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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  Top Value - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By ChoonilLee - January 9 - 10:00 am

  I traded-in the 2003 trail blazer with too soft suspension and lots of wind noise. The Sorento drives much better with lesser wind noise and suspension is feels firmer, yet it rides smoothier. The seat is much more comfortable, and inside looks roomier and better quality. After all, it cost about $10K less. The engine is not as powerful as I wish. However, it delivers enough for a very smooth ride.

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  I cant believe I bought a KIA - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By minus200 - January 7 - 10:10 pm

  I cant believe I bought a KIA - I cant believe I bought a KIA. Will take delivery the day after Mardi Gras if all the paperwork goes through. By accident I looked at one and did a lot of research online and talked with a lot of people. Everybody that owned a Kia was happy. My kids are embarrassed for me, one has SL500- SL55 - S55 and GL450 other one has Lexus 460 and Yukon XL and others. They are just too yuppie. I am convinced I will be very happy with this car even if the buying decision may not have been "smart". I will report back after a couple of weeks driving. Just couldnt see spending $12,000 more for an Infinity M35. Amanti = nice car - not an ICON to impress others. Hope it works

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  Great little car for the downsizer - 2008 Kia Optima
  By bumpergirl - January 7 - 4:16 pm

  I have owned the 2008 Kia Optima for a few weeks now. I understand it may take a while to break in a new car and improve gas mileage. So far I am averaging between 26 and 30 mpg. Highway of course is outstanding. I am overall happy with my purchase. Its somewhat of an adjustment coming down from a Toyota Avalon. However, I am very happy with the balance between luxury and economy in the Kia. The interior and exterior appearance are definitely luxury. The ride and price is definitely economy. So keep that in mind. The experience buying the car was excellent. The best way to work is to put a small deposit on your car, and write up the Purchase and sale, then shop 2-3 dealers. Happy days!

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  Best Looking SUV Out There - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By db59 - January 7 - 2:00 am

  1 week old. Love the comfortable ride. Slow off the line unless you hit pedal hard which isnt a big problem because most of my driving is in town. Still think its the best looking SUV out there. The 1st ride on the highway was fantastic. At 70mph ride is smooth. Gas guzzler though, but I knew that when I bought it. Very safe vehicle with all the extras. Engine noise a little high but bearable.

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  Great SUV for the $$$$$ - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By rsterry - January 5 - 8:46 pm

  I fell in love with this SUV after a 5 minute test drive. I currently own a Mazda Tribute and owned a Ford Escape and this is every bit as good as they were, even better. You can not beat his SUV for the money. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of fit, finish and materials. I expected much less for the price.

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  Update from June 07 Review - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Az/Okie - January 2 - 10:03 am

  We now have 21089 Miles. Absolutely NO Problems. Just replaced the original battery with the interstate brand. Excellent fit and finish. 4x4 system works flawlessly. Lots of power from the 3.8 liter. Understand this engine will NOT be in the new 2010 coming. Looks like Kia and Hyundai are keeping this engine for their luxury brands. Mileage compared to our GMC Envoy is better all around. I would definately buy again.

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  Most practical vehicle I have ever owned - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By ramguy7 - January 1 - 11:36 am

  Have owned luxury vehicles and several trucks; the minivan is the most practical, and one of the most comfortable overall, I have ever owned. I am sold on minivan ownership; it can be a luxury car most of the time, then when necessary remove 2 rows of seats, and you have a truck with more space than my Ford Ranger 4x4, which I also was very fond of.

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  Buick ride & quality at a Kia Price! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By smulvey - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I replaced my Buick Park Avenue with 125,000 miles , with this KIA. The Buick suffered a sudden crack in the transmission flywheel. I found no difference in ride quality and the fit and finish frmo my Buick to my KIA. The acceleration is excellent too. My Buick got about 30 MPG and my KIA get 25 MPG. But with the extra seating options and front and rear a/c I love the KIA more. I like the fact I saved more than $ 15,000 off the Buick Price. I saved so much money I bought my wife a car too! A KIA SPECTRA !

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  WOW !! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By ksheehan1 - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I researched a lot of SUVs and the Sorento had all the features I wanted, but for 10,000 less! I got the EX- Luxury package, has everything but the tow feature. I drove a Durango for the past 4 years so the gas miliage doesnt bother me.

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  Kia Spectra Rocks! - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Mary - December 29 - 3:06 am

  Our son crashed the family Ford Explorer. Used cars were high-priced. We decided to buy a Kia Spectra EX 4 door sedan for about $1500 more than it would have cost to get a 2005 used Explorer. Of course, we got a red one! Im a car buff and this is one nice vehicle. Great gas mileage (averages over 28 mpg in mixed driving), peppy pick up, smooth ride, plenty of cupholders. The car came loaded with options - AC, automatic headlights, extra 12 volt chargers,and even an iPod port. Safety ratings on this car rival those of Toyota and Honda, and exceed those of the Ford Focus. All for about $14000, including delivery, tax and license fees. I love it!