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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  Blown engine issue and transmission - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Victor vega - December 20 - 1:37 pm

  The 2012 Kia Optima ex GDI is a sexy looking car comfortable luxury but when I was driving on the free way at 70 mph in the fast lane the engine unexpectally turned off I thought I was going to get in a accident or die on that free way the dealership told me your engine is hurting bad and your entire engine needs to be replaced I just got a fresh good synthetic motor oil change it was fine driving but till this happens I miss work I was stuck with my car for 10 hours till I found the number to call the free Kia towing road side assistance by my warranty my Kia has 47,000 miles when it died and I just received it from car max I thought this was a very reliable car I guess not and how can I maintain the transmission since its not serviceable ? If this new engine seizes again Im sueing Kia no exceptions and I have my laywer waiting for me to say the word also Kia has poor engines and transmissions only good things are good body and luxury confort thats it.

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  Too many Problems!!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Lou&Beth - December 9 - 10:00 am

  I was so excited when I first got my Kia...however, 2 wks later my battery died, it took Kia 2 days to replace it. Then my power steering went out (car had only 400 miles on it by then!). Now A/C makes rattling noises and transmission is going out - has 22,000miles and I really baby my car, do not drive it tough! Trying desperately to get rid of it - low resale value though. My dealership wont give out rentals while repairs are being done & the repair shop is ALWAYS packed! -- BE WARNED --

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  Terrible - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Eric b - December 5 - 12:11 pm

  Started off as a great car then slowly became a money pit, due to the electrical recall that the dealership "forgot " to tell us about. Please spend your money elsewhere.

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  Not a happy consumer - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Very disatisfied - November 29 - 9:30 am

  I have had nothing but problems since day one. Brakes have been repaired over 10 times. Mostly the first year. Wiring harness melted, so bad the rear brake light melted. Seat latches in 3rd row keeps breaking. Doors freeze close. With 3 kids having to get out back not fun. Kia not very cooperative. Alignment keeps going out. On third set of tires. Need new again. Forth set of headlights. Out again. Dealer and KIA not very friendly or helpful. Places blame on me. Had to file a lawsuit. After 3 years they acknowledge van is lemon. Not a very happy consumer considering I worked hard to have something nice and turned out to be a headache!!!!!

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  Huge mistake - 2009 Kia Sedona
  By kidschauffer2 - October 28 - 7:58 am

  I bought my 09 Sedona new. It had 23 repairs within the first 11 months. According to Fuccillo and Kia Motors its not a lemon, so must be they are all built like this. Engine problems, electrical problems, brake problems, engine stability control problems, clamps breaking, sliding door that gets stuck and wont open, oil pools near the engine, and a tire light that comes on frequently. Mass Air Flow sensor replaced, 2 ABS sensors replaced (at seperate times) Hub ring replaced and heat shield clamps replaced. Engine sounds awful, loud and rumbly when started and sounds like a wind tunnel going down the highway. Never again will I own a Kia! Worst vehicle Ive ever owned!

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  Kia does not honor warranty - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Lisa - September 27 - 6:10 pm

  Horrible experience with this model and Kia Corp. Major issues with airbags, electrical , paint, faulty engine parts etc. One of the most undepenable cars I have ever owned. In a 30 year period. Most expensive in short range ownership also. Kia Corp. does not seem to care about the long term of the consumer for their products. If they did they would honor a problem on their known faulty parts. I will NEVER buy or deal with a dealership that has anything to do with this foreign make.

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  Good while under warranty but doesnt hold up - 2006 Kia Optima
  By steve may - September 20 - 2:14 pm

  We bought one of these new and it turned out to be a shop car. After 8 yrs, I had a phone book thick folder of invoices. True, while the bumper to bumper warranty was in place, most things were covered. Afterwards, this quickly became an expensive car so we got rid of it. Sorry, Kia simply is not up there with the Japanese yet. The V6 is quiet but relatively gutless and at 2.7L and 185 hp a waste of gas and money. Unfortunately our trim did not come in a 4 cyl.

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  I will never own a Kia again... - 2004 Kia Rio
  By mcc482 - September 16 - 10:09 am

  Overall, this car lives up to its reputation; you get what you pay for. The good aspects of this car are: decent fuel economy and clutch (in a 5-speed manual) is easy to engage. However, in this case, the cons significantly out weigh the pros. Performance wise, this car lacks any kind of power. You have to put the gas pedal to the floor just to merge onto the highway. The exterior of the vehicle is weak; its extremely easy to dent and can be done with a fierce shove with the palm of your hand. As for the interior build, this car is a complete nightmare, believe me.

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  DO NOT BUY USED - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By freshpowder - September 6 - 12:42 am

  Non stop problems, poorly made everything is cheapy parts! Engine mounts, power steering hose, pistons wrong. Brakes are cheap, heater and ac are weak. Transmission issues. Wow I really really regret buying this car and kept thinking this would be the last repair. It never stops! The doors rust and rot so they dont slide right. Then the rear hatch struts that hold up the back door dont work and no after market parts fit. Problems with spark plugs, and the design of the car make repairs very costly because they have to pull out all the parts to get to the parts. Such a disaster please dont consider buying one no matter how cheap you see it for sale locally! Fuel sensors went bad...

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  Avoid the Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Robert Galbraith - September 3 - 2:00 am

  While mechanically the Sportage is fairly sound, youll run into all kinds of problems with the body paint, dashboard lights, windows, cup holders and just about everything on the vehicle, except the engine. You will also find almost no support from KIA dealerships. Youll also discover that KIA service people know little or nothing about this vehicle. Like other Sportage owners, my engine light has always stayed on. The service people have no idea why this is. (In my last trip to the garage, they did fix it, and the light went back on as I drove home!!!) The Sportage is also an unstable vehicle to drive in high winds. Tire quality is also very poor.