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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  I JUST LOVE IT - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By COLON RUBEN - May 4 - 10:00 am

  BUILD JUST RIGHT FOR MY NEEDS

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  Love my KIA Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Love my spectra - May 3 - 5:36 am

  This car has been extremely reliable, the only thing it has been in the shop for is regular maintenance. The gas mileage has been phenomenal consistently near 30 mpg freeway, and mid to upper 20s in town. This is a great car I am sad to have to sell it. The one draw back on this car is that it does not work well for a growing family.

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  Dont Let the Nameplate Stop You - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Jeff - May 1 - 8:23 am

  After getting past the nameplate on the car, I am glad that I purchased this vehicle. I have put over 20,000 miles on the car in a little over 8 months. The performance has exceeded all expectations, and I believe now, more than ever, that this vehicle is by far the best value in its class. Kia has hit a home run with the Amanti.

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  I picked Kia over Chevy and Ford - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Suzy - May 1 - 3:50 am

  I bought my Kia after driving both the Ford Escape and the Chevy Trailblazer. I traded a Chevy Blazer Extreme for my Kia. It has much more room than the SUVs we test drove. And I love it.

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  Good van - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By bubba sparx - April 28 - 10:00 am

  I love my van. Its comfortable and is a nice looking van. I can travel or just drive around town in comfort and style. I love all the little exstras that the car comes with

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  Kia Optima Best Value - 2004 Kia Optima
  By the cajun - April 28 - 10:00 am

  After dealer discounts and Kia incentives I drove off in an automobile with power everything for under $15,000. The Pearl White paint alone is turning heads, not to mention the futuristically designed interior. I would have paid over $20,000 for this much car from another manufacturer. Thanks, Kia.

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  Very Good Experience. I really like it! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Robert at Texas - April 27 - 4:13 am

  The driving is excellent especially considering its affordable price. It moves fast all the time, acceleration and in the highway. The CD-radio and speakers are real good. Quality interiors, soft and supportive; six cupholders and several bins to carry a lot of stuff. Good A/C. All of this makes my wife and three children ask for a ride for shoping or just fun pretty often, even though we have a van and mid-size sedan. Weve had even a long 2200 mile round trip with fun and joy! No problems after 2 years driving it.

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  Best for the money - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By esd - April 25 - 10:13 am

  My experience was that when I first test drove the Sportage, it was a lot whole lot different than the 2002 predecessor. The exterior was a little bit more taller than the 2002 version. The interior was even nicer than the old one too! Below the front passenger airbag was some kind of handle bar just to hold on to.

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  Wow, what a deal - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Jenifern - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I love my Sorento. I am so impressed, its the luxury of the Lexus, RX300, the off-road of a Jeep for thousands less and a better warranty. The quality is impressive for the price, and well see about long term quality. But so far, Its worth the money.

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  My first SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By lok888 - April 25 - 2:00 am

  I decided to buy this Sorento as a family car. I didnt waste much time to make my decision. I just saw the TV commericals, went to the auto show, test drive and did some research from edmunds. I like the styling. It has a Lexus RX300 look. It is very comfortable for rear passengers. Every buttons are soft touch and easy to use. Best price for a fully loaded SUV.