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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  Not worth the hassle - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By not worth the hassle - February 16 - 2:00 am

  We were so excited about our Kia Sedona Ex until weve had several problems with it. The first week we had it, it had to be towed back to the dealership, for engine problems. Followed by brake repairs & now a new transmission with only 20,000 miles on it!!

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  Could be better - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Poor Trans. - February 15 - 8:06 pm

  I purchased my KIA new in June. Got everything on it, leather, sun roof, GPS etc. I live in the mountains, and while the V-6 delivers adequate power, the transmission down shifts "very" rough, very annoying. Dealer says it is normal but I have never seen a transmission that rough. GPS very user "unfriendly" and costs lots of $ to update. Car rides and handles well and is fun to drive. Mileage very good.

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  Love My New Kia - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Dana - February 14 - 5:10 pm

  Searched on Edmunds site for 3 months for a mid-size SUV and narrowed my choice down to 3. The Toyota Highlander, CR-V and the Kia Sorento. I went with the Sorento due to price and its over safety rating, not to mention the quality of build compared to the other two listed I researched. You may use a little more gas for a V-6, but not much. Really depends on how you drive. The Kia is well worth the buy. I love it and have not had one problem since I bought it three months ago.

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  SURPRISINGLY GOOD - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By alfisti1 - February 14 - 10:00 am

  The Spectra GS is a terrific economy car that offers a lot for the money. It is fun to drive and has real sporty styling. The paint quality of the Jade Green is outstanding. I like the spacious cargo area under the hatchback, and the excellent reliability of the car. It has also given me 34-36 mpg on long trips. Overall the car has exceeded my expectations.

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  Value A++ - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Ferris - February 14 - 10:00 am

  In comparison,being that you cant touch a minivan from one of the BIG 3 for under 34K, makes a loaded EX a great value! We got everything that was offered except two-tone paint and the rear spoiler,and we paid $32,100.00 including tax and all.

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  2 years with the new Spectra - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Hans - February 13 - 11:00 pm

  I got the 2004.5 in March of 2005. The paint is easily marked with fingernails at the door handles. Visibility is excellent with the height adjustable drivers seat. The 4-wheel disc brakes are very good. The manual shifter is a bit sloppy, and takes some getting used too. Service at the dealer has been very good. I also got a very good deal without having to negotiate, paying the advertised price with several thousand dollars off the sticker.

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  My New Kia Sportage - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By shawn n - February 13 - 7:53 pm

  I have had my new Kia Sportage for almost 6 months. I have had no trouble. The performance is slow but who buys a compact SUV for a day at the races. The little Sportage does get blown around a bit on the highway. But its a very nice basic SUV. I still reccomend it. I am glad I bought it.

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  One Great Car - 2012 Kia Rio
  By beachyork1 - February 13 - 4:24 am

  This is my second Kia, my first being a 2007 Kia Optima, I was so impressed with the reliabiluty I purchased my second. The Rio is everything I expected and more. Very smooth, well built and a tremondous amount of features, many of which are not even offered in the compact class, nevermind subcompact. The gas milage estimates hold true for me. Normal in town city driving get me 30-32. I recently drove to boston from southern maine and filled the tank upon leaving. I drove 90 miles and then filled up again, used 2.3 gallons of gas for a mpg of 39.1. I consistenly drove at about 65mph. I have read all of the reviews and am baffled by the low gas milage some posters report.

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  Celina Cadenza - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By James Barthel - February 12 - 8:30 pm

  This is a great car. I traded in my 2014 for a 2015. This new one had a few more features that I really liked and had to have.

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  Bargain Luxury SUV - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By RC - February 12 - 5:42 pm

  Test-drive similar models of luxury SUVs, then give this Kia a spin. Excellent value for the money.