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 Kia - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Gina - April 4 - 8:36 pm

  I knew that I was not buying a luxury car, so I didnt expect it to be comfortable. But I did expect that for 20,000 (with interest) my 2001 Kia Sephia would be reliable. My car has failed on me 10 times in the past two years, all ten times the problem being my battery...dead, no matter the weather or how long my car was sitting. My dash lights also go out on occasion which really sucks because its usually nice to know how fast you are going. My Kia stinks.

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  My other car is a Rio... - 2008 Kia Rio
  By Big John - April 3 - 8:23 pm

  Ive been sold on Kia since 2001. Always a long distance runner, I need a car with better than average MPG and durability. The other things dont really matter. I want some money in my pocket after the bills are paid. Before 2001 I was driving a 1970 Pontiac Catalina for 15 years. It ran great until my nit-wit son took it for a spin. He spun out and drove it into a tree. It had huge miles on it. The Catalina averaged 18 MPG. All my Rios average 35. It doesnt take long for the savings to pay for the car. Essentially I am driving a new car for free. The 2001 made a lot of noise but so does a Harley. You dont get wet in a Rio. A 2008 much quieter. I also own an 01, 03, and 06.

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  nice car - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By charles mcclenaghan - April 3 - 7:53 pm

  Loaded with safety features , rides and handles good , so far 19mpg (only 350 miles) plenty of luggage space

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  A Really Great Van - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By kialover15 - April 3 - 5:36 pm

  This van was purchased in August of 2002, because my grandmother needed to get a wheelchair lift for her cart for the back of the van. They were a little unhappy that they had to buy this van though, because they were the kind of people that would only buy GM or Ford. But Kia had the best price. 6 years later, they would easily buy another Sedona. They love and so do I. This van has such a great ride, looks cool, a strong engine, and very comfortable seats. I was only 10 when they bought this and didnt know much about cars then, but I fell in love with this van so much that I started doing research on Kia, and know, all that I will ever buy is a Kia.

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  Dont buy a Kia Sportage - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Linda - April 3 - 4:10 pm

  I own a 2008 Kia Sportage EX which my daughter got into an accident with. The front end had damage and the engine needed to be replaced because the liguids were drained from the vehicle after the accident and the engine got ruined. Kia replaced the engine and the engine light kept coming on. After returning the vehicle again they have now replaced it with its 3rd engine and there is still the same low compression in the #2 cylinder. Kia cannot figure out what is wrong with these engines, so they have sent a Kia representative to the dealership to try to find out. I believe Kia is supplying faulty engines for replacement. How can the same thing be happening to this car for the 3rd time?

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  Sporty, Great Small/Midsize AWD SUV, BEAUTY! - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By Rhea Addair - April 2 - 8:14 pm

  The Front Seats arent very Comfortable, lacks Support & Padding for Long-Trips Especially if You have Arthritis, Fibromyalgia or Other Physical Types of Pain b/c It can also be kinda hard to get out of if Traveling for a Period of Time in Combo w/ The Comfort Level (Poor) of The Front Seats... Other than this Issue, LOVE IT, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ECONOMICAL, SPORTY, AWESOME,SAFE, SUV... YOULL LOVE IT!!!.. I DO..and, Many More People also, Love em or The Larger KIA Sorento 4 cyl. AWD as well.. Great VALUE SUVs in a KIA!!.. I am now also a KIA LOVING FAN.. A Believer Myself...

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  Best Value for the money - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Kia Lover - April 2 - 6:13 pm

  I had a 2005 Sportage and upgraded to the Sorento because I purchased a boat and needed a vehicle to pull it. With a towing capacity of 5000 lbs you cant beat it. I got this one fully loaded with the Luxury Package. My Sorento is black with tan leather interior. This vehicle handles great and has more than enough power. Yeah, the gas mileage is not the best, but it is pretty average of other 6 cylinder SUVs. And if you are up for it, this vehicle can do some off roading. The Sorento was rated in the top 14 SUVs as a true off road vehicle. This was done by USA Today 3 years ago.

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  Best Vehicle Ive ever owned - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By raymoto - April 2 - 11:53 am

  I bought my 2003 Kia Sorento 4x4 automatic brand new in 2003. Im the original owner and as of this posting has $120K miles. Ive taken great care of the car. The engine and transmission suspension, steering have been solid as a rock. Ive only had a few issues. It will no longer shift into 4x4, which I think a control module went bad, but it still operates in 4x2 mode. One engine sensor needed replacing the fuel temperature senors which I replaced myself. Other than that it has been the best vehicle Ive ever owned. Its considerably fast for 190 HP, roomy, and feels very safe and controlled in the rain! Get one if you can!

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  LOVE IT! - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By The Wukichs - April 2 - 7:30 am

  The Sedona is a dream come true. We priced and researched minivans and were drawn into the Kia dealership by their price and warranty. We did not expect quality too. The van has been dependable, roomy, and great on gas on road trips. Our Sedona has been loaded with adults and children alike. We always get compliments on the room and comfort for all passengers. The LWB (long wheel base) model offers that extra foot you may need on a road trip. It is nice to take a vehicle that has room for everything and the kitchen sink. I always have room for my stroller, groceries and passengers.

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  VERY smart purchase. - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Dentuso - April 2 - 2:00 am

  Although we are in a position to purchase vehicles that are more expensive than Kias, weve found that we simply dont want to. We now own 2, (1 Cinco, 1 Sedona), and have every intention of making the next 2 vehicles Kias as well. For the money, you simply cannot beat the quality, warrantee, and simple (albeit modest) comforts. I sincerely believe that Kia and Hyundai have, and will continue to change the North America car market forever.