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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  Where do I start? - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By shamgar - July 30 - 8:58 pm

  I am always amazed to see newer Sedonas on the road. I cant understand why anyone would buy one of them anymore. My car had so many problems during the warranty that I was one of 10 people across the U. S. to participate in a J.D. Powers interview at my local Kia dealership. Several engineers from Korea were there also to examine my car along with J.D. Powers staff. The whole thing was taped for whatever reason. Front brakes including the rotors have to be replaced every 20K. Front tires and struts, and engine mounts, ditto. Horn was replaced at least six times. A/C proportioning valve had to be replaced. Rear deck lid struts went out quickly.

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  Love my car - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Maureen OKeefe - July 30 - 10:53 am

  A KIA had not been on my radar screen, but I was very impressed with the Sorentos look, feel, and handling. Additionally, I liked the 10 year warranty. I only have 650 miles on the car, but I have enjoyed the ride and enjoy the added features this car comes with.

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  This is a Kia? - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Elk - July 30 - 10:00 am

  other than the usual Kia fuel guage failure several times, this is a great car

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  GOOD RIO - 2002 Kia Rio
  By nick b - July 30 - 10:00 am

  i have had the rio for almost a year now.i use it every day an so far it hAS BEEN RELIABLE.I AM PLEASED WITH IT SO FAR.GOOD BASIC TRANSPORTATION.

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  My 1st car - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Mac Daddy - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my 1st car AND I love it. I would expect less from a car at such a low price,but it was worth every penny.I love its style,better than the Echo or Accent.

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  should of bought a spectra - 2002 Kia Rio
  By mcsmith - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I have currently 1000 miles onthe car. INTERIOR: decent headroom and legroom,but tight width wise. EXTERIOR:doors and trunk are so light that it makes it difficult to close(bounce back open) ENGINE: peppy around town, cruises at 75 no problem, but no power up steep grades and a.c. overburdens the engine. HANDELING:anti-sway bars not up to par. MILEAGE: 24mpg driving very conservatve.

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  WISH I COULD RETURN IT!!! - 2002 Kia Rio
  By mitchttj - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Less than 700 miles into my "coerced" ownership of this vehicle I was feeling like a major fool!! 523 miles-car dies in a parking lot. They towed to dealership and changed battery-NOT THE PROBLEM! More quitting on the road(with a baby in the back!)and then they change the alternator(somewhere around 700 miles)-guess that was the problem. The car whistles when the wind hits from certain directions, the back windows roll THEMSELVES DOWN and we dont get anywhere near the mileage they said! (supposed to get approx 35-40, we are lucky if we get 25-30!) If you have kids, the car seats dont fit very well! One more complaint, you cant shift the car without spilling your drink!

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  Good Value - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Mark B - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The car runs great I havent had any problems yet. The warranty is killer. I use the car as a second vehicle. I would recommend this car tomy friends and family.

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  2002 with 152,000 & still going - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Mike - July 28 - 6:53 pm

  Very well put together car. Blew timing belt at 120,000, so small stuff also, nothing major. I intend to buy another Kia next year and hope its as good as this one. No more 4 cylinders, no power and gas mileage is nothing to crow about. I liked the interior design, but the slide out drink tray has broke 3 times, all the lower flap coming off. Still, I would recommend this car to anyone. I sold and was a service director in chicagoland dealerships for 27 years. This was as good as any Chevy or Dodge that I had as a demo. Oh yes, I still have original rear brakes and they are like new. I am on my 3rd front set, which I think is a normal amount. Like I said. Great car!

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  2011 Kia Soul "hamstar" special edition.. - 2011 Kia Soul
  By nashvilleandi - July 28 - 3:21 pm

  we love the Kia Soul - we traded in our Kia Sportage.. thought wed miss the room but the kia soul is rather Roomy considering its a small car. Gas Mileage is Excellent.. we avereage 29-31 mpg.. costs less to fill up and more miles between fills than our Sportage was. We loved the sportage, but we never had the leather and upgrades we have in the Soul. Our Soul has leather, sunroof, blue tooth, satellite - we love the extras for the cost you cant beat the upgrades.. only gripe is we hated, the FACTORY DECALS.. tacky. Were in our 40s and the Decals "Hamstar" were tacky.. too many . We removed the Decals from hood and back. looks much better . decals made it look too young