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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  Great Value - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Kia In The Gorge - November 12 - 10:30 pm

  Bought the EX 4wd with every available option Feels safe when driving, heated leather seats feel good on cool days, power sunroof is nice. Takes corners good, mileage better that some 4wd, but always could be better, we average 22 hwy/city driving. Love the rubber tray in cargo area, easy to clean, reclining rear seats are a hit, grocery bag net in back is sweet, leather nice but not the finest grade. The cost is about what you would pay for a used SUV but you get the 10 year 100,000 mile warranty. Good stuff. Back seat has lots of leg room, Im 63" and dont mind sitting there.

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  Great Car! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By jason33 - November 11 - 5:06 am

  We bought this sporty Kia after much research. We looked at and drove the Mazda 3, Honda Civic, Toyota Corrola,and Scion Tc, hands down the Forte was the winner. We got leather heated seats, 2.4 liter engine, moon roof, tinted windows and 17 inch wheels, for $20,130 minus rebates of,1,000 and a 500 dollar owner loyalty rebate (traded in an 2002 Kia sportage) so $18,630 out the door. The Mazda, toyota and Honda were all over $24,000 with no rebate and warranty that cant compare. This Kia is built well. And Kia has improved by leaps and bounds since my 2002 sportage was built. We love this car, it performs as well or better than the competition. I cant say enough good about our little Kia!

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  Best decision I made! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Brandon Arenibar - November 10 - 5:20 pm

  Ive owned my Forte Koup for two weeks now and it seems to get better everyday. Things I didnt notice on my test drive like the awesome sound of the muffler, very sporty, and pep. You really need to get used to ECO mode and learn how to drive with it to tell, but my car is quick. It doesnt feel like it either, next thing you know youre at 70. All the features you have in this car seem like they should be in a high end model. No car that I have looked at has the quality and amount of features standard. I also have to give a shout to KIA, the support for this purchase has been amazing. They wont stop sending me thank yous and free maintenance coupons, etc. I am so pleased with them

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  Best vehicle Ive ever bought - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By todrikki - November 10 - 9:10 am

  The Sorento now has 38k on it. The cupholder in the back could have been built a little better. We get 22 plus on the highway. People whining about mileage should remember this is a body on frame vehicle. A truck on wheels. Look under a Sorento and you will be amazed at the heavy duty construction. Stereo is out of this world It rides like a big ol Cadillac. It does tend to be a little stiff on some bumps, but Im sure this is because it is intended for some off roading. Overall, I cant believe this is a Kia. Its the best thing Kia has ever put out. I was not even going to test drive one, because I figured it would be like the Sportage. The warranty is "THE BEST."

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  I bought a lemon 2 - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Carhen69 - November 9 - 9:33 pm

  I bought my car in May of 2006 brand new off the lot for $17,500. After Driving the car for a couple of days I noticed a terrible vibration coming from the front of the vehicle. The steering wheel vibrated so bad that I hated driving this car. When I mentioned this problem to the dealer I was told that the engine was just to big for the car! I have had the car looked at by 2 different dealers in the last year and a 1/2 since I owned because of many issues, ranging from poor gas mileage, vibration and loss of power. My car has now been in the shop for over a week and am now being told that YES there is a problem but they simply do not know what it is. They are working to resolve....

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  Best Car Every Purchased - 2010 Kia Forte
  By LMS - November 9 - 7:48 pm

  I bought this car new in April, 2010. I have since driven it 136,000 miles. Besides the normal maintenance & wear and tear, I have not had a serious issue with this car. Not once! It has been extremely reliable. Driven from PA to NC on multiple occasions, and daily gets over 50 miles to and from work. If you are looking for a car that is reliable and cost effective, take a look at a 2010 Kia Forte. Even if high miles, Id think this would be a great purchase. Heres to getting to 200k and having the same review!

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  too many things gone wrong - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Kim - November 9 - 6:13 pm

  I purchased this little suv because of price. I wanted a 4x4 and this was one that seemed reasonable. Well let me just say that I glad its under warranty. The transmission went at 40,000 miles. The cooling fan busted damaging the radiator & washer reservoir. I need front brakes already and just put on 4 new tires just before this winter. Then this winter I had problems with putting fuel in my tank; kept flowing back out at me. Accelerator sensor replaced 3 times. The service has been great & warranty has covered all except tires and brakes of course. I will be trading it in before the warranty is up thats for sure! Other than that, its not a bad little suv to drive around.

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  2007 Kia Sorento LX 4WD - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Tim - November 8 - 12:06 pm

  Overall, love this vehicle. Very nice looking and after 19,000 miles no major problems. Very peppy and fun to drive. Gas mileage stinks, but that is true for most SUVs. If that is a major factor in your purchase, then I wouldnt buy it. For us, we only drive 8k per year so it isnt that noticeable, especially with lowered gas prices.

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  Great purchase - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Keepintune - November 7 - 11:20 pm

  Traded in a Ford Explorer XLT due to gas mileage. I am a piano technician and have to carry tools at all times. This was a great choice after searching for 3 months. Compared American, Japanese and Korean cars. I wanted the Prius, but there were none to be had, and then dealers were selling for "market price". I made a great choice for me. I am 63" and above 250 lbs. Comfort is there for leg room, but to me, seat surfaces are not soft enough. That being my only complaint of the inside, everything else is great. I love the stereo-great sound and flexibility; cd changer, ipod & xm to Aux input is fabulous. Easy to work. Car well laid out. Easy to read instruments.

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  Amanti Lover - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Amanti Lover - November 7 - 9:56 pm

  This is a fabulous car. Its a real eye-catcher. When I first began to drive it, I felt like I was floating. Ive only had one problem and that was with the right strut collar. Kia has the part on order and said this was a problem with most Amantis. Its been over a month and the part still hasnt come in. Gas mileage is not good. Great vehicle with excellent warranty.