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:

• 

  Excellent deal - 2002 Kia Rio
  By kerri9494 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  Just brought this car home, so I dont know about the reliability yet. However, Im happy with everything. The seats are firm and supportive, theres no body roll on corners, the leg room in the front is ample (although much less in the back), everything WORKS. Its not a performance car, but heck, Im a soccer mom. I got in the car this morning, started it up, and it got me all the way to work safely, in climate-controlled comfort. What more can you want from a LOADED car (every option) that I got for $12,700?

• 

  Still going strong at 120,000 miles. - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By frugal_driver - December 4 - 8:18 pm

  I have previously posted here as FRUGAL DRIVER (see below). This van, bought in 07 with 64K, is still going strong as a half ton hauler and work van. Today its going 750 miles (and back in three days) in my wifes hands to take KID MARK I to university for the first time. Had a/c fixed--damage inflicted on a hose by an idiot. Now that the OBAMA CAFE rules have effectively removed small pickups (Chev 10, Ford Ranger) & the old vans (ASTRO etc) from the US market, what are you doing to drive? This van will haul a half ton well. It takes abuse if you maintain it well. Drive it gently. This vehicle was originally built as a light truck for the S. Korean Army (02-06 model). Its tuff.

• 

  Great midsize car - 2007 Kia Optima
  By markb - December 1 - 2:23 pm

  So far, a great ownership experience. Quiet ride. Gas mileage is improving, I am up to 21mpg in city driving 4-cylinder. Kias road hazard tire policy already saved me over $246 when I picked up a sidewall nail. ESC package is very handy to have on rainy mountain roads and CA freeways. Sunroof wind noise is very low up to about 50mph. I feel confident while driving this car. Front styling shows character. Rear styling is "nondescript" midsize. You can park this car anywhere. Most people are very surprised once they get inside.

• 

  Very happy after 4 years - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jmace57 - November 30 - 9:46 am

  Granted we only drive 7500 miles per year, but we have been very happy with our Sorento. In 4 years, only one warranty item - a piece of rubber molding in the passenger door. Pretty poor gas mileage, but we knew that when we bought it. The only other complaint is that the sheet metal seems "thin" - very easy to get dings. It is just the right size, lots of features, comfortable...and for us, bullet-proof reliable.

• 

  WORTH THE BENJAMINS!! - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By CrazyJoe - November 27 - 10:00 am

  LOOKIN AT THE PRICE IM THINKIN "MAMA MIA" I GOTS TO GET MYSELF INSIDE THIS LITTLE KIA TAKE IT FOR A RIDE "IS THAT CARMEN ELECTRA?" NO! THATS JUST MY REFLECTION IN THIS LITTLE KIA SPECTRA IT MAY NOT TOP THE LIST BUT IT BOTTOMS OUT THE PRICE SO IF YOU LOOKIN ROUND FOR A RIDE THATS REALLY NICE HOP INTO THE KIA AND TAKE A LITTLE SPIN CUZ THE RIDE VS THE PRICE WILL BE WORTH THE BENJAMINS!

• 

  Kia Krazy - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Kia Krazy - November 26 - 2:20 pm

  This car is well built for a Kia. The 2.7 liter v6 is quite peppy and smooth. The transmission is very smooth and the Infinity sound system is great. The leather seat are more comfortable than I expected and with all these options and quality its weird to see the price.

• 

  Trading in my Sedona for a Sienna - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Heather3696 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  If it wasnt for those rear seats and the noisy air conditioning, I would keep this car. I cant stand fighting with those rear seats. They are super heavy (if no impossible) to remove and replace. I actually took it back to the dealer and made them put the seats back in. Even the sales guy couldnt do it. The air conditioning is super loud when the car is idling. Step on the gas just a little and the noise goes away. Come to a red light and the noise is louder than the radio. My next minivan will have fold away seats. Im looking at the Odyssey or the Sienna.And the gas mileage is terrible. Maybe 15 city, 19 hwy.

• 

  Still Lovin it! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Rozebud - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Kia for a year and a half now and I still love it! I wrote my first review in March of 03 and never imagined Id still feel the same farther down the road. It still feels like a new car. The steering and transmission is still tight and nothing has broken or worn out. The airbag light did come on recently and Im taking it in to get it fixed. Probably just a sensor gone bad? Im short and this vehicle fits me perfectly. My husband has a GMC Envoy, a great car too, but I hate driving it because of its size. It is a little hard to get in and out of, especially for my seven year old. I think I might buy the available running boards.

• 

  Review Update - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Doc - November 21 - 11:10 am

  This is my second review of my + automatic in titanium. Just over 1k mi. and I really like this car. Yes the seats are still a tad firm but Im getting used to them. BIG omission. There is no light in the large two level glove box! I hate that. Sound system is great. Very happy with my lease.

• 

  Just purchased - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Kwhite138 - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I just purchased my Sorento yesterday, so mileage, build quality, etc., cant be judged. However, I traded my 2000 Kia Sportage in for the Sorento (pur. 10/99). I never had any problems, so I think the quality will be good.