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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  Killed In Action - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By petralyn - March 19 - 10:00 am

  Dealership cant repair clutch properly. The floor mats have worn through in less than 20K miles. Gas Mileage is good but the rest is just a CHEAP car.

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  Unhappy Owner in New York/Florida - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Sprinterny - March 12 - 7:43 am

  I have been very disappointed. The first week of ownership I needed two tows in Florida. I immediately purchased a new battery when stranded a second time. The seats are rock hard and the seat belt buckle cuts into my hip. Then car had some kind of transmission burning and needed a transmission replacement. I was first towed and paid $300 to recover my car. I have to drive 80 miles to the closest dealer in upstate NY. After waxing the car about 4 times in 2 years the exterior paint job is looking shabby.The car always stalls out.The replaced transmission hesitates for 4 seconds and then jerks. It gets a horrible 11 to 17 mpg. The tires need replacing at 27,000 mile. The brakes need work now

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  KIA SPECTRA5 FIRST 700Mi - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By SPECTRA5 - February 28 - 9:06 pm

  I have a new Spectra5 2005 and I have had so many problems with this car. My first visit to the mechanic was for vibration/shaking in the steering wheel and vibration throughout the vehicle and a blown speaker. Second visit to the shop consisted of the front ground effects falling off due to faulty install and I still have not resolved the bad vibration in the vehicle. My third visit was a result of the vehicles rear ground effects falling off, and another blown speaker and the bad vibration still not resolved; mechanics have no idea. Well I have not been back for the 4th time because now I am going into arbitration with this vehicle due to the rear ground effects falling off again.

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  Afraid I made a mistake - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Nanlan - February 22 - 6:13 am

  I just purchased a 2008 Rondo today. I think I made a mistake. The test drive took place in city traffic where I didnt see some of the flaws. On the long drive home there was a very annoying sound at the drivers window (air coming in). The car is very "floaty" & seems too wishy washy on the road. I dont feel in command of my vehicle. The 4 cylinder engine whines so loud, like it may explode before we really get rolling. I am thinking of taking it back in the morning & getting my money back. This is a cheap car & I dont feel safe in it.

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  My Kia has gremlins - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Chris - January 19 - 10:10 am

  Here are some of the problems: Numerous things: AC does not blow cold continually and has been repaired several times Horn problems that have been fixed several times (Does not work properly when lock vehicle and it is to "chirp" when it locks). Also, security horn has had to be replaced Shifting / odd transmission type problem - the vehicle "bangs" when you come down a hill to a stop. Also, when slowing down to a stop light it actually has a surge or acceleration. Very scary and they say this is ok or they can not find a problem. Also as you are driving it accelerates or decelerates oddly. Brakes - vehicle only has 62,000 and have replaced brakes twice.

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  oh no! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By shugar - January 18 - 2:00 am

  i have had stalling problems from start. to meet requirements for lemon law, i had to wait. won case, but was awarded another kia, to cost me an additional $7,000.00. even thou i cant afford this, it is being imposed on me or i need to go thru other channels. dealership lied and manipulated and manufacturer is not fair to deal with either. would not buy another, even thou i actually like the van!

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  No way, no how - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By jayjay - December 28 - 6:46 am

  Window motor replace, cruise control replace, transmission rebuild by 10,000 miles. Second transmission rebuild (the day after 5 yr warranty was up) gear shaft replaced incorrectly by dealership(and almost killed us) and a new starter by 40,000 miles. KIA would not help us, they were very rude and when our gear shaft fell out, we waited at the side of the road for 5 hrs waiting for them to send a tow. HORRIBLE customer service. And everything is high priced to replace. Im talking about a bolt costing $270. Before labor. It seemed like a good deal, but we have spent the buying price in repairs. Spend the extra $ for a different car. I have been broke ever since we got it. no way no how.

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  Never Again - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By rn513 - December 11 - 6:45 pm

  I hate this car. Plain and simple. My previous Rav 4 had this beat by a mile. Radio failed and replaced before 35000 miles. Slider panels covering full length moon roof rattle open with normal driving vibrations, leaving my grandson baking in the sun in the back seat or the sun baking the leather seats. These panels are automated in the Rav 4. For $38000....they should be automated in the Kia Sorento. Air conditioner has a high pitched squeak to it when run on high. Worst of all are the headlights...cant see at night when on normal beams, even with fog lights on. When I ride with high beams on, no one even flashes their lights at me. Mileage ok, poor pickup for a V6 compared to Rav

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  Thanks went back to American companies - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By David - December 9 - 9:53 pm

  Driving this van felt like I was driving a bus. Fit and finish was fine no complaints there. Seating was made for smaller people. I am 61" and 300 lbs Wife like the seating and she only 52". Gas mileage was in line with a heavy vehicle s powered by underpower unit. What made the final draw for me was Kia dealership not backing the product. Had bad front rotors after 25,000 miles and it was not covered under warranty. Was told rotors and pads are my cost. Pads I could see, rotor no way. Brakes where not made for the weight of this van. Drove it across to Ford and trade it in. Good new the trade in value was 12,000. See my review on Sport Trac on what warranty is all about.

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  Not worth it - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Becca - December 6 - 7:26 pm

  I got this car 2 years ago, and honestly I would have bought something else if I had known what I know now. The check engine light comes on when there is nothing wrong. The parking brake light stays on constantly. It is not a comfortable ride. The vibration is terrible and the car often "jumps" when accelerating. Its not very safe. I was in a minor collision and the other drivers car was not damaged at all, but my bumper fell off and the seatbelt didnt even hold me in place as I bumped my chest into the steering wheel. Its great on gas, but there are much better cars out there for the price.