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 price - 2014 Kia Optima
  By dover157 - August 1 - 12:56 pm

  Have had my 14 Optima LX with the convenience package for a month now and I still smile every time I sit in it. Was not looking to buy a mid size sedan but loved it as soon as I took the first test drive. Steering could be a little stiffer and provide a bit of feedback, and the front passenger seat is way to low without the power upgrade. Have a couple of friends who dont like not being able to see over the dashboard when riding with me. Mileage could be better, but for a mid size car with a trunk I could sleep in its not bad at all. Over all a great car for the price when I walk up to it in a parking lot I still cant believe its a KIA.

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  The Best Van !!!! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Sedonalover - August 1 - 2:00 am

  I owned the car for about 6 months and i love it....smooth ride, reasonable price, best quality....i can not believe it was built by Kia.....anyway it is a very nice van...why pay more for honda or toyota.....

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  Good used car - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Charm - July 31 - 2:20 pm

  Only owned for 3 months but very impressed so far - bought for only $2300 with 130K and have put on 10K without a problem and seems like itll go on for many more miles. Ive already made my $ on it considering we mostly drive trucks that are difficult to park and get about 12mpg. Agile and peppy engine, decent fuel mileage (getting in the mid 20s) in stop and go traffic.

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  Honda Killer - 2002 Kia Optima
  By whtever - July 30 - 11:26 am

  This car cost less than a new Accord LX and has way more options. We are very happy with our choice to buy a KIA. The build quality is better than Honda and generally so is everything else. KIA, if it keeps it up will be the next Honda. Great pricing and tons of options on a solid car. In my opinion the car is under valued on today’s market. But that should change. Just look at what people are saying about it. I would buy another Optima any day!

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  Best in class! More MPGs - 2010 Kia Forte
  By SuperDave - July 30 - 9:26 am

  I actually have the EX with fuel economy package. To me, the clincher was the 5 speed auto and electric steering on this package. I drove an EX w/ 4 speed auto and it seemed sluggish getting down to any real acceleration. Also, the steering on the regular EX would drift especially on uneven pavement. The EX w/ fuel economy is awesome, however. The acceleration and shift points are perfect and the steering holds the road with solid feedback and good tight steering the whole way. I cant speak well enough about the EX w/ fuel economy package. You get the best of everything for a great price! It does preclude not being able to get the sunroof, but I wanted the best riding car first & foremost.

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  Kept my family safe in a serious collision! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Laura - July 30 - 8:31 am

  Coming off of a Lexus RX, I was concerned that it wouldnt feel as luxurious. Although its stiffer and less "designed", I fell in love with the Sorento immediately upon driving it off the lot. Its tough but not trucky, comfortable but not couch-like, and big but not cumbersome. It has great pick up and drives like a car, and I happen to think it looks pretty darn cute on the road. Having said this, the reason Im writing this review is that I was in my first car accident in my 38 years just this week. I was T-boned, and before I knew what had happened I realized the car was flipping. SUVs by nature may be more likely to roll, and that may be a deterant to some, but in this instance I think it was a blessing. I believe the roll helped lessen the force of the hit, which struck my childs door. As I understand it, T-Bones can be very catastrophic, especially to the person in the receiving seat. Between the airbags, restraints, and general contour of the car, when the car came to rest we were completely unscathed. Completely. The moment I can, I will go get another Sorento and will feel safer than ever. And thank you to the designers of this car for helping me walk away with my son!

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  Arthur - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Arthur - July 29 - 5:13 pm

  I have been overall impressed with my Kia Sportage. However, the gas mileage is the biggest issue. In addition, after 24,000 miles I had to replace the Bridgestone tires. Furthermore, the transmission shifts roughly sometimes when you need it going up hills, or trying to pass. The cooling fan sometimes sound like there is a knocking in the engine. I travel on avg. 1000-1200 miles per week with the kia and it handles very well and the ride is smooth for a SUV. Arthur

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  Excellent value with few reservations - 2005 Kia Optima
  By TJ - July 29 - 8:23 am

  Very well built and well styled car that has a really nice ride quality despite being a small car, and it seems to have the potential of being a very reliable car for the long term as well.

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  Awesome return on investment - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By gstanford - July 29 - 7:46 am

  At the moment I drive 360 miles one way to work on my 2005 Amanti. Combined highway and city mpg average is 22.7 mph and I drive 70+ mph when I can. Performs better than what my 450SEL did and the amenities far exceed any car or truck I have owned. 4 way auto windows, heated lumbar leather seats, individual heat/air controls for driver/passengers including the rear just to name a few. Awesome engine performance. When you kick this engine in the butt... hold on. I love this car. Miles are now 57k time to trade so I started looking at King Ranch but changed my mind. I pick up my new Amanti tomorrow. One more thing, the KIA warranty is awesome. I actually enjoy my dealership experience.

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  My New Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Halbarb - July 29 - 5:36 am

  Have never owned a foreign car before,but this on caught my eye, saw it in Savanna Ga. Went to a local dealer here at home and drove my new Sportage home, one thing it gets alot of looks, looks great and drives great, not sure on the gas mileage yet.