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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  Kia Amanti - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Glenrait - December 2 - 2:33 pm

  The typical Kia reliability is evident in the Amanti as well as in the other Kia cars Ive owned over the past 11 years. Excellent value, absolute reliability. Its not a "performance" car, nor does it pretend to be. More than adequate power for "normal" driving.

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  Best Overall Buy in Class and Style - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By AlbertOMG - December 2 - 12:16 pm

  Bought it, broke it in and then drove from L.A. to Zion Natl Park to Lees Ferry to Grand Canyon and back with car fully loaded (included two bikes on a hatch rack). I even slept in it twice. It handled great and was always comfortable! I love it! Pros: spacious, good control placement, storage!, good handling turning when driving aggressively, looks. Cons: odd acceleration - tends to over-rev, rear speakers. Bottom Line: Ive looked and this is the best car for the dollar for space, fuel economy, comfort, looks. Another may handle a bit better or jump faster but Kias the best overall.

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  Very impressed - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Jesse - December 2 - 6:50 am

  I drive a lot for work and am on the road 5 days a week in my van. This vehicle makes abundant horsepower, handles well and is fairly fuel efficient for its class. I have put 10,000+ miles on in 3 months trouble free. The tire pressure monitor is the only light to have come on during my travels. The vehicle is a perfect balance of functionality, simplicity and most importantly value!! I get a lot of questions and compliments on the van, more than on any other previous vehicle.

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  3000 miles and running - 2012 Kia Optima
  By mrvega - December 1 - 7:37 pm

  3000 miles later and I am still impressed with my Optima sx turbo. Driving a bit faster than Highway speeds 80-90mph it feels very stable, relatively quiet, it feels like you are doing 20-25 mph slower. If you hit the gas from 75-100 it feels like its running out of steam. Sound system- Very good (however streaming is poor) Bluetooth- Poor (my 2011 Camaro BT was thousand times better) This cuts out and I have to reconnect. Sirius Satelite radio still stops working under bridges and gas station where my xm in my camaro never failed. Suspension-Feels great, not floaty It was a great purchase. I would like to see a future comparision with the 2013 Nissan Altima 3.5 and the next Mazda 6

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  Fun Fun Fun - 2012 Kia Sportage
  By gwengweed - December 1 - 4:35 pm

  I am loving this car. I got the EX Turbo loaded up model and really enjoy it for hauling around my kids. It is sporty, has get up and go and is comfortable to drive. I am a short person and often struggle with some cars as I am hugging the steering wheel but not on this one. It is comfortable! I was looking for "a smaller SUV that is zippy and loaded" when I got my new car and it sure is all of the above. :) I had a Rav 4 prior that I also enjoyed, but this one really blows it out of the water for the price and what you get.

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  my sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By mike &tina - December 1 - 10:00 am

  we have had our sorento for almost a month we are very happy with it i have had one problem with it the seat fabric on the drivers seat got all wrinkled other we are happy with it

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  7 months now - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By kwhite138 - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I first posted here shortly after I purchased my Sorento. I had to be honest on questions like quality, etc., I put down 5s as it was too new to know. Now its 7 months down the road and this vehicle more than I hoped for! In the winter, it was amazing (most snow in years). Gas mileage could be better, but it is better than the sticker suggested.

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  College Student DREAM SUV! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By Charles - November 30 - 10:53 pm

  I bought my Kia Sportage used, with around 70K miles. Ive been wanting this one for two years, and was NOT disappointed. In a little less than a year, ive already put 20K miles on her - and it still driving like new. I got a white one with gray interior and its definitely a looker! Ive parked next to plenty of new year model SUVs (Saturn Vue, VW Tiguan, Honda CR-V) and my Sportage looks just as good! Ive been way up in the mountains and through the valleys and have been very pleased with ride quality and handling. Ice cold A/C is a blessing in this Southern California heat! My hour-long commute to the university is a real treat. Awesome car for college students!

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  I like it! - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Ron - November 30 - 10:03 pm

  We leased our Sportage in Feb. 2007 mainly because we wanted to test the vehicle prior to actually buying one for the long term. The 4 banger is a little weak when it comes to hills. But on flat land it is just fine. Mileage is about 20/21 mpg in the city and 23/25 highway. Overall the quality of the vehicle is superb for a cheapy.This vehicle is very well made. Quality parts and hardware through out. The bottom line is I will buy one once our lease expires. But Ill get the V-6 instead of the I4.

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  Im loving this car - 2008 Kia Optima
  By Carolann - November 29 - 3:43 am

  This car is perfect for my needs. It gets great fuel economy, has surprising zip for having a 4-cyl, and is very roomy. It feels comparable to a Camry/Accord. Not quite as luxurious maybe, but really excellent quality for the value. Comfortable ride for my passengers and lots of included features in just the base model that youd have to pay for upgrade in other cars. Id definitely purchase another one of these. Very impressed, did not disappoint at all.