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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  Sedona Du Jour - 2009 Kia Sedona
  By MtnExplorer - March 23 - 6:56 pm

  I drove this vehicle under all conditions on all kinds of roads rangine from sea level to 10,000 and found it to be much better than expected. I carried heavy loads that frequently approached maximum design limits. This minivan did very well as a cargo and people carrier. Passengers were surprised by the quiet, composed ride, even at 80mph. One friend, after we were under way at night on CA S.R. 14 had to ask what make the vehicle was. He just didnt expect the smooth, quiet ride he was getting. Head and cross-winds didnt bother it much. Torrential rains and temps. from 20 to 105F were handled well. Kept up well with an RX-9 up Tioga Pass from US 395. Very well balanced.

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  Fun to drive but disappointing fuel economy - 2016 Kia Sportage
  By Eddie H. - March 23 - 6:23 am

  I bought one of these about a month ago. I wanted a smaller SUV for my family, its me, my wife, and two toddlers. Comfort of interior is pretty decent and we love the steering wheel (really comfortable). Ride quality is firm but I like it, I dont understand how anybody would want a "loose" suspension/ride. We got a pretty big snow storm recently and it did great and the AWD didnt even kick on. Its a very easy vehicle to drive, the only two complaints I have are the gas mileage is not as good as Id like it to be, it averages out to around 22mpg. The second is that it can be hard to see any other vehicles when changing lanes. Overall Im pretty happy with it and I think it was a pretty good buy, I would recommend it to anybody.

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  How much I love my Kia - 2002 Kia Rio
  By smsm - March 23 - 2:00 am

  I have driven this car across the state of Michigan more times than one would think humanly possible. It has proven to be more reliable than my friends new cars of substantially more price. Once, a rear tail light went out and the dealership kindly replaced. That is the only problem to speak of. I love this car!!!! I may have to sell it because of a move to the city, and its breaking my heart!!!

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  i love my kia - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By adp1650 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  i bought my kia in august 03 as the first new vechicle i have owned since 1974. i am very satisfied with its performance altogether. it has very good furl economy, handles well,and good pickup. the only things im not crazy about is that there no ashtrays in the back seat and when in park the front ashtray is almost inacessiable.

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  Nice Car - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Jackthegreatone - March 23 - 2:00 am

  its very nice, i had fun in it, its a fun car

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  kia spectra 03 - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By robert9018 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  good family car for the low budjet

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  spectra - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By matt d haynes - March 23 - 2:00 am

  The kia spectra is a very nice car. It is the most reliable car that i have bought in a long time.

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  how my kia feels - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By roby - March 23 - 2:00 am

  this car is very low to the ground.had bad gas mileage. has no pickup for a 4 cyl. car.

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  Spectra GS - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By sterlinco - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Has been extremely dependable though it does lack somewhat in comfort. Long distance driving can be tiring but all in all an otherwise excellent car

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  fun ride - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By db4022 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  So far Ive enjoyed the Sorento it is the second vehicle Ive ever owned and compared to my last (a truck) it is very comfortable and quiet.Im also impressed with the build quality from the interior to exterior.The only think that is negative is the fuel mileage,which I figured since it weighs as much as a ford explorer it has alot of good metal weigh-which makes me feel really safe driving it-so a little extra change for the gas bill you get a good feeling of security from the vehicle.