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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  Kinda scary - 2002 Kia Rio
  By richard - November 21 - 5:43 pm

  Just purchased this "Korea car" used, need it to commute, standard 5 speed trans, no air? At 93,300 miles how long will this be trouble free? Notice alt belt is frayed, how often should you replace the belts? What happens when the timing belt breaks? How many trouble free miles can you get from Korea?

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  Good Running Car - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Jenevra Smith - November 15 - 5:28 am

  This has been a great car. I bought it used in 2006 and it now has 130000 miles and is still running great. Im on the second timing belt, and replaced the clutch at 120000. I try to keep up on the scheduled maintenance, and this car has never left me stranded. I will drive it until it falls apart.

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  Not worth the problems - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By whizza99 - November 13 - 1:43 pm

  Well, the starter going within the first week should of been the sign. 5 yrs, 80,000 miles later I have 3 broken handles they will not fix for less than $500 apiece, the turning radius is like a box or truck, not like all the caravans Ive had. I gave up 18" in the grand caravan and you really do miss it. I have gone thru numerous tires, so put GOOD tires on it. Gas mileage stinks! I bought it for the warranty but after 5 yrs the bumper to bumper is gone and now all the little problems are creeping up. Back seat doesnt slide, etc.

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  Constant Recalls - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By C. Murray - November 6 - 2:36 pm

  It seems like it has been recalled for faulty engine bolt, now a recall for the induction replacement valve, plus service has been less than friendly. Take it to the dealer, walk into the service dept and they look at you like you have two heads! No "Welcome to KIA Service or Good Morning" just stares, like they just saw a deer in the headlights!! Wouldnt buy another one! Too much hassle for the money. I would take a chance on an American SUV! Called to get an appointment with the Service Dept. at the local KIA Dealer that advertises that they are open until 7:30 p.m. (called at 4:45 p.m.) - everyone had gone home! Wont Use BEYER VOLVO/KIA EVER! They could care less! Dont be fooled by the looks

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  2013 Sportage rear end - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By rottensox - November 6 - 5:50 am

  In my later posts, I described the problem with the rear differential leaking. The dealer replaced the differential twice. In the end, they put a totally different differential in. Judging by the date stamp on the casting, it was manufactured in 2010. So far, it seems to be working fine and theres no evidence of a leak. However, it did take them two weeks to fix it. They gave me a free cargo mat for the inconvenience. Big deal. I think, given the profit margin on the sale, they could have done MUCH better.

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  My clutch went out - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By estradac17 - November 5 - 2:00 am

  I got this car new and have only put 40000 mile on it the clutch went out my goodyear did the work i have the parts they told me that the clutch was deffective i called kia no help take it to the dealer took it to the dealer just as i thought . its not the clutch it was the way i drive .. im 39years old and have had sticks all my life my nissans have all gotten 150k before they go out ... so much for the long haul warraniy

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  Nice SUV but.... - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By chris - November 4 - 10:33 pm

  I love the look and handling of my 2009 Kia Sportage but, the headrests are at the most uncomforatable angle and there isnt anything I can do to adjust them. The angle is too far forward!

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  3 months of ownership, radio gone - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By GH - November 3 - 11:20 am

  My radio went at mile 3,700. I took it to the dealer and was told a "refurbished" one would be installed. I was told it would take 4 days, then told up to two weeks and today, due to back order it could take up to 2 months to replace. Refurbished because they say that is all the Kia offers. And forget about calling "customer care" they do nothing to get the matter resolved, they just confirmed there was a back order of refurbished radios and there was nothing they could do. I would have to wait. I suggested getting a radio from a vehicle on the lot, no can do, they said. By the way, I will need a new dash since I now have three screw driver marks and scratches that were left on the dash.

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  One year old and nothing but problems - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By angry KIA owner - October 17 - 10:00 am

  We owned the Sportage six months when the bottom section of the cupholder fell off, spilling hot coffee on me while driving. A month later, the cover for the sun visor mirror fell off. Last winter the back passenger window stopped working, and about the same time, during freezing rain with my kids in the vehicle, the wipers stopped working. Now, after 35000 kms (30000 of those highway kms) it needs new front brakes and the rotors are trashed. Never had a vehicle needing brakes this soon before! Its highly unfortunate we leased this vehicle as we are now stuck for another three years costing us nothing but problems and money.

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  Wheel alignment - 2006 Kia Optima
  By luigi54c - October 6 - 7:14 am

  Ever since I took this car out of the dealership, new in 2006, it had problems pulling to the right. I took it back 3 times to the dealer and they could not fix it. At times they used the values of the 2004 model. I have taken it to other alignment shops, and the alignment problem never got good. It pulls to the right. Yesterday i was changing the oil filter and I noticed 3 shims 1/16" thick on one side of the frame. It looks like the frame is the problem, it was never straight.