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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  You get what you pay for - 2001 Kia Rio
  By samsonov - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I get great gas milage (38-43mph) but you get what you pay for. I have named it a "Utilitarian" car, I have the base model, with no bells or whistles. Only a few minor problems (even with 36,420 miles!) The stereo I had put in required a special wiring solution to bypass the fuse block because of shorting out in the fuse box(poor workmanship).

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  Wish I wouldve never purchased - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By see - August 11 - 5:06 am

  Although, the car drives fine. It has so many problems its rediculous. I purchased new in 06. If it is windy outside and you are driving- be prepared for an annoying LOUD whistle. The wind hits the windshield at the top and makes a horrible noise. I guess its the way its made. The cd player already quit working. I didnt even use it much. The heater comes and goes as it pleases. The dome light also comes and goes as it pleases. Also, the 4x4 light comes off and on. Overall the car does get me where I need to go, but all of these "little" things have ruined it for me. Cant wait to get a different car!

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  Buy if you dont care about gas mileage - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By natlikescars - July 29 - 1:56 am

  We bought our Sorento the end of July 2011. The first 800 miles we got 32 to 34 highway mpg. After that it dropped to 28 and below. The dealer has checked it twice and they say nothing is wrong and Kia has said that is normal. Really?? We really like the vehicle except for the gas mpg. If the EPA sticker had said highway mileage was 27 mpg it would have been great. I challenge anyone to to get 32 mpg highway with any normal gasoline. Was the computer made to give you great mpg for the first few hundred miles, but if that continued the engine would burn up? So after about 800 miles it gives it a richer mixture? I am planning on contacting the EPA and have them reexamine the Sorento mpg.

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  WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By VICKIE STONE - July 21 - 2:00 am

  WE GOT THIS 2002 KIA IN MAY 2002. IN FEB. 2003 PAROMOUNT KIA HAD TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION AND NOW IT IS DEC.2003 AND THE NEW ONE IS GIVING US TROUBLE. SO WE WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER KIA. WE SEE WHY THEY GIVE THE 10 YEAR/100,000 MILE WAR. . BECAUSE YOU NEED IT .

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  Soul in need of Divine intervention!!!! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Hazegray - July 17 - 8:46 am

  This car rides like an empty gravel truck!!! Roughest ride Ive ever had - - totally unexpected and unacceptable!!! I even lowered the tire pressure to see if I could soften the ride --no appreciable differance. Ill be trying to palm it off as soon as I can find a sucker to buy it. It is loud, thirsty, and uncomfortable. Ive put 4xxx miles on it in the first month, so I have enough seat time to make an accurate evaluation. Lots of hard surfaces in interior - nothing is padded or even a little soft. When the seat belt retracts, it mars the hard plastic door panel. Biggest mistake Ive ever made in buying a vehicle. Test drive over rough road before buying!!!

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  So So Car - 2002 Kia Rio
  By macbob - July 11 - 9:13 pm

  Recently bought this used Kia Rio Cinco with 33.000 original miles. Weak performance, especially with a/c on. Engine light is on and not fixed yet. Unknown why light is on. Car handles badly with vibrations, etc. A car with only 33k miles should not have these problems. My 1991 Buick regal I sold to buy this Kia was a lot better running car. No more Kia for me.

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  2013 Kia Sportage AWD - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By rottensox - July 8 - 7:23 am

  In my earlier post I described the problem with the differential. The dealer replaced it with a unit from California. When they test drove it, it didnt sound right so they are now replacing that unit with a new unit from Washington. By the time they do that, they will have had the vehicle longer than I have. Anyone considering buying a new 2013 Sportage should get down and inspect the rear end for any signs of a fluid leak prior to purchasing it.

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  Good first car - 2001 Kia Rio
  By rio888 - June 29 - 6:20 pm

  I bought it used with 98,000 miles. Now it has 138,000. I have driven it across the country and back, with no porblems and good gas mileage Mine gets in the low 30s city, and high 30s highway. It doesnt have much power, put it still runs good at 80 mph, and topped it out at 116. If you dont mind an odd looking car, then get it. It dont have ac or power steering, but its small and not hard to steer, and ac is overated.

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  "Killed In Action!" - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By K8 - June 11 - 11:33 am

  I hate to think i spent all that money on a car i worry about more than my physical health after a roll over that almost took my life at age 27. Kia on the west side of Olympia have been more of a problem then the car. Check engine light (they cleared without fixing), wheel bearing x2 in the shop yesterday & its my fault at 60k, pulls, shakes, squeaks, break light countless times has been replaced, how it rides scares me to death. I worry about a new problem more then the price of gas. I promise I will tell 1,000 if not more people that this car is the "biggest waste of time & money ever spent." I hate this car! My lifted 04 Rubicon is safer, even after it rolled x5 at 70 mph!

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  Almost a year now...... - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By kipp61 - May 12 - 6:27 am

  Well, its been almost a year now (and about 27,000 miles), so here is my homest take on the 11 Sorento EX 4 cyl AWD.... MPG - From all the posts Ive read it seems that I am not alone in reporting sub-advertised MPG. My 40-mile daily commute results in no better than 21 mpg on a consistant basis. This was a major selling point to me. Even an all-highway trip to/from Florida from Ohio only saw 24 mpg at best. Suspension - having been a service writer for a Ford dealership, I know suspension issues when I hear them. I hear them with this car. Apparently, I am the only one who hears them. Service department cannot confirm the loosness in the front end. Hmmmm. More soon....