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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  A little disappointed - 2012 Kia Optima
  By pinkcar - April 18 - 6:57 pm

  Bought my 2012 Kia in Feb of this year. I was surprized I never had a follow up contact from the dealer - like "how are things". Have been, for the most part very happy with the Kia other than the wind shield wiper. Not enough power and have found my self twice in pooring rain, on a three lane highway at 70 mph and cannot see a thing. I have had 5 maybe 6 new cars -- I have never once in my driving life had to pull over because the wipers didnt keep up with the rain. I would let Kia know, but when I tried to locate how to contact customer service corporate-wise, found this is non-existant for the customer. Another example of how they are all over you during the sale and drop you after

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  Quite Good - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Katytx - April 18 - 1:03 am

  Our KIA has performed well since we bought it in August, 2004. However, there has been an issue with the rear seatbelts. The Initial latch on the center(rear)seatbelt has been found to be faulty. Also, the rear - drivers side seatbelt failed in an emergency stop involving our 3 year-old. Our dealership promised to fix the problem, but we have yet to see results. Its been about three weeks since reporting the problem to them. After doing some research, we have found that previous models of KIA vehicles have had serious problems with their seatbelt functions. We strongly urge others to do their research and make sure their dealership will promptly fix any defects to their vehicles.

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  Ive had 2 and theyve both been great!! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By rjordanski - April 14 - 2:20 pm

  Before I ever owned one, I would have told you (ignorantly, of course) that KIAs were like YUGOs of yesteryear... you know, "you go, but you dont come back." Anyway, I needed some money real quick to get my daughter to college, so I sold my Nissan Maxima. But, I still needed something to drive so I found a 2000 Kia Sephia for $1000. It wasnt the prettiest car Ive ever seen, but it has done a good job of getting me from point A to point B. Have not spent much money on it at all and have had it 2 years now. Liked it so good that when our old van pooped out, we bought a 2nd one!

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  DFW, TX/05 Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Taunia Richey - April 11 - 12:43 pm

  Probably still early for review. Purchase based on Edmunds review & test drive. Finding driver seat uncomfortable/not enough adjustment for 53" female comfort, no lumbar support. Experienced transmission issues at 1500 miles. Unhappy w/ service department knowledge of problem & to fix. Especially disappointed to know that once you purchase, Kia customer service stops there. Service department had for 2 days and took apart and reassembled and symptoms disappeared, but they dont know what the problem was or how they fixed. Biggest issue was brand new vehicle in shop and Kia as a company doesnt authorize loaner or rental. Hoping transmission problem was fluke & Edmunds was right: best mid-SUV value for money.

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  my hatchback - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By debmck - April 11 - 12:03 am

  Dependable, good gas mileage. Window seal on driver side bad, wind noise. All weather strips on hatchback fell off. Had to replace tires at 30,000 miles. Air conditioning weak. Regret not getting power windows and door locks.

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  Safety Latch for Hood Failed - 2011 Kia Soul
  By Gabby - April 10 - 11:20 pm

  I just turned 16 and got a car, red Kia soul, for my birthday. One week later, when driving on a highway at 57mph my hood flew up. My safety latch failed to do anything. My warranty is only a couple miles over. Thankfully my windshield did not crack by I am left with huge and costly dents in roof and hood. Thankfully when this occurred my dad happened to be driving. Being the new driver that I am, I probably would have swerved from the loud and shocking impact and killed myself and others. The damage cost $4,910 and Kia will not help. I had read numerous accounts of this same situation happening to others on other sites and I myself have reported a recall request for the safety latch. Kia needs to do something!! Also, another defect (not as important or major) is that the cigarette lighter and USB port doesnt work. My guess is that it has something to do with the fuse box. Be warned and check your safety latch for rust or any other malfunctions and lubricate properly.

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  2008 Kia Spectra - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Bob E. - April 9 - 12:16 pm

  Overall the vehicle has done what I needed and expected. Power is fine, mileage was about 30-31 mpg until I reached 25000 miles then I tipped 38mpg a few times depending upon passenger content, and city/highway percentage of driving when tracking the mpg of a tank of fuel. Sound system is good with nice bass and crisp highs. My tires wore out at 27000 miles to the wear bars even though I kept pressure monitored closely and rotated according to recommendations, but you know how the new car new tires are worse mileage than the ones you replace them with! The only thing would keep me from another spectra purchase is the timing belt has terrible moaning noise in the engine. Dlr says its fine!

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  Power to Surprise - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Streeter - April 7 - 4:50 am

  I agree with Kias slogan. I was planning to replace my well worn out 91 Honda Accord with another Accord or Camry. I then saw the commercial for the Optima stating a price $3000 less than a Camry or Accord plus a $3000 rebate. This grabbed my attention so I went to see what Kia was all about. And I was surprised. Kia has done a nice job of building a sound car with features only found on higher end cars. I already have 3500 miles on it in two months. My mileage has steadily increased with each fill from 27 mpg to 29.5 for my driving. The car is quiet and shifts smooth (although a bit too frequently). Well see what I think after 100,000 miles but so far I am impressed.

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  Poor fuel economy - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ntsmrt - April 5 - 7:03 pm

  I went in to buy a Subaru Outback, but I was impressed by the styling of the Kia. So I ended up buying the Sorento. I thought I was going to get a car with fuel efficiency, but I am sadly disappointed. I am supposed to average 27 miles per gallon/highway, but am only getting 21 miles per gallon/highway. Since I drive 450 miles/week highway, it seems all I do is gas up the car. I am still impressed by the interior and exterior the car, and I love the Sirius. Its too soon to give a true evaluation of the reliability. I must honestly say I regret not buying the Subaru, because fuel economy was crucial for me.

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  Out of Asia KIA - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By jesse222 - April 3 - 3:43 am

  More fun than a sport sedan, quieter than an ML320, smoother than a range rover, best SUV at any price, hands down!!