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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  What, me buy a Kia? - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Charlie - July 5 - 3:26 am

  Picked up my Kia 2 weeks ago. I waited untill the dealer could locate a triple black 2 door koup. I moved out of a Volvo S60 turbo so I was used to the speed and handling. I wasnt expecting too much, but after driving the car and putting on the first 1000 miles, I was pleasantly surprised. This car is a winner for what it is. Over time the brand will make improvements so I hope that it wont loose too much value. The service guys I spoke with all said that the car surprises them with what little goes wrong. Lets hope theyre right. so far, so good.

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  Its been a year now since my purchase - 2007 Kia Amanti
  By Jim - July 3 - 6:23 pm

  Its been a year now since my purchase and Im still a fan of the Amanti. Love the vehicle and its reliability. Im getting low mileage around the city but 80% of my driving is just that. City 15.8 MPG .. but on the highway I get a strong 34 MPG. I traded my lincoln continental in for this vehicle and was nervous about my choice. I went with the Amanti for value and warranty. Im glad I did. Ive not regretted my decision yet - in fact wonder how I got so smart. This car is just flat out fun to drive and has everything in it an on it I ever had with my lincolns. Especially satisfied with winter driving - electronic stability control is great. Check out the Amanti befor you buy anything.

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  What a car! - 2002 Kia Optima
  By damitch - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I own a 97 Sephia and bought the Optima for the value you get in a Kia. I have been thoroughly pleased with the increase in styling and performance Kia has shown. The leather seats are very comfortable with both front seats powered. The engine is very adequate for a 4- cylinder. The overall sleek appearance, 15 inch wheels, and chrome accents have turned heads on the road. I would say the Optima is dollar for dollar the best you can buy.

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  I think I made a mistake - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By MaybeAMistake - July 3 - 10:00 am

  Like others - we purchased the Sedona because of the price. My wife and I have had it in the shop at least 3 times for the air conditioner. Now, the steering column makes a clunky noise. They ordered a "new steering column". Then... THEY SOLD OFF KIA - the next nearest dealer is about 90 minutes away. Im not feeling too good about the purchase. Also, the windshield cracked and cracked quickly.

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  So far so good - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By snowdude - July 3 - 10:00 am

  We just bought an 03 Kia Sorrento EX and so far so good. The car provides a very comfortable ride and my wife loves it. I wanted a Toyota 4Runner but she liked the smaller size of the Kia. The outside and inside finish on our car is excellent. We love the smooth ride and cant wait to take it up to Snowbird for a few powder runs.

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  Cars!!Cars!!Everywhere, Cars!!! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Junior - July 3 - 7:50 am

  I love my spectra. Im 61 and fit in it perfectly. My friends range from 6 to 65 and fit in the back seats perfectly. There is a little dash rattle, but my music is normally high enough to where I dont recognize it. This is one of my first cars and I love it more than all of the others.

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  Dont Buy a Kia - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By barb niccum - July 3 - 2:36 am

  We have owned/leased/operated 9 new cars. Most we have traded in within a few years. A few we have kept past their shelf life; but with great results. Bottom of the list? you got it. My 2002 kia sedona mini van. Purchased brand new in may 2002. Fast forward 7 short years; yes only 7 short years…to a complete and utter piece of junk. Evidently there is a ‘line’ that runs the length of the van that holds and circulates your engine coolant. Well its a very bad thing when the line rusts completely through and you leak said engine coolant. You would think that there would be light for this type of complete malfunction…but the only light is the one telling you that your motor just burned up.

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  Big value, Tall ride - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By Markv - July 2 - 1:23 am

  Value on this car is great, but as a 6 6" 300lb man, this car is a tall ride. There is head room to spare and my legs have space to roam. The Rondo was a surprise test drive and sold me from the moment I sat down. I cannot say enough good things about the space for me and my family, all tall kids and one small wife! We love it. Drives smoothly, good mileage and for a small van/wagon it looks nice too. The best out of 3 months of looking, test driving and researching.

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  Refined Luxury with a sporty overtone - 2013 Kia Optima
  By boesman1 - July 1 - 2:21 pm

  Coming out of a 2007 Mazda CX7 GT, I was leaning hard towards a 2014 Mazda6. In my due diligence, I looked at the 2013 Optima which really caught my eye with its beauty. After test driving the SXL w/turbo there was no comparison. With 3k in incentives it was comparable to the Mazda, yet blew it away in creature comforts and luxury. Ive had the car for about a week and have no regrets. Having had BMWs, Infinitys and a corvette I can honestly say this car is the nicest I ever owned. Performance is nothing less than amazing with the smoothest power-band Ive ever experienced, especially considering the turbo. Comfort and value are second to none. Fun factor remains to be seen as I adjust.

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  Disappointed. - 2003 Kia Rio
  By addii - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car second hand from a guy who drove mostly highway. In the few months that I have owned it The hatchback has locked up several times, the drivers side door only works half the time (meaning I have to climb out the passenger seat). The car has stalled on me in mid-intersection. The engine light came on and car started to lug, had to pull over it lost all acceleration. The engine constantly revs and drops back down making it impossible to get to the speed you want easily. The back right window will not open from drivers panel. Overall Im really unhappy with this car and regret buying it.