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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  Excellent Value - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By bendersx6 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I actually traded my Toyota Sienna CE for the Sedona EX. It had everything I ever wanted in any vehicle at a price that was still $3000 less than my very basic Sienna CE. Ride, fit, and finish are on a par with the Sienna, and the kids think it look really cool...now theres a real plus!

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  sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By goer - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Two days after purchase, noise when air conditioner is on. Sounds like compressor. Well see how good that warranty is when we have it checked. Lots of extras included in price.

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  Amazing little car - 2008 Kia Rio
  By bootsncigars - January 11 - 11:13 pm

  I purchased this vehicle to replace my not so fuel effecient 07 Tuarus.. My first impression was, solid, tight, peppy though not powerful. I enjoy the 6 speaker stereo and power package with heated outside mirrors. Since Cruis control is not an option, I did some research and found a great kit and had it professionally installed, case closed. Im figuring Im averaging around 27 mixed city and hiway. I havent taken a long trip yet but hope to get 35 as the sticker says. I had those gawd awful skinny Kumho tires replaced immediately with some more aggressive BF Goodrich T/As. What a difference in handling, BTW, Im 6 ft 2 in and it has plenty of room for comfortable driving positions..

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  Not happy! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Austinsmommy - January 10 - 10:06 pm

  My van is in the shop for the 4th time since I bought it. The A/C went out (fuse) shortly after I bought it, visor mirrors broke easily a couple of times, fog lights blew, check engine light comes on all of the time, Mass Air Flow sensor went out (expensive!) and now the A/C is messing up again, check engine light is on again and it wouldnt start yesterday. The paint is peeling on the side mirrors already (and I have kept it in a carport). Once it left me alongside the road for a wrecker to tow. What is the deal? Cant believe such a new vehicle has so many issues.

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  Would like a convertible Sportage next time - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By leigh922 - January 5 - 7:01 am

  In nearly 2 years of ownership, really liked this SUV. My biggest complaint is the hassle of the spare tire holder being mounted on the rear hatch. You must have two hands available to open and close the rear - what a pain! Otherwise, it was roomy, the 4WD worked great, the fuel economy was as expected for the class and I had few issues. I suspected a head gasket leak at around 80,000 mi but despite the smell and liquid on the garage floor every day, no one could identify the leak source. Now that I can get another car, Im looking for a convertible Sportage 4WD - best of all worlds!

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  SWEET - T RIDE - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Sean - January 3 - 8:10 am

  The only downside I have is the poor gas mileage. I believe this could be improved with 5 - 6 speed transmission. Also it has less pick up than expected. I find it hard to believe the KIA minivan has better fuel economy.

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  Great buy for the money - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By new kia fan! - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Only had it for about 2 1/2 weeks, but like it so far. Have a couple of problems still trying to get resolved with dealer. One being the keyless remote works sporadically and you have to be right on top of the van for it to work. Anyone else experience this? Please email me if so. Got this van for 22,500 fully loaded! I mean fully loaded, not another option was available.

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  So Far So Good, Mostly - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By So Far So Good - December 28 - 9:30 am

  Test drove many cars before I settled on my Kia Rondo. Found this to be the best fit for my family. My husband is over 6 feet tall & 200 lbs and still has plenty of head room and leg room. In the front and back seat. Mine has a third row seat we will probably never use but is nice to have. However, it is made for a small person or child. 3rd row sits very low and is for short trips only. Have only had my Kia for 3 weeks, but so far only one problem experienced. Found if the front windows are up and rear windows are down, there is a very loud sound vibration in the car. Not pleasant at all. Overall though a nice car to ride in and drive.

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  Dont Love My Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Dont love my Kia - December 25 - 10:20 am

  I bought my Kia new because it gave me so much for such a great price, and I love the look. However, I have had it in the shop for repairs at least 8 times in three years. If they cant replicate the issue they dont acknowledge it. I even created the terrible noise for the representative, but because the service manager couldnt do it, they changed nothing. There are many rattles, I have had to replace the windshield washer twice, the battery had to be replaced, the suspension has had multiple problems. Several lights have been replaced. Nothing huge but all very annoying - Im looking to get rid of it before something else goes!

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  You Get What You Pay For - 2002 Kia Rio
  By RaiderGirl - December 24 - 2:00 am

  Very well-priced for a single mom, but Im making up for it at the fuel pump; the Kia Rio Cinco is surprisingly UNeconomical in gas use. I can barely squeeze nine gallons into a nearly twelve gallon tank, and then I only get 200 miles on a tankful in the city. Also, it could accelerate MUCH better than it does. Other than that, its pretty reliable and very cool-looking. The interior is very roomy - I can fit my large dog in the back with the rear seat in the upright position with no problem. Overall rating: 6