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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  Very pleased purchaser - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Dennis C. - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Wanted a full size vehicle with a mid- sized price, found it with the Amanti. Enjoy the comfort, ride and experience with this vehicle more than previously owned. Very good value for the price.

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  Love this van. Its great. - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Richie M - October 19 - 10:00 am

  Only 1 complaint: low speed knocking noise in right front when driven over bumps; seems inherent in all Sedonas right off the trailer; neither dealer nor manufacturer has a fix. I had to learn to ignore it.

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  Spark Plugs hard to change - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By tlrussell0829 - October 17 - 2:50 pm

  My husband and I bought this 05 sedona used and he went to change spark plugs and the back 3 is going to be very expensive to change, you have to take the intake manifold off and I find that very ridiculous that they would build it that way. I love the van except trying to squeeze in the very back and not a lot of trunk space. Very disappointed that it is going to be hard just to try to do basic repairs ourselves like changing spark plugs.

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  mixed bag - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By mballard70 - October 16 - 2:54 pm

  I bought my Rondo new and it is currently 3.5 years old and has 64,000 miles. I really like the car, but it has had some issues. Here is what has been replaced on the car: rack and pinion unit, power steering, cam-balancer, and the transmission. kia has largely stood behind their product in spite of these issues. However, they were going to deny the warranty claim on my transmission b/c I had changed the fluid with Synthetic Trans. fluid. If I hadnt had a Kia insider as a friend, I would have been in trouble. I think this is a violation of the Moss-Magnasun act b/c they insisted they would only cover Kia fluid. But, I digress. Love the car, wish it didnt have those issues.

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  nothing but problems - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By tyler37 - October 16 - 1:03 pm

  good performance. poor build quality

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  A great minivan for the money - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Gary G - October 15 - 2:00 am

  This minivan offers almost all of the features standard as its competitors for thousands less. The ride is smooth and quiet. It has a very heavy build. Quality and power are very acceptable.

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  My Car - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Gail Belling - October 14 - 6:23 am

  I inherited this car from my Son when he could not make his payments any longer. This Kia doesnt have air- conditioning which is a horrible problem since I am an older woman. It can be so hot in the car even with the windows rolled down. Its like it cant circulate the air correctly. Its not a car I would have purchased, however, Im relatively happy to have it due to the Gas Prices. It is nice looking and needs a new radio. I have heard that the transmissions in these cars are questionable and would like some reassurance. I need to know that I will get from Point A to point B without fear of the car falling apart. I dont know much about these cars. These Kia Rios.

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  My 2006 Sedona EX Rocks - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By R. Foster - October 12 - 6:36 pm

  Have only had my 2006 Sedona EX for five days so Im only qualified to provide initial impressions. Very pleased to date. Great handling, power, ride and attention to detail. Had owned a Chrysler product minivan for 17 years prior to my Sedona purchase (an 87 Grand Voyager that I had for 9 years and a 96 Grand Caravan that I had for 10 years). Both provided good service, especially the 96. Was drawn to the 2006 Sedona because of the major changes made from previous versions, all of the safety features, and the warranty. Fell in love during the test drive. Appears to be a quality product. Hope I feel the same way years and miles down the road.

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  Delighted thru necessity! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By EdinWestminster - October 12 - 2:00 am

  After having driven 173,000 miles on my Saturn Sl1, the engine finally gave up and I had to do something quick. Not likeing the looks of the ION and reading of its average reputation, I looked to Kia for comfort, reliability, and value. I moved up to a full tilt loaded EXV6 in Pearl White. The car has vastly exceeded my expectations for comfort, reliablity, build quality, and peace of mind. Many of my friends thought it was a small Lexus. My Saturn was the most dependable car I have ever owned (never had one problem), but having put almost 7000 miles on the Kia in 3 months, I am looking forward to many years of dependable, value packed comfort. Also, Leather and 200watt stereo helps too!

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  Great Band For Your Buck! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By williamkreth - October 11 - 10:33 pm

  i have owned 2 kias besides this one, and once again kia has surprised me, with their great cars they manufacture! i have been a long time kia owner, and that is not going to change, i drive alot usually 25,000 miles a year! and the kias hold up just fine! and i love their basic yet stylish designs and layouts!