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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  Ok for new van - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By W.L.HORN - November 19 - 2:26 pm

  I traded a 1990 Dodge gran caravan for the red 2004 lx Kia Sedona. Found it roomy for its smaller size. Plenty of storage compartments and the am/FM/cd player was great extra power outlets helpful for charging cell phones etc found the 3.5 6 cyl to be fast and the overdrive trans well suited the vans performance, but fuel mpg was rate 16 Im lucky to get 13 city 16 hwy Cruise control works well saves fuel on long trips. In four years of ownership have had to replace the fuel pump. Front brakes. Alternator, battery, front heater fan, all covered by the warranty except the brakes. Dealer maintenance is high over length of warranty 10 yrs 100,000 miles, paint has held up well except around the door handles

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  Not without its compromises - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Seth - November 18 - 11:40 pm

  My wife really wanted a Kia Soul, so after a few days of research, we headed down to the Kia dealership. My other car is a MkV Volkswagen GTI, so my standards for the Soul were pretty high. The exterior styling is great, only complaint being the fake fender vents. The interior is attractive, roomy, and extremely well screwed together, but the materials are hard and cheap plastic. Handles well, but straight line acceleration is just acceptable. Not spirited but it keeps up with traffic well enough. The thermostat got stuck open at 700 miles, tripping the check engine light. Car was fixed same-day under warranty, which is all I could ask. Fun to drive despite lack of power.

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  Hot off the show room floor - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By BAGGER90 - November 14 - 2:00 am

  I just bought it last night and drove it to work this morning. Great vehicle for the price. I have been looking for a 4X4 for over a year now, and could not find one that would fit my 6 2" frame for the money we could spend. Well this it!!!! Go test drive one, and if you are not serious about getting a vehicle this will make you think twice.

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  not bad so far - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By kidnoel - November 14 - 1:36 am

  Bought the car used about 8 months ago. Had about 40K miles on it. Was concerned it would give me problems right away. Has proved reliable so far. I have been on many road trips. Have only needed regular maintenance. Original brakes havent needed replacing yet. Love that it hardly looks like a hatchback and people cant even tell what it is. GREAT fuel economy: 28-34. Got 400 miles on a tank last week-all highway.

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  Review for LE forte - 2010 Kia Forte
  By kd - November 14 - 12:30 am

  I like the exterior design but the interior is a little cheap. The check engine light has been on two times. Unexplained noises coming from the front and back. The front struts were replaced and the noises continue.

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  Kia Spectra a good car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By dkrosell - November 6 - 2:50 am

  Having previously owned several Toyota Camrys, we were surprised to find the Kia Spectra so reliable. We never had to have it repaired - only maintenance in the 5 years we owned.

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  Beyond Expectation - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Shaun - November 4 - 1:53 pm

  Right after purchase we took it on a road trip to S. Lake Tahoe. The handling was very smooth and controlled even in the twists and turns of the mountain roads. The 4 cylinder engine performed beyond my expectations. It accelerated smoothly and passing at high speeds was a breeze. The engines uphill performance was surprising; I had no trouble climbing the 7,000+ foot grade to Lake Tahoe. Round trip-the Sorento delivered an unbelievable 30 MPG. This was a mix of highway, twisting mountain roads, and around the City of S. Lake Tahoe. Overall, Im very please with my purchase.

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  Excellent Value - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By KIA ROCKS - November 3 - 10:00 am

  Although this is a recent purchase, I can compare it to the Dodge Caravan and by far a much better van for the money. Great pick up, interior design, and size. Although the length is shorter than our previous dodge Grand Caravan there is still enough space for luggage and anything else you want to bring along. Kia has come a long way and this van has proven that you can have quality at a great price!

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  Decent budget car - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Leadfoot - November 2 - 6:20 am

  This is one of the better budget cars. Decent gas mileage at a greatly affordable price. Im 61" and have no problem fitting in. With the leadfoot I have my gas is still 32 mpg. The problem I have is the power. It can not pull its own weight up a hill without having to downshift even at 65 mph and at lower speeds on a hill it searches for a gear constantly.

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  Whoa ... - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By adventuresome63 - October 30 - 9:50 am

  What were they doing when they figured this thing with auto-tranny gets 34 mpg, towing it?? 28 mpg on the highway. Disappointed with that. Otherwise it appears to be a solid car. No problem so far. Lots of stuff for $16k.