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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  Great little Crossover - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Jeff - March 26 - 4:10 am

  Great car! Love all the standard features provided.

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  great looking minivan - 2016 Kia Sedona
  By Al - March 25 - 6:47 am

  We bought our van right when it came out. Its been a great since. Couple little issues such as rear blind hook, sliding door squeaks. Well built and great value. It feels like a big SUV when were driving and it has all the amenities like many luxury cars.

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  Pretty good for the price - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Juana - March 24 - 1:56 pm

  Nice smooth ride, very spacious interior, responsive. I am very amazed with the trunk which is enormous. Two cup holders in the back. No interchangeable cd player. Dont like scan feature in the radio, keeps scanning and never stops. Good price.

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  !!! MUST BUY !!! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By M S - March 24 - 2:18 am

  I just bought a loaded 2016 KIA Sorento SXL with the Technology Package and the 3.3 peppy V6 . Having owned a Lexus RX before, luxury SUV and KIA was simply not on my radar until I inadvertently came across an online article about this Sorento that piqued my interest. So after 18 hours of online research and watching YouTube video reviews, I was amazed to read the many glowing written reviews and hear the positive video reviews of this newly designed seven seat Sorento. A trip to the KIA dealer ensued and I am so glad to have went. This 2016 KIA Sorento SXL blew me away when I saw it up close and drove it. Rick Jacobs at Fucillo KIA knew this SUV inside and out, he answered every question I threw at him. With the Sorentos luxurious curb appeal, the way it handled, its numerous safety features, its voice activated navigation, long warranty and beautiful two tone ivory and black Nappa leather interior, I was hooked. After 6 months of driving my Kia Sorento, I am completely satisfied! It is everything I had hoped and expected this SUV to be. There have been no issues at all!!! Incredibly quiet cabin and comfortable Nappa leather makes driving this Sorento a pleasure. Would definitely encourage others to buy this vehicle!!!

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  Our Kia Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By GUS - March 23 - 10:30 pm

  I had never seen a Kia Sorento until June of 2003 when my wife and I drove past the dealership and my eye caught sight of an elegant new SUV. I got reverse sticker shock when I found out it was considerably less than the competitions and had elegant appointments. I took the car home for one day and could find NO bad points about the Sorento. Even the 15 MPG city is comparable (as it is a truck). I bought it the next day and have loved it ever since. I have owned it 5 yrs and 1 mo. Now and my only complaint was every bulb on the car has gone out at least once (most of them twice). It is smooth comfortable and responsive but keep in mind its a truck so pot holes give ya a jolt..THX KIA

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  Went from Honda to Kia - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By db1959 - March 23 - 7:30 pm

  I had an Odyssey from 2003 to 2006 and bought a 2006 Kia Sedona in late 2006. It had 4500 miles when I bought it. I like the comfort and ride, both compare favorably to the Odyssey. Recently while driving the drivers side view mirror fell out and was broken upon impact with the street. I had never had any contact with the mirror or its housing. The dealer first told me it would be covered under warranty but after it was replaced he called up the VIN and noted it had been put into service on 6-21-06 and as such fell out of the 12 months so wanted $42 for the mirror. And they did not take American express so they took the mirror back. Made for bad PR IMO.

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  Great first time car! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Rob Richter - March 23 - 3:50 am

  Ive had my Spectra for 2 years now and not once have I been to the mechanic for any problems. Ive put about 13,000 miles on it and so far so good. City mileage is about 22-23 not bad but could be a little better. Transmission is kinda rough shifting from third to fourth gear sometimes. If you can find a low mileage Spectra (the newer models are even better in my opinion) you will not be dissapointed!

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  my first SUV, and I love it!!! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By dan - March 21 - 10:23 pm

  I traded in my leased 2006 honda civic for a used 2006 sportage with 15,000 miles on it (basically new). I love the interior and exterior its a great ride. I actually find driving fun again for the first time since I was 16. Car has plenty of power, all the features you could want for a base v6 model. I lost some gas mileage when I traded civic in, but I knew that would happen and accepted it.

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  So Happy - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Cathy - March 20 - 3:10 pm

  Im so happy that I bought this car. I drive 45mins to and from work every day and is great on gas. I love is car.

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  Rollerskate - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Great Car - March 20 - 6:36 am

  32K and runs like a charm. My commuter car, comfortable, reliable (no squeaks, rattles, repairs). Great value. Would buy another Kia in a second.