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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  Mazda beater - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By bguds - September 2 - 1:40 am

  I felt a bit too snug on the Mazda5. The Rondo seemed much more roomy.

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  Love the Kia Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ghorras - September 1 - 2:14 am

  We had such good luck with our 2004 Sorento it was an easy decision to buy a 2011. Its my wifes car and she loves everything about it, the only issue we had was an oil leak but Kia took care of it just fine. Last Friday my wife was driving to work and was involved in a head on collision, and her car suffered major damage to the front end and is totaled. But she walked away without a scratch, and was able to go to work the same day! When I asked her what she wanted for her next car, and the answer was a new Sorento!

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  Crazy about my KIA 2 - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By Love my KIA in Wisc. - August 31 - 10:03 am

  Update from my first review- Have had vehicle for 10 months now and STILL love it! Car developed loud squeak, but dealership fixed it, no charge, took care of me like a queen! Said part was tightened too much from factory. Absolutely LOVE this KIA and Im so glad I bought it. Gets decent gas mileage, and we have so much fun seeing how much we can fit in it. The longer I have it, the more features I discover. I love how the back hatch closes smoothly with hydraulics- I dont have to slam it shut. Very solid built car- ALL doors close nicely. It drove fantastic this winter- the wheel actually corrected itself on the ice! I felt very safe in the snow.

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  so-so car - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Shaun - August 30 - 5:10 pm

  Bought this car used when it was 6 months old. The car is gorgeous inside and out. About a year after buying it, we started to have a lot of problems. One problem was the car would get stuck in third gear and not go up or down for days they "fixed" it twice under warranty but when it happened again after the warranty expired, it was a chip that I had to pay for. The coolant hose leaked and I couldnt buy one at a store, only the dealer sells them and it was $300. The airbag light keeps going off even though they fixed it 4 times. I was so upset with this car, however a year ago I got the new chip and did the timing belt, and since then the car has been very good with no problems, $1000, later

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  My Jalopy! - 2016 Kia Optima
  By Ruthi - August 30 - 8:11 am

  I bought this car after owning a Chev Aveo that was bare bones. I did have AC put in the Aveo. The first time I sat in an Optima, I was in LOVE!!! And driving one... Oh YES!!! MyFuel economy has been amazing. Much better then my Aveo was. and holds the roads. I travel across country about 3-4 times a year. The Optima has made this trip amazing! I havent figured out all the technological things yet, so I rated them ok or N/A. All I can say is this is the most comfortable amazing car I have ever been in. I stopped speeding because I dont want to get out of this car....

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  riding in style - 2016 Kia Forte
  By tina martinez - August 28 - 10:07 am

  my experience at Kia was enjoyable all the way around. Charles at the Kia store in Conroe was phenomenal he went out of his way to put me into the car of my dreams I am completely satisfied with all aspects off service that was provided to me. As far as the car it drives smooth hugging the road at every turn. I love the rearview camera that show me what is behind my car while backing up, I get great gas mileage which is another plus . Overall this is a great car and I would recommend all to head over to KIA in Conroe and let Charles put you into the car of your dreams.

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  Lack of response - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Wanda Malinski - August 28 - 10:00 am

  New car checklist has not been completed. Kia Motors and dealership has not responded to my inquiries. Dealership made out 2 bill of sales with two different sets of figures, both which are incorrect. Minor problems have not been fixed by dealer.

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  Another winner from KIA - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Allen Mitts - August 28 - 10:00 am

  We purchased a KIA Sadona last year and have been very happy with it. So when our 2nd car needed to be replaced, there was no hesitation on what make of car we were going to look for. We went to the dealership and the choice was between the Spectra and the Optima. I really wanted the V6 so that left the Optima as our choice. I only have 200 miles on the car, but I love it! It drives very nice, and the look of the car compares to many luxery sedans. The price was right and I am sure when we are ready to trade our Kias in .... we will be buying 2 more new Kias!

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  A Very Stylish Impressive Vehicle! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Ken10 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Looks Like the Korean Automaker has come along way from little compacts to a Awesome Mini Van. Mine Drives like a Cadilac! The ride is great very smooth, love this van highly recommended from a very tough critic!

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  love my kia and hyundia - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By rkress3338 - August 28 - 10:00 am

  i purchased a hyundai last year and a kia this year. i love them both. run great and have had no trouble with either. jealous of my wifes Kia. think it looks better than mine. as a matter of fact it looks inside and out almost identical to a Lexus