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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  Kia Optima SXL 2.0 Turbo Blown Engine - 2013 Kia Optima
  By Colton Pack - November 18 - 1:14 am

  At 80,00 miles I had to replace the engine. In total I spent $5,500 for the engine replacement at the Kia Dealership. They said the cause of it was "metal to metal rod bearings". According to kia I was to blame for not using a KIA GENUINE oil filter. Because I did not use their oil filter somehow metal got in my oil and ruined the engine. Thats a bunch of BS. I read multiple peoples accounts of the same experience with their KIA optima. I saw on the news where Hyundai recalled the same engine this car has. Clearly they need to investigate the optima engine as well. KIA doesnt care about their customers.

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  WHAT THE BLEEP HAPPEND TO THE MPG ?!!?! - 2012 Kia Sedona
  By amfrost - November 13 - 5:46 pm

  The sticker states that this minivan get 18 city and 25 hwy, which I expected after purchasing the vehicle. After 2 months and over 1200 miles the best Ive been able to get out of it is 16.5 MPG. For a 21.1 size gallon tank, I become extremely aggravated when I cant even drive 300 miles before Im in need of a fill up. I felt that this was a rock solid value when I purchased it. Everything else about the van meets or exceeds my expectations. But if I wanted such horrendous gas mileage performance I should have just purchased an SUV!

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  Great family car....so far.... - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By jason - October 28 - 2:40 pm

  I bought the Rondo for the price. I have only had it for a year, but so far it runs great and hasnt had any problems. The Rondo is very roomy and has a lot of features I would not have expected for the price. 8 different airbags, anti lock brakes, electronic stability control, 4 wheel disk brakes, and a auto shifter. So far it has proven to be a great family car and i would recommend one to anyone thinking of buying one. It does have a wind noise on the drivers side, which i have read about in other complaints, which the factory or dealers cannot fix, but it doesnt bother me anymore. I work with a bunch of guys with big egos, they make fun of me everyday for driving this vehicle...

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  UPSET Coustomer - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Upset Kia Owner - October 20 - 7:16 pm

  I would tell anyone not to buy a KIA. I bought the van new and it has been in the shop more than it has been on the road. Brake problems, Belt tensioner, and MULTIPLE electrical problems. Turn signals work intermittently. Head lights keep blowing out. Air Bag Warning Light on more than it’s off. Keyless remotes both failed. Heater fan quit working in the middle of a snow storm. Wipers quit working during a rain storm while driving down the road. I don’t trust the thing to drive out of town. I can’t trade the thing because the value has dropped to the point that now Im upside down in value. This van was the worst new vehicle Ive ever owned. Dont buy a Kia!

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  We need a new engine in our new car - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By sorento - September 27 - 10:16 am

  On the highway the engine light flashed and went off and stayed off. The Sorento was chugging a bit after that, so we took it to the dealer. They said the Sorento needed a new engine. Engine is in, waiting for parts so they say. This is the 3rd week without the SUV. Driving a loaner VW. Until then we loved it. Only 10 months new. Luxury package.

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  Better than I expected - 2007 Kia Rio
  By eap - September 27 - 2:00 am

  Drives better on the highway than I thought it would for a small car-I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of effect on the car when semi trucks passes me or I passes semi trucks-I expected to be pushed around on the road more than I was

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  Mixed feelings. Under-rated, but I wont buy a Kia again. - 2002 Kia Rio
  By harmonia2927 - September 12 - 5:08 pm

  This was my first college car. I bought it in summer of 2010 with 96,000 miles on it. I blindly went into buying it, no research done. I ended up falling in love with this little car. I drove it to school and back SEVERAL times (10 hour drive), and went on many road trips in it. It also made it up my mile-long dirt road at home. Im surprised it lasted. PROS: great gas mileage, runs well with normal maintenance CONS: noisy engine, doesnt accelerate well with the AC on, tin can, cheaply made, manual windows and locks, tiny back seat I drove it to 118,885 miles. It could have lasted longer, but I hit a deer and totalled it. :( Lesson learned, I wont buy a Kia again. But it was fun.

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  UPDATE: review 2012 Kia Optima SX - 2012 Kia Optima
  By cdh906 - September 8 - 5:10 pm

  This is an update to my past review. I have 67,000 (2.5 yrs old) miles on my car- and I want to get rid of it now. Im very disappointed in this car now. (I previously gave it 4 stars) but reliability trumps here. This car has now left me stranded in a parking lot twice because it wouldnt start. Stuck on the side of the freeway due to a failed fuel pump which is apparently common, but Kia wont pay for the replacement. Without a working turbo more than a few times. The leather is not real - and has started cracking despite meticulous care. Battery died at 2.25 yrs and this is also "the norm" for this car. Having to tow my new car to the dealership on a flatbed was less than fun.

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  Thank Goodness for Warranty - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Ann - August 29 - 6:23 am

  Within 1 year of owning the Kia the rear wheel bearings & automatic transmission gave out. Thankfully it was covered by the warranty & I also had all maintenance records! Have replaced the sun visors, the rubber insulation around the doors. Dealer replaced the pump for the wiper washer fluid and the air conditioning belt, but the belt still squeals & the washer fluid doesnt pump. The paint on the rear bumper is very faded and paid $50 for a plastic radiator fan which likely costs 50 cents in Korea. Saving grace is the gas mileage and that the car is paid for until the next repair, as the warranty has expired.

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  Be wary of Kia Sorento - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Kelly - August 23 - 2:03 am

  I bought a new Kia Sorento in Aug 07. In less than a month the engine had to be replaced. In March 08, there was a cooling system problem. In Aug 08, the key got stuck in the ignition. In May 09, there was an oil drain plug leak plus a recall on the airbag. June 09, there was a recall on the stop lamp switch. Sept 09, the key got stuck in the ignition again. This time I was told it was a shifter issue. Just want to warn people about all of the issues that I had. After the last problem I have now traded for a Toyota.