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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  My first car - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By NoMoKias4Me - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought it brand new with 1 mile on it. 3 days after buying it, it was back at the dealer for 4 days. When I got it back, they had replaced the computer, the fuel injector and something else (cant remember). 2 Days later, back at the dealer. This time for about 1 week. When I got it back, they had supposedly put a brand new tranny in it. Well, just a few days later guess where it was? Yep! At the dealer for almost 2weeks. This time, when I got it back, I learned that last time they had put a reconditioned tranny in it and that this time they put a brand new one in it.

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  Glad to be rid of it! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Julie - April 18 - 4:46 am

  I had nothing but problems from the time I bought my Kia brand new. Crack in the drive shaft with less than 300 miles on it a month after I bought it. Constant electrical problems that the dealer couldnt fix: brake lights out every 3 months, headlights out every 6 months. Both headlights blew out at the same time once! $400+ to replace sensors, including throttle and airbag, which warranty had just expired (conveniently). Bad catalytic converter, which went bad 2K miles after warranty expired. This is the WORST purchase of my life. The only reason I didnt get rid of it sooner was because I was STUCK with it: they depreciate too fast you cant trade them in. PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE @ its best!

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  Both pros and cons - 2010 Kia Sedona
  By Evan - April 18 - 1:03 am

  This car is definitely has high ratio of quality and price. It runs very smoothly and quietly.

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  fun - 2006 Kia Rio
  By bestedt - April 17 - 4:40 pm

  A really fun car to drive.The comfort of the ride is like a bigger car. Oh by the way, the gas mileage is wonderful.

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  KIA DAYS - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Frank - April 16 - 7:10 am

  If you forget about the poor mileage, (you can almost see the dial on the gas gauge go down while driving), everything else is splendid. My wife and I love our KIA Sorento. It looks great, rides well, and has the get-up-and-go that you want in an SUV. The real challenge at KIA is to get more people interested in the vehicle. This SUV truly is a hidden treasure. PS: A side note to the engineers at KIA. Come on guys. In this day and age, with the price of gas sky-rocketing, youve go to do something about fuel efficiency.

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  IRRESPONSIBLE AND PATHETIC - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Sorry Sorento - April 16 - 4:00 am

  I have over $6000 dollars in maintenance and service in my car. This does not include my rental car expenses because of the numerous times my car has been in the shop. I have replaced headlights, brake lights, parking lights, dome lights, fog lights and interior lights repetitively. I have replaced the timing belt, various ac parts, brakes, power seat motor, power locks, radio, battery, and car alarm parts. This is an attractive SUV with wonderful bells and whistles. It is an irresponsible and pathetic product. The 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty is useless and misleading. They do not stand by their product and it has awful resale value. Do not buy this vehicle regardless of the price!

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  love it! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By mizcece - April 16 - 1:30 am

  I looked at many many reviews before making the decision to purchase my 2006 Kia Sedona...there were really as many bad as good, but I could not have been more pleased with my decision. It is so comfortable & roomy. There is some rear "squeaking" sometimes, but not that bad that I regret getting the vehicle. I simply love it! For a busy mom on the go it has been perfect!

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  go for ride - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Brad Steele - April 15 - 10:33 pm

  Great car and fun to drive!

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  This is the best mpv ever med - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By iekrwer - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Excellent. The kids can do what they want in the back of the car. Me and my wife just talk a bit.

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  Rondo replacement for 99 Odyssey - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By rubberbandman - April 13 - 9:13 pm

  Bought vehicle in July to drive x- country. My Rondo was more comfortable than its replacement or my 04 Subaru Outback. Gas mileage was also respectable; over 2900 miles of mostly hwy driving, Rondo averaged approx 20 MPG. While driving through CA desert car cabin was comfortably cooled by AC. MPG heavily reduced by speed exceeding 60 MPH, and use of AC. Have found that on my 80 mile RT work commute, which is mainly hwy, mileage drops well below 20 MPG.