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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  Great Mini-Van ! Small Problem - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By soundman97 - August 8 - 10:00 am

  This van is awesome and fun to drive. It has all the features of vans 6K more. We have 4k miles on it and no problems yet except a stress cracked windshield. We were driving on the road and heard a sound like a rock hitting the windshield. The problem is that there was no car or truck in front of us. Two 8 inch cracks appeared toward the bottom of the windshield where the defrosters lays. I am taking it to the dealer monday to see if they belive me. There is no nick or any evidence of a rock chipping where the crack starts. I have seen other reports of this problem. Besides the windshield the van is a great buy.

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  Shoulda bought a 4 runner - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By QCYNCY - August 7 - 3:36 pm

  Wife bought the car new in 2003. We have 70K on it now and to be honest, Im surprised it has been as reliable as it had been. Still, the maint schedule is unreasonable, $$, and he dealerships are completely incompetent. Last three times I needed to take the car back after maint because of dealer error. Will say the car has been off road on NE beaches all 5 summers about 60 trips in all and never had an offroad perf problem. Bought this over 4 runner because it offered leather,moonroof and warrnty for a few grand less than 4 runner. Stripped 4 runner is now worth 4K more at trade in than this though! if you can do w/o some options, there are better cars with better resale than KIA.

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  unexpected... an inexpensive, great car - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By midwest customer - August 7 - 4:33 am

  Perfect for my purposes. Lots of city driving with the occasional cross country drive. I was blown away when I drove almost 500 miles at about 75mph before needing gas. The roomy interior is perfect as I often have a full car. Safety is a huge issue for me and I always feel good in this car. ABS served me well while driving through N.E. snowstorms. The cruise control is great too. Drives very smoothly, and the CD changer and iPod hookup are great for long drives. I love being able to have my GPS, cell phone charger, and iPod all plugged in at the same time. I have had this car for 4 months and have received tons of compliments.

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  Terrible car---do not buy. Major engine trouble - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By J swanson - August 6 - 7:09 am

  Major engine issues at 60,000 miles. Kia will not honor warranty. Warning. Do not buy from Kia

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  Excellent for the money - 2007 Kia Optima
  By csandste - August 4 - 10:06 pm

  No problems so far in five months of light driving.

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  Toms Retirement Car - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Thomas L. Hoffman - August 4 - 9:26 pm

  After owning a Jeep Liberty, and test driving the Forester and the Sante Fe, I found the Sportage a real pleaser. Its new sleak design and roomier interior made this a must buy purchase for me. The main selling point for me was that it has all the features of a SUV but drives like a sedan. Ive only had this vehicle less than two weeks but family members and friends and friends were quite impressed with thisd car. KIA has probably the best warranty aroung today. I am hoping I amjust as pleased a year from now as I am today.

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  What di you expect it is a mini van! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Kwiebe - August 4 - 11:00 am

  Not much to say. If you are looking for a speed demon that turns like it is on rails this is not the vehicle for you. If you are like me and have a family that likes to travel a lot and need the extra space this is a nice choice. IMHO way better than any north American minivan but not as good as a Honda or a Toyota on par with the Nissan. I bought it used to save $$$ as the sedona has a terrible resale value and is an excellent used buy. It handles great for a van, a bit noisier than most mini vans but feels solid and well built. Acceleration was more than adequate and Im overall happy with this vehicle.

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  So comfortable! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Ponchie - August 4 - 10:00 am

  My Amanti is so roomy!!! Even the trunk space. A pleasure to drive, quiet and smooth.

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  Very Poor Ride at Highway Speeds - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Doug - August 2 - 10:13 am

  This car has vibrated since the day I bought it. they have replaced 11 tires and the car still shudders and vibrates going down the highway. Kia rep says its normal. I bought car for the highway mileage, but if you are looking for a smooth highway ride, DO NOT buy a Kia.

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  drove it across the U.S.A. - Very good - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Jack - August 2 - 1:00 am

  Purchased in March 2006 and drove it across the entire U.S. Very comfortable and performed great. My neighbor borrowed it for a few hours and absolutely enjoyed the SUV.