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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  Front end knock that wont stop knocking - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By casperpat - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This is 2001 Sedona. The car has had the following problems: winshield washer tank leaking, faulty gas gauge, air leakage/whistling sound from the moon roof area and worst yet we have a prevalent knock in the front suspension. The dealers technician played dumb with suspension knock and moonrooof leak. The car was back for an entire day, they didnt have either part (fuel send unit not winshield wash tank) and the technician said there was no problem w/ moonroof and front end knock. That is until I insisted we go for a test drive. Then all of a sudden his ears starting working. Two more service dates corrected all the problems except front end knock. They have no answer for it.

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  Best bang for the buck - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Beth - September 19 - 6:56 pm

  If you are looking for the best value for your dollar, this is the ticket! Why pay thousands more for other brands with the same features? This one provides quality at a value price.

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  Great little van - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By INDIOSDAD - September 17 - 8:33 pm

  Got the van to transport our greyhound dogs. We have 4 of them and have found with the center row of seats out we have ample room for all the dogs. This van has been very reliable and we have had no issues with it. Have only had to perform normal maintenance on it. The ride is good, the interior design is just right, over all we find this a good vehicle that suits our needs. We only wish it got better mpg, however it does get better mpg then my wifes pt cruiser. Will buy Kia again when we need a new van.

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  Good Vehicle for its Price - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Diane - September 17 - 10:03 am

  The car is excellent in any weather and proved to be reliable transportation. I would buy another Kia. The gasoline mileage in town and on the highway would average 25 to 28 mpg. My highest maintenance cost was at 60,000 miles which I have completed. Without the air conditioner on, the car has excellent pick up speed for highway entering and exiting.

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  Drive at highway sppeds before you buy! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Sierra Vista - September 17 - 1:43 am

  After the purchase, I took a drive to Tucson, and what a disappointment, the steering wheel vibrated over 70 mph. This broke my heart. Since then I have had the tires replaced three times $300.00 out of my pocket, had the wheels balanced 6 times and been back to the dealer four times. The dealer shop foreman indicated this was a driving characteristic. I do not think so. Now I am working with KIA Consumer Assistance and they have done nothing but given me a hard time. Buyers beware.

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  Not Impressed - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By patti - September 14 - 1:56 am

  I purchased my Kia Sportage in Sept. 07 and I loved it! Within 2 months, 2 fuses blew and I had to have the brake light replaced. In April 2010, with only 36,000 miles on the car, I needed a new transmission. (Under warranty, but not the point)! Upon getting the car back, I have since brought it in for service, again, transmission related. I feel that I purchased a lemon, even though I bought it brand new!

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  Good Commuter Car - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Michael - September 13 - 11:33 pm

  I bought this purely as a commuter car, I have another fun car and I didnt buy this car to look good or have fun. For a commuter car, its perfect. Nothing fancy, cheap. Of course Toyotas and Hondas are nicer, but if you just need something cheap, reliable and has enough basic features - this car is perfect. Acceleration is good enough. I put 100 miles/day on it, and I cruise at 75-80 mph most of the way and it handles it fine. I test drove some Chevys and I liked the Kia better.

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  Sheet metal in cold weather - 2011 Kia Soul
  By srssr - September 13 - 3:01 pm

  This is the first winter in upstate New York for our Soul. The first cold snap, 30 degrees and lower, I noticed that the rear hatch had quite a bit of distortion, warped sheet metal and all four doors had creases in them. When temps rose the warpage went away. I watched this and other Souls all winter and the results were the same.. The only thing with ours now it takes until temps hit 50 to 60 degree range to go away, in the beginning they went away in the 40s. I went to my local dealer and had the Kia rep look at my car but wouldnt you know it we had freak weather that topped 78 and no wrinkles. All of my pictures and internet info from Kia Soul Forums has been put in a file for me.

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  No good on GAS at all - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Amanti - September 12 - 12:33 pm

  Overall I love the car, however it is not good on gas at all. I get maybe 12MPG. For that reason alone I do not like my car. I thought that I would get at least 15 city, 21 highway. I get maybe 12 city and 18 highway. Im not happy at all with that. I have meet other people with this car and they tell me the same thing.

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  Kia Amanti review - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By nick - September 8 - 7:40 am

  Have had many compliments since my purchase. The overall value for what this vehicle brings is outstanding. Luxury versus cost.