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 Purchase! - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By Roger I. Cabrera - November 9 - 7:51 am

  This is a beautiful SUV standing or going down the road, great features, interior and exterior finish is a class above. Quiet and smooth. 3.3l V6 has some true bite to it when called upon. This is an excellent vehicle for the price! Already looking ahead to 2018 for a new one..

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  wow - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Wally - November 7 - 4:50 pm

  Bang for the buck. Very impressed with this little SUV. I was impressed SO much that I bought another KIA 6mths later. David Bollen of Jerry Smith Kia is the most professional and honest car salesman I have had the pleasure of doing business with. If you are looking at buying a Kia and are in Washington then go to Burlington and stop by Jerry Smith Kia and talk to this guy. He is a staight shooter.

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  Look out Cadillac and Toyoto - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Bob - November 7 - 9:36 am

  Purchased in December of 2004 off showroom floor. Liked the body style, amenities and overall comfort. First problem was with brake rotors. Second problem was with tires. Rapid wear and could not find anyone in my area to adjust because they could not get tires from the mfg. Good gas mileage on hwy, have gotten over 30 mpg. Traded Toyoto Camry that we didnt like. Amanti is better than my Cadillac Fleetwood Bro. Better mileage than Cadillac and about the same as Toyoto. Wife really likes this one. Will probably buy another.

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  Great vehicle! - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Jose - November 6 - 11:33 pm

  This vehicle has blown my mind as far as performance, gas mileage, style; basically, everything about the Sportage has been beyond my expectations, let alone the excellent warranty it carries.

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  MY NEW "BABY"S FIRST YEAR - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By THEGOLDENKIA - November 6 - 1:20 pm

  This was my first ever new off the show room floor car. in years past I averaged only 9,000 miles a year driving. Ive put over 15,000 on my Kia in its first year. the Mileage is great1 im getting from 28 to 30MPG combined city and freeway. I commute 15 miles each way to work, mostly freeway. good power, great profile in the looks dept. interior is well thought out and the engine compartment is not all crowded and packed. you can see where everything is! I will drive this car when Im on call for work on the weekends rather than one of our beat up company vehicles.

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  best car I have ever owned - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Joe Ardenger - November 5 - 3:16 pm

  I was skeptical when purchasing my Kia Sportage. But it did not take long for me to realize that this truely is the best of both worlds. Not only did I save thousands of dollars compared to Honda and Toyota, I have alot more features. The electronic stability control is magic, the car takes over in emergency manuves, to maintain control, the ride is outstanding, and the V6 engine is smooth and efficient. I was worried what people would think if I bought one, and know I realize that Kia is a true contender in the market, and I will enjoy this for years to come.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Bertil Jonsson - November 4 - 6:03 pm

  I love my new Kia Sportage. I have been driving Volvo-cars for the last 30 years, and now I have bought a new Kia Sportage V6. I liked the car from the very beginning. The 2,7 l V6 engine is very smooth and powerful and the automatic shift very smoothly. The car is so new and fresh here in Sweden. If I park in a parking place, people talk to me about my new Kia.

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  Still going strong....103,000. - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By adventrous - November 3 - 11:34 pm

  I purchase my KIA Sorento brand new in 2007. I am very happy with my vehicle which has gotton me through rough times on the highway and on deserted roads. I have driven this vehicle through ice, snow, mud, rough dirt roads, and sand. I never worry about my safety because several times I almost roll-over but came back down on all fours (not that I was trying to). My family and I do a lot of traveling, camping, hiking, beaches, etc so roads are not always pave to where we are heading. Besides we live out in nowhere and roads are not paved but KIA always got us home safely. (nearest town would be 40 miles)

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  Fun - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By roger - November 3 - 9:40 am

  what a great little car. lots of cabin room for 4 golfers, cargo room for all golf bags +. Quiet & Smooth, plenty of (4 cyl) power. At 70 yrs. old, I can still have a fun drive with the manual auto shift. Power everything, air bags everywhere, with ESC, and ABS, all for 18K. Good job Kia.

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  ehh - 2006 Kia Optima
  By zoom_zoom89 - November 2 - 7:18 pm

  best car ive personally owned, but have had to put $1500 in the past 4months, not counting reg maintenance. NOT cheap parts like i had expected, will be searching for a honda next time.