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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  Love it too much - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Lee - November 12 - 3:50 pm

  I have a dilemma.I love my manual transmission Sorento too much and it is aging. I bought it new in Feb 05 and have about 200000km on it. It pulls the 15 boat and loaded double snowmobile trailer.The guys are impressed that I am always right behind them on any trips.I have had a few of the problems others mentioned (coolant bottle leak, head lights burn out, fuel gauge fluctuates, occasionally speedo and cruise cut out) but nothing major.It is manual and as with other manuals I have had 2nd is getting stiff to shift into especially when the engine is not well warmed up.I am considering replacing it due to age/mileage and cant find another manual SUV with all the features I want. Ieeee!

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  Kia Sedona Rocks - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By DwayneAB - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Excelent Ride crisp handling ! Awsome features For $$$

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  Fast car, Racing Red, shifter paddles, fast - 2011 Kia Forte
  By Ed Szostak - November 9 - 2:04 am

  Super fast for 2.4L non turbo, shifting paddles, smooth transmission shifts, leather with red stitch accents, music lights up speakers, carpet, new mats (covered with Weather Tech) no snow, no rain car, polished, chrome exhaust tips (2) all black plastic is like new, no events, perfect paint, headlights could be brighter (no Phillip bulb replacements, will burn through plastic, running with fog lamps on solves path lighting) Auto transmission great for new drivers. This is a perfect high school car. mine is a 2011, the Audi A4 look alike with sports wing on trunk. This model had to be discontinued due to Audi (Designer came from Audi to Kia and took too many great Audi styling hints) This makes this 2 door very special, no other model looks like it, has the Audi Grill, wind skirt, mud flaps, locking Hubs to protect the smoke gray custom wheels only offered on the 2011.

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  BEST SUV EVER! - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Ryan W. - November 8 - 4:26 am

  You cant buy any SUV for this price with all of the options and performance it offers! The 4WD system is a "true" off-road system unlike the AWD systems found on the CR-V and Pilot. The engine has tons of power and is perfect for towing my boat. The 4WD has been great for the Michigan winters and great gas mileage for an SUV. I am very impressed with my first Kia and it certainly wont be my last!

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  Nice little SUV - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Ladybug - November 7 - 5:20 pm

  I bought my 07 Sportage used with 27K miles on it for only $11K from a Ford dealership. While test-driving it, the salesman, who had never been in the car before, exclaimed how much better it rode and how much quieter it is than an Escape. Having had a KIA before, I was more than happy to purchase another one. After 3 months Ive been very happy with this car. Its simple and practical, which is what I wanted. I have the 4 cylinder, and it definitely isnt real zippy when entering freeways, but if you dont mind a little engine whine, you can push it without it getting near the redline. Since most of my driving is done on surface roads, the acceleration is more than adequate for my needs.

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  Alexiss review - 2003 Kia Rio
  By Alexis - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Since Ive had my car its gotten me everywhere I need to go. It rides pretty smooth and gets wonderful gas mileage. It is my first car and its a pretty good price and reasonable to be someones first car. Overall, this car is a good one to drive.

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  Kia Has Set The Standard - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By donbowler - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive only had my Sorento one month, 1200 miles, but I love this vehicle. My wife drives a 2001 Montero Sport fully loaded. I have everything on my Kia she has on her Montero for $6000 less. Gas mileage is my only complaint; but, I knew this going in. I figured if it cost me $500 a year more to drive the vehicle I wanted, I could live with that. Pus, look at what Ive saved on price!

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  Kia - Excellent First Foreign Car - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Robert - November 6 - 11:56 pm

  The Kia LX is the first foreign car I have ever purchased. I usually bought Dodge or Ford. Not any more. At age 52 I bought this car for the gas mileage and 100,000 mile warranty. Not one problem since I bought it.

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  fun with the kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By wendy - November 6 - 6:03 pm

  the kia is very fun to drive; very stylish, alot of compliments on how nice an suv it is. when i tell them the price they it looks a lot more expensive. very nice for the price.

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  Better then a used car... - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By david - November 6 - 3:56 am

  I only have the car three weeks - much too early for complete honest report but so far I am extremely happy with the car, especially when I pull into the gas station and fill up. Average fuel economy is about 34mpg. I think its a much better alternative to a used car you know nothing about. I did all my research on Edmunds and got even a lower price then I expected. $15,000.00 - that includes sun roof and abs. I got it in red and that includes tax and tags. If youre looking for a car that rides like your 1970 Olds 98 forget it but I would have no problem taking the car on a long trip. The seats are comfortable. I am impressed so far. No negative comments right now but stay tuned.