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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  Just bought my Optima - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Bubba and Buster - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Have been looking for two months at other makes (Ford, Hyundai, Honda, Mitsubishi). I was getting frustrated because the other makes with the features I wanted were TOO expensive. I hadnt even thought to look at KIA. We were passing by the KIA dealership and decided to stop by to browse. WOW..I found just the car with all the features I wanted and a price I could afford. I would recommend anyone who is looking for a well equipted car at a reasonable price to check out the KIA, and the warranty cant be beat.

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  Sweden - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By LGE - May 2 - 10:00 am

  A greatful car thats works just fine for me, hopeful many great miles ahead!

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  good car - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By albert carns - May 1 - 10:53 am

  Weve had this car for some time (81,000 miles),and have only had a few minor issues. Master cylinder (warranty)rear window motors (warranty). Runs great, and though it will not accelerate very quickly, due to gear ratio and automatic trans, the top end is well in excess of 110 mph. Michelins make a difference, handles like a top heavy short wheel base narrow track vehicle it is, pretty damn good, lots of fun. Inexpensive fun s--t box.

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  Questionable reliability - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By FASV - May 1 - 10:00 am

  I still like this car; however; only after 55,000 miles the alternator failed and at 67,000 the ac compressor had to be rebuilt. The alternator repair was covered by the warranty but the ac I had to pay for it. Recently I replaced the brakes for the first time and the timing belt and engine belts. Tires twice and battery twice as well. Other than that I still like the car but will think twice again of buying another Kia. The 60,000 miles warranty is for a reason.

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  Love My Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Katrina Webb - May 1 - 10:00 am

  I traded down from an Expedition EL Limited to the Sorento SX and I would NEVER go back. I love it. I wanted something with 3 rows but with better gas mileage. I test drove everything under the sun before finding this one. It is so fun to drive, but watch your speed, I got pulled over within two days. I learned very quickly to use the cruise. I love the red lighting, sunroof, sound system, and especially the bluetooth. I also love the push button start. I never have to get my keys out of my purse. MPG is just as described on sticker. I have had no problems and would recommend this vehicle to anyone.

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  Spunky Soul is great fun - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Soulman Bob - April 29 - 4:30 pm

  My wife and I were looking initially at the Kia Forte, but liked the roominess and ride height of the Soul(previously we owned a Jeep Cherokee). We both like the great number of safety features standard on the Soul. Unlike the Soul Sport that Edmunds was provided, ours does have the tire pressure sensor system included. I really prefer leaving the electronic stability feature on - it makes the ride and cornering much smoother and tight. I do some city delivery work with the Soul, and with the AC on and a lot of stop and go, were still averaging 24 mpg or so. We havent had it long, so well see how it handles the snow and ice of Nebraska. Also, Ill be interested in its reliability

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  not sure about this car - 2013 Kia Sportage
  By vk2193 - April 29 - 11:51 am

  terrrible mileage i have 2.0 turbo sportage. i only have 600km on it but the fuel consumption is huge, around 13 Liters per 100 km (around 18mpg). It says on the manual that there is a break in period of 5000 km, but i have big doubts that the fuel economy will improve. not sure if i recommend this car to anyone

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  Surprising car - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Rich - April 28 - 6:03 pm

  This is a fun car to drive. At todays gas prices, I am glad to report that the car actually gets the advertised mileage. They stated it would get 18 mpg (city) and 25 mpg (highway). While mileage depends on driving habits, I get at least 18 mpg city, and up to 28 mpg highway. The 28 mpg was reached while driving on an interstate doing 85 mph (dont tell the police.)

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  Inexpensive well equipped car - 2016 Kia Forte
  By Charles S. - April 28 - 12:12 pm

  Ride handles well for the most part. Steering feels sluggish at times and engine sounds cheap. But overall the car accelerates quick and delivers a sportier driving feel than most cars in the segment. It also has good looks and nice technology options. Would buy another forte

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  Great Little SUV - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Elise - April 27 - 2:06 pm

  I love driving my new Sportage! My daughter had bought one and when I had the chance to drive it I fell in love and went and bought one, too! Its fun to drive and turns on a dime! Great warranty, and KIA is quick to recall any problems and fix them pronto! Mileage could improve as I havent yet gotten over 17.6 MPG and was "promised" at least 19. Overall, though, a great value!