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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  Steak on a hamburger budget... - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Friendship Auto - June 18 - 10:06 pm

  I had a $50,000 BMW 330 Convertible which got repossesed when I went belly- up in the stock market. After scratching together $2500 over 3 months, I went and bought a 1999 Sephia LS with 84,000 miles on it. I had it for 3 years and spent a total of $300 on service and minor repairs. After 130,000 miles, the timing belt finally went and since I was already back on my feet, I sold it AS IS for $500. Sure it is not a Lexus, but for the money one pays, it is damn well worth it. And people should remember to judge accordingly. I now own a car dealership, and do not hesitate to sell this car or to recommend it to the cost-conscious.

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  cute but cramped - 2001 Kia Rio
  By KathyR - June 18 - 10:00 am

  I have had absolutely no problems with this car, but it is not for a family (I have 4 people!) and not for long trips. If you are larger/taller, it is not for you. Good performance for a small car with auto and air and great on gas mileage. Instrumentation simple and all within easy reach.

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  Great little vehicle. - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By John Hawker - June 16 - 12:13 pm

  My KIA replaced my old Ford Escape . The KIA rides better and has more power. I pull a 3400 pound boat with my KIA. The KIA has better road handling than the Escape . It has more pulling power at highway speed without down shifts. Over the last 8,000 miles we have averaged 19.2 MPG. This compared to the Escape is 3 MPG better. I have been told that we were working the Escape to the maximum where the KIA is under rated. I believe this is the difference in the 3.5L vs the 3.0L engine.

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  Consider it - 2003 Kia Rio
  By PA Rio - June 12 - 2:00 am

  I shopped around for the lowest priced car that would be comfortable to drive and have all the necessary features, no more, no less. I found it in the 2003 Kia Rio. I am 62 and find the drivers seat very comfortable. Plenty of head and leg room. Nothing fancy about this car but it has a nice style and it is very inexpensive. Only downside is the power. I bought the automatic and it doesnt have much pep but if you are not "punching" the gas petal all the time, you probably dont care anyway. 30 MPG in city even though it is supposed to get less. Nice car, nice price.

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  A Good Value Mid Size SUV - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By bimmershawn - June 9 - 10:56 pm

  Had it for almost a month. Was considering getting a luxury SUV, but after reading the Consumer Report which rated the V6 Sorento very highly among the mid size suv, I decided to take a look. I like the styling a lot and the comfort of the base model cloth seating. Mileage rated at 20/26 is pretty accurate and is among the best in V6 SUVs. Extra 3rd role seats are standard. Although with updated DFD shocks, the ride is still pretty firm but the handling is surprisingly good. A very practically all around car for multi purpose. Dealer gave me a very good discount and dealer incentives.

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  Great car with 239K miles - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Paul - June 9 - 2:00 am

  239,000 Miles and is still going strong. I am still very pleased and had no major mechanical issues. It rides very comfortably and has not developed any annoying squeaks or rattles. The interior has held up as well if not better than my previous Acura and Volvo. Great sound system. Maintenance has been about average and I have replaced the timing belt twice at 80K miles and 160K miles. If you are considering the 04 Sorento be sure that the 2 recalls (crankshaft pulley bolt and the intake manifold butterfly valve) have been done. Replace the coolant tank with the redesigned one. no increase in oil use even with 239K miles. Average about 20- 21 MPG HWY. Better than the 19 listed.

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  Dont buy a Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By wendy - June 9 - 2:00 am

  We bought a brand new 2005 Sorento and loved it. Within the first year, the brakes and rooters were replaced. The dealership replaced them 4 times, at our expense, then we took it to another mechanic and since then they have been fine. The motor has been replaced twice and is now at the dealership again after it just died in the middle of the road, and my husband and I had to push it off the road. Weve replaced every light in the car numerous times, at least 3-4 times a year. Its been in for oil leaks at least 3 times. The paint started chipping within the first year. Ill never ever buy another Kia.

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  First new car ever, Spectra EX - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Trevor Totman - June 4 - 2:43 pm

  I havent had my Spectra for very long, but so far it has been the best car Ive owned. Its quite zippy for a grocery getter,even with it being an automatic transmission. Stereo system(hey, Im 24, this is important stuff!) is great. I love that Ive got an auxillary jack and I love the hidden charger in the middle console. It helps keep wires out of the way, and you can set your MP3 player or iPod/iPhone inside to keep it from sliding all over the car. The DOHC is a nice touch, but I wish the fuel economy could be a hair better. All in all, a nice roomy car that is incredibly affordable and great for the post college kid or the starting family.

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  Dangerous KIA - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Me and my 2006 Kia - June 3 - 3:10 pm

  I purchased this car six months ago and had it at the dealers three times in the first month. I complained that there was a problem with the transmission. When I would accelerate the car would lurch forward. I was at a traffic light and when the traffic light changed I accelerated the car lurched forward .I steered the car toward the sidewalk to keep from hitting the people in front of me. I hit a pole. The gas pedal stuck. This car is beautiful on the outside but dangerous mechanically.

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  Fun to drive - 2017 Kia Forte
  By wilberto reyes - June 2 - 11:54 pm

  Really nice drive and have a good pickup just need a better transmission with out high rpms