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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  Very Happy - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By mommobile5 - April 20 - 4:07 pm

  Everyday I like this car more and more, I am getting 25.9MPG, and there is so much room! We got the third row thinking we wouldnt use it too much, but it would be nice to have. We I have used it a ton! And I can sit comfortably in between my 1 and 2 years car seats in the second row! Which is great for long trips when I need to sit back there to help them out with eating or stuff. We drove to Disney and Texas already! It did great. I killed the battery when I left the lights on one night, roadside assistance was GREAT! 35mins and they were there to jump me, free of charge! I highly recommend this car, my parents have a Lexus and they love my Kia.

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  Never buy a Kia...Worst decision ever - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Michelle - April 20 - 1:41 am

  Kia Optima sucks!! At 55,000 miles engine seized and we were forced to replace it even though there was a warranty but Kia ALWAYS finds a way out of paying as can be seen by the reviews. Now at 90,000 miles car transmission or Turbo is going out so car is now going back into shop. Two weeks ago wire harness broke some how and severe several wires causing the brake system to go out! And if you call a Kia dealer all they will tell you is how great the Optimas are and why they would own them.... I offered to sell him mine on the spot, even told him that since his mechanic replaced motor that car should be perfect right??? There needs to be a mandatory recall o these cars immediately before someone is killed!!!! I want mine gone already!!!

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  2011 kia sorento ..two time loser - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By dude35 - April 18 - 10:43 pm

  First 2011 had transmission problems at 11,000..could not fix it..SO we purchased a second 2011 thinking it would not happen again ( our expense) . Whoever thought it would happed AGAIN. TWO LEMONS. Dealer not very happy and neither are we. Second car almost 11,000 again.

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  Rikkis Rio - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Rikki Nelson - April 18 - 6:00 pm

  This little card is absolutely great. Great ride and very dependable. Great on gas too!

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  New Owner - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By skchut - April 18 - 4:26 pm

  We just purchased our Sedona EX in July of this year. We made a switch from an 02 Windstar SE and already we love the Sedona. The Sedona has more leg room in the 2nd row. More power than the Windstar. The dealer was a pleasure to work with. We cant wait to go on a long road trip yet. We didnt get the DVD system. For the price they want to install one, we can purchase one installed at Best Buy with wireless headphones for half the price. That way I wont be singing SpongeBob Square Pants in my sleep.

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  Excellent - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Nathanc - April 18 - 11:20 am

  Good handling, good design both interior and exterior. Excellent reliability. Very good on gas mileage.

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  Sold a Pacifica to get a Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By SGalaxyM31 - April 17 - 10:00 am

  As far as the SUV market out there this KIA wins hands down. Ride handling and features are better than all the other models I test drove sold my Pacifica to buy it needless to say had about 9k left to take it on a vaction to the Keys 16 hour drive from Va.and could have turn around and drove right back the ride is that good,seats are great.I got the loaded model all but 4WD (dont need it here) tows my boat and other things great.

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  Trouble free after 43,500 miles - 2016 Kia K900
  By Gene - April 17 - 5:55 am

  Car has been trouble free, other than having the tires changed to continentals, every thing works fine. Would have given a better rating except for a couple of things. No apple car play, no rear entertainment. No hud. The problem was I purchased a 2015 CPO car so got great price. Live in Arizona so wanted a light or white interior, couldnt get it with the VIP package in white interior at that time. Fuel economy could be better , but Im getting combined better than the highway mileage listed for car. Would have been better with the VIP package After 54,000 miles, traded for a 2018 Genesis G90. Ive owned 6 KIAs, sorry to leave. Kia doesnt have the new K900 out that includes everything I want hope they follow Hyundais lead with new luxury brand. (just dont think they will) Car was great, no problems at all excellent car

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  3 years later - 2010 Kia Soul
  By abuffardi77 - April 16 - 7:53 pm

  Initially, was overwhelmed by style and appearance at first thinking this vehicle had everything I wanted, 18" rims, two tone interior, great audio, and even pretty good MPG. Was hoping it would turn my nightmarish 100 mile commute into something fun. Now, I dislike the Soul quite a bit. Its too big for me, 18" are too wide for superior snow, wet, and mud traction, ride too rough, road noise too loud, MPG is not up to par, seats are uncomfortable, the interior is cheaply made, not enough power, 4 speed auto transmission is horrible, and even the dealership was shady.

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  Short on MPG promised - 2012 Kia Rio
  By lholt - April 16 - 1:22 pm

  Had the Rio hatchback for one year. Never came close to the 40 MPG. I drive 60 miles a day and average about 34. This driving at about 65 mph. The car ride was noisy until I bought some good tires. The car is peppy and keeps up with traffic. I now have 16000 miles on the car and havent had any problems.