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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  Nice Set of Wheels - 2012 Kia Soul
  By Ed Ross - December 18 - 11:53 am

  We had been married 44 years. For the first time in our marriage, my wife asked for a specific car, the Soul! I said, a what? We usually buy a new car ever year or two; I give her the new one and I use the older one in my sales job. My wife loves this car. She is 52" and it fits her perfectly. It sets higher so she can see fine and this makes getting in and out much easier for her. We have had no problems with the car. It has excellent pick up and stops well. It will seat five but one of them had better be a child in the back seat! Our only complaint is that the ride is harsher than need be. I understand the new ones are a bit softer. I dont like not having a spare tire so I got one at the junk yard. I change my own oil and it is easy to do on the Soul. We bought this car with 3000 miles on it, the previous owner felt is was too small for his family but it is perfect for us. All our kids are grown. Gas mileage is a little less than I had hoped for. At 65 mph and on the flat Interstates in IL, I cannot get over 30 and a milk a car for gas mileage. I could get 36 on our 2010 Malibu on the same roads. I didnt like that it did not have "driving lights" so I bought OEM fog lights on eBay and installed them so that they are on whenever the ignition is on. I do like the fact that after an amount of time, the car will automatically turn off any lights left on after you turn the car off; headlights, dome light, etc. My wife and I would highly recommend the Kia Soul. We have the "Plus" model. We have only had one recall and that was optional. (UPDATE) This car is amazing, still no problems and my wife loves it. We almost traded it for a 2016 Soul but this one is just too nice to give up. Go buy one.

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  Good ride - 2003 Kia Rio
  By jcwit - December 18 - 10:26 am

  Have only had the car one week, but very happy with it so far. Mileage is in the low 40s, 42 to be exact, with gas prices at 3.00 plus makes it great. Ride is very comfortable and quiet for a small car, much better than our Metro which it replaces. Handling is fantastic, corners great, pick-up is better than average for this small an engine. Improvments?? Cant think of any at this time. So far, glad I bought it.

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  love my new Sorento - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By pedro - December 18 - 6:26 am

  I drove the Sorento for the first time about two weeks ago. I loved it. The ride was excellent. Yesterday I went to the same dealer I purchased my new Kia Sportage in 1998, test drove the Sorento again and...drove it home. I purchased the LX with running board and flood lamps. I paid around $22K TOTAL. Did I say I love this car (suv)? If you are looking at the RAV4, Jeep Liberty, Suzuki Grand Vitara. the Kia Sorento has all them beat, HANDS DOWN. Same price or even cheaper. I wanted to buy the EX but was not crazy about the sunroof. The ride is very smooth. I LOVE IT.

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  Great car, iffy service - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By DawnBaby - December 16 - 10:00 am

  Overall, we are happy with our purchase. The mini van is comfortable and fun to drive, especially with the leather package and sun roof. We have had a bad experience with the dealership. The radio broke the day after we got it and they made us wait a long time for a new one. (Do not jump start a Sedona without disconnecting the radio from the circuit panel!! Apparently the dealer jumped the car the night before we bought it and it ruined the stereo) Now the privacy glass is bubbling and we need a new window. A few inconvieniences, but we are pleased with our decision to buy the Sedona.

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  Great Car For A Grandpa - 2015 Kia Sorento
  By joefire - December 16 - 6:46 am

  This is my 2nd Sorento (We had a 2012 also). I love this car! It was great when the grandkids visited . The 3rd seat is meant for them. We have the sx model with all the bells and whistles. The acceleration of the V6 is very good and the quality of the interior is nice.

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  Loving my new KIA Sorento!!!! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By edward nankin - December 15 - 8:39 pm

  This car is just what we needed for our family of 4. We had a minivan and was looking for a reliable car that we could take on long trips that would hold our luggage and be priced for a family budget...The car is roomy and has plenty of cargo space. It looks great and rides comfortably. It is not too big or small just right in size.

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  fall in love again - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By T - December 15 - 2:33 pm

  I drive a lot. I am thrilled with the side curtain airbags and the front passenger seat monitor of the airbag. I love the ability to manually shift. The heaviness of the vehicle lends to that old feeling of safety. I adore the look of the car itself and am thrilled to say that for the past month I am getting 26 miles to the gallon (3000 miles). I truly might be able to love again ... this car makes you remember those feelings!

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  For the money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By skiboji - December 15 - 7:53 am

  Bought in March 2010 and have 16,000 miles on so far. Have no regrets with this car so far. Rides rough but is quiet. Best value for a vehicle that has Nav, leather, dvd and awd.

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  Good Kia - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Guy1 - December 15 - 1:56 am

  Excellent SUV. Is a gas hog in my opinion. V6 maybe 20 miles a gallon. Quiet ride is exceptional. This vehicle is also built very good. Get the most for your money.

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  So Far Its A WOW! - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By beav1956 - December 13 - 7:53 pm

  I bought a Midnight Gray Amanti with leather package on April 3. It has an unusual look that grows on me daily. It has an extremely smooth ride and a nice balance. This car isnt the flattest in hard turns, but I bought it for the ride quality. I wasnt looking for a sport sedan. I get almost as many stares in the Amanti as my red 70 chevelle. The torque and acceleration are greater than I could have expecteded. Only has 1500 miles so far but I love this car! The beautiful leather, fit and finish are awesome. Quietest, most comfortable car Ive ever ridden in. An impressive car and so affordable. So far, the 07 Amanti is a WOW!