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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  Bad Crunch - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Annie - February 5 - 8:56 am

  This car is okay but does not hold up well in an accident. I was in one about a month ago and it wasnt even my fault. The other people had their car fixed and back to work. Mine was totaled at the scene and Im still not allowed to go back to work because of back and neck injuries. We were hit by a 95 Jeep Cherokee and they only had minor damages to the vehicle.

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  Kia Lemon - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Sheila Rice - February 4 - 10:00 am

  I purchased one of the first off the assembly line and have hated it every day since. This vehicle has been nothing but problems since the beginning. I would not recommend even my worst enemy to purchase a Kia!

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  Never again - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Wyllies - February 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car used with 50k miles. I had issues within the first week and Precision made me take it to Kia (warranty) and they said we were good. Then it has been down hill. Headlights go out constantly, 4wheel drive constantly on (when the switch is off) check engine light and airbag light is constantly on. I have put money in this car that I dont have and the last time I took it in there were 6 new recalls within it. I will never by a Kia again. The worst part is the trade in value is not good either. So instead of paying this off and using it I will have to get another vehicle and continue making payments. I am stressed driving this car especially with my kids in it.

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  Ok, but not completely satisfied. - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By Dawn Smothers - January 27 - 3:52 pm

  not as good as has mileage. Dangerous blind spots. I love on a hill, and can barely see over the top until I almost get to the top. Have to easeout very slow. Very very dissatisfied with the remote start. It wont lock after it starts. Real big big deal. Very, very, disappointed on this feature.

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  Good Relaible Van - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By MommasVan - January 26 - 4:16 am

  I Bought My Van New In May 2003 after researching it for 2 years when it first came out, i was Buying My 1st new Car ever and was 41 yrs. old. I got it loaded the ex, But Not Leather seats, as I hate them, I had no problems with it Other than the Door handles Kept breaking. Odd , But Kia replaced Under warranty free. Had 2 Recalls fixed. and Have taken extra good care of it. after it hit 50,000 started hearing an Odd Noise In front wheel suspension at 40mph. still cannot figure out what it is. and engine Lights on alot, and then goes off after like 3 miles. weird. A/C quit working last year, still Not working, Have had to Buy a few relays switches for several things, Tires wear on it bad.

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  Wheres the Warranty - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By bjlieffort - January 24 - 8:50 pm

  Drives well. But if you ever have to take it in for service, youre in trouble. The dealership cant do anything under warranty with out an OK from KIA. Will try any excuse to avoid doing work free warranty work. The factory demands that you maintain the van using the severe maintenance schedule no matter how you use your van. Factory Reps are available but they rule supreme ... told me a transmission chatter [tranny cant decide which gear to put itself in on a down-shift at 1500RPMs and about 40 MPH] that I have is normal operation if I use the overdrive in the city. Their suggested bypass is to drive in town with overdrive off and at about 5k RPMs higher. Just cost me more with poorer MPG

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  Rusted/Rotted Out Frame w/ 65975 miles. - 2001 Kia Optima
  By KarenD - January 2 - 6:56 pm

  My experience with my 01 optima has not been pleasant. I have had to have both front windows repaired several times and they still dont work properly. My door locks dont work right, I have had to put money into this car hand over fist and now to find out that according to my inspection station (certified kia dealer) that this car is junk because it has a rotted out frame. I will never buy another kia again. I have had nothing but problems with this car since I bought it brand spanking new.

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  Can anything else be wrong - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By P Contreras - December 30 - 12:33 am

  We have a 2002 Sedona and have loved it until one thing after another keeps going on. The van keeps dying out on me. We have changed the motor mounts, 02 sensors, the air flow filters, and the alternator. So far the check engine light has not turned on so the dealer is guessing on what could be wrong. Up to now we have spent close to $2000 and still dont know whats going on. At this point I regreat letting my husband change my mind from buying the Toyota Sienna. WOMEN DONT LET YOUR HUSBAND CHANGE YOUR MIND. For a mom with 3 small kids this is not a safe car!

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  Rusting - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By biggydee - December 23 - 7:42 am

  My fully loaded Sorento has been in several times since purchasing in November 2010. Two recalls, and one visit to fix the pull to the right. There is a constant squeek in the drivers seat. The Stereo cuts in and out. The ride is brutal. Everything in the truck rattles due to the harsh ride. I was disappointed to find out that the suspension was upgraded in the fourth quarter last year on all 2011 Kia Sorentos. Imagine my anger to discover that the tailgate is bubbling and has started to rust above the chrome strip. The dealership has decided to repaint it! You pay $43,000 for a vehicle and they are going to repaint it? Frustrating and upsetting.

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  engine light--Vapor leak!! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By jm1522 - December 15 - 8:29 pm

  We bought a brand fresh out of the factory 2011 Optima, which had to be returned to the dealership after 500miles for the engine light. The service department said that the car had a faulty gas cap and make sure that we DO NOT top off at the gas pump. 200miles after the engine light was reset it came back on again. This car has been into the dealership 5times for the engine light, each time the service dept says it is a vapor leak!! If a car has been returned 5times for the same issue, apparently there is a real problem and just turning off the engine light DOES NOT fix the problem.