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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  A Major Disappointment - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By mdawgg - July 18 - 8:14 pm

  After 150 miles the plastic seat belt retainer clips popped out of the interior sides they were supposed to be anchored to. I tried to put them back in but they would eventually pop out again. After 250 miles the engine began to idle rough, the transmission would go "clunk" when shifting up or down at slow speeds, and the car began to vibrate when driving on the highway. After 850 miles the rear view screen in the mirror for the backup camera began to have thick black lines across it. Sometimes the screen would go completely black. The car has only a little over 1000 miles on it, but I dread driving it for fear of having more things go wrong. I will never buy another Kia again.

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  Be Careful about Fuel System - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Keil - July 18 - 1:43 pm

  Purchased vehicle in November 2004, took to service center in December, January, February and again in March. The problem has been a "Faulty" fuel pressure switch. According to the service manager this is a known problem that continues to cause problems. It should be fixed this time. Only 6200 miles on vehicle. Unable to take on trips afraid check engine light will go on again.

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  Stay away from KIA! - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Traci - July 8 - 7:50 pm

  Cute vehicle, but has terrible traction in winter. Brakes were completely worn out after warranty expired (complete replacement in less than 2 years). KIA Warranty may be the best in the business, but dealers will find a way around it so dont let that be a purchasing factor. Had a front caliper fall off and almost flip over; rear axle squeals; battery dies often - but KIA says everything is great. Put over $600.00 in mandatory services and paid out $500.00 for additional maintenance per yr. Ill never purchase another KIA even if they offered it to me for free! If you want a vehicle that works OK for a year, then this is the car for you. enough said (youve been warned)

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  Dangerous - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Gail - July 1 - 2:00 am

  Poor visibility, has large blind spots when driving. It is a Rock Magnet. The second day I owned it, the front window shield was hit 3 times. There must be over 8 chips and seriously cracked 3 times by the base of the windshield.

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  Dont By it - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By paqman21 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  I would advise you to stay away from this SUV. It is not worth the money. If you are not in a windy city it might be good for you. I didnt like going from the first lane to the fourth lane in one swift blow.

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  Dead Dead Battery! - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By Lee - June 9 - 8:48 am

  I have a 2014 Kia Sorento SXL with 13,000 miles now. After having this car for 2 weeks go to start it and dead battery. Now 18 months later this problem has happened 7 times! Kia road service has to come out and jump it. Has been towed to dealership to check it out, told everything is fine. Im just not driving it enough to keep it charged. Went on vacation for six days and left car at airport and came back to a dead battery. When I say dead I mean DEAD. No lights etc...at all. After 7 times and getting no where with Kia service dept. I dont know what to do other then trade it in on another make! Any help or ideas why this is happening would help.

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  Kia Sportage - BEWARE - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By jfoote - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Losses value quicker than Enron stock. Purchased 2 years ago for 15000, now only worth 6500. Terrible gas milage and worse handling. Slower than everything out there. Grannys in Buicks would pass me and laugh.

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  Front doors will not open - 2005 Kia Optima
  By carrie748 - May 26 - 4:56 pm

  My Kias doors started locking and unlocking by themselves while I was driving. I am currently unable to open either one of my front doors and have to climb over the back seat of my car. Research as shown that this is a commen defect of the car. Beware before buying becasue Kia will not fix this issue. It is a serious safety concern. And very costly. I wouldnt recommend buying this if you are looking for a safe car because sooner or later your doors are likely to lock up on you also.

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  ***REALLY AWFUL**** - 2013 Kia Optima
  By NOTHAPPYCAMPER - May 10 - 2:58 pm

  Prior to buying this vehicle I owned a Chevy Silverado, So obviously downgrading to a fuel efficient economical car was very appealing. The car we bought had all the bells and whistles. leather, Navigation, double sunroof, Hybrid, everything. Fully loaded. Not knowing a lot about cars I thought this would be great for my 10 year old daughter and I. I am a busy military mom and I was planning on starting school full time. Within 2 years of ownership. Ive had one tire blow out, wheel bearing and cross bar replacement, dead battery, replaced 4 tires, electrical shortage, and the last thing 2 days ago the hybrid system shut down in the middle of a Highway 80 mile an hour traffic. afraid my life was over I was able to maneuver to the side of the rode. the dealership service department had the nerve to say it was the battery, turned out to be the hybrid system. currently trying to get out of this vehicle asap. please for the safety of yourself and your family do not get a hybrid.

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  I wasnt happy with gas mileage - 2007 Kia Rio
  By LB - May 7 - 4:23 am

  We purchased the vehicle in May of last year. It is a cute economical disposable car but, here it is a year later and the car cant pass inspection because there is a bubble in the tire they said from a pothole living in New York. Its a great possibility but, they offered no help to resolve the situation. One of the main reasons for purchasing this particular vehicle was the gas mileage and it gets nowhere near what is says would. When we asked the dealer we were told it was the gas. We use exxon company has been around along time. I will never purchase another Kia again. This is the first time Ive had problems like that. They told us exxon gas was bad it doesnt matter what gas its still bad.