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 SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Bob Jones - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my Sorento for about 3 weeks and I already have over 3000 miles on it. I was skeptical about buying a Kia but so far I am pleasatly surprised. It is a great SUV for the money. Fun to drive and looks good too.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Bob JOnes - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my Sorento for about 3 weeks and I already have over 3000 miles on it. I was skeptical about buying a Kia but so far I am pleasatly surprised. It is a great SUV for the money. Fun to drive and looks good too.

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  2017 Kia Sportage EX With premium an Tech package - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By BRIAN FINOCCHIO - January 23 - 6:10 am

  I absolutely love this car from the mean exterior to the plush interior, you get in and cannot believe its a Kia! The drive is smooth- could use a bit more power but not complaining. I bought from the Kia Depot in santa ana , ca and they were accommodating unfortunately they changed ownership and now the service is terrible and they dont honor deals that were made at time of purchase..love the car..just not who I bought it from.

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  Shocked!! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By LovingmyKia! - January 22 - 10:20 am

  I never would have bought anything but a Honda or a Toyota. I was so biased against Kia that I wouldnt even look at their features. Then I was driving past the Kia dealership, and a car caught my eye - the redesigned 2009 Optima EX V6 in Metal Bronze! I stopped, took a test drive, and was completely AMAZED! Kia made the redesigned Optima look like a real competitor, and my car turns heads! I am shocked at the power from the small V6, better gas mileage than my Honda, better warranty, and it was surprisingly inexpensive for the features. I cant wait till the dealership installs my OEM navigation system! For being a Kia hater, I now wouldnt drive anything else. Kias slogan definitely true!

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  Kia Rio 2009 LX - 2009 Kia Rio
  By jblemons - January 20 - 10:43 am

  I just bought a new 2009 Kia Rio LX. I love the look and feel of this vehicle and for the size I believe it is a great buy. I am a little dissapointed with the mpg and I believe it should be getting well over 30 for how small of a vehicle it is. I believe that to be the only flaw in this vehicle. It drives well and looks sharp.

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  Mans 2nd Best Friend! - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Kia Pet - January 18 - 7:56 pm

  Ive now had my little Kia Rio 5 for over 3 months and just love it. This vehicle is a wonderful value and I feel really safe driving it in the city or on the highway. I get about 40 miles per gallon and that is really important because I drive about 18,000 to 20,000 miles a year. I had another Kia before this and put 200,000 miles on my old Kia Sephia. I hope everyone figures out that Kia builds a great product at the very best price.

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  I love my Kia! - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By misgapeach - January 18 - 5:50 am

  I bought a Kia Spectra in July and have driven it for almost 2 months. It handles well on the road and the fuel economy is great! I am a tall person, and the Kia has plenty of head and leg room. I like the rear spoiler and the tail lights. I didnt get a sunroof, but I wish I had. This little car is perfect for commuters and anyone trying to save money on fuel without compromising on style. I also like the fact that it has several airbags, since I have 3 children who ride with me. I recommend giving the Kia Spectra a test drive. The rebates were a nice incentive also!

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  The Sportier SUV - Kia Sportage - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Tulsa NW - January 17 - 1:18 pm

  Need a large fuel tank, small tank causes more fill up on trips.

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  Delighted with zippy yellow mini box! - 2016 Kia Soul
  By Craig Koch - January 16 - 5:25 am

  This is a replacement for my under powered original 2006 Scion xB. Dont get me wrong, loved the xB but the Soul+ has the power the xB lacked and is just plain fun to drive! $19K price was delivered, i.e. included tags, tax, and title costs....everything!

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  Number one - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By fifty5 - January 13 - 10:00 am

  Havent owned any others but really like the van and its appearent value. Dont regret its purchase for an instant.