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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  Lousy car - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By mg - August 30 - 10:00 am

  Car has leak from the top rail. Kia never fixed. Always vibrates when you brake.

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  AC problems - 2007 Kia Optima
  By A/C PROBLEMS - August 18 - 10:23 am

  I have had my Kia Optima in the shop 3 times for AC problems. The ac shuts on and off by itself when brake applied or idling. The first time, they couldnt find a problem. Second time said it was a (fuel cell) in ac. Third time they replaced the compressor. I kept telling them it was a idling problem and they fixed something else. It still shuts off at stop lights and when I am stuck in traffic. Not good living in the South!

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  My Rio at 2 Years Old - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Cassie1 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Air bag light came on about as soon as I got it - dealers say moisture, finally after near 2 yrs they are replacing clock spring, trunk leaked when it rained, theyre fixing, driver seat broke, theyre fixing. It doesnt do well in snow, wind blows it around too much, too light of a vehicle. Windows fog up easily & its hard to get the defrost to unfog them. Only engine trouble is needed plugs & wires. Back seat room limited, cup holders too small for most cups, armrest cant be used comfortably while shifting, A/C very cold.

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  An Average Car - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By matthew preis - July 6 - 9:36 pm

  Car is comfortable and I fit in well even though I weigh 250 lbs. Although a decent car, I probably would have been happier with a Toyota or Honda. Engine seems very noisy in the morning and quieter in the evening. All in all not a bad car but not a great one either.

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  Electrical systems from the 1950s - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Rich Hart - July 1 - 11:37 am

  Overall, a comfortable (Im 63") solid vehicle, but poor fuel economy and many electrical problems. Dome light diode (whoever heard of such a thing), door lock actuator (never had one fail even in the GM garbage of the 70s and 80s), heater blend door actuator, and crankshaft angle sensor ($900 repair to replace shitty magnetic pick up, but buried in engine). The sunroof plastic guide rail broke at 5 years with little use, so roof will slide but wont tilt. Temperature gauge has never worked reliably, even after 3 trips to dealer when new. I finally gave up as it wasnt important. Factory replacement windshield wiper blades last only 18 mos! Most of the problems are just annoying, but the crankshaft sensor problem is way too frequent...should have been a recall. Also, seat belt retraction springs are going bad. The build quality on the new models looks worse, so it will be a Honda, Nissan, or Toyota next time. I also have an 18 year old Infiniti with 70,000 miles, and have had less than one- fourth the problems! Update 8-22-16: Valve lifter (tappet) now ticks if the car sits more than a day or two without being driven. Not burning any appreciable amount of oil. Gas mileage down to 15 mpg using the E10 fuel now sold here (was 16 mpg with 0-5% ethanol). Have had to replace another failed electrical part, the A/C & heat temperature door actuator. Got the Kia brand part on the internet for about $70, replaced myself so no labor cost. Still driving the vehicle because it is much more comfortable to sit in (excellent leg room) than most others, and property tax is very low. Overall impression of an average quality SUV remains the same.

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  Not what we expected. - 2006 Kia Rio
  By my3sheets - June 20 - 2:13 pm

  Brand new with 100000mi/10yr warranty...well we have 20,000 miles and already have taken it to the shop 6 times. 2 recalls,1 radio not working, 1 power steering pump thing, 2 for transmission, no acceleration (very dangerous problem) and this problem is acting up again. The availability of parts for the car has been a nightmare of rental cars. The gas mileage is great but I think the car may wear out before the warranty. Wife thinks the trunk is too small...but we could see that. Plus due to my credit we are paying a lot for the car (no choice) so I dont feel we are getting our monies worth! Strongly consider NOT buying this model.

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  It Aint a MINI - 2011 Kia Soul
  By katiemurphy - June 17 - 1:51 pm

  First off, let me admit my bias as I am a three-time MINI owner (Cooper, Convertible, and Clubman) and sort of bought the Soul out of a desperate situation, and not because I was in love with it. The Soul is a competent (at best) smaller car, and is probably worth the price IF you get to haggle a bit and dont finance the whole thing. I was surprised to find out my insurance AND fuel costs are significantly higher with the Soul even though its a cheaper car. Its fine for buzzing around town, and gave me the little bit of extra space I needed for an infant car seat and dog(s). The handling is not aimed at performance or fun. While uncomfortable, the seating height is good.

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  This is a no go! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By TJ - June 16 - 10:06 pm

  I bought this 2004 4 banger in 2007 with 33,000 miles. I expect problems (serious) around what? 100K at the lowest. coil pack went out at 55,000. Gas filter something out at 63,000. Ok those are small things. But heres the big thing. I have only 74,000 miles on it and the engine roars at you like the tranny is going. I depend on this car. I need a car. I still owe 6100 on it and it is about to flop out on me i can tell that tranny is going! This car really sucks. I treated it well. Put lots of miles on it quickly, but drove it slow never raced it and still it causes to many problems and way to much stress! Way too Much

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  Can not believe - 2007 Kia Optima
  By sad - May 29 - 8:13 am

  I bought this car with 40,000 miles on it. Since then I have had to replace the headlights 2 times each, the tail lights 2 times and the starter went. I am reading all the reviews I am scared to see what is coming. I have had to replace the back brakes when all of a sudden they just started grinding the pad ripped off 359.00. The main belt went and had to be replaced.

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  Cheap on gas, high on repairs - 2004 Kia Rio
  By goatgirl - May 27 - 2:16 pm

  This car gets good mileage, 33-41 mpg, but you pay for it in repairs. It is only 5 years old and I have had to replace a wheel bearing, after 3 years, the air intake x2 in 3 years, leaving us stranded both times. Front end feels out of alignment, even after getting alignment, and having new tires balanced. Drivers side wiper arm is stripped, most things are dealer items so spendy. Seat belt on driver side back seat quit working right after the 60,000 warranty ran out. Radiator overflow hose came off twice. Hubby threatens to sell it all the time.