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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  Solid and Sane - 2002 Kia Rio
  By albuscornix - May 12 - 10:23 am

  I have had no problems with the car so far, it runs well, gets amazing mileage, and is fairly comfortable, the interior is a little cheap, but it keeps moving and thats what matters.

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  2010 Kia Forte SE - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Kelly - May 11 - 10:40 am

  I absolutely love my 2010 Kia Forte SE that I purchased on August 29, 2009. I got all the features I wanted on a vehicle including Air Conditioning, Power Windows and Doors, Bluetooth, Sirus Radio and USB for my Ipod. It runs very smooth and looks nice. :) I have gotten a lot of compliments about my new car.

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  A Pleasant Surprise - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By NJRondo - May 11 - 12:56 am

  Were small car people (this replaced my wifes Golf), but wanted something that would comfortably hold our 2 kids (1 in bulky carseat, 1 in booster) plus a 3rd adult on occasion. The Kia was the clear winner both on paper and in test drives. After 5 weeks and a 1,000 mile trip, we are very happy with our choice. The V6 and its 5-speed auto are peppy, responsive, quiet, and smooth. Feels expensive. The driving position is comfortable both for my wife (who had trouble with others) and for me. Cargo space isnt huge but was fine for our family vacation, including pack-and- play, stroller, beach gear, etc. How nice that our cheapest option turned out to be the best!

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  Excellent Car in every aspect. - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Morko Berbeteoux - May 10 - 11:58 pm

  This is by far the best and greatest purchase of an automobile we ever made ( in my life I have purchased some 45 to 50 cars). Even with high mileage, this is an absolute beauty.

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  Problem child - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Cinda - May 10 - 9:46 am

  I inherited my Rio and have had problems with the motor mounts (heavy shaking). The engine light continued to come on and when I had taken it for a diagnostic they couldnt find the problem. Then we started replacing everything coil, wires, plugs etc. The engine light still came on of course they charged me for another diagnostic! Replaced the #1 fuel injector less than a year ago, seemed to fix the problem. Guess what! The engine light is on again and its misfiring again due to the #1 fuel injector. This car has been nothing but a HUGE MONEY PIT! My mother is probably rolling over in her grave and very sorry she left me this trash car.

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  Daughter Might not get the Kia!! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Patrick McCloskey - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I was in the market for a car to drive to work for a couple of years then turn over to my (now 14 yr) daughter. With the cash-back, warrenty, and the fun driving this was a great pick. I have had no problems with the car, which I bought at one of Memphiss leading dealerships. I might have to get my daughter another car!!

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  Test it at highway speeds - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By RC of NC - May 10 - 2:00 am

  I really love "most" everything about my Sorento, except one issue the dealership has yet to have corrected. It has a vibration at highway speeds. I first noticed this right after I bought it. The dealerships response: 1) Its too new, we dont know what to do about it. 2) It has 16" wheels that are difficult to balance. 3) It is a truck, we dont feel anything out of the ordinary. 4) The drive shaft is out 180 degrees. I go to have the oil changed at a different KIA dealership and they notice the vibration right away, and are contacing the factory for assistance, thinking it is the rearend.

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  A great 1st Minivan - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By sirjohn113 - May 10 - 12:43 am

  This is a great first minivan. With our 2nd child arriving we had to get a bigger vehicle. We priced out other minivans & they all came up way out of our budget except this one. This van is affordable & within reach of the average family. With the standard features & price, made it a great buy! Its comfortable & our family loves it. Im sure you can find more refined & luxurious minivans out there, but for more money! It drives great, its fairly powerful, & comfortable on long trips. Plus the long warranty & 5 star rating from the NHTSA makes it an exceptional value. Dont rely too much on Consumer Reports or auto enthusiasts reviews, take the opinion from someone who owns one.

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  Nothing but Problems - 2007 Kia Rio
  By Mel - May 9 - 10:30 pm

  The check engine light has always turned on intermittently. The AC had to be fixed twice within the first 2 years. The brake switch went out at about 2 years so no brake lights worked. Had to drive about 40 mins to get to the closest dealership and Kia would not offer a rental car during all of the warranty work. They insisted that the 30,000 service be done at 28,000 miles or they would stop providing warranty work. Now engine wont start half the time and it just reached 30,000 miles.

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  Promising not perfect - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Scotlad - May 7 - 11:26 pm

  Overall a great value and exceptional follow up service from the company. We had an initial vibration problem that was solved and corrected. Our biggest complaint is gas mileage which is pathetic for a 4-Cyl. Were we to do it over we would opt for the V-6.