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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  My Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By jefiner4 - March 26 - 2:00 am

  I love the pick up and go that my vehicle has! Its fun to drive and has more cargo room than my old Dodge Grand Caravan! The way it turns on a dime and stops quickly make it great for parking in tight quaters. I love taking it on long trips because of the way it rides and handles and sounds!

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  great suv great features - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By ediman - March 26 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive good accleration great looks a lot of thought in almost everything from power points to cup holders.

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  Best Car Ever Owned - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Sakequeen - March 24 - 9:23 pm

  6-Speed is awesome! Great gas mileage, just drove from Pittsburgh to Kitty Hawk, NC and it was THE most comfortable ride I have ever had. I love the features and the overall look (SNOW WHITE PEARL). So much room in the back cargo area, and my kids love the large amount of space in the backseats, as well as the air vents. Best vehicle I have ever purchased. I have owned Honda, Saturn, VW, and a Pontiac, this is my forever car. I feel like I bought an expensive car. I am always getting stopped by people inquiring about it.

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  My Sorento LX-6 - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Jake - March 24 - 9:00 am

  Got one of the first LX-6 models, drove the 4 cyl and was going to get the EX-6 but didnt need all the equipment. The 4 cyl is a bit underpowered but adequate. The 6cyl has great power and is fun to drive. All 6 cyl models come with rear A/C and rear 3rd row seats which are to small for an adult and if used there is little storage space. Has 18 inch tires so its rough of bumpy roads but quiet and smooth otherwise. So far gas mileage here in S. Fl with a/c used most days has been close to sticker. Vehicle is comfortable, brakes and handling are very good and price was even better for what you get.

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  Catch one if you can - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Gary Marzolf - March 24 - 2:29 am

  Much better car then i expected.

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  Love My new Opitima! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By SafetyFirst - March 23 - 8:13 am

  Just bought my second Kia Optima and I couldnt be more pleased. The exterior looks awesome and is a big improvement. I bought another Optima after having driven an 05 for 3 years and never having to take it in for repairs. This car is so much fun to drive and I plan to have it for a very long time!

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  new to kia - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By Dave - March 23 - 6:03 am

  Fantastic car to drive. Lots of room!!!!! Ive received lots of positive remarks from friends and family about the comfort and great ride. Only negative...the rear door hatch only works manually.

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  My second Kia in 1 year - 2010 Kia Forte
  By RSG91763 - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This car is great. After I bought a 2011 Kia Sorento early in the year, I just had to buy the Forte with the fuel economy package for my transport car. Two weeks old with a thousand miles, this car will do just fine. Excellent buy.

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  Shocked at the value here - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By Surpised_by_Kia - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Had it for 2 weeks. Still cant believe the value for the money. Styling is one of the best out there in the segment. Handles like a Honda. Loaded to the hilt, you can get one for $26.5K (invoice) and it comes with options only found in high end vehicles (rear camera, nav, BT, leather, USB, xeon, 18" rims, dual moonroof, backup sensors, 6spd auto, homelink, voice commands, ARE YOU KIDDING ME?). We shopped around and couldnt find anything close to it for the price - have to jump $8-10K to find a comp. Car feels like it has more than 176 HP, probably because of the 6 sp auto. In the market for a small, heavily optioned SUV? Look no further. Oh, and it has the 10yr/100K mile warranty. Nice!

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  Incredible - 2002 Kia Rio
  By paganboyscout - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought my Kia Rio as a last ditch effort to get out of used cars. I had just gotten my license, and I needed a car to get from home to work every day. The Rio proved to be a godsend, allowing me to go anywhere, do anything, without breaking my bank. Ive named her Regina, and shes done more than I ever expected, often out performing cars priced 2-3 times as much. She has never stalled, never gurgled, never gotten stuck. Ive hauled over 1400 pounds (no typo) with her, gotten her through 3 foot snowdrifts, plowed her through 1 1/2 foot streams, and never has she so much as complained. I love this car, and will tell anyone buying a car to Go Kia.