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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  Parameters of KIA Spectra 2004.5 - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By kiasyracuse - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Purchased car in May, 2004, have had problems with slow/hesitation on acceleration, grinding left front wheel, engine hesitation, shaking steering wheel, steering column, brake pedal and gas pedal. Service manager thought transmission; factory rep replaced computer instead. The engine slows down when the air, heat or defrost is on. Told that engine parameters are when engine reaches 50 degrees, the steering wheel shakes/vibrate until engine warms up. Live in Central New York, started having problems this July. In the past week, night temps gone to 42 degrees. When drive to work, engine warms after 10 minutes, steering wheel still vibrates.

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  Dont Buy! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By vj - November 30 - 12:50 pm

  I had problems from the beginning. The car overheated at 200 miles. Started with 16 mpg, but after several gas treatments and cleaning fuel injectors never got better that 19 mpg. All parts are made cheaply. Ive had MAJOR repairs: CV joints (65,000 mi), transmission (75,00 mi), ECM (90,000 mi). This doesnt include the starter, water pump, valve cover gasket, rotors, and several batteries. I cant wait to trade out! Save yourself the grief - dont buy one.

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  Increasingly Disappointed - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By fivefold - November 29 - 10:00 am

  At first I would have written reccomending this minivan like others, but at 15,000 miles I cant. It has been in service many times for many different reasons. To be honest it sounds like a rattle trap. The seats rattle, the doors rattle, the back gate rattles. For the last serveral months the cruise has not consistently worked. They cant find the problem! The vans largest draw card is a lot of high-end features for reasonable money. And yet, you have to be able to enjoy those features while driving down the road. Would I buy the car again? Positively no. Be willing to give up long term integrity to fancy features.

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  Like a Go-Kart - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By FastWRX - November 28 - 8:00 pm

  When the car is working it drives like a go-kart. It has little get up and go but when it goes in to 2nd gear it starts to slow down. I think the only good thing about the car is the gas mileage when the car is working. One major problem Ive had with the car is the alternator belt and bracket. Ive had to replace the belt 5 times now, and the OEM bracket is such a poor design. Its a good 1st car if you have the money to keep fixing it all the time. Other than the repairs its been a great little car.

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  will never buy kia wouldnt recommend - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Angie - November 21 - 4:20 am

  Weve had problems with this SUV from the word go, (bearing & brakes & engine bolt recall) when you called Kia, they give you the run around, I wish I never seen this SUV. Money gone out the window!

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  Worst car Ive owned - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By A. May - November 18 - 9:43 pm

  We have had nothing but problems with this car. We seem to be constantly going in for repairs and most recently have been told we need a new compressor for $1200. This car is only two years old and should not be having so many problems. The dealer will not cover this problem. I will never buy a Kia again. Our other car is a 99 Hyundai and while it needs some repairs we are spending more on repairs on this new Kia.

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  Dont Buy any Kia - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By tattoohank - November 18 - 10:00 am

  As soon as I drove it off the lot, my troubles began. I have returned this car 8 times for repair. Mainly because of cheap materials. I still have to take it back for 3 more repairs. Most recently the dashboard came unglued, sounds like there is a screw rattling around in the steering wheel, and the paint is peeling. My nightmare continues. I only get 22 MPG. Do yourself a favor and dont buy one.

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  Wish I didnt - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By WoodyBD - November 18 - 10:00 am

  I wish I didnt buy this 2003 Kia Spectra. This car doesnt have much pep, especially going up hills. Warm air sometimes can be felt coming out of the vents with controls in cool and off positions. My ac didnt work after haveing it for 2 hrs after purchase. Cd player broke after a week(only used it 3 times, a small reset button needed to be pushed). Doesnt seem to have the good fuel economy they claim. Sorry Kia!

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  Dont buy this car - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Harald Wheeler - October 12 - 10:00 am

  I was looking for a cheap car. And I found it. My friends said pay just a little more and buy the Hyundai Elantra. I wish I would have listened. This car has been in the shop twice a month for check engine lights, stalling when hot, broken window regulator and shuddering when braking. The resale is not too far off from being a write off. I am going to bite the bullet and get rid of it first chance.

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  Bad, bad car! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Big G - September 29 - 10:00 am

  Do not by it. Lease it only.