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:

• 

  Great economy car very dependable. - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Mark - January 17 - 10:43 pm

  This is my second Kia Rio 4 door sedan. I buy the base model with no power steering, no air, no radio. I live in Minnesota and in the winter at 20-30 below zero it always starts right away and heats up in less then 2 miles of driving. Gas mileage is 33-35 city and 45-48 highway. This car uses the old Mazda 626 drivetrain and so it is a very dependable car. Several of my family members have also purchased either the Rio, or Sophia. Just a really dependable vehicle for the day to day drive, with a fully adjustable drivers seat (On the Rio only). Maintenance through the dealership is very reasonable compared to other cars.

• 

  Great Little Roomy Family Car! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By mndjansen - January 17 - 3:30 pm

  I have only had this car for a little while. However my husband and I are amazed over the comfort of the car. We love how quick it handles and how much fun it is to drive. The gas mileage is one of the best options as well! Overall it is exactly what we were looking for.

• 

  Expensive replacement parts great car - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By gwynnat - January 17 - 12:56 pm

  Weve owned this car for over a year and have been pretty happy with it. Its got 104050 miles on it. The downside is the cost and availability of parts. The major parts (and some not so major like shocks) are only available through the factory or a dealer and are considerably more expensive than typical replacement parts. On this model year two different water pumps were produced and they are not interchangeable. We didnt find this out until it was at our mechanics to get the timing belt and water pump replaced. Just the parts cost about $500. Also, the coolant reservoir has a tendency to crack/split and costs about $150 to replace.

• 

  Its a decent car for now - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By FirstKiaLastKia - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Have over 28,000 miles now. It hasnt given me problems yet. Did have a burning smell when we took a trip over 300 miles. What I dont like is the excelleration. Trying to get on the interstate using an uphill entrance ramp I need to stand on the gas to merge into traffic without looking like an 80 year old driving. I plan for my next car (not a Kia) to be another car with more oomph

• 

  Horrible VEhicle - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Kelley W. - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I have had nothing but trouble with this car. It was built cheaply. It shakes and rattles and every month I seem to have to pay for something to get fixed. Warranty is horrible. Wheels and brakes defective! Ive had them fixed several times and they continue to cause me problems. It can only get worse.

• 

  Best Valued SUV Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By MIKE M - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I researched SUVs for 6 months and test drove all of them: Sorento, Sante Fe, Suzuki, Trailblazer, Explorer, Montero, 4Runner, Durango. After overcoming the KIA concerns and test driving I was sold. This is a solidly built, excellent handling and riding SUV. It met my needs for a midsize with towing capabilities and all the amenities at a very affordable price. I drive both city and highway and it performs excellent in either situation. With the excellent warranty you cant go wrong.

• 

  Kia Sorento - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By brianv2 - January 16 - 5:57 pm

  My wife needed a new car and we wanted something that could haul 5 comfortably, and occasionally squeeze up to 2 more. Reliability was also very important. In addition, my wife loves all the little comfort features, so these were the main 2 criteria. After extensive research, I narrowed down the list to: Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota Highlander. Personally, I preferred the Santa Fe, but there are way fewer of these on the market (we were looking for a late model lightly used vehicle to not take the big depreciation hit). So, it was between the Santa Fe and Highlander. I like the Highlander, but I was able to get a newer Sorento with less miles and more features.

• 

  A Step Up - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Derail - January 16 - 1:00 am

  My previous car was an 03 Focus. The Spectra is much more zippy in acceleration, yet has the same size engine as the Focus. And fuel economy is 20 percent better. I like how spacious the engine compartment is, in terms of accessibility to hoses, belts, battery, etcetera. These items are easy to see and inspect. And replacement, when necessary, should not be difficult. What I miss about the Focus is the softer seats. The Kia seats are are quite rigid. What I have a concern about is the cable actuated gas cap door. Cables and plastic latches fail in cold climates. I may have to improvise a better system to insure I can refuel in the winter.

• 

  Worst mistake ever made! - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Unhappy - January 15 - 10:00 am

  Purchased the Kia Rio from a local Kia dealer and have regretted it ever since. Bought it for $8k, got $2k off for a trade in. It was the most adorable car Id ever driven, but I shouldnt have let it blind me. The salesman took me on a predetermined route and wouldnt let me go on the highway or let my mechanic peek at it first. It was at about 55,600 miles when I bought it and about three months after I bought the car the engine died at about 56,500 miles. This is apparently a known issue but Kia has done nothing about it. Total estimated cost of repairs for that was quoted at $2600 and I decided it wasnt worth it.

• 

  Van Devere>does not honor rust warranty - 2007 Kia Rio
  By dave - January 15 - 10:00 am

  This Kia Rio rusted out within 3 years! Took it to the dealer. Van Devere in Akron, Ohio West Market St will not honor warranty on rust protection. DO NOT BUY A KIA RIO. Korean junk!!