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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  How many recalls and repairs - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By susan - January 24 - 9:14 am

  Recalled for braking issue within year of purchase. Last repair took two trips to the dealership and cost $250 to replace the turn signal gear box (not covered by warranty). Seat fabric is stains easily, and is wearing excessively on edges. Latches to fold down seats are hard to operate. Looking to trade and new car will not be a KIA. Seats cleaned by professional car detail shop. The fabric is not holding up as it should. We have no children that ride in the car, so the seats should be holding up better. No recalls this last year.

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  service has been poor - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Linda Leary - January 21 - 2:30 pm

  I have had front end problems since I bought this car. The transmission is going. The tires on my car are poor quality. The car needs some TLC. This could be a great car if the Kia people would take an interest in this car. It has a great body with good mileage. They need to fix the little things that give you an upset stomach. The car is new it should act that way.

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  Not with your money - 2011 Kia Sedona
  By teac - January 12 - 4:14 am

  I purchased a Sedona new in june 2011, from day one I had nothing but small problems with it and the dealer just didnt seem to know how to fix it. First the radio had a mind of its own, when playing the cd, it shutoff and played the radio, when playing the radio it changed stations, some times it even shut off completly.Eighteen months later and a total of 12 days in the shop and a replaced radio(so they said) it was still broken. Some of the other problems bad idle pully, bad batteries, loose ground wires preventing the windows or locks to work and one dealer wanted 450 to fix. nothing but headaches finally traded it in at 18 months and loss $8000 in the process.

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  2001 Kia - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Megan - December 27 - 3:56 pm

  My Kia Optima is one of the worst cars that I have ever had. The dealership failed to inform me that if the car transfers owners then the warranty will only be good for 50,000 miles. My car was at 55,000 miles when my timing belt went out on it and blew the whole motor.

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  second car - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By jacky - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I have driven this car for a year now and have no complaints Its a good second car for work or just traveling around town I would not recommend this car for long trips.The comfort level is average but a bit tiresome after driving for 3-4 hours but I would say a very reliable car.

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  Looks can be deceiving. - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By stratogrl - December 19 - 10:00 am

  For the first 10 months I had no problems. But, since February my car has been in the shop 13 times. I have had the exhaust replaced 2x, the computer replaced once, 2 new injectors, and 2 electrical shorts. I can trade it in on something else because the resale value is horrible.

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  Rented the kia - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By juddie - December 19 - 10:00 am

  We were origanally going to get the spectra but we were on vacation and needed the extra space...NOT MUCH! Anyways it was a nice stiff seated car with VERY little acceleration ablitys. I often found my self SLAMING on the gas trying to pass someone in a 2 way 2 lane road, white nuckleing it to pass with very little tourque. So in conclusion if you need a car but want it big get a sportage. If your doing any off roading whatsoever dont even waist your time

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  Good alternative to a scooter - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By libby - November 26 - 9:10 pm

  This is a good little commuter car. It is perfect for tooling around town in, but gets rather noisy/buzzy when at higher speeds. The ride is okay at slower speeds, but gets the small car choppy ride on the highway. It is a commuter/errand runner and no more. Have only had a few minor electrical problems (fuse box, starter, and alt) in the 48k miles Ive owned it, but nothing major. Follow Kias recommended maintenance carefully if you want the warranty, and change the auto transmission fluid sooner than what Kia recommends, as I had a hard shift problem that a fluid change fixed (15k before recommended change). It fits both tall and short drivers well.

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  Lemon - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By JK - November 15 - 12:46 pm

  I have a run-away Amanti. It also stops for no reason, and all the bells and warning lights come on. Dealer cant duplicate problems, so thinks I dont have a problem. They have had it 5 times now, and the last time over a week. I dont feel safe driving this car, but doubt the dealer will replace it. Im at the point where hiring a lawyer will be my next step. Im really surprised with my State Farm insurance agent who seem unconcerned that the car takes off on its own. Love the comfort and ride, just cant trust the safety. Also the paint keeps chipping. Wonder if anyone else has these problems with the KIA Amanti?

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  Dont buy - 2008 Kia Rio
  By anonymous - November 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is junk. It handles horribly in the snow. After only two years I had to replace both wheel bearings, my check engine light came on, Ive had to replace all four tires. Its too small and it hate that I dont have keyless entry. This car has ruined my experience with Kia so much that I will never purchase another.