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:

• 

  Please stay away! I beg you - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By monkey - May 29 - 1:13 pm

  This has to have been the worst vehicle i have bought. Purchased 4/2/2010 with 52,000 miles. 40 days later Im walking to work because engine blew and dealer wont fix it they blame me for changing the spark plugs. Before that in 3 weeks time it was in the shop 4 times first hub bearing went bad, then ac went out, then the van would just stall for no reason. They find nothing wrong. For people having this problem clean out the mass air flow sensor i found that out myself. Then a week later at 53,000 miles engine started knocking and smoking towed to the dealer and was told need new engine. Just the name KIA has lemon written all over it.Avoid the stress and steer clear. Very bad gas mileage.

• 

  High gas use - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Martha - May 28 - 10:26 am

  I love this car but it uses a lot of gas. I take very good care of the car and go every 3 months for oil change and maintenance. When I drive long distance I get 32 miles a gallon and that is nice but most of the time I drive it in town not more that 8 miles each time and I get only 18 miles a gallon.

• 

  Spectra Lover - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By NCZ9300 - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my Spectra... Best car Ive owned!

• 

  optiam - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Phil Santopietro - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This my 3rd kia optiam we love them.I get from 25 to 30 miles per gallon.We enjoy driving them.We have the same features as more expensive cars.good car for the value.

• 

  The best for the money - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By dave z - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I did extensive research and for the money found the kia sedona to be an exceptional value. Ours came with a sun roof, flat screen t.v. and dvd and a myriad of storage spaces, rear a/c and heat and of course the best warranty on the market. Comparable cars such as the freestar, sienna and oddysey were thousands and thousands higher. I was a big fan of the toyota sienna but two additional years of bumper to bumper coverage and 3 additional years of powertrain sold me. So far I have been quite pleased. I will keep my fingers crossed.

• 

  Kia is great - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By burlyii - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Grea valuse. Very well dedigned. No problems despite a lot of driving.

• 

  New to Kia....Left Toyota far behind! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Captnjak1 - May 27 - 9:46 pm

  I have been a long time Toyota purchaser, but decided to jump over to Kia and its warranty. What a pleasant surprise! I was immediately impressed by the power and styling of this vehicle. Lots of gadgets and bang for your buck. Handling is great and it;s real easy to park with the backup camera. My initial impressions exceeded any Toyota I have purchased in the past(including the 4Runner). There was a little "break-in" period.It seemed like there was a little "bouncing/vibrating" coming from the tires.It may have been just me looking for something, but it was completely gone within the first 50 mile of its life. I rated the reliabilty as an 8,since its brand new and only time will tell.

• 

  Automatic door locks - 2011 Kia Soul
  By tinakaycasteel - May 27 - 12:22 pm

  I am very disapointed that the Soul does not have automatic door locks. If I would have known that up front.....I would not have bought the car. The automatic door locks have been on my cars for the last 18 yrs and with children and a four door car I feal that; that is a must have. I also think that the insides scuff up real easy and its hard to come clean. The 2 cup holders in the middle are useless when you can only use one of them. If you put a 2nd drnik in the cup holder it gets caught on the console and spills all over the place. So your passenger has to hold there drink "fountain drink that is" The middle console is very small and sits to far back. I cant use it for an armrest.

• 

  A pleasent Surprise! - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Bob A - May 27 - 4:21 am

  This is my third KIA, First one was a 2011 Sorento, which I put 78000 trouble free miles on. Second was a 2013 Optima Hybrid, A great Car, but my wife is physically handicapped and the passenger seat was so low that it was very hard to enter and get out. So with mixed emotions I traded for a 2014 Soul + which is extremely easy to enter and exit. Shortly after taking delivery we had to make a quick trip across country. This was from Yuma, AZ to New Jersey. (round trip total was 6215 miles.) The weather was torrential rain a good portion of the trip, The Soul proved it self to be outstanding, Through Texas we ran about 85 mph when possible and my fuel average was averaging 28-30 mph. The Soul was quiet and did well in heavy winds. I now have accumulated 8500 miles and have not had one problem. Also the local Dealer here in Yuma is outstanding. KUDOS to KIA

• 

  unhappy owner - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Christine - May 26 - 10:43 pm

  I have had this kia for 3 and 1/2 years I am on the second battery and I have replaced many headlights tail lights brake lights and even a bulb on the inside dash. I just put it in for the 4th recall and also asked them to check the battery because it is all corroded they are now telling me that I need a new battery again which kia will pay 70% I am responsible for the other 30% they also say that I need a new cable end and wiring harness. which is not covered under the warranty. there is something going on that is doing damage to the lights and batteries 2 batteries in 3 and 1/2 and numerous light bulb replacement. the first battery was replaced @ 27,000 I am now at 55,000.