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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  Do not recommend to anyone! - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By Jmartinez - October 10 - 12:23 am

  As for the sales reps everyone was welcoming but as for the KIA name in general the vehicles suck! My husband bought a 2016 KIA Sedona not even a year old yet and it seems like Ive gone to get it services every month. First off the vehicle was full of little ants from being under a tree at the dealer and nothing was done about it then about a week after we purchased it we got some heavy rain and the water was leaking into the back tailgate, I took it in for service twice before they could figure out what was wrong with it. So now my van smells humid :-( on top of that they put a scratch on the tailgate and wanted me to take it back a third time to buff it out and eliminate the odor inside, I was already there for over 3 hours and I understand they are busy but my issue should of been a priority especially with me living 2 1/2 hours away so nothing was ever done about that. Well to continue after about a month my husband noticed that the navigation screen was pushed in from one side and popping out from the other side so I took it in for service and they said some screws were loose. Then one day my kids wanted to watch a movie on the DVD player and when they tried lifting the screen it was jammed again I took it in for service and they said some screws were loose that didnt allow it to open back up. I recently just took it in again because the traction light was coming on and the brakes would make a cracking sound and jam up, I was told the hubs needed to be replaced so they ordered parts and I have to go in once more to get them put on. Im sorry but their service sucks and I will never buy a KIA again or recommend it to anyone. They need to better prioritize their customer service and I believe I deserved a full tank of gas and complimentary detailing for missing work and driving 2 1/2 hours to and from the dealer numerous times for non sense issue that a brand new vehicle shouldnt be having! To add to my issues with Kia the lights on the interior of the van dont work either, omg idk whats next or if its even safe to drive this Sedona anymore.

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  Not as good as you would think - 2011 Kia Soul
  By kc411 - October 9 - 12:21 pm

  Bought this in Oct. 2011 now with 60,000 miles on it. No problem with reliability, but would not do it again. Seats stain easily interior scratches easily. Not enough space behind the rear seat. You cant even get 2 average suitcases to fit. Only 25 mpg, lost of road noise and engine noise. If you hit a rough road hold on because there is no telling what way you will go. Not good in rainy conditions either. The resale value is not good. Even Kia will not give more then $10,000 on trade in with 60,000 miles. Kia has moved up, but I fill the car is over priced for what you get. Bought for close to $18,000 but got a $14,000 car. For the price there are better quality cars to pick from.

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  Don,t ever buy this Van. - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Laura - October 7 - 4:06 am

  I bought a KIA sedona Ex 2007 model in May, 2008. Lots of electrical problems. Now the whole electrical system failed. No light inside the van. Doors do not open. Air bag light is on. I cannot take this van anywhere reliably. Laura

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  Poor - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Jeannie Benson - September 28 - 7:56 pm

  I am very unhappy with my 2004 Kia Sorento First the water overflow tank went bad, both sides of the front end had to be replaced, multiple sensors. the head lights and tails lights continually go out. We have had to get the air charge the last 3 years and now it doesnt work at all and I still owe 3 months worth. Cant wait to be done with this lemon!

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  Very Basic Transportation - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Charles Seale - September 21 - 2:16 pm

  I bought my Kia Rio 5 on Jan. 3, 2006. I bought it because at the time it was all I could afford. Let me start out by telling you the good stuff: Its cute and has 100,000 mile warranty. Thats about it. The reviewers talk about performance features and such. The car is a slug. Going up a long incline (even with overdrive turned off) is a loud and exhausting experience. The gas mileage is no where near what Kia advertises. I was told the absolute minimum gas mileage was 32 in the city. Try 22 mpg. I am a conservative driver and keep very careful records, so I am quite certain about that number. The car is very cramped; driving it for more than an hour will wear you out

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  Third set of tires - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By salon1616 - September 13 - 4:40 pm

  Im the only owner with 13700 miles on it,started with 75. The car is eating up tires. Im on my 3rd set with 5 alingments. I dont think they know whats wrong. I want a full refund for the car and tires.

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  Inferior Interior Materials (Dash, Doors)... - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Ttahoe - August 27 - 5:06 am

  The 2017 Sorento L has a very nice, comfortable ride. That said....I would not recommend this vehicle soley based on the inside interior materials used. While at my local Kia dealership today, I brought to their attention that the interior materials used, scratch and produce white scuff marks all over the doors, dashboard, around knobs etc. With the slightest touch, it scratches and makes unsightly white scuff marks/scratches. When I spoke with Kia, they stated the materials used, are "MADE TO DO THIS" (Kias exact words) !! A $40,000+ vehicle, and you intentionally produce materials that are "made to do this" (scratch and produce white smudges and scratches?). Kia suggested I purchase Meguieres wipes and use that to clean the scuff marks and scratches. That is their suggestion to an inferior material? Kia also suggested that I go to the sales floor and find a salesman and "TRADE" in my car for another one! I am disgusted with Kias lack of customer service and or remedy for this issue. This is my first, and my last, Kia purchase. Terrible Customer Service!

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  Inferior Interior Materials (Dash, Doors)... - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Ttahoe - August 27 - 5:06 am

  The 2017 Sorento L has a very nice, comfortable ride. That said....I would not recommend this vehicle soley based on the inside interior materials used. While at my local Kia dealership today, I brought to their attention that the interior materials used, scratch and produce white scuff marks all over the doors, dashboard, around knobs etc. With the slightest touch, it scratches and makes unsightly white scuff marks/scratches. When I spoke with Kia, they stated the materials used, are "MADE TO DO THIS" (Kias exact words) !! A $40,000+ vehicle, and you intentionally produce materials that are "made to do this" (scratch and produce white smudges and scratches?). Kia suggested I purchase Meguieres wipes and use that to clean the scuff marks and scratches. That is their suggestion to an inferior material? Kia also suggested that I go to the sales floor and find a salesman and "TRADE" in my car for another one! I am disgusted with Kias lack of customer service and or remedy for this issue. This is my first, and my last, Kia purchase. Terrible Customer Service!

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  This car awful! - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By citysliker - August 22 - 9:23 am

  Is anyone else as dissatisfied with their Sorento as I am? I have a 2009 with about 6000 miles on it and its already falling apart. It was in the shop today for several problems and the only one that was repaired properly was a warped interior panel didnt fit from day 1. Suspension is sloppy and car pulls badly to the right. kia claims its in proper alignment, the drivelive jerks on starts and stops like the rear end is about to fall out of it and kia says they cant find anything wrong, and the headlights dim every time you hit the brakes. kia says and I quote "its just the way those sorentos are". If I werent upside down in my loan I would trade this thing in tomorrow.

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  Poor quality and brake system - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By tootsietwo - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle which I own 2001. The rubber seals around all doors was falling off when the car was 3 months old. The plastic inside door handles (can you believe plastic) have broken and I have replaced brakes around 10X and still are not good. I will never by this car again. Good price but I have put almost as much $$$$ in this car as what I paid for.