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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  After Inspection - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By mdfoster1 - December 23 - 4:56 pm

  Okay, I had the Amanti go through a full used car inspection at the Kia dealership. Cost $104.00. Three items needed attention - Left and Right valve cover gaskets need replacing, and the rear main seal needs replacing. Total cost for repairs by the dealership will be $1010.00. Do I still love the car - Yes! The leak must be a very small one because you cannot tell it has a leak by driving it and have not noticed oil leaking. Will I get it fixed - Yes when income taxes come in next year. Can it wait til then - they said it could as long as I keep an eye on the oil level. I paid $5000.00 for the car and NADA shows its value a little over $6000.00 so with the repair it will meet value.

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  pleased with this car - 2006 Kia Rio
  By petevt - December 23 - 8:33 am

  Nearing 79,000 miles, all driving done in and around the mountains of southern vt. Except for 5k oil changes and regular service, the only work Ive needed is a wheel bearing, fuel tank purge solenoid and air bag wiring clip (all covered under waranty). Put 4 good studded snows on this car and youll go anywhere. 34-35 miles per gallon, Ive hit 39 on the highway, driving at 60-65 miles per hour

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  best value out there - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By adam - December 21 - 2:33 pm

  best bang for the buck. I got my car for $ 6995...cant be beat on price..change the oil every 4k and you will have reliable transportation for 100K. Put the money you save in the bank and watch the $ grow....

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  Better Than They Say - 2001 Kia Rio
  By JJackJoe1 - December 19 - 10:00 am

  This is a peppy car - forget what a few reviewers (and motor magazine articles) are saying about the zip in this car. Its plenty fast, even uphill and certainly on the freeway. We are getting a consistent 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. There is lots of front seat room, decent rear seat room if you are careful (!), and a generous trunk space. The Rio handles nimbly. Our Rio has been very dependable with zero dealer repair needs. To tell you the truth, this Rio reminds me a whole bunch like the Honda Accord quality of the mid to late 80s. And thats good, folks!

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  I love it - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By swood515 - December 18 - 12:06 pm

  I love my Kia. I have had no problems or issues.

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  Good car for the money - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Iowa - December 15 - 10:16 am

  Although I only bought my Optima SE V6 4 months ago, I absolutely love it. With 97,500 miles on it, I have noticed only minor glitches. The clock sometimes flickers when I accelerate, and the windows seem like they need to be lubed because they have a hard time rolling up when it rains - but I am getting those fixed soon...they do not affect the performance of the car. The V6 does not get very good gas mileage, but that was assumed when I bought it. I am a college student, and it was an amazing price for a foreign vehicle!

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  Not happy second time around - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Christine Kunzman - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Replaced my 1996 Sportage with 2001 EX model due to my satisfied experience, even though quality ratings were bad for Kias. Both electric rear window regulators failed within a few months of each other before vehicle was 8 months old. Also, A/C fan failed during hottest day of year to that point. Didnt have A/C for two weeks when temp was 95 to 109 degrees. Dealership did everything they should have, but when I complained to the company about the quality, got an unacceptable response where they took no responsibility and expressed no desire to make amends. Im convinced they arent serious about Customer Satisfaction.

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  More bang for a buck - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Al L - December 15 - 10:00 am

  The car run fine, I like it so far. I got a basic LX w/o ABS, roof rack and CD but for less than $16K, I cant even get a 4 cyl camry. Quality is pretty good, the only thing I would like to complain is the space behind 3rd seat is too small, otherwise it is great. The only problem so far is my first 600 miles of the car, about 360 miles is to and from dealer, not the cars problem, but the dealers problem, first, they cant install alarm cos it was too late, 2nd, they install a cheaper alarm, 3rd finally they installed the right alarm but have to leave the car their for whole day but I got a loaner. BTW, I am about 60mi one way to go there.

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  Electrical Issues - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By terlstarr - December 15 - 8:23 am

  I love my car with the exception of the electrical issues I have been having for over a year. I cant count how many headlights and brake lights I have had to replace because they keep blowing! Also the interior dome light chooses when it wants to work as well as the lights on the vent control located on the dash.

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  Im a New Kia Fan! - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Seth - December 13 - 7:36 am

  I love my Optima. I bought it 3yrs. old with 32k miles. It now has 37k miles. Its been a very enjoyable car. Although its a midsize family sedan, its fun to drive with its mildly sporty character. The 4cyl. has plenty of pep and returns good mileage for a car this size. Fuel economy has ranged from 27-34mpg. Thats with about 80% hwy driving. The 5-spd manual is not all that great in terms of feel, but makes the car more fun to drive. The suspension is firm, yet rides smoothly. On bumps and rough roads however, it feels too harsh. Steering feel is fairly tight and responsive, but could be better at lower speeds. Brakes feel great. Seats are very comfortable, but lack lumbar support.