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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  Just might get another - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Driverguy - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Sportage new and have not been disappointed. It is not a speed demon but does the job on and off road. In have not had any problems with mine I have read they have worked out the problems from previous models.

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  Buy a Sedona or give your money away... - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Anthony Sedonafan - March 30 - 10:00 am

  I waited 3 months before review. Thoroughly pleased. Power is incredible. Gas mileage could be better, but people must understand the box-frame, which will be there to save your lives if you need it - not ound elsewhere & accounts for the weight. Great ride, got everything save for leather & spoiler. $22K even. Pay $25K+ for Honda/Toyota/Ford? Why? More stylish in biased opinion than all others cept for maybe the Grand Caravan (at $30K+). Nice wheels. Super body styling. Nice dark privacy glass. Big seats - easy removal. Obscene warranty! GREAT roadside service used once - I missed that one of the boys left the light on and the battery drained.

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  Dont Recommend - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By reesa76 - March 30 - 8:32 am

  Ive been driving my Kia Sedona for about 3 years now. I purchased it used and its been pretty reliable and gets to where Im going, but not comfortably. Like the others, the AC has never worked.My husband tried to put freon in it and it didnt work. The first 2 winters, the heat worked fine and now this year (coldest winter on record in our area) hot air only comes out of the rear heater and that doesnt really warm up the front even after its been running for a while. The drivers door only opens from the outside because the inside handle broke. The driver side back door handle is broken on the outside. The sunroof leaks. Stay away. Not worth all the trouble!!!

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  ooops - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Ron Kotler - March 30 - 4:46 am

  Fuel mi.(@55mph.) stinks,,,trans. hunts all the time. driving layout poor. body, at freeway speeds, sounds like your in a wind tunnel. just a terrible auto! Im afraid to drive it, it may cost me again.It holds the road ,,,,Not.

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  best new car for size and fuel econmy - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Mike - March 29 - 1:26 pm

  We drive 30,000 miles a year in our business. Traded Hyundai Santa Fe in for it, 2005 with 140,000. A pleasure plus much more room, great visibility. Even with the 6 cyl has more get and go than the 6cyl in the Santa Fe. Like the rear wheel drive. rides smooth and quiet, should have gotten the next upgrade. a great dealership made the process even better.

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  2005 Kia Spectra5 5 speed FABULOUS! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Joes - March 29 - 12:13 am

  I drove the new 2005 Kia Spectra5, 5speed, Red with a limited graphics package! Smooth shifting, good on gas, lots of leg room (Im 63"), and a great combination car for city and hwy. travel. I drove the Mazda3, Scion XA LTD, Scion XB, Elantra, and looked at a Civic. My office is 150 miles from my home, so my wife and I needed a good car for my travel and something sporty and fun. Turns heads with the graphics package, alloy wheels, and neat design. We traded our 2000 Dodge Interpid (great car, but our needs changed), Im switching off this car with our 93 Protege w/150k miles on it to prolong the life of both. We also own a 2004 Kia Sedona Minivan.

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  Great MPG, room and visibility - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By gary poliquin - March 28 - 10:40 am

  I really wanted to buy an American car (be patriotic) but nothing America makes compares to the Rondo. I desired both a decent hauling capacity and good gas mileage. These 2 things work against each other except with the Rondo. With the rear seat folded and the front passenger seat pushed forward a 6 footer can stretch out and take a nap. I dropped the oil at 700 miles and refilled with Mobil 15-20 synthetic. Over my last 3 fillups I have averaged 26 MPG. About 80% of my driving is at highway (60-65) speeds. At 3300 lbs. the 162 HP 4 cylinder engine has more than adaquate power for passing and merging on the freeways. The Rondo is a well though out and engineered vehicle.

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  Awesome Amanti - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Z Dawg - March 27 - 4:23 am

  Beautiful car, fun to drive. Great sound system, handles well, super quiet. Considered others, the Chrysler 300, Ford 500, but this one is hands down the best value, and pretty comfortable on long trips.

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  Unexpected "BEST PERFORMANCE" and Smooth Drive - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By jbburn - March 26 - 11:03 pm

  My family loves this van! I do a lot of driving - simply as routine, and long trip Chicago-Tulsa every month. This mini van is one the best and reliable vehicles I have had (Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Sienna) Its comfortable, rides smooth and looks great too. Infinity Sound system, Rear DVD is great feature. The only annoyance has been the engine light @ Gas re-fill and rear sliding doors trouble when the weather gets cold outside. I have had 37,000 miles in 15 months already. No problems from this vehicle, nothing negative in my eyes about it. Love it and would definitely recommend

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  Amazing Car - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By LoveMyKia - March 26 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2000 VW Beetle that I traded in for my brand new Kia. The VW was a piece of TRASH and this kia is, in one word, amazing. The build quality, performance, and everything else far surpassed the VW. It is near silent on the freeway, it has SIX airbags, and yes, its FAST. Dont waste your money on honda, toyota, or vw, Kia is by far the best way to go. Plus its guaranteed for 10 years, who else can do that?