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:

• 

  Dont buy a Kia - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By Hank - December 5 - 4:00 pm

  Buying this Kia was the worst mistake I ever made in buying a car. The problems started right from the beginning. The inside trunk release has never worked from the start. After several attempts it was never fixed. From there things were down hill; outside car parts like the weather seal around the back window melted and shrunk. The inside dashboard is coming unglued and the front of the dashboard is popping out. The seats are coming unsewn, the so called leather is not leather - it is wearing out. This list goes on and on.

• 

  My Mistake - 2006 Kia Rio
  By maryannescott - December 3 - 9:36 pm

  At 16,000 miles the battery lost a cell and left me stranded. I had the battery replaced at the dealership with out any problems,but they used another kia battery that will only last another 2 years. At 17,035 miles the transmission has started to lock up/over heat the car, will not go into overdrive and wouldnt go in to 2nd gear. I will be having it towed on monday. I had called the dealer from the road saturday and they could not help me w/a loaner car or help arrange for a rental. I had a mechanic check the trans. flui d and had 2 other people witness that it was full and we checked 3 times. I am sure it is a weak defective part just as the battery was.

• 

  I wish I could Take it BACK - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By bmterre - December 3 - 8:53 am

  I bought this vehicle because I needed a bigger vehicle. At the dealership I did a test drive around the block. Everything was ok. The external look for this car was verrrry ugly. But I needed a bigger car for my family. I later noticed that when I drove it o the freeway I have to steer more to the left to keep from FLOATING into the other lane. I just figured it was all of a sudden very windy outside. But of course it wasnt. The storage in the back Im not too fond of. I can hear everything sliding back n forth. Did I mention I hate the way the outside looks. Im use to a car that when u start to drive the doors lock, but this car doesnt. Think hard before u buy, i dont c to many around!

• 

  The Warranty Was A Necessity - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Not Happy - November 29 - 4:16 pm

  I bought my 2000 Kia Sephia new from the Kia Dealership in Grand Rapids and my first transmission went out before 30,000 miles. I am currently on my fifth transmission. I have had the exhaust system replaced and countless brake jobs. The first four transmissions were replaced in Kalamazoo (while I was at college), and the service was less than stellar. I was never offered a rental while the work was being done on the car. While living back in Grand Rapids I must say that the customer service has been much better however the car continues to be a gamble. Will it get me where I need to go?

• 

  Run away as fast as you can - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By 1soccermama - September 10 - 11:45 am

  Worse vehicle Ive evered owned. After being stranded three times and towed to the dealer who couldnt find the issue while it was under warrenty, I finally took it to a local repair shop who found the 1K plus issue that I had to pay out of pocket. Called Kia and was basically told oh well. Van felt cheap and made me question its safety on a daily basis. It was a true lemon and after spending about 3K in less than a year, I was done. Bought myself a Dodge and Im in love!

• 

  caveat emptor - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By mhuntz - September 4 - 12:08 pm

  dont be fooled by the "rating" for this vehicle. most posts prior to 2007 are positive. after that, a precipitous fall off in satisfaction. intoxication from "new car smell, "i love yous" and chocolates (in the form of warranty promises from Kia) subside. after the romance, sobriety sets in. the love in the relationship gets tested. and when the $$$ strain hits the relationship, your lover (Kia) tells you to no longer believe in their commitment to the relationship. ("sorry about misleading you" , they exclaim, as they refuse to honor their vows (warranty coverage). Best get a divorce from this loser. Hope you had a pre-nup.

• 

  Run away! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By kimkiaria - September 2 - 10:00 am

  If you have any sense of self- preservation, do not buy this car.I just came from getting a regular tune- up.What is typically a part of regular car maintenance, once again, proved extraordinary for my Sportage.I was told it would cost at least 70.00 to change my spark plugs!This is due to the ridiculous location of the parts.Ive had numerous problems with the car since the month after I bought it.My brakes went out without warning while I was driving down a hill with my 2 year-old son in the backseat.I urge those of you who are not independently wealthy to choose another car!

• 

  poor mileage - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Randal McEwen - August 23 - 4:10 pm

  I purchased this auto based on research. One of the main reasons was for the advertised mileage.I have to say I am extremely dissapointed. I normally drive my autos ten or more years,but not this one.

• 

  Never Again - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By cmazgo - August 15 - 2:00 am

  Looks are deceiving. I thought I was purchasing a quality vehicle. What I got was a van-wanna-be. After only 5 months and 12,000 miles the front bumper paint was peeling in a number of places. Kias response--everyday road debris caused it, so its not covered under the warranty. I dont drive anywhere that a million other people drive, but because of "everyday road debris" its not covered.I will mention that Ottawa Kia did re-paint the bumper at their expense which they did have to. And know Im starting to have problems with the driver seat armrest not coming down! And gas mileage---IT STINKS! Highway driving gets me a whopping 16 MPG.

• 

  Terrible car---do not buy. Major engine trouble - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By J swanson - August 6 - 7:09 am

  Major engine issues at 60,000 miles. Kia will not honor warranty. Warning. Do not buy from Kia