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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  Lots of Bang, Little on Bucks - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Budman24/7 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive, easy to own. Alot of truck for a little bit of money!

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  Front end knock that wont stop knocking - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By casperpat - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This is 2001 Sedona. The car has had the following problems: winshield washer tank leaking, faulty gas gauge, air leakage/whistling sound from the moon roof area and worst yet we have a prevalent knock in the front suspension. The dealers technician played dumb with suspension knock and moonrooof leak. The car was back for an entire day, they didnt have either part (fuel send unit not winshield wash tank) and the technician said there was no problem w/ moonroof and front end knock. That is until I insisted we go for a test drive. Then all of a sudden his ears starting working. Two more service dates corrected all the problems except front end knock. They have no answer for it.

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  This car is Unreal - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By sirrundmc - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is unbelievable for the price. We have had this car for almost a month and we love it. My wife drives it the most, but if I didnt work at a chemical plant I would drive it all the time. I am a large individual and the seat are comfortable and roomy. My kids love the easy access and once I put the T.V. in they may not leave the van. The sound system is great. I agree with the one reviewer that there is a rattling noise that comes from the third seat but I think its from the heat rest or not being locked in completely. The magic seat is great, but for $5000 dollars more I can do without it.

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  Best bang for the buck - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Beth - September 19 - 6:56 pm

  If you are looking for the best value for your dollar, this is the ticket! Why pay thousands more for other brands with the same features? This one provides quality at a value price.

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  Very happy with my sportage! - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By tlk7005 - September 19 - 7:40 am

  Quality, performance, and features for base model right up there with other manufacturers such as Toyota, Hyundai, Ford, Honda, etc. in my experience. Reliability has been great! Have put 12,000 miles on in 7 mos. Dealer has been a pleasure to work with as has service dept. Avg gas mileage is 25, mostly hwy! Roomy and comfy, even back seat. And large dog fits in cargo space. Curious about handling in snow yet? Price cant be beat and dealer practically gave away the extended warranty as well, which, by the way, beats the competitions warranties by miles, literally and figuratively! Love my 2008 Sportage so much I just bought a new 2009 last weekend to go with it! This time it is a 4WD.

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  Transmission Breakdown - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Michael McDonald - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Purchased in February 2010 (in Texas), KIA Sorento broke down out of state (Ft. Bragg, NC) Thanksgiving week 2010. KIA had vehicle towed to nearest dealer - A+. KIA provided rental immediately - A+. KIA Dealership reported transmission and drive shaft would need to be replaced. (Vehicle started but would not move and made grinding noise). KIA now states "We do not have a follow back policy" meaning Im supposed to pay for vehicle to be returned from near Ft. Bragg NC to where I reside in Texas - F. Anyone know the law? I have owned 7 KIAs including this one, you would think KIA would reward such loyalty?

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  Never Buying Kia Again! Terrible Engine, Terrible - 2013 Kia Sorento
  By Allen B. L. - September 18 - 3:23 pm

  Buyers beware - I bought a lightly used 2013 Kia Sorento LX 4cyl from a Houston, TX dealership in March, 2013. Just 2 years later, at 64,645 miles the engine unexpected seized up without any warning. The vehicle was regularly maintained and always got oil changes early or on time. I had no mechanical problems from March 2013 to June 2015 (which is laudable), but then the engine catastrophically failed. Kia Service wouldnt do anything whatsoever to help me, nor would insurance. I paid $18,000 (sticker price) for a crap car that lasted 2 years and a few months then totally failed, leaving me stranded in the middle of west Texas. They found metal shavings in my oil and indicated that a bearing in the lower engine came apart. Look this up online - MANY people have experienced just such a mishap, and a lot of them had it happen under 100,000 miles. DO NOT PUT YOUR SAFETY AND TRUST IN THIS COMPANY.

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  Problems, problems, problems - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By billg - September 18 - 3:20 am

  Let me start by saying this vehicle looks and drives nice and comes with a great warranty. The bad news is that every oil change around 3k miles it needs major repair and stays at the dealer for about a week. Leaks, 2 blown rear ends, exhaust head gasket, drive shaft, oil filter housing have all been replaced with less than 28k. It doesnt cost anything but you lose the vehicle until they can get the parts, and find time to repair it will all the others broken down.

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  Great little van - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By INDIOSDAD - September 17 - 8:33 pm

  Got the van to transport our greyhound dogs. We have 4 of them and have found with the center row of seats out we have ample room for all the dogs. This van has been very reliable and we have had no issues with it. Have only had to perform normal maintenance on it. The ride is good, the interior design is just right, over all we find this a good vehicle that suits our needs. We only wish it got better mpg, however it does get better mpg then my wifes pt cruiser. Will buy Kia again when we need a new van.

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  Good Vehicle for its Price - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Diane - September 17 - 10:03 am

  The car is excellent in any weather and proved to be reliable transportation. I would buy another Kia. The gasoline mileage in town and on the highway would average 25 to 28 mpg. My highest maintenance cost was at 60,000 miles which I have completed. Without the air conditioner on, the car has excellent pick up speed for highway entering and exiting.