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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  base model - 2008 Kia Rio
  By j.q.t. - December 24 - 10:00 pm

  Started driving the base model and it is really easy to manuver. The steering is hard, but got use to having to hold onto the steering wheel at all times. Sporty, nice interior, gasoline mileage doesnt look to promising at the moment, but may get better. Some models they advertise on lot, 44 mpg, but window sticker shows much lower, very much lower. Overall, for the price, you may do better, but the warranty is really the good part.

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  Great value, overacheving car - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By pmfarmer - December 23 - 4:30 pm

  Purchased a 2012 Kia Sorento. I couldn’t be happier with the purchase. I currently have 8,000 miles on it. Drives great in any weather, has all the extras(heated seats, auto dimming mirror, back up camera) without paying the luxury car prices. Don’t waste your time with the 4-cylinder. I have the v6 AWD, it has excellent power when you need it, even when weighed down with luggage ect, for a week long trip for 4 adults. I have expierienced 23-24 mpg for the city and 25-26 mpg on the highway. Our times at the kia service center for oil changes has been great. I’ve had great luck with asian vehicles and the 2012 kia sorento has only set my standards higher.

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  2000 sephia 5speed - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By anniek1 - December 21 - 9:34 pm

  I purchased my sephia used in 2005 with 86k, it is now at 195,000 and i have loved it. i had a timing change about 2 years ago at 135k and a new starter, alternator which was expected b/c the car is 10 years old. And im lucky these are the only problems b/c i dont get the oil changed like I should. I have had 2 tune-ups so im averaging about once every two years for a tune up. I like this car it was cheap and convient and im a single parent of two so it helps. i have driven this car all over at least 300 miles round trip at the most. I am having a lot of problems with the ac belt squealing thats my only negative problem with the car.

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  Solid vehicle, good value - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By flipb - December 21 - 5:50 pm

  Kia hit the nail on the head by creating a vehicle thats got the footprint of a compact but can handle 7 passengers, or 5 and a bunch of stuff. I chose the Rondo over a fwd RAV4, and saved about $5K. Very well put-together and drives well, but feels somewhat like an appliance. Not a lot of soul in the driving experience. But performs better than average where it counts: space, safety, economy, value, features.

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  A Kia??? - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By rocketpop - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I traded my BMW for a Kia! WHAT? Thats right a Kia. It still hard for me to say but I am very impressed with the Sorento. When my wife first said "Kia", I said NO WAY! but after the test drive I was sold. Just try to find another fully loaded mid-size SUV for what you will pay for you Sorento. If you have any doubts about buying a Kia, just test drive the Sorento. We bought a EX 4x2 loaded! for less then $25k We havent had it very long but so far so good, We love it! You cant beat 10/100000 warranty.

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  KIA not ready for prime time - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Rickj - December 14 - 12:03 pm

  While we DO like our Sorento, we have had nothing but bad luck with the Kia dealership. Every time something goes wrong it has to be ordered from Korea! They didnt even have brake pads at the dealership and had to check at Kragen. The following things have failed already: Front differential leaked, CD player, front struts, cruise control. Rear springs are shot, but they claim vehicle abuse and wont replace. We have only had the truck out to desert for very light off-roading once, but we do have a 270 foot rough dirt driveway. (The 3 Series BMW seems to be able to handle it though). The truck is a nice for grocery shopping, but suspension not suitable for real 4X4 activity.

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  Had my troubles - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Can not complain too - December 13 - 6:50 pm

  I bought my Kia used and immediately, (I do mean immediately) I had catalytic converter issues. Dealer fixed it. I then experienced the "check engine" light coming on when it had rained torrentially. Since this little mystery, I have had NO problems with my van. I do heartily recommend buying an extended warranty. I do not love this van but it does get me to work and hauls my dogs.

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  Makes Every Mile Count with a Bit of Fun - 2004 Kia Rio
  By 12String - December 13 - 10:00 am

  For the small entry level price, Ive got a large warranty, good performing but small 1.5L motor that returns consistent high 30s MPG. This little car handles very well on the back- county roads I have to drive to get anywhere - unless I creep up to insane speeds that some testers drive to. This car is ALMOST as good as my late, lamented 91 Mazda 323 Hatchback.

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  Suspension Design Defect - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By mark - December 12 - 5:36 am

  Nice car with the exception of a design defect in right front strut. Comes about after 200+ miles, rattles like a failed shock absorber. Kia has admitted to the problem but has no fix as of 5/10/10. Applies to all 2011 sorentos. My dealer spent a week trying to fix before Kia told them there was no fix. If I knew ahead of time, would not have purchased.

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  Very Happy - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Peter - December 11 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 07 Spectra for $7000 with only 34,000 Km on the clock and use it for my daily commute (half hr each way). It has performed without flaw since August and I havent had a moment of regret. Seats are comfortable, heater is good and the radio/CD player provides great sound. Performance is more than adequate for highway commuting.