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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  good value - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Joe - January 31 - 11:46 pm

  After 2 years of ownership the car has been is the shop 6 times for little nagging problems from pulsing brakes to check engine lights. Never was a serious problem found but enough is enough.Add to it the new policy that The customer has to lay out $90.00 before they look at the car under its 5 year 60k mile program to make sure it qualifies for warranty work. I would think twice about this car...

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  It loves gas stations - 2013 Kia Soul
  By ronn2 - January 15 - 12:39 pm

  Believe me, if you decide on the 2.0 engine...think again unless you love putting out money for gas. When I fill the tank, it shows only a range of 250 miles. Iam constantly filling it up. Terrible terrible gas mileage. I love the car but I sure will be trading it in before too long due to the gas mileage

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  Shaken, not stirred - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Taken4ride - December 28 - 11:53 am

  Car steering wheel shakes bad from 68mph and up; the dealership had car for a total of 19 days. They have replaced tires, wheels, had factor rep test drove my car, and now they are saying this is the way the car drives. When I bought the car they knew about shake and told me it would be fixed under factory warranty, not to worry. They kept the car and tried to fix the shaking problem, but now they are saying that it is just the way the car is designed. The service manager is now stating that they are no longer allowed to make anymore attempts to work on this problem as per the factory rep. They stated that it was only me who has complained about this shaking problem. The paint stinks, bumper too.

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  DONT BUY IT!!!!!! - 2000 Kia Sportage
  By KANNA - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I bought this thing because I thought Id make my first ever new car purchase something different, innovative and hoping Id be a trendsetter{like early Toyota buyers-HAH!}. I have had to replace rotors,[with deep grooves, MY MONEY],brakes,battery at 12,000 miles. Within six months of purchase the power windows would go down, but not up! Hold button sticks in very cold weather.Now the brake pedal cover fell off. Snow, ice is embarrassing. I fishtail like crazy.Metal dents easily. Cant wait to get rid of it.

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  Dont buy it. - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Dave - December 7 - 12:40 pm

  Purchased used last year, with only 54K miles on it, so it still had some factory warranty left. The air conditioner failed within a week of purchase. It took 7 visits to the dealership over the summer because their air conditioner "fix" usually only last 1-2 days. Since then, the rear brake cylinders leaked (no brakes), the radiator has leaked badly, the power steering is stiff on cold mornings (bad power steering pump). Recently had the timing belt changed, and in the process they also changed a leaking hydrolic tensioner (extra $200) and then the air conditioner stopped working again the next day. Dealership claims they didnt brake it wants $1200 to replace the compressor.

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  The moron who left Toyota for the 2014 Cadenza - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By 6406nb - December 6 - 1:01 am

  Dont get me wrong. I love the HD radio, the heated steering wheel along with the ride & handling. But so many little things have broken or gone wrong--the backup camera, the panoramic sunroof rattling which took 4 tries to fix, the volume control on the steering wheel broke, the sun visor tore, the seat belt stopped retracting, and the bluetooth is frustrating. I leased it thankfully because the value has crashed so to get out with 15 months to go would cost thousands out of pocket. If you love what you are driving dont experiment. Stick with the brand you know. I am now waiting for parts while driving a dodge loaner. Its nauseating. This wasnt the plan. The dealer tries its best.

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  Kia Warranty - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Morgan - November 14 - 12:33 pm

  The battery and fuel pump had to be replaced within the first 2 weeks. If the battery fails call roadside assistance. Kia makes no allowances for extenuating circumstances and will strictly adhere to their written policies.

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  NOISE - 2010 Kia Soul
  By socalmoe - November 14 - 11:43 am

  OK little car for work. I cannot stand the interior wind noise. I am preparing for a fight w/ the service dept over this. My 03 diesel V8 is quieter than this car. I should of stuck to my original plan to purchase a used Mini instead. $16000 regret!

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  2000 miles and I like it - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By robert - November 8 - 10:13 am

  My clock just turned and I am happy with my new car.I did not want to spend a lot of $ but was in desperate need of a new car and this filled my needs. this being kind of a low end car I did not hold high expectations for the sportage, but I am surprised at how much I like the little suv. sure I have the same complaints as other owners, blind spots, arm rest to low not great millage, but overall I am very happy. Only regret is I should have got the EX. I miss the remote unlock and the ability to plug in iPod the ride has seemed to improve and I think the millage is getting a little better with a little break in.

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  PIECE OF JUNK KIA! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Sandy - November 5 - 9:06 pm

  Quality is NONEXISTANT!I am getting rid of this car Has been repaired countless times.Driver side door handle broke off.Pull down handle for trunk broke off. CD player is eatting my cds.Paint has chipped off of all buttons on radio and A/C controls. Paint has flaked off of the entire roof,tops of the mirrors & along wheel well trim. Shocks/arms that keep the trunk & the back window glass open have failed, so you have to hold them open manually. Car just had 3k worth of work done which included A/C compressor, leaking valves, coolant reservoir replaced.Coolant reservoir just cracked again yesterday.Head&Tail lights burn out every 6 mths.Sunroof leaks.Worst car Ive ever owned!