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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  awesome - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By skyhawk - February 5 - 2:00 am

  unbelievable value, 8 air bags, large interior, cant be beat

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  Sorento review - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By sorentofan - February 5 - 2:00 am

  We shopped for a small midsize suv for over 1 year. We first where turned on to the Kia Sorento at the los angeles auto show in 2003. We looked at all suvs in this class, after test driving several different suvs, we found ourselves comparing all others to the sorento. Kias 100,000 mile warranty and luxury options convinced us that the Sorento was the car for us.

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  Best value on the market - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Allan - February 2 - 11:23 am

  Amazing car for the price. I wouldnt trade it straight up for any non-hybrid in the medium sized sedan class. Great gas mileage on the road, comfortable and has plenty enough power. Looks nice and I have actually had people come up to me to comment on its beauty. Really!!!

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  Sedona Lover - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By mej - February 1 - 3:46 am

  Great vehicle. Drives well in snow. However, had problems with remote unlocking doors easily, bearings wore out quickly, and handles on sliding doors have failed to work on occasion.

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  Great First Car - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By JJFade - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Was not sure about Kia when I first bought the car but 4 years later I am still satisfied. No major problems yet.

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  great car-and i have owned alot - 2003 Kia Optima
  By niklminus4 - January 31 - 10:00 am

  i have owned a subaru outback 1999- 2001,than, nissan ultima,than mazda tribute.i travel alot,live in the mountains-need a good all around,dependable vehicle.the kia is the best.gas mileage great.rides smooth-i have the 4 cylinder,5 speed.rides like a champ.

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  Guilty - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Hopefull - January 31 - 10:00 am

  I like it I wish I could buy american but I didnt We have 4074 miles on it and so far its great Traded a LHS with 13500 on it WE WILL SEE when it has that.

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  Great car! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By emily - January 30 - 5:03 am

  This is a great car especially for the cost. Very Peppy, good handling, good road feel, quiet, smooth, big trunk, outstanding features. You cant ask for much more. I have a little over 100 mi on the car and have averaged about 26mpg according to trip computer with a mix of highway and city driving. Pretty good so far but hopefully that will increase with break in. This car really is an outstanding buy!

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  120,000 miles - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Lawrence Baye - January 30 - 12:57 am

  6 years and 120,000 later, I have not had to have the car repaired for anything except for headlight. I replaced both, but did not by bulbs from dealer. Do maintenance on schedule. I live in a very rural area so very few stop signs and traffic lights and most roads have 55 MPH limit so not much wear and tear on car compared to city living. I am 5 8" and 190 lbs so no problem with driving comfort. We also own a 2015 Optima.

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  Never Too Old - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By Andy A. - January 29 - 5:00 am

  After driving full-size American-made sedans and SUVs it was time to try something fun and fuel-efficient. This car is full of features and is more fun to drive. Lots of miles between gas stops, well-built, quieter than other cars, quick and nimble!