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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  Did I mention... - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By beamin2 - March 26 - 6:08 pm

  I had a BMW 5-series when I first got this van to drive my kids around. They (I have 3) were getting into fights in the BMW. This van solved the problem, with captains chairs in the middle and the third row in the back. Two years later, the BMW is gone, since I was never driving it. Either I had the kids, or was parking in a garage, or the weather was bad.... pretty soon, I was driving the van all the time.... ;)

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  Piece of garbage - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Lane - March 26 - 3:10 pm

  I have owned seven cars in my life and my Kia Optima is by far the worst car I have ever owned. I am on my third automatic transmission. Looking at the other reviews my engine will likely die soon. Please avoid this car, its awful. Hyundai told me I did not service the vehicle at the dealership and they refused to replace the transmission the third time. I was on the hook for a rebuilt tranny which was over $2,500.

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  2001 Kia Sephia - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By DAKIAMAN! - March 26 - 2:53 pm

  I love this car. I originally bought a 1998 m type sephia and it was crap, always in the shop. But because I couldnt afford anything else, I decided to give Kia a second try. I bought an 01 Sephia LS with 10 miles and still drive it today with over 93K miles! This car has never let me stranded and always starts in the morning. I plan to keep this car forever! Im really happy to drive it everday!

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  Good Car/Sorry Mileage - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By singnchef - March 26 - 7:23 am

  We really like most everything about this car except the mileage. We only get 28-29 mpg on the highway and 21-22 in town. Dealer says there is nothing wrong and nothing they can do. I get better mileage out of my 91 Taurus with a 3.0 six. This is a good car, but Kia needs to do something about the mpgs.

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  100,000 miles in and alls well - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By kudosk9 - March 25 - 3:44 pm

  Now that Ive written this review everythings probably going to go the heck. I purchased this brand new, off the lot, with less than 100 miles on the clock. It now has over 100K. This car has been a solid work horse for me. Ive had to have it in for just one service that I wouldnt be considered wear and tear, and that was when a sensor went out at about 4mon and essentially meant the gas pedal wouldnt work. Apart from that, its been the usual things that happen to a 6 year old car that has 100k on the clock.

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  Very Impressed - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By stevejs - March 24 - 1:01 am

  I was looking for a car whose main purpose would be my long work commute. After viewing a dozen choices, I chose the Sportage. From the moment I began to drive it for the test drive, Kias past advertising slogan "the power to surprise" entered my mind. The 6 speed automatic had plenty of pep from 0-40 which takes care of most starts. The interior was spacious and the rear seats folded easily for added room. The UVO system provides great flexibility and the bluetooth connection is very clear and easy to use. The 2.4 engine pulled well and the added noise insulation for 2012 makes the car quite even at highway speeds. for the price, this is a great value.

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  Im Happy... - 2012 Kia Rio
  By mattman44 - March 22 - 4:28 am

  If youre looking for an SX with premium pkg, GOOD LUCK! There were 8 available east of Kansas when I looked. Traveled 350mi by train to get it. Features for price cant be beat. Things laid out well and user friendly. Smaller in back but bigger in front than Versa but Id prefer the styling to the smaller space. I hate the transmission. Manual in SX please! Gas debate - computer is 4mpg high. With math I get 38 each tank in 70/30 hwy+. Comp says 41-43. Forget ECO use manumatic in city. Hwy keep under 75 with steady foot. Dont drive like a moron and you can get good gas mileage. Comp reads 403 at fill up. I get btw 330 and 360 per tank. 6K miles so far, hope to get over 40 after break in.

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  What a pile... - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By emtsuj - March 19 - 7:20 am

  This is a pile of junk. I have had to fix ignition coils, replace sparks plugs(x4), air conditioning doesnt work, heat only works on the highest or lowest setting, thermostat (x2), timing belt, other belts, battery, starter, alternator, catalyc converter, entire exhaust, transmission, and the fan clutch. The 4WD doesnt work, and I havent been able to find a mechanic that will touch it. I have had 3 out of the 4 doors break so that they either wont open from inside or out, and the windows on all 4 doors have needed to be fixed at one time or another because they wouldnt open or shut. 2 of the seatbelts are broken and cant be used. Cupholders, paint, ALL JUNK! DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!

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  so far kinda happy - 2005 Kia Rio
  By wondering13 - March 17 - 4:17 pm

  my only problem is the rack and pionion (spell check) is having to be redone thank god my dad is a mechanic..but no one can make the 2 lines that the new one doesnt come with..i love this car besides the frustration of getting it fixed. its my only car so its nerve racking...i had a ford taurus and that was a big NO NO...i have spent over 7,000 dollars on it in 3 years..dont buy a taurus..im hoping the kia doesnt need anything else cause im broke.. :( i have replaced a few things but because i wanted to..

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  Great value for money - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By beamin2 - March 17 - 11:11 am

  Bought this van in 2009 with 64k+ miles on it, for less than $7k. Have put on 25k miles in the last two years. I have probably spent $3k in repairs on it (struts, an airbag sensor, brake pads, regular service), but even for $10k its been a great value. And edmunds still values at 6k. :) Beats not having a car payment, and not afraid to get some beach sand in it!