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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  $21,000 sold us - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By jhs - August 7 - 10:00 am

  As I type this our 2002 EX is on the back of a wrecker to the dealer. Was at a fast-food and the radio went off, then the dash lights got dim, then the abs-engine-seat belt / other lights came on in dash. Turned off AC, dash lights got bright. Turn-off engine, would not start. This is the 4th time in 2 and half years this has occurred. AC compr.,lumbar switch, and radio have been replaced. Kia will charge the battery and find no problem. We will sell once out of shop.

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  Good Van... 100K look out! - 2011 Kia Sedona
  By Dan - August 2 - 5:50 am

  I have owned several Kia Sedonas and over all we have been satisfied. I even recommend them to friends that are in the market for a van. I like that the Kia has light truck tires on it. This isnt so good for a ride, but is great in a rural venue. It also lends to a more durable tire. I feel that Kia has kind of skimped on the interior of the van. It could have more options, but I think they were trying to keep the cost down and threw some of them out the window. There are several issues to be aware of... 1. the AC pump is prone to going out at least once in the vans life. And even when it is working properly, it makes a rather annoying noise. 2. Be prepared to replace the idler pulley at least once. I have owned 2 vans and this has happened to both. 3. The paint job is kinda cheep. The handles are starting to peel and stuff... could have done better. 4. The bucket seat arms are always coming lose and require me tightening them up once a month.... rather stupid. For my major complaint.... 5. at 100K miles be prepared for something to happen. Right now I am dealing with the oil pressure sensor that is leaking oil. The shop wanted $500 to replace it so I decided to tackle it my self. I think $500 for them to do it would have been a better deal. Wicked pain in the butt!! This being said, I hope to have it fixed and back on the road. I would like to run this bad boy till the wheels fall off. I think I would buy another Kia, because there are some good points, but just be aware of the 100k jinks.

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  Noisy - 2013 Kia Soul
  By drspacs - July 21 - 5:06 am

  If you havent bought one of these yet when on your test drive make sure you take it out on the interstate then roll the back windows down about halfway. The noise and vibration you will have is un bearable. You cant even talk to anyone not even the passenger. In addition roll down the drivers window about two inches while the back windows are down. It will shake so violently you will think it will shatter. I have spoken to many KIA dealers and they say this is a definite design flaw on several of their vehicles and cannot be resolved. They have contacted KIA engineering and they suggest keeping the windows rolled up at high speeds. Yeah right. Had I know this I would have NEVER bought one

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  Small and thirsty - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Dayna - July 16 - 1:00 pm

  I let the style cloud my judgment. This LITTLE SUV is a BIG gas guzzler! I average 12-13 miles per gallon. Most of my driving is city but its not much better on the highway, 18 mpg at best. Does this little SUV need such a big engine? My 2004 KIA Sorento has been very reliable for the 2-plus years Ive owned it, except for the battery and stereo/CD player that have been replaced under warranty. It took nearly 3 months to get the stereo/CD player but the battery was replaced in one visit. I havent had any non-operation problems.

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  rip off - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Tim - July 12 - 5:00 am

  Timing belt broke at 105,000 miles and Im being told that after the belt breaks while driving it ruins the engine. Nice to know after it breaks that when this happens it is self destruction. Basicly made to be a disposible vehicle.

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  Rescending My Original Review - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Chris G - July 10 - 6:43 pm

  After a month or two of ownership I wrote a favorable review of this car. However, 30,000 miles and 2 years later I have determined that this car is JUNK, JUNK, JUNK!!!! Lets run it down: Front-end suspension problems that the dealer(s) could never resolve. Car would periodically shut off while driving down the road, again, no dealer resolve. After 30,000 miles the car had problems starting. Very fragile, insecure handling. Horrible MPG - Resale, Resale, Resale

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  So Far, So Good - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Jim - July 5 - 1:10 pm

  This car has been a pleasant surprise. I had to trade in my wifes Eddie Bauer Explorer to save money while I went back to school. Settled on the EX- V6 since we had gotten used to all the features on the EB. It has not let me down other than a few quirky issues mentioned below, the car has been a real pleasure to drive with great power, comfort and initial quality. Anyone looking for value should give this car consideration. I got mine with all the goodies for less than 17K. However, keep in mind the resale stinks so it is a real committment. If I can put 150-200K miles on the car with minimal service I will be exstatic. So far, it looks very promising.

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  Trouble Already! - 2014 Kia Sportage
  By Brian - July 3 - 3:55 am

  This SUV is a rough riding uncomfortable car, but that is only after we can get it started. With less than 14,000 miles on it we have had it towed back to the dealer twice because it left us flat without starting. So far not very reliable. I also do not like getting in or out of the car. I hit my head a lot. Only being 5.7" tall, this not something Im a custome to. In addition the car is loud and forget about opening windows or sun roof. The strangest whistles, howls, and hums we ever heard. So far easily, without question, the worst new car we ever owned. Compared to the comfort and reliability of the 96 VW Jetta, 04 Saturn Vue, and 03 Dodge Van which we bought all new, and that all went 100,000 miles each without need for a tow truck. I would buy each one of those vehicles again but I have no interest in even getting back into our 2014 Kia Sportage ever again, let alone ever buying it again. Sorry Kia, looks arent everything. You gotta do better than this.

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  My newly purchaced used Rio. - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Marc Trainor - June 20 - 2:00 am

  Im basically pleased with the car. Its a lot like my old Honda Civic I had with a 5 speed manual, but to me the Honda just "feels" and looks like it has better build quality. I only have 22K miles on it, so I guess only time will tell if it holds up. It doesnt have the power my Mitsubishi Galant has, but my Galant only gets 23 mpg city driving. My only other real beef is that Im only getting 27.5 mpg with the Rio with combined city/highway driving. Other than that, its a snappy little "bundle" with decent trunk room and back seat and has a fair amount of pep as long as your not trying to pass someone going up hill.

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  2004 Spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Clay Stephenson - June 14 - 10:00 am

  Steering is very stiff and too tight. Interior could be up graded. Mileage is only fair for the size of the car. I get appx 24 city and 28 highway. Road noise on a scale of 1-10 would be rated at 6 for me. Problems within first five months of purchase. Frequently the speed will indicate as much as a 24 mph various higher than actual travel. Ok for a work car but not of the quality I expected. Previous Kia I owned was a 2000 Sophia and handling and mileage was much better. I will likely purchase a different make on my next purchase