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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  Love My Kia! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By celticgirl - April 22 - 2:26 pm

  I traded in a Pathfinder, yes, and I am glad I did, no regrets. Great gas mileage, car has pep, its fun to drive. Ive had no issues at all with car. Ive been in for first service and they were awesome. I got the sports package and it beats all comparable cars hands down in styling and utility. I get compliments wherever I go and the cars actually turns heads. I think the sports package is worth the extra money for the features and styling you get.

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  I love my Kia! - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By nicholas tiffin - April 22 - 8:26 am

  I bought my Kia Sorento in January 2006 after quite a bit of soul searching and research on the internet. I was worried about build quality as I had heard that Kias were somewhat cheapily finished. To my satisfaction, I am very, very happy with my Sorento. It is comfortable, very economical with the diesel engine, and the body styling turns heads all the time. I was in a restaurant when I heard the manager over the PA system ask the owner of a Mercedes SUV to move the vehicle. It was only at the third call when I heard the tag number that I realized it was my Kia that needed moving! All in all, excellent value for money, I would recommend buying this car to anyone without a moments thought.

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  Best car Ive ever had! - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Ginger - April 21 - 10:53 pm

  Im a single mom that spends a great deal of time in my vehicle going to doctor appointments, running my kids around etc. so I wanted something that I could enjoy driving. Since Ive had my Kia Optima, I absolutely love to drive now. The car handles well, fuel mileage is great - basically my whole family loves the car. I cant say enough for this car. Never thought I would be able to afford a car with all the bells and whistles this one has.

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  A PLUS FOR KIA AMANTI - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By TOM RODGERS - April 21 - 9:40 pm

  My experience with the Kia Amanti has a a very favorable response. The car has held up to all of my expectations. Sporty to drive, comfortable to ride in. Good acceleration in tight spots, disk brakes gives smooth stopping. Excellent vision with very few blind spots. Heated seats, 6 disk changer, moon roof, separate temperature control, memory seat control all add to the pleasure of owning the Kia Amanti. I have had several favorable comments as to the design (very modern); also the headroom is very adequate.

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  Best Buy for Safety, Comfort , Handling - 2008 Kia Sedona
  By Retired in Midwest - April 21 - 2:56 am

  Purchased in South & drove back to Midwest. 1st city tankful @ 17 and next 3 hwy tankfuls @ 22-23 MPG. Should improve. Handling, comfort & performance exceeded expectations. Seats are firm yet supportive. One day drove 500 miles and we were not fatigued. Visibility is good. SWB is right length for grandkids. Sedona is rated "safest" minivan of all and key influence of our purchase. Price was also a leading factor. Similar sized V6 Toyota, Honda (Sienna, Pilot, RAV4) out the door in low 20s. Ours was in lower teens. Nice riding safe vehicle. Ride quality and feel better than its MSRP. Great buy w quality & warranty TBD. Now has 1,700 miles. We do a lot of driving and feel very confident.

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  Awesome! - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Bluegirl111 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  this is an awesome car, i love it i love it i love it....yay!

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  great car to have - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Smartazz335 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  exellent car its neato!

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  rio - 2004 Kia Rio
  By jbeam - April 21 - 2:00 am

  great car runs great great controol comfortbale to sit in as a driver or passanger.

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  Good Bargain..... - 2004 Kia Optima
  By LuvMyOptima - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Just got my Optima LX V6 about a month ago, w/ ABS & spoiler for $15K. After looking at several brands for couple of months, this car is one of the good buys out there. Long warranty, nicely equipped, decent power, good rides, bargain basement price.

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  My Kia - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Leigh Jordan - April 20 - 10:03 am

  I love my KIA Sorento! It is very reliable, so far no problems at all, the services that come the KIA are priceless and performed with a smile. You couldnt purchase a more reliable, more economical, or better looking SUV than the KIA Sorento!