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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  Grandsons car - 2011 Kia Forte
  By richard palmateer - December 9 - 10:23 am

  Bought this car for my grandson. He has become a very good mechanic. This car had 73000 miles when purchased and needed shocks and front brakes, which we did ourselves. Overall I was impressed with this car. UPDATE: CAR WAS TOTALED IN APRIL 2017 - FOLDED UP LIKE A TIN CAN! GRANDSON WAS NOT INJURED, AIR BAG WORKED BUT SEAT BELT BROKE. To be fair, the crumple zones were very effective. Crumple zones are designed to take a lot of the impact. This accident was a 45 MPH impact and all he got were burns from the air bag, so I would rate safety at a 5 star.

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  Poor Gas Mileage - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By Kari - December 5 - 9:13 pm

  Overall, we love the Sedona. But, with continuous increase in gas prices, we could not afford to drive it. I was lucky to get 16(city)mpg in the winter. In the summer, it was even less.

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  2014 Sorento SX V6 - 2014 Kia Sorento
  By 4norm78 - December 3 - 2:25 pm

  I picked up my Kia at a Cadillac dealership. The car was about a year old with 3500 miles on it. The price was $8000 below sticker. For the past 4 months, the car has been stellar. Excellent ride, good handling, excellent gas mileage and its comfortable. The car was well equipped with panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled seats, power liftgate, power folding mirrors, nav, bluetooth, music hard drive, dual power seats, side radar, 3rd seat, rear a/c. Ive gotten 24-25 mpg with regular driving around the city. It gets 29-30 on the road.

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  Good value Compact - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By kmnowak2002 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  The new design, 2004.5, looks more impressive and fun than the old model. The long warranty gives piece of mind. However, even though I bought the upgraded model, it still isnt a car I like to get in to every morning. The rebates and low payments were too much to walk away from. But if you can stretch a little more on payments, buy something else.

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  Thumbs up - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By brapla - December 3 - 10:00 am

  After only 2 months, I am thrilled I bought my Sorento. It is fun to drive, responsive and it turns heads. Sure, the gas milage leaves alot to be desired, but I knew that going in. I can buy alot of gas for the money I saved by not buying the other brands. The only problem I have is the outside themometer doesnt keep up with the temperature changes, but I understand that is being addressed.

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  This Van is Very Underrated!! - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Happy Customer!! - November 30 - 1:03 pm

  I have only had this van a short time,former van was a Dodge Caravan Sport. When the dealer first showed me the Sedona, my initial impression as I walked towards it was that it was sharp for a mini-van(Midnight Black with dark tinted windows!) as I got closer to it and saw it was Kia I wasnt so sure I wanted it, it was a Kia for goodness sakes. But then, I got in the vehicle, with its tan, clean and crisp interior, decided to test drive it, and fell in love right away! Its three years old but smooth, and still looks really good, it looks like an 08 or 09. Its also fast and corners very well. The CD and radio are outstanding in sound quality.

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  expensive upkeep - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Rondo EX - November 30 - 5:16 am

  I was mostly satisfied until I had to have work done. We were told that the sensor that controls the accelerator was bad, but was not covered under the powertrain warranty (cha-ching) even though it is part of the engine. Next, you have to replace the timing belt at 60,000 miles or your warranty is no good (cha-ching $600). Not good gas mileage. Bad night visibility. To expensive upkeep. Oh yes they want to change the transmission fluid also ($199). Kia lost a customer.

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  2001 kia sephia 225000 and still running tough - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By 2001kiasephia - November 30 - 3:01 am

  i have a 2001 kia sephia ive been the only owner it has been by far the best car ive ever bought i have done routine oil changes and tune ups on it and ive done the timeing and water pump every 60000 on it and she just keeps running like a champ and i get 30 mpgs out of it and im am very happy with it..

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  kias - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Mike99 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  they run nice...i won it playing horse against a friend of mine. he was baggin on the car but i think i really came out on top on this one.

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  Good for the money - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Runner - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Small with a good Mazda engine goes off road with a 4x4 chassis