMPLETE STOP. WIPER BLADES WORN OUT. GAS MILE PER GALLON. HARSH RIDE.