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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  Great value - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By markymark - January 15 - 10:00 am

  Great looking & value for the money. We got the EX because of all the extras...and its not that much more. This one has everything you need. Got DVD, sunroof, ABS (a necessity), spoiler, leather seats as options. Never thought the spoiler would add so much, looks great. If you want a great minivan with value for the dollar...this is the one. Try to find something else with so many features, warranty and safety. It rides great, looks great and my family loves it. Very quiet, no rattles or shakes, excellent shifting transmission...very responsive. Engine is solid...there when you need it.

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  Good deal - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Paul - January 14 - 6:56 pm

  It was this or the Grand Caravan, I like the stow and go of the caravan but the 2006 Sedona had stow in go in the back and the seats folded down. The caravan also had many bad consumer reviews. I was amazed at the power and roominess. I got a great deal on it by playing 1 dealer against the other. Saved about $3,000 over the price of a caravan and about $9,000 less than new. It only had 15k miles. Sure beats buying new.

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  Still new to me - 2016 Kia Rio
  By Gini Maddocks - January 13 - 8:52 pm

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  I have 2 Kias and LOVE them - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By mom_of_two - January 12 - 4:56 am

  We first purchased a 2006 Kia Optima LX (brand new and still own) when we had our first child. Then we purchased our 2006 Kia Sedona LX (used - 5yrs old) when we had our second child. I love both of my Kias. Sure I have had some issues, like the Air Bag light and Check Engine light - but no car is perfect. Even if you own a BMW or MB, there are still issues! I will forever drive a KIA : )

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  No so good - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Mikesue98 - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Not to be trusted, in 2 years had 3 brake master cylinders changed, 3 mufflers (they would brake), molding would come off, auto transmission stick would freeze in the winter, doors would freeze frequently in the winter, electrical problems, would get a burnt smell on long trips, wheel bearings had to be replaced

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  Great car - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Ropoca - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Its a great car Ive havent had any problems I love the car.

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  Excellent - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Mary Felt - January 10 - 5:36 am

  The Kia Rio is an awesome car! It is the second brand new Kia I have purchased, my first being a Kia Sephia. I would purchase Kia in the future.

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  Simple but excellent - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Simple - January 10 - 5:30 am

  Turn on the ac, it slows, but that is usually to weak drivebelts. Easy to fix, even for a DIY mechanic. A simple design, but fragile interior and exterior. That in turn means its also easier to fix. Parts are a bit expensive, but what isnt, right? Love the idea that it sounds like the day I got it, the opening of the throttle after so many thousand of miles. Its great, performance is alright, but the fuel economy is amazing. From PHX to LV, three times, without a single compliant, in one week. Great car! Considering the Kia Koupe in the near future...

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  More for your money - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By KB - January 10 - 4:43 am

  This is a quality vehicle for a very reasonable price.

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  HAPPY WITH SOUL - 2010 Kia Soul
  By doc - January 9 - 11:56 am

  Ive been driving cushy Volvos for the last 13 yrs. So this is different for me. Cushy its not. The seats are quite firm. Being a beefy guy, I find the seat bottom width a tad too narrow. Then again, Im used to very wide leather seats. Other than that, fit seems to be very good. Much peppier than I had thought. No problems getting up to speed or merging on highways. Controls are very good and easy to use "intuitive". Looked at the Scion XB. Way too much money. The cube is just wierd. My kids love this car. I think the lighted speaker is dumb. Am I supposed to dance to it? Maybe at 56 Im just too old to get it. So far very pleased with my decision.