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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  Had better - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By richard - October 22 - 3:33 am

  The vehicle is fine for hauling kids around and on trips. It has a very nice interior - leather seats, moon roof, stereo system and more compartments to stow stuff than a chipmunks cheeks. I do not like the overall reliability of the vehicle and subsequent dealer service. I feel that for a vehicle with less than 40k miles on it we have had too many problems. Also the dealer service departments seem to be lost when fixing this vehicle sometimes.

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  Poor Reliability - 2007 Kia Optima
  By JonBoy3109 - October 20 - 10:06 am

  Car ran perfectly fine for the first 42,000 miles and then everything went downhill. Head gasket blew, then the automatic transmission went crazy on me & blew, cruise control went out, car has died three times on the highway and left me stranded. I babied the heck out of the car. Mobil 1 full synthetic oil every three thousand miles, new transmission fluid, all scheduled maintenance, everything. The car really seemed to be perfect until it hit the 42,000 mile mark I sold the car last month and the new owner has informed me that the car has had numerous insanely costly problems. I warned him before he bought the car but he fell in love with the style and he said he read some great reviews.

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  Great car for an even greater price! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By gnatmarie - October 19 - 3:43 pm

  I have had this car for 7 months now and I am thoroughly impressed. I am coming from a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta so the fact that I never have to take my Kia Forte into the dealership for a check engine light every month is a very nice perk. My Forte hasnt had any problems yet. Ive had the oil changed once (I love that it only needs to be changed every 7,500 miles) and I will be getting a second oil change soon enough. The inside of my Forte is really classy. I love the materials used for the interior. I especially love the type of paint they use for the interior trim. It doesnt chip and peel. Then again, I make sure I never use any kind of harmful cleaner on it.

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  Unbeatable price for a well-designed SUV - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Kevin - October 19 - 12:30 pm

  I purchased this Kia after my old car, a 99 VW Beetle, kicked the bucket. I have long been dreaming for an SUV, but didnt expect to find one in the $15K price range I was aiming for. Stumbled upon the Kia dealership, and was impressed with the RAV4 & Forester matching features of the Kia in such an affordable package. Ive had it for 3 weeks now and am overall impressed. Horsepower is a bit lacking, but fuel economy is decent (23 mpg on my first tank, 90% city). Handling is secure, if not sports-car-like. Interior is ergonomic, durable, & comfortable without the silly frills found in other cars of this segment. Easily the most bang for the buck in the small SUV category.

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  Amanti is great - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By morganj529 - October 19 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle for the price is a nice comfortable yet sleek and stylish. It is great for long rides very comfortable. I get a lot of compliments on mine

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  Kia Optima - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Darvin - October 19 - 2:00 am

  The KIA is an excellent Car for the money. The warranty is exceptional. I would recomend the KIA for the money, quiet comfortable interior with a smooth quiet ride. Excellent fit and finish with style on the exterior.

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  Love this van BUT - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Billyio - October 19 - 2:00 am

  ok just one gripe I am 59" tall and the roof seems to come down on my hear if I didnt get the sun roof it might have been a better deal but the seat sits to close to the roof for me.. other than that. I love the cost and with the exception of the timeing belt that must be changed at 60,000 miles all is well wiit owning the machine. Thanks Kia the same EX in an American brand would have cost me about 14K more dollars, well see if I get a great trade in deal in 6 years BTW, I have a 2002 Sedona

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  Kia Problem - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By LazerJ - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Bought the KIA Sorento two weeks ago. Have less than 700 miles on it. It is in service to have the whole rear axle, differential and housing replaced. The rear differential was half full of old fluid and metal fragments. This produced a h*ll of a vibration. The axle housing is going to KIA for analysis. No problems with the dealer. They have been very nice, but problems definitely with the vehicle. Hope this is not a prediction of things to come.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By MEGOTONE - October 19 - 2:00 am

  Great looks, value and SUV for money. Must be the best in the market. Compares to SUVs 10K more yet sturdy and well styled and equiped. VERY QUIT AND COMFORTABLE. WATCH OUT EVERYONE!

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  from toyota to kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By carl & mary - October 19 - 2:00 am

  We needed a larger 4x4 than our 2003 toyota RAV4. WE looked at every larger model including Ford, Chevy., Dodge and Toyota. After driving all of the others we settled for the Kia. It drives very well and is most comfortable. The features for the price makes it a very good buy. We have two friends that already own the Sorento, and they are very happy with theirs.