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:

• 

  Kia Problem - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By LazerJ - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought the KIA Sorento two weeks ago. Have less than 700 miles on it. It is in service to have the whole rear axle, differential and housing replaced. The rear differential was half full of old fluid and metal fragments. This produced a h*ll of a vibration. The axle housing is going to KIA for analysis. No problems with the dealer. They have been very nice, but problems definitely with the vehicle. Hope this is not a prediction of things to come.

• 

  Pleasantly surprised - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By VP - October 17 - 10:00 am

  My Sedona has 10,200 miles on it and it is still as smooth and quiet as brand new. I never really liked minivans, but as my kids are getting bigger, the room is needed. Im glad I purchased this vehicle because it drives well and I can haul lots of goods.I think in anothr couple of years and a few improvements, the Sedona is going to set the standard for minivans.

• 

  Cheap and reliable - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Andrew Dietz - October 16 - 8:00 pm

  I put almost 120,000 miles on this car before I traded it in for my new car (not a Kia). The price was cheap and for the cost, the car ran pretty reliably. I never had any major repairs needed - just normal maintenance stuff like the timing belt. The brake systems needed a LOT of repairs over the years though. I had to replace rotors with every set of brakes and I had the brake calipers replaced once as well. I was told it was due to Kias "small parts". The car was fun to drive, and I felt like I could drive rough with it when I needed to and it would hold up well. It blows around a little too much in the wind though. I did find the seats very uncomfortable, though.

• 

  Not THAT Impressed... - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Not THAT Impressed.. - October 15 - 12:10 am

  Just bought my Kia Optima used not new. Im used to a sports car so handling is very different, seems jerky to me. Much smoother ride (shocks/suspension) than my old Camaro, but doesnt handle corners/turns well. My first impression is "where is all my gas going?" Just appears to guzzle it. There is a hitch with initial start, kinda jerks when moving from a stand still. Interior is very nice, wood grain, stereo, seating etc. My 64" bros had plenty of leg room in back seat. I still have trouble finding the turn signal, seems too high on steering column. :) Overall its a nice car, just a big transition for me coming from a sports car to a 4 door sedan.

• 

  VERY ECONOMICAL - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By JUMPINSTEVIEG - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH THE NEW BODY STYLE AND ITS A BIG MAKEOVER FROM THE LAST ONE

• 

  I Love It! - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Love It! - October 11 - 7:10 am

  I have owned quite a few different cars. I bought my KIA from a used car dealership the 1st of February. It only had 86,000 miles on it. I love this car. I have not had any problems with it. It has some minor hail damage but all in all, it looks and runs great. I am a mother of three teenage children so a lot of horse power in a vehicle is not necessary for me. My children and I both love this car.

• 

  Spectra - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By KIA - October 8 - 7:23 am

  I bought my Spectra, new. The gas mileage is great! I usually get 26 mpg around town; 39 mgp highway. Its the perfect car for around town, but a little small for interstate driving. It has great pick up and handles turns well.

• 

  HORRIBLE MPG FOR A 4CYL - 2013 Kia Optima
  By padriver1979 - September 30 - 10:29 am

  I purchased my 2013 Kia Optima LX in September 2012 at my nearby Pittsburgh Kia dealership. We chose an Optima because of the exterior design and great EPA MPG rating of 24/35. It surprised me that these numbers were better than my 2009 Ford Focus which were 24/32. After 3500 miles I have yet to see more than 20.1 mpg on a full tank of gas. Granted, my commute to work is 10 miles through the city but shouldnt this balance out with the highway miles to give me more than 20.1? Mostly highway miles (75%) gets about 26-27 mpg. A far cry from the 24/35 that the EPA issued for this vehicle. I hope that the 2013 Optima is reviewed by the EPA just like other KIA vehicles recently.

• 

  Good and bad - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By sporty74 - September 28 - 1:46 am

  I like the styling inside and out. Seats are comfy on long trips. Getting better gas mileage than advertised. AWD is great. But, suspension is really bad. I have to avoid potholes and minor bumps so I do not cringe at the noise. Can feel every bump through the steering wheel. Interior road noise is very high. The gas engine sounds like a diesel at idle. Not sure if I would buy another one, unless they made major improvements in the new models.

• 

  First purchases - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Jilly O - September 25 - 2:20 am

  My first car. About $7500 at a Ford dealership. To work, to school, to play, it gets you there comfortably and in style. It isnt just a tool of transportation, its a great ride. Im 18 and as a first car, I am impressed. Only one blind spot (on every car) and great handling. I honestly love my little Kia and get compliments on it. For a small car, there is a ton of room (unlike Honda Civic coupe). Havent had an engine problem at 60,000 miles. Kia isnt "established" so my insurance was a pain to get. Recommended for teens or first purchase.