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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  Dismal fuel economy - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Reg Rothwell - May 16 - 10:23 pm

  Generally, nice car. Ranked higher than others in the same price range and body style (Sport suspension and 4- wheel disc brakes led me to choose it over the others). However, gas mileage is terrible (26 mpg with 1 person; 21 mpg with 2 people - consistently so for 42,000 miles). Of course, Kia is unwilling to address the problem. Totally defeated the purpose for buying the car. Adding to the problem, it requires 91 octane.

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  Not all lemons grow on trees - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Lovebnretired - May 15 - 10:43 am

  Bought it used so expected some small problem right away. 2 days after purchase the dealer replaced the left front wheel, both front tire [they were all the way worn down on inside not outer side], all brakes including rotors. Drove great 5 months then just did not start. Turns out it needs cam sensor and some other sensor, new belts, water pump, power steering hose, manifold and tires rotated. New tires are beginning to wear too much on inside. If you are considering purchasing, RUN do not walk, RUN AWAY. Considering the mileage these parts should still be good. KIA parts do not last under normal use. KIA must use a cheap, bad grade, of plastic -all plastic parts easily break.

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  Happy what a deal - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Red57 - May 15 - 7:13 am

  Wow me and my wife love this unit very comfortable, quiet, awesome stereo, touch screen nav, cargo room heated leather, easy to reach controls on dash oh yes the smart key is to cool no need to have in hand car senses its close and will let you unlock doors, lift gate at touch of button on handles and start engine with push of button while key stored in purse or pocket. Test drove Chevy nox and the ride was no better no quieter and a lot more $$$ for same package nav, leather. And the mileage on all new cars is poor till they are broken in. Usally 1000 miles then the engine seats in then economy gets rolling get the ex lpk, pk1 package and you will smile when you compare to the competitors and no waiting

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  GREAT little car! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Josh - May 14 - 5:26 pm

  This is my first car and I absolutely love it. Every time I get in and turn the key, a huge grin appears on my face. Its peppy, responsive, reliable and very fuel efficient (I average 29 mpg in around-town driving). I have heard horror stories about sephias, but I have yet to have a major problem. I mean, it was tough enough to survive a 16 year old learning to drive stick:P My few complaints are the easily dented body panels, terrible cup holders, cheap tires, and engine noise on the highway (the final drive gear is very low, giving it great acceleration but poor top speed). I may be the butt of a lot of jokes, but when I see my friends volkswagens, old BMWs and toyotas dying early, I grin

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  You will need to buy a spare tire and jacK! - 2013 Kia Rio
  By shullj - May 14 - 2:32 pm

  My daughter recently bought a Kia Rio. After a blowout (sidewall), we were shocked to find out there was no spare and no jack! There was a silly little pump and some compound that is supposed to fix flats! But not sidewall damage - the most common damage to modern radial tires! Furthermore, the salesman at Courtesy Kia (Henderson, NV) never informed her that there was no spare! And if that is not enough, it took here over an hour to navigate the phone maze and get in touch with roadside assistance to told to "go buy an new tire and well come and put it on! What a rip off and quite dangerous! We live in Nevada and if you get stranded on some lonely road in the summer, you could die!

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  no power steering - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By left in the cold - May 14 - 9:16 am

  I like my 2008 Kia Sportage but I am wondering if it built to withstand the extreme cold of northern Canadian climate. In under a year, it has been to the one and only Kia dealership in the Yukon to have the power steering hose repaired twice. Both times it let me down in the cold... to deal with two small children, no vehicle to travel 100 kms home and to arrange transportation and towing. Local dealer said to back into parking spots! And, to warm it up really good. It is at the dealership to be repaired again. Is this a design problem? I believe with this problem and in these temperatures it is not reliable! I wish I would have bought a FORD!

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  Solid Mid-Size family car - 2005 Kia Optima
  By cwilloughby4 - May 13 - 4:16 am

  Our 2005 Kia Optmia is a pleasure to drive and a great car for the value. The more you drive it the more you like it. Its proving to be a car for our young family. It gives us a nice highway ride on long trips although the steering is alittle vague.

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  Good bye gas , welcome clean air. - 2016 Kia Soul EV
  By Jt - May 13 - 1:22 am

  I wanted an electric car for a while but they are pricey and also some look weird unlike normal car. Then we got the amazing Tesla , yes its fast , nice and expensive. After driving a gas Kia Soul I love the way the car handle so I look into the electric options. When they have the rebate up to $13500 ( Msrp $32-$39k) I immediately jump in. Bought the ev plus fully loaded. Love it. The panorama sunroom , heated and air seat, heated steering wheels, stereo and yes a lot more than other ev offer. Fully charge it show 105 if you turn on the ac , it show 100 miles. So just assume the ac will cost you roughly 5 extra miles charged. So far driven 300 miles and love every min of it. Havent gone to a gas station for a while. I do have another car which I take long distant. THis Kia is superb in handling, no blind spot, backup camera not the best but still clear, ac is cold enough, quiet and easy to drive. Trust me is the best for that price range.

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  BMW to a KIA - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By side_show_tom - May 10 - 1:17 am

  I recently made the decision to get a moore spacious vehicle. My girlfriend recently purchased a RAV4, and we both found that vehicle outstanding. I wanted a little more room, and I also didnt want 2 of the same cars. I have been driving a BMW 5 Series Wagon for the past few years, and driving is a passion for me. I also have a Corvette. Researched and test drove several SUVs, some larger than the Sorento. The KIA was the overall winner, hands down. Definately go with the V6, the milage is almost identical, and the performance is a big step up. The size is just right, larger than most SUV crossovers, but not a tank.

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  2002 sedona - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Mine - May 9 - 10:00 am

  worth the $10,000.00 savings over the big 3 with the same equipment.will keep till the warranty expires.