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 versatile Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By CHW - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I have found this Kia Sorento to be one of the best vehicles I have ever owned. I have bought ten new cars and vans over the years and this is the first one that I have never had one problem of any type .We have been driving round trip of 700 miles every two weeks and have been bringing home furniture in the back with the seats down.I never get tired of driving this vehicle.

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  Best Buy Ever! Super Reliable! No Issues! - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Kenneth - January 2 - 1:02 pm

  I got rid of my CTS and wanted to get into an SUV. I wanted either an Acura or Lexus, which is completely night and day from a Kia. As soon as I test drove it for the first time, sale rep advised me of the warranty and seen the price, I gave it a shot. My 2009 Kia Borrego EX has 134,000 miles and rides like a baby. All ive done was maintained with the oil changes, purchased new tires and thats it! Best deal ever!

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  Reliable car - 2001 Kia Rio
  By John T - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Not a single problem for more than 1 year of driving in harsh condition like traffic jam, or passing a slow car. I just cant believe this car doesnt has any problem except changing the motor oil and washing it. Other than that I think its excellent to own it if you dont have much money to spend on car otherwise buy a camry instead if you have family.

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  Reliable car - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Micheal Jordan - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Not a single problem for more than 1 year of driving in harsh condition like traffic jam, or passing a slow car. I just cant believe this car doesnt has any problem except changing the motor oil and washing it. Other than that I think its excellent to own it if you dont have much money to spend on car otherwise buy a camry instead if you have family.

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  GOOD CAR, DECENT PRICE - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By bogtrotter - January 2 - 10:00 am

  WEVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. WE TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER EVERY 3,000 MILES FOR UPKEEP, AND WE HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO COMPLAINTS. ITS COMFORTABLE AND RELIABLE.

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  Excellent Value - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By rrc - January 2 - 10:00 am

  We were determined to by a domestic van when we heard about Kias 5 year warrantee. Having not seen a Sedona, our curiousity lead us to our local Kia dealer. We liked the look so I proceeded to take a deeper look. The underbody is much beefier and the quality finish and feel, inside & out, was most impressive; as good as any other we seen out there. And to top it all a fully loaded unit at several thousands of dollars less than a competitors equivalently loaded unit! We purchased our EX 3 weeks ago and absolutely love it. It is comfortable, roomy, handles well and the engine powerful. Surprisingly, we achieved 22.5 mpusg, 50/50 city and highway in our 1st 650 miles of engine breakin!

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  Beware the timing belt - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Phil Hall - January 1 - 11:33 am

  Normally, I would say that this is a nice car, decent (not great) milage, good features, all in all an ok vehicle. But there is one thing you need to make sure of: the timing belt. It says to replace it every 60000 miles, I would replace that far sooner because this is an interference engine--if the belt breaks when the car is running your engine will be shot. As in dead. New car time. This design choice alone must account for the lower Reliability rating. There is no reason whatsoever that a single point of failure should destroy an engine.

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  Desert Diver - 2002 Kia Rio
  By bobbytimmy - January 1 - 9:10 am

  Has been a great daily driver thus far. Brakes and maintenance have only been minor thus far. Outstanding Air conditioning but noticeable pausing from time to time. Were getting 33 mpg on mostly cross town driving (60 miles daily}Air is on 1st setting.