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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  Just the facts - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Ken, SC - October 3 - 12:26 pm

  Unlike other reviews, I have put over 80000 miles on my Sedona in just 2 years. So, Im talking experience here. The car handles like a sports car. The ride is pretty good, although there is no isulation to speak of (you hear a lot of road noise). I get 20 mpg in city/highway driving. On the open road, at 75, I get 24-25. Great bang for the buck! Downside! The residual value on this vehicle is horrible. Comparing it to other minivans with comparable equipment, mileage, and initial purchase cost, the Kia is $4k-5k less. I trade every 2 years, and expect to pay to get right side up. However, this van is costing me too much to trade. Cost new; $24k. Now; $6500! What a hit in 2 years!

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  A good solid car - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By TANSTAAFL - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Sephia for 3 years and 45,000 miles have never had any problems or had any real repairs to perform (other than scheduled maintenance). It has always been reliable and responsive. I had looked at a number of other cars but this one was the best deal and has proven to be a winner. Only real problem I have had is that people like to back into the car with SUVs but I think that is my bad luck and wont blame KIA. I would definately buy another car from them.

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  Great Van, Bad Dealer (Royal Kia Tucson) - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By brihome - October 2 - 10:00 am

  My wife loves her van. This is a great vehicle for the price. My wife has recommended this van (with leather) to several friends, I just dont recommend Royal Kia in Tucson, AZ (unless you enjoy games and phone calls after purchase).

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  minor improvements - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Tom Herron - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Best vechile on the road for the money.

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  2013 KIa Hatchback - 2013 Kia Rio
  By soccer_ref - October 2 - 9:04 am

  Looked for a car to replace 2000 Toyota Echo. Shopping for price, dependability and fuel mileage. Drove Yaris, Prius C, Nissan Sentra but settled on Rio hatchback. Sold on styling both inside and out, price and warranty. Fuel mileage is okay, not special. 38 to 40 mpg is tough to swallow coming from 42 to 45 mpg. Didnt see the Yaris being any better. Prius C was too pricey for what I wanted. 6 speed manual transmission is good, though the gears are quite close together. Normal driving is easy to skip gears. Bought manual because paying for an automatic is a rip off.

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  Long term review - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By ac - October 1 - 9:43 am

  Owned the Sportage for a year and half with 35k miles still going strong. Recently Ive been getting as much as 30 MPG. The sportage is very solid, no issues at all. The sportage has been a great commuter car and family work horse. Between commuting and getting the kids off to there sports, this car has been great. plenty of storage in the back with enough room to travel with 5 people. I find The 4 cylinder 2.0 liter engine adequate. Its not a rocket but gets me where i have to go. The 5 speed makes the sportage fun to drive. The outside finish is still as shiny as the day i got it. No issues at all , none. I do all of the required maintenance through the dealer. Easy to maintain. Great car!

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  The poor mans lexus - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By John - September 28 - 6:00 am

  Just took delivery of the Sorento and I can say Im well pleased. The warranty, fit and finish, paint are excellent. Its alot of car for the money, esp. in todays dollars and what new cars are selling for..I opted for the 6 cyl. I didnt feel there was that much diff. in mileage in the long run. I will update as the year...summer etc. continues. However, so far Im Impressed.

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  scratches driving me to drink - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Steve Luciow - September 27 - 3:03 pm

  I love this little car. Ive had it for 6 months but the interior looks like its 10 years old. you cant breath on these doors without scratching them. Its got 9000 miles on it,and I only had to replace the fuel pump. I have a case pending on the door problem since January and the problem is still not resolved, they keep telling me theyre working on it. Good luck to anybody who has kids and buys this car, the interior will look 10 years old in 1 week!

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  We need a new engine in our new car - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By sorento - September 27 - 10:16 am

  On the highway the engine light flashed and went off and stayed off. The Sorento was chugging a bit after that, so we took it to the dealer. They said the Sorento needed a new engine. Engine is in, waiting for parts so they say. This is the 3rd week without the SUV. Driving a loaner VW. Until then we loved it. Only 10 months new. Luxury package.

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  Love my Soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By tk8840 - September 27 - 6:10 am

  I bought the KIA Soul almost three weeks ago, and am truly enjoying it. I drove a Jeep Grand Cherokee for many years and needed to finally replace it. My brother suggested looking at a KIA, and went with me to the dealership. He was really impressed with the Soul over the Sportage - I liked both equally, but took his advice on the Soul, and dont regret it for one second! Living in AZ, the tinted windows are a huge plus. It is much smaller than the Jeep, but feel just as comfortable. Maybe its just my Soul, but must say its a QUIET ride. Feels solid, handles great. For what you get with the price-its definitely a bargain. No regrets!