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 Car for the money. - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Barry Reeher - February 20 - 8:56 am

  This car has about the same quality level and price performance as the early toyotas did in the early 1980s. I paid 10,335 out the door.

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  Fell apart (& short of expectations) - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By pfft - February 11 - 6:40 pm

  I bought my Spectra used with about 100,000 miles on it and put 80,000 on it before the transmission completely blew (more expensive to fix than the KBB on the car). The seats were really uncomfortable and it wasnt good for long trips because the steering wheel couldnt be adjusted so it touched my knees the entire time. Little things started breaking (both sun visors fell off, the weather stripping completely dropped off two windows, all but one speaker blew out, heat/air conditioning issues, glove compartment latch broke, dome light switch got touchy, etc). The oil changes were nearly impossible to do at home due to inaccessible location of oil drain. The car only lived for 6 years total.

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  piece of &%$#...... - 2005 Kia Optima
  By joel29m - February 8 - 2:59 pm

  ive been getting work done on this car since the first year we had it! problems: 2 batteries, timing belt, condenser, lights, 3 thermostats, motor mounts, valve cover gasket leaks, oem car stereo, air bag, tension pully, and rear seatbelt. bought it in 2005, and getting rid of asap!!! got into it with the dealer about the warranty, and it only has 89,000 miles and had more ##@# done to it than my 91 corolla by 80%!!!!

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  I kind of like mine - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Clayk - February 8 - 10:00 am

  Granted, the body is cheaply made and the paint is very poor, But I did not expect much for the price. I bought it for disposable transportation. It runs very well, is comfortable adnfairly roomy. I drive the living daylights out of it and it has never given me any problems. i did replace the very bad original tires and spark plug wire, but other than that, I change the oil, put gas in it and go.

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  Kia Sedona - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By PAL - February 8 - 6:36 am

  Its nice to drive and solid. Consumes more gas and getting only 14 mpg. Brakes are very bad and make a weird sound within 10 miles. Tires are very bad.

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  KIA OPTIMA POOR - 2009 Kia Optima
  By rtoothman - January 14 - 3:17 pm

  Car codes every spring return to dealership they clear code[multiple misfires] runs fine after several restarts, and say they cant find whats wrong with engine 2.7 V6 which they no longer offer in Optima.The vehicle has had this issue since 10,000 miles and only has 49,000 as of 2013.Dealership or KIA problem?????Rhormans of FT Wayne In.

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  Not working out like I had hoped - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By jbc6 - January 12 - 5:45 pm

  Love the car, enjoying it then just had to have the transmission totally replaced at 14,750. The warranty covered this. My beef is with Kia Roadside- the rep was clueless, I waited forever for a tow (not a flatbed) and the tow truck driver was not careful (to say the least).

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  ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By avengers2 - January 10 - 2:41 am

  Bought new in 05. Engine light came on when I got home from the dealer. Sensor out. Head lights go out about every 4 months. The back windshield wiper blade runs for about 5 minutes every time you start the car. I had the car checked out. They said I have 3 electrical problems. The air conditioner went out 2 years ago.

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  Good car BUT overstated mpg - 2014 Kia Forte
  By Paul - January 10 - 2:16 am

  Kia Forte overall is a good car, but they overstate their mpg. Im not getting near kia projected 29 mpg instead Im getting 25 mpg while driving about 60% highway and doing it with a light foot. Kia and hyundai are getting poor mpg compare to other compact cars manufacturers, plus they recently got fine by the govt for overstating their mpg for their cars. Guess they havent learn there lesson.

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  Big Mistake !!! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Chad - December 24 - 6:00 am

  As soon as I got home, the trunk release button on the door already quit working. The headlights never worked but the high beam headlights. Took it back to the dealer the next day, they couldnt tell why or what is causing the problems. I was told to bring it back next week and leave it for someone else to diagnose the problems. If you or someone you know is looking for a car, please take my advice and stay away from a Kia dealership.