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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  I Love My Kia Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By White Hott Sorento - October 16 - 10:00 am

  The Sorento has style class and luxury at a reasonable price us working class people can afford. The service at the dealer ship is great! The Sorento has a lot of great features on its Lx model and you feel good cruzin down the road! Ilove my Sorento! Its the second Kia I have owned!

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  Kias arent supposed to be this good. - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By sgtstress - October 16 - 10:00 am

  When originally shopping for a SUV, my wife and I were looking at Tahoes, Expeditions and the like.A Toyota Highlander at the least. We test drove a Sorento just because my wife thought it was "cute". Well, after testing everything else out there, I was floored after driving the Sorento. This was too good to be true. We have been on vacation to another state since we bought our Kia. I still cant believe how good this thing is. Smartest decision of my life(except for marrying my wife). Kia. Who would have thought?

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  Great Little Truck - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By SMB - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this truck because of Nebraska Winters, its 4WD is what i needed to get through. Ive NEVER had an issue with this truck. Only thing ive done is replace the battery and a blinker bulb! With reg oil changes ive had zero engine trouble. I bought it with 47,000 miles on it and am now at over 124,000 miles. It still runs like the day i bought it! I would recommend a Kia Sorento to anyone who is looking for a great 4WD. On highway travel i can get close to 27 MPG.

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  Great car for the price - 2004 Kia Optima
  By a good one - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car new six years ago. The only thing Ive had to replace are the tires and the battery. I think this car is an excellent value. Just had the 60,000 mile service. Its running great and I plan to keep it until the warranty expires in 37,000 miles.

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  Wanted a Wagon - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Greg - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Overall i like the car its got good power and a lot of features for the money. It has a quit cabin and handles bumps in the road like a more expensive car. I have been on a few camping trips with this car and it was a joy to drive.

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  New Kia owner - 2010 Kia Forte
  By destiny1963 - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I recently purchased my first brand new vehicle and it is the Kia Forte. It drives/handles/rides really well. The interior room is amazing for a smaller car. Impressive gas mileage, sharp looking inside and out. I was very leery about getting a Korean made vehicle because of so many negative comments made about the brand in the past. But so far, Im impressed. My husband and I werent looking for a hot rod but our Forte has a sporty look and plenty of acceleration.

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  So Far So Good! - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By GD - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Well I have had a Honda Accord and a Nissan Maxima. I purchased a Honda 2010 and really felt after all the snow that fell in my area that I should have purchased a SUV. I was informed that Kia has a pretty good SUV with a great safety rating. So I tried it and decided to trade in the Honda. So far so good. The ride is a bit firm and I am starting to get use to it. I will update if there are any changes.

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  Awesome car - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ilan - October 14 - 10:00 am

  Well, where can i start, i got this car before the summer, i just LOVE IT. i got the EX v6 AWD with navi, i did not get the chrome rims though, (got them separately so now i have 2 pairs, chrome = summer regular ones for winter. this car handles greatly, but compared to my other kia (sorento 2005 which was a pain in the a** after 3 years) but this car is more powerful but the engine roar is less loud which is what i liked in the other sorento. The gps is *good* could have a few improvements. i suggest this car to anyone as so far its been very reliable.

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  Love my Kia - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By Angelina - October 14 - 6:00 am

  Love my SUV the on,y problem I have is the gas mileage. Other than that love love love it. This is my first Kia and I a, very pleased.

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  2007 Kia Sedona - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Peter Bennett - October 12 - 11:00 am

  Sixteen months & 25,000 miles with lots of enjoyment and zero malfunctions. Excellent product at a great price.