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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  nice little car - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By dwaters1 - April 12 - 10:33 am

  I have had this 2002 spectra for several years and it has performed well with very few issues. There are some basic issues that I have not fixed but do not cause a problem, such as a shock housing that allows the shock to rattle a bit. It not very powerful but for small city driving its fine and a bit fun. Not the most comfortable, it is a cheep car. Turning on the air conditioner will result is a noticeable pull on the engine. The interior is ok to look at but is mostly hard plastic. Starting in 2011 the summer heat from in the south has cause the plastic parts inside to start failing, things just randomly break or fall off or appear to disintegrate. Just replace belt for $600.

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  Annoying! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By mariebee - March 11 - 8:13 am

  Bought my Sorento brand new in 2004. Did my homework before I purchased it and people seemed to like it - at that time. Ive had it for 6 years now and Ive had to buy a new battery every year for 5 years because the factory installed CD (which was replaced twice) was using up all the juice. Ive had to replace tail lights every year. The last 6 months, Ive shelled out over $500 because of coolant reservoir leaks, after I paid off the dang thing.

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  What a Disappointment - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Angela - March 9 - 2:10 am

  At only 62000 miles this car already needed a new timing belt and transmission. Also had to have the auto window repaired. Way too much work needed on a car of this year and mileage. Kia Customer Support very rude.

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  Not comfortable - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By carmela larocco - February 20 - 1:36 pm

  The front seats are the worst seats I ever sat on headrest are just as bad no armrest up front so your right arm has no were to rest. Rear seat could use cup holders other then the door. The rear area is roomy and the seats are better. The Sportage is a great size and it is not a bad ride for an suv. I will say make sure you fully check what ever car you buy there are no returns. Take it for a good long ride not a short spin.

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  2001 Kia - 2001 Kia Rio
  By FUSILIER - February 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had no major problems with this car. It needs a lot more power. 98HP is not enough

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  Kia Sedona - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By naayaah321 - February 16 - 5:43 pm

  My parents own a Kia Sedona, 2005, and really like the minivan. It has been very reliable and done us well after 4 years. The brakes werre replaced prior 2 times and on the second tine, my dad made them put heavy duty rotors and pads and its been fine ever since. The engine has been very reliable and the problems noted n these reviews have never happened to us. We did replace the tires with the car tires they reccomend, and they wore out fast. What you need to do, is replace them with light truck and SUV tires and i fixes that problem. Think about it, the vehicle weighs 4800 lbs, and car tires are just not heavy duty enough. Overall, its been a great vehicle for our family.

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  Its a people hauler - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By foursmos - February 11 - 10:00 am

  As a sports family we do the baseball and basketball traveling. We have experienced no room for the standard equipment for these sports. The only way it will fit is the removal of the two back seats, we need the seats for people.

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  Off lease bargain? - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Matt from Florida - February 9 - 2:00 am

  Bought a Sephia LS 5 spd off lease, 32k for $3600. Replaced the horrible Hankooks with Yokohamas, set off on a cross Florida tour (leap of faith). Nothing broke in our 1.5k tour, but the car is only a city car. Steering is numb at highway speeds, and the car tracks poorly. Shifter is balky, and the engine drones so you short shift and wont drive over 70. That said, its comfortable enough and the price is right. Reliability is a question.

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  lemon - 2001 Kia Rio
  By mary196521 - February 9 - 2:00 am

  I have had a bad experience with this vechile. It has been in the shop 8 times and needs to go back because I am having the same problem I was having a year ago. I dont care for the car and wish there was some way to get out from under it. I thought about getting a lawyer to sue them to get out from under it. I will never buy another Kia as long as I live.

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  Okay Car for Price - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By latingirl4evr - February 5 - 1:52 pm

  I purchased this car 4 years ago at 38000 now it has 114k. Have to replace spark plugs & wires often, door freezes in cold weather. Also replaced battery, brakes, belts, both front axles. I have alot of common issues as others on the reviews. Its a cheap car & you get what you pay for. I got it manual & it seems like automatics are having engine trouble, currently my signals do not work. So I am waiting for the next thing not to work. But despite the car issues its an okay car to have but i will not buy another one.