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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  Never Again - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By AmKorean - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I actually bought a 1999 model but I am sure that it still applies. I wished I had read the reviews on this SUV before I bought it. I think I would have thought it out a little more had I read the other reviews. In the first six months of my having this SUV the battery died. The cars transmission was recalled in the first year. One of the rear seat belts broke in the second year. This year there is a missing washer on the rear drivers side door which sounds like the window isnt closed, that sound of rushing air all the time is annoying! My mother told me to never buy another Korean made car, and we are Korean!

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  Disappointment! - 2012 Kia Rio
  By commuter12 - May 26 - 12:58 pm

  My 12 Rio5 has 37k highway miles. The car has been a total disappointment. The car has received road blast and rusted after the past 2 winters. Trim inside has just fallen down due to disappearing clips. "Leather" steering wheel delaminated. Vent fan bearings going. Tires were garbage and mileage was not as advertised. The car was a real waste of money. Needless to say, I will be at the dealership again next week. Save yourself the hassle and stay away from these Kia beauties.

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  Solid and Sane - 2002 Kia Rio
  By albuscornix - May 12 - 10:23 am

  I have had no problems with the car so far, it runs well, gets amazing mileage, and is fairly comfortable, the interior is a little cheap, but it keeps moving and thats what matters.

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  Stay away from Kia - 2008 Kia Optima
  By i_hate_kia - April 29 - 2:49 pm

  1 BAD EXPERIENCE , I will never buy another , motor locked up with only 46,688 miles , they piece together another new engine because kia was to cheap to send a complete motor it runs for 10,00 miles and the oil light starts coming on at ideal. I ended up letting the dealer buy the car back and bought a Toyota camry, almost forgot car was out of service for 47 days the first time and the next time well its been 3 weeks today and its still not fixed 1/11/12 VERY BAD EXPERIENCE

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  DONT BUY!!! - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By fedup - April 18 - 3:30 pm

  I have a 2005 Sedona. Never again will I buy a Kia. The brakes have to be replaced about every 5 months. The brake line has had to be replaced. The alternator had to be replaced. The front end will not stay lined up. The headlights have to be replaced about every 3 months. The fan control for the AC and the heat doesnt work anymore. Its hard to steer when its cold outside. All of this under 100,000 miles. Kia will not help to fix the problems. Had some scratches on it when we bought it. Kia would not fix. This has got to be the worst vehicle I have ever owed. Trade in value on it is only 2,000. Dealers will not trade with me. Cant even give the vehicle away. Dont waste your money!!

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  What a pile... - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By emtsuj - March 19 - 7:20 am

  This is a pile of junk. I have had to fix ignition coils, replace sparks plugs(x4), air conditioning doesnt work, heat only works on the highest or lowest setting, thermostat (x2), timing belt, other belts, battery, starter, alternator, catalyc converter, entire exhaust, transmission, and the fan clutch. The 4WD doesnt work, and I havent been able to find a mechanic that will touch it. I have had 3 out of the 4 doors break so that they either wont open from inside or out, and the windows on all 4 doors have needed to be fixed at one time or another because they wouldnt open or shut. 2 of the seatbelts are broken and cant be used. Cupholders, paint, ALL JUNK! DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!

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  What can I say - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By ma - March 11 - 2:16 pm

  Purchased our 2002 Kia Sedona new from show room floor. Ran well for first year and then the problems started. Loud humming from front end. Dealer said tires, turned out to bad defective boots. Alternator died at 62,000 during a highway drive at 65 mph. 80,000 miles, car begins to surge forward and loose power. Check engine light came on - dealer has no idea on problem. Been in shop a number of times to diagnose issue. Unsafe vehicle at this time which I would not have my family in anymore. Went out and purchased a Toyota Sienna Limited after owning a Tundra as well. What a world of difference. My 98 Pontiac Montana w/replace transmission was more reliable then this KIA piece of junk!!

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  Garbage - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Joe - March 10 - 8:53 pm

  I own a 2003 Kia sorento and it is garbage. I cant count how many times I have had to replace a headlamp. The clock resets constantly on its own. I have blown fuses galore. Changing the rotors is impossible unless you own or can get your hands on a impact wrench. And most of all, their Service dept. has been horrible, rude and deceiving. Dont waste you money. I get 17mpg gallon highway at 65mph if I am lucky. And yes, I have completed all their recommended, bogus service schedules. I hate it. Hope I save somebody the headache of owning a pile of junk like this. 100,000 mile warranty is a joke. Be careful

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  Kia is a deathtrap. - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Rebecca McCoy - February 22 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my optima for 1 1/2 years and ultimately hate it. I am trying to get kia to take it back as a lemon, but of course they dont want to. there have been 5 recalls to date on this model, and one of those recalls almost caused the loss of life to myself and my 5 year old son on the freeway, as the vehicle failed to operated(ie:the crankshaft positioning sensor recall). i am currently experiencing the second failure of this particular recall. I would have been better off to spend the extra money to buy a honda or toyota. Even though this car has the warrenty, you will use it often. If you love your family, buy a different car.

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  Warranty is a scam - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By chdsgrl - February 21 - 5:23 pm

  The problem I have with KIA in general is the warranty. They sell you the car with this great warranty and then pretty much refuse to honor it if they can. "Lack of maintenance" is a global loop-hole they use to not do warranty work. I have 49,000 mi on my car and theyre saying I need a new engine due to the above and wont warranty it. I do not "need" a new engine, and I have done the recommended services per the warranty policy. But, again, they wont honor it. Nobody at the dealership cares, or at KIA corporate. My husband has a honda with twice as many miles, and has had no problems. Steer clear of KIA and stick with a reliable manufacturer.