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 car , even better for the price! - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By Joey P - June 5 - 11:40 pm

  I just want to help others looking for a car and are interested in a Kia Spectra EX. First off, Highway miles is excellent, but the all around town use could be better. I love this car. The outside style is nice. The inside is great. Everything is power. The only this car didnt come with, was a sunroof. On the highway this car can move. and around town as well. Im 60, and I have no problem. It is roomy for me and my three kids (two 6 year-olds and a 20 yo). When I originally went to buy this car, I compared it to the Corolla, the Civic and the Sentra. Out of all the cars, this offered the most for the buck and how can you argue with the 100,000 mile warranty. Dealer maintained.

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  Great Car For The Price - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Dan - June 5 - 3:56 pm

  I bought this new for $12,900 and I must say it has been an excellent, dependable car. Roomy interior, large easy to read controls, great access to the engine, I average 24 MPG city and 34 MPG highway. 10 year 100,000 mile drive train warranty, would buy another in a heartbeat.

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  Very Impresive - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Jay Stern - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Extremely impressed with the vehicle and all the base options that came with it, heated seats, back up camera, 3 rows of seats, 17 inch wheels. It drives over bumps more like a truck, but around corners is amazing. The ground clearance is just as good as my old jeep. I think they know they built a good product especially by backing it with a full bumper to bumper 100/10 warranty. I love this vehicle.

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  Extrememly Pleased - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By janel - June 5 - 10:00 am

  Bought the EX V-6 August 18th. Have approx. 1600 miles on it. Love everything about my Sorento. It is black with black leather. Originally looked at the Equinox and decided Kia was a better fit for me. I just felt more comfortable in it compared to the other. Love the leather seats, panoramic sunroof, fit, finish, and comfort. Mileage has been around 22 mpg and thats just beebopping from here to there, not many highway miles yet. Has everything I wanted at a reasonable price. Now notice there is an SX line and a couple new colors. Would have liked to had the choice to go with an SX but still would have chosen my EX.

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  great car - 2005 Kia Optima
  By kia - June 4 - 7:40 pm

  this is a good car for the money. it sounds like a new car all the time.

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  Forget Honda or Toyota - 2010 Kia Forte
  By bikermidget - June 3 - 9:06 pm

  Have no complaints whatsoever. Wife loves it. Smooth ride, comfortable, great interior and looks great. Have a 2005 Focus and the Forte makes the Focus seem like a wooden crate with wheels. I couldnt stand Kias in the past, they looked like generic junkie cars, but when we seen and test drove our forte ex we said "well take this one in White".

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  Kia Sedona - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By coastie13 - June 3 - 4:36 pm

  I find everything Ive wanted in a minivan. Someone really listened to what the owners were looking for in a van. I would and have highly recommended the car to all! And as a bonus the price is right.

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  why buy anything else!!!!!!! - 2013 Kia Forte
  By bmorelock - June 1 - 10:22 am

  This is the best car i have ever owned. I work for ford and this car puts the ford focus to shame i will never buy another ford again

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  I like my Kia - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By ds153 - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I think the KIA Spectra is a great driving vehicle. It has many good qualities, such as a sporty body style, interior has alot of leg room, and comfortable seating. I have the GSX Hatchback, which has extra trunk space. This car has alot of nice features and the reliability is near excellent, I would recommend this vehicle highly, and you cant go wrong with the excellent warranty and great price.

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  Best Car in 35 years - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By L. Tullar - June 1 - 2:00 am

  I have owned and driven hundreds of vehicles in 35 years of driving. I presently own a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado [150,000 miles], a Ford Taurus [100,000 miles], a Jeep Wrangler [80,000 mi, an XKE Jag [60,000 miles] and a 66 Austin Healey [57,000 miles]. This is the 1st vehicle that I have driven 20,000 miles without a single problem of any kind. The Chevrolet pickup was built like a tinker toy while the Sedona was built "like a rock." We have not had to return to the dealer for anything. I am so thrilled with the reliability of this vehicle that I am going to buy a Sorento this year. Chevrolet and Ford have a lot to learn from Kia.