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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  The "Mona Lisa" Kia - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Robert Garbacki - October 15 - 11:26 am

  If you decide to buy this van, please take it out for a day long test drive. My Kia has a moan telegraphing from the front Air Conditioner compressor through the dashboard. First time returned - Dealer says noise is "normal" - checking with Kia for countermeasures. Second time in - dealer checking with "tech-line" for countermeasures. Third time in, a Kia District Manager stated again noise heard is "normal". Rode exact same make and model courtesy vehicles transporting me to dealer 70 miles round trip (3 seperate vehicles)- no noise. Offered to trade my van for one of them (with 21,000 miles)- dealer laughed. Make sure you check with NHTSA before buying. I call my car "Moana Lisa".

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  To soon to tell, but - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Yas - October 14 - 10:00 am

  at least no reviewers complaining about any major problems with this car. Recently paid 10,500$, taxes included for a 2002 Spectra LS with 5600 miles on it. First foriegn car ever and its about what I expected. Bought it for my college bound daughter just for the warranty and I hope economy. Time will tell.

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  Crank shaft gear - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Lance - October 9 - 1:40 pm

  Before buying this suv do your research , mostly into weather or not the crankshaft roll pin has or is close to shearing off , the repairs will include the crankshaft gear, harmonic damper crankshaft bolt and timing belt, the repairs will exceed 1000 dollars, this part has failed on mine 3 times in less then 20000 miles, the dealer will not warranty the repairs post 6 months, its extreamly frustrating that there is no update,recall or recourse other then pony up over a grand every 8000 miles because of the same failure, poor design, poor warranty, poor reliability

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  Fallen out of love - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By S Miller - October 8 - 3:50 pm

  My review was excellent upon buying this vehicle, but after almost 4 years I am not excited. At 64k miles plastic coolant reservoir cracked ($200). I was 4k miles over 60k warranty. Im now at 71k and the car rides terribly. Intake manifold issues caused car to resist acceleration, covered by warranty, however the result was burned out spark plugs which cost almost $300 to repair due to their location. The more miles pile up on the vehicle the worse it rides. Currently drives like a 4 cylinder. This car will not make it to the 100k mile mark. If you are looking for a long term vehicle with good gas mileage, this one isnt it.

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  Not the best - 2003 Kia Optima
  By P.R. - October 5 - 10:00 am

  this is supposed to be a car that gets very good gas mileage, but what i have found is that there should be a law that makes the manufacturer state the real mileage that the car gets. over- all the car does have good looks on the exterior. i have found several rattles that are very annoying on the interior.

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  Amanti problem - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Val Bill - September 13 - 8:10 pm

  My wife purchased the Amanti choosing it over a Buick or Honda due to its driving pleasure. We enjoy traveling in the car and most of the use is on the open road. One problem has troubled us from early on. If the vehicle sits for a few days, the battery goes down. Multiple testing of the battery by Kia, and others, finds no problem. Having it towed in, 180 miles, resulted in replacing the "12 month" battery. ($180) Friends who have purchased an Amanti on our recommendation have reported the same problem. I doubt that the problem is fixed and expect it to re-emerge in the months ahead.

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  Nice interior but poor handling - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Jeremy - September 2 - 4:10 am

  Its a nice comfortable car from the inside. Very spacious. Quiet engine.

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  Not worth the money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By srj01265 - August 25 - 6:27 am

  Owned a Sorento for a little over a yr, that was a year to long. The best thing I did was trade it in for another make. I made several complaints to KIA regarding the terrible, harsh, sloppy, noisey suspension, but they said that my Sorento was normal. Hardly, my Isuzu Rodeos suspension had a better ride. KIA went 15+ years backwards. The door panels, dash, center console all rattle, more so in cold weather. Road noise is really bad, always thought I left a window open. KIA service is terrible, I tried 3 dealers with no luck. All needed appointments for a simple oil change and tire rotation yet they still have the vehicle for 2+ hours. For an oil change? Really? I will never by a KIA again!

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  Initial enthusiasm has drained - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Brian - August 8 - 8:53 pm

  After overcoming many minor problems (tail lights burning out, clock not working, door ajar constantly coming on, etc.), I thought that overall I enjoyed driving my little SUV. Heat has now stopped working and I think it to be a cracked coolant reservoir which seems to be a recurring problem with Kia Sorento. This needs to be a warranty issue - if you dont fix the problem - your engine will overheat!! Crankshaft bolt failing three times and the numerous times Ive had to spend trying to get all of the minor things fixed, my patience is waning. Problems are getting more serious and my time is too valuable to be spending in the shop. Love the style, fun to drive - but wouldnt recommend.

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  The car is okay, but the gas mileage is not very good. - 2013 Kia Forte
  By soxmamma - August 4 - 3:01 am

  I have had my Kia Forte Hatchback since September and have not been impressed by the gas mileage. Highway miles I have not gotten over 30 and city miles are only at 20-22. I do not drive the car hard or jack rabbit starts at the stoplight. Not impressed and would probably go with a Honda or Toyota with my next car.