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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  A excellent Car to own - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Avanti - June 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is truly a wonderful car and fun to own. I have never had so much attention in a car. It has everything you could want in a car and the price is fantastic.

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  COMFORTABLE - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By DRIVER - June 12 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS A VERY COMFORTABLE SUV. MY HUSBAND IS 63" AND LOVES THE "ROOMYNESS" ABOUT IT. IM ABOUT 54" AND I LIKE THAT IT DOESNT FEEL BULKY. I CAN SEE VERY WELL AND HAVE NO BLIND SPOTS. THE HOOD IS EASY TO SEE OVER AND BACKING UP IS GREAT. THE REAR SEATING IS COMFORTABLE ALSO. IF NEEDED, I AM ABLE TO SIT IN THE REAR IN BETWEEN THE 2 CAR SEATS.

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  Gas Saver! - 2011 Kia Forte
  By Desiree Machado - June 10 - 7:40 pm

  This was my 1st car that i purchased on my own 2 1/2 years ago and i can honestly say it was well money spent. I love my car so much it is very reliable and i cant stress it enough on how much gas it saves! Inside is very comfortable, easy to steer, entertainment is great, speakers are loud, Bluetooth workes perfect and seat adjustment is easy and accurate. This makes a great 1st car, unfortunately i have to give my up for something bigger because the back is a little to small for my babies carseat. Not a family car at all. But thats honestly the only Con about the forte.

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  sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Lorial10992 - June 8 - 10:00 am

  So far no problems, nice looks, solid, great value

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  Love My New Sportage - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By new owner - June 7 - 11:53 am

  I love the new style and ride! It has been a head turner already and has all the bells and whistles that more affordable SUVs have, yet half the price, oha nd the gas milage is great too. I am getting 23-26 mpg!

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  Old Guy Loves This Car - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Mike - June 6 - 7:36 pm

  at 54 and having owned many luxury cars from corvettes to BMWs, I went with the Kia Soul because of style, comfort and fun. I can put up with my 5 adult children poking fun at me but I thoroughly enjoy this car.

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  Love my Kia Sedona - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By jsieghart - June 6 - 4:43 pm

  I purchased my 2005 Kia Sedona a month ago and have just been more than pleased with the vehicle. My first priority was that it was safe and it received 5-star safety ratings. My next concern was affordability. I couldnt even touch a comparable mini-van for what Im paying for my Kia. Overall, I am thrilled!

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  2002 EX - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By DBP - June 6 - 10:00 am

  I purchased a 2002 EX with a $1000 rebate.The rebate made this deal to tempting. The Sedona rides well and has a ton of creature comforts. Everything from auto head-lights to power seats. The LX is nice too but the EX had to many extras for a small difference in price.

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  Niiiiice ride - 2014 Kia Cadenza
  By cadenza owner - June 5 - 9:42 am

  Really surprised at the look and feel of this little known of vehicle.

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  Awsome car - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Rick Martin - June 5 - 7:36 am

  The car rides like a dream. The sound system is incredible and the interior looks like a car costing at least twice as much. Coming almost fully loaded for under $25,000, people want to know where I got the money for such an expensive car. I just laugh an tell them I hit the lottery. Sweet car all the way around.