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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  Wow ...Rondo...What?? - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By C Neumann - June 3 - 11:26 am

  The 2008 Kia Rondo is a pleasant surprise. We considered a Matrix or Vibe but the Rondo won the day. Its clearly a great value. The quality of the Rondo is impressive. Kia has grown up here and can compete with the big boys. Good work Kia! The utility, roominess and ride of the Rondo is impressive. Seven seats in this size of car is amazing. The car does what its supposed to, has all kinds of bells and whistles (the heated seats are nice) and the price cant be beat. Great for small families who dont like big mini vans. The 4cyl engine and transmission are more than adequate. Im looking forward to seeing how the quality of this vehicle holds up over time.

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  Good deal - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By nickppatel - June 1 - 3:10 pm

  Wife and I just purchased our Sorento EX AWD w/ luxury package and ABS. Had to trade in our Infiniti FX 35 for something less expensive on account of a new member of the family on the way. Make no mistake - this is NOT a Lexus, Infiniti or Acura. It IS, however, an excellent value and hands-down is the best bang for your buck. The ride is very smooth, although the steering is a bit unstable - it feels like if you were going fast enough and you cornered sharp enough, youd roll over. The interior materials are top-notch - I love the wood grain trim against the leather. We negotiated a good deal on the price - $23,700 walk out including ALL fees, etc.

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  Kias in Trouble - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Greg Gunderson - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I looked at the first one to arrive in Omaha. Looks like very limited numbers will be getting to the dealers this year, expect to pay window or above. Major mistake in my opinion, as I would have purchased if they were pricing like their sister car, the XL350. As it is, more expensive than a similiar Buick or the Hundia XL 350, close to an Avalon in actual exit the door price. A nice car, very roomy, but price and quanity are going to make this a hard one to buy.

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  Well designed car. - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By tk6 - May 28 - 12:27 am

  Im very happy with my Sportage SX. It is a lot of car for the money. It serves my need for something big enough to carry me, my wife and toddler on weekend daytrips. It does it while managing to be fun to drive, fairly frugal on gas, stylish and comfortable. Lots of tech features like USB, Bluetooth, backup camera, navigation, heated/cooled seat, dual-pane panoramic sunroof and premium stereo w/ sub.

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  Good Car - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By rykdo - May 26 - 4:44 am

  Good basic car with excellent syling. Real 25 MPG on the highway. Has everything you want and lots less expensive than non-Kia. The not-so wonderful is that two adults with golf clubs, luggage for 10 days, and a dog in a crate was crowded. Also the steering is very quick which is nice around town but wears on you after the first 500-1000 miles on a trip. I do not relax on the highway. This is not a road racer. The 4 cylinder works fine and has enough to get you on the freeway without issue but the whine of the engine lets you know it.

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  Great Value, Safe, minor inssues - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By sbettencourt21 - May 25 - 8:10 pm

  I have had my Sorento for almost 2 years now and it has been very reliable I have had a couple problems with sensors which were covered under warranty. I feel I got a great deal on the car and I feel extremely safe in it with my children. Repairs I have had to pay for were very low cost such as lights which have to be replaced on any car. The 4wd works great in the snow on steep hills I have never been happier with a vehicle and there is plenty of leg room for my height. however back seat would be a tight squeeze for 3. We currently only fit 2 car seats

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  Very poor gas mileage - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Mr. Minnesota - May 23 - 12:00 am

  If youre looking for an 4cyl SUV with good gas mileage, this isnt the vehicle for you. I know it will get a little better, maybe 2mpg, but at an average of 22mpg for mostly highway, best I can get is 26mpg at 55mph, not close enough. However, great price, lots of room, well designed but it lacks comfortable seats. Kia, Im very dissapointed you couldnt get an engine in your vehicle that gets at least 30mpg. I should have gone with something else.

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  Kia did this one right - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jasonc - May 18 - 10:00 am

  Drive one of these before you buy another SUV. I researched cars (including this one) for 5 months before buying, and I fell in love with this one as soon as I drove it. Its affordable price and warranty makes it even more attractive. Jeep Liberty and Ford Escape dont even come close to this vehicle. It has good power but Id like to see future versions add some h/p and improve the fuel economy. The bumps in the road are more noticable in this car but its really not that bad. Great SUV for a great price.

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  What A Great Deal - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Noru - May 18 - 2:40 am

  I bought this car for my daughter for school, only to find out that I really like this car for myself, too bad its her car and IÂ’m out of luck. I paid $3700 plus tax, tags, title. The price was right because the first owner fails to change the timing belt at 60K miles, and timing belt broke and ruined the original engine. Kia dealer replaced engine and now the car runs like brand new. So donÂ’t forget to change timing belt ever 60k miles. The gas mileage is great, am getting between 36-40 on the highway and 27-29 in town. I drive this car like an old man going nowhere in a hurry. I will check out a used 2006 Kia Rio for myself next time I need a car.

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  Vehicle is Passable, Service Stinks on Ice - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By wschlagel - May 14 - 5:14 pm

  Vehicle had defect issues with respect to door handles. Within one week, three of the four door handles broke off in my hand. Dealership claimed there was a recall, but used a recent ice storm to slither out of replacing the door handles. Wanted to charge me $500 per door. When asked about the fairness of doing such a thing, dealership shrugged me off and told me "you shouldnt have bought a used car". Vehicle performance is marginal. Acceleration isnt that great, almost no power. Vehicle doesnt seem to handle speeds above 75 very well. Mileage is terrible, but probably good for SUV. Vehicle is roomy, and interior laid out well.