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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  My red hot kia rio - 2002 Kia Rio
  By My red hot kia rio - June 16 - 12:23 pm

  I got my kia used for $2000.00. My check engine light came on after four days. So I took it to auto zone. It was the mass air sensor. Then I took it to kia they told me it would be $360.00 to fix. I started asking around. You can buy cleaner for the sensor. It will fix the problem most of the time. You can get the mass air sensor cleaner at autozone for $7.00. If you take the air filter out spray the cleaner there with someone giving the car gas for about a min. This safed me $360.00.

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  Kia in GM Town - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Med - June 15 - 10:33 pm

  Looked at buying the Cadillac CTS but with a price difference of $15K here in Canada couldnt justify the Caddy especially after trying the KIA. No options available here in Canada, fully loaded and extremely well built. Rides like a dream with terrific sound system. Have told my father-in-law who drives a DeVille and he will switch as the KIA has as much room and as good a ride for $30K less. Havent hesitated telling my friends and co-workers what a wonderful car the Amanti is. Take a look and test drive, you wont be dissapointed!

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  2012 Kia Optima Amazing Value for the Money - 2012 Kia Optima
  By botoboto - June 15 - 1:52 pm

  I purchased a 2012 Optima last year. I love this car! There is no need, I feel, for spending $$$ on a luxury sedan. The car is very comfortable, sporty, fun to drive, and the Gas Mileage is what the sticker says. Actually I can get 37 on highway trips. I even used the Progressive drive module for a month and had a poor rating because of my acceleration habits. Now there are some things I do not like. The side mirrors are NOT connected to the seat memory. If I had known this, I wouldnt have purchased the car. My last 3 cars had this feature and I am very used to it. Also the passenger seat will not raise and my wife says its like sitting in a hole. Road noise is louder than I like.

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  It may of saved our lives! - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By Mgoble - June 15 - 10:13 am

  On April 14, 2008 we were hit by van, and our Kia was totaled. Although all the damage was to our car, we walked away with a few minor bumps and bruises! It sayed upright and did not flip/roll. It was a wonderful car and we would buy one again.

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  I finally got rid of it!! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By lee103 - June 15 - 10:00 am

  After 4 years of breakdowns finally had to trade it in. I was unlucky one with warranty at 3/36,000, due to my job used up in less than 2 years. Brakes/rotors needed changing at less than 18,000 & 4 times after that. After 2 weeks the coil pack went and didnt have the car for 3 weeks. Many major items went in this car. My muffler fell off at 16,000, and 2 more times after that. Couldnt trade in right away, because of the loss of value, no dealer wants one traded in. Most unreliable and cheap car around they shouldnt be sold in the US unless they seriously chang their workmanship. They need the 100,000 mile warranty.

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  Spectra 2003 LS - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Jack Napeles - June 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car about a month ago. I have had no problems with it. Power is sufficient and ride is comfortable. The car has easy to use controls and I think the looks are great. If you review cars for a living apparently this is not the one for you. To those of us who dont I think this is an excellent choice.

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  Sedona - Nice Ride - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By philberto - June 15 - 7:03 am

  We were looking for an economical replacement for our ten year old Dodge Caravan. We looked at all of the contenders out there and felt that many of them were overpriced for some of the most basic of features. Playing the “option package” game can add thousands to the sticker price just to get one or two features of interest. We also found it frustrating to get the color options we wanted. Build quality and design left a lot to be desired when we looked at the choices. Then we looked at the Sedona. One look was all it took. All the basic features we were looking for were there. The price was great! It’s built like a tank. It is very comfortable and drives real smooth and quiet. It has power!

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  soul good - 2014 Kia Soul
  By kathleen regan - June 15 - 6:05 am

  I love my Kia Soul there are just a few things I would change. Make the steering wheel a little longer and able to tilt up higher. Auto lights with definite auto turn off when you turn car off. Watch out when you buy one as the 2014 may have a headlight problem I think my does also and it is not on a recall altho I cant imagine why not. Other than that I am very happy with my purchase.

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  Good for around town - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Dave - June 15 - 12:26 am

  I bought the Kia Rondo to replace an Eagle summit wagon I had had for years. The Rondo has been a good Car. Now has 27,000 miles on it. No repair needed. I have grown to dislike the car however because it handles so poorly. The steering wheel has some uncomfortable vibration at around 65 mph, and the cabin is noisy at highway speeds. I have to crank up the volume on the radio to hear anything. I could have bought a much nicer car for a little more money. The worst part is the resale value. If you want a small van that will hold its value better, the Mazda 5 is much better.

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  Update to review of 07/11/2009 - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Frugal Driver - June 13 - 10:00 am

  Still very happy with vehicle. TIRES: OEM spec. 215/70/15 with a passenger grade is rubbish. Upgrade to 225/70/15 in a light truck/SUV tire. Currently using Michelin LTS MS. Ride quality and rubber longevity greatly improved! Transmission: buy dealer fluid for this van, have independent change it. This vehicle has a tranny cooler, so if you are hauling in hot weather, you are fine. Gas mileage: 14/16 city, 20-24 highway. That including towing 3500 lbs (as rated) and carrying weight.