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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  Save Yourself the Trouble - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Marissa - August 1 - 8:43 am

  Although I was initially pleased with my Kia, the last 8 months have been a nightmare. The vehicle had a series of unrepairable problems including the fuel pump, the passenger airbag indicator, and a stalling malfunction. After contacting the attorney general, my dozen phone calls to Kia Motors were returned. Needless to say, it has been deemed a lemon and will be repurchased. Even if the car was not a lemon, I would never purchase another Kia based on their less than adequate customer service.

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  Where do I start? - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By shamgar - July 30 - 8:58 pm

  I am always amazed to see newer Sedonas on the road. I cant understand why anyone would buy one of them anymore. My car had so many problems during the warranty that I was one of 10 people across the U. S. to participate in a J.D. Powers interview at my local Kia dealership. Several engineers from Korea were there also to examine my car along with J.D. Powers staff. The whole thing was taped for whatever reason. Front brakes including the rotors have to be replaced every 20K. Front tires and struts, and engine mounts, ditto. Horn was replaced at least six times. A/C proportioning valve had to be replaced. Rear deck lid struts went out quickly.

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  very unhappy - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Henry - July 18 - 5:50 am

  I have driven many minivans, most drive more like a car. This one feels more like a truck. Vibration at low speeds and an engine hum all the time. Pick up isnt very good. Turning radius is very poor, but above all gas performance is extremely bad; like 13 miles to a gallon. I wish I would have paid a little more and gotten another brand.

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  A Bad Choice - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By audio - July 15 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle are a sad excuse for a SUV. It is not reliable nor does it have a resale value. The vehicle repair costs are as high as my Land Rover. Have had overheating problems... it eats brakes...has no power... and the cupholder is a bad joke. The 4WD kicks out when needed...the fuel economy is poor given it is such a small motor. The rear hatch is hard to open... takes 2 hands. The body dings easily.

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  Cant Stand This Car - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By soldiermusic - June 28 - 8:05 am

  I have owned several cars in my driving years and I can look back fondly on various aspects of pretty much all of them. This car is an unfortunate exception. I absolutley loathe this car. It is very easy to oversteer and difficult to get back on track if you need to make a sudden swerve. The mileage is substandard. It gets about 26mpg highway. (My Sedona mini-van gets 22-23.) Please note I am not a leadfoot driver and I dont make hard accelerations. Im pretty easy on my cars. Also, the drivers seat is worse that sitting on a wagon bench. At least a covered wagon doesnt have two bars right in line with my anatomy. And no, Im not a very large or old person.

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  double check - 2013 Kia Rio
  By stop gap - June 23 - 4:24 pm

  Make sure of the following: Has cruise? Adjustable front rider seat? Nice looking but look for features

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  Terrible trans! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By disgusted - June 23 - 10:00 am

  First transmission replaced at 17,000 miles, 2nd at 23,000. Water "sloshing" around somewhere in the dash/floor area that "cant be fixed". I like the warranty, but when the cars in the shop, youre stranded. No rental, no loaner, just stranded. I paid $950 for a used Mazda 626 with 175k on it and its way more reliable than this!

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  i hate it - 2001 Kia Rio
  By jba - June 19 - 2:00 am

  I have had many troubles since i had purchased this car. It has been in the shop a dozen times.Its great on gas but not very roomy . The price was right at the time or so I had thought but i would have never bought this car if i knew then what I know now.

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  Gas - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By carpooler - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Gas mileage is horrible. The controls above the dashboard have no illumination at night so are hard to see. You dont know if you are opening the sunroof or the rear side window. The seats are removable but are extremely heavy to take in or out. I as a female could easily remove the seats in our previous Pontiac Transport, but cannot do it alone or at all with the Kia.

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  please warn your friends not to buy - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By poor and angry - May 13 - 10:33 pm

  As I pass off my paid off and still under warranty Sedona on trade in, I feel the need to warn low income people not to buy one used. We have had so many problems with the Sedona. Please trust the negative reviews (many of the positive ones were written with too few miles on the van). It may seem like a good deal for your family, but you will not be able to afford to repair it. For example, our harmonic balancer fell off the crank shaft and shredded 3 drive belts, the A/C was serviced 4 times in one summer, an engine cylinder blew, etc. Buy yourself a RELIABLE car and squeeze the kids in. You will not have transportation within a few months if you buy a used Sedona.