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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  Unique exterior - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By mona jackson - May 18 - 2:00 am

  We bought our Amanti after taking one look at it. We loved the unique exterior and the unbelievable features available with a price tag slightly over $28,000. The electronic stability package on our Amanti convinced me to give up my 4 wheel drive car-built SUV for it. Granted, we have only owned it for a month, but so far, I love it, and I dont think Ill be trading it any time soon.

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  Love that Kia Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Big Joe1 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  In this day and age of looking for the best bang for the buck, the Kia Sorento is the find. Quality and style for a great price.

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  My second Amanti - 2006 Kia Amanti
  By Alex - May 18 - 12:26 am

  I love the comfort in driving this car. Not so good in mileage. I had a 2004 Kia Amanti, and the reliability and easy driving convinced me of buying a new one 2006. The style will change in the year 2007 and i am sorry for that.

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  A solid bargain - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By BobM - May 17 - 10:00 am

  Best car for the value, by far. On par with the Mitsubishi Gallant S I trade in for it. The warranty is a big plus. The ride is great, sound system superior to what I had with the Gallant. A pleasure to drive.

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  Want lots of attention? - 2010 Kia Soul
  By luisruvi - May 17 - 6:10 am

  We have had a great time so far in this car. Very comfortable and fun. Great style and lots of people notice us in the Molten Red model. Moved my wife from an 07 Explorer and was worried about size change but she is falling in love with the soul.

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  Better watch out, G.M. - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By B&JK - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Terrific car. I KNOW Kia is THE up and coming car maker. The Amanti is pure luxury.

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  2004 Sorento Review - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By qpcwrap - May 14 - 10:00 am

  Although I have only had this vehicle 2 months, I absolutely love it!! It is the perfect size and so much fun to drive!! I love the way it looks (comparable to even lexus and bmw) even though obviously there is a HUGE difference between them I have even had people ask me what kind of car I am driving because people do notice it!!

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  What a shame they dropped the Amanti - 2008 Kia Amanti
  By sivled - May 14 - 5:04 am

  I am 65 yrs. old so I have owned all kinds of cars both new and used and I was never really happy until now. I have bought american cars for decades until they became to expensive. My wife says new cars are the only way to go. Anyway in 2008 I bought a car I had never heard of and a dealer I knew very little about except for all the people I spoke to . They raved about their 2008 Kia Amanti so I saw oe in a dealer and fell in love with the design. Anyway we bought this Amanti and I am thrilled I did. My car has super confort and a very quiet interior. It has great pick up and a 3.8. v6 engine. I may never trade it. My wife bought a 2010 Kia Sorento . We love both.

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  Great People mover - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By acer - May 14 - 12:36 am

  Owned 2 Ford Windstars, tired of constant mechanical issues. Did a lot of research before i brought the Sedona EX. After 7 months of owning the Sedona Ex best can still say its a great vehicle. Sedona is extremely solid, we have the ex w/ leather and entertainment pack.interior materials are of good quality, extremely roomy, great storage. I love the sunroof, and side windows that go down. Transmission is very smooth. Gas mileage has been combined 22 mpg. I love driving this van, feels like your driving a luxury vehicle. Has a lot of pep for a minivan (245 HP).Quality is right up there with Honda and Toy. You wont be disappointed. Great warranty, highest safety ratings, great price.

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  I Love My Kia Rio - 2005 Kia Rio
  By Bianca Gunn - May 12 - 12:36 am

  I bought this car for the warranty, and to save money on gas. I am very pleased. I have put nearly 1000 miles on it, and am happier with this cute little car than the day I took delivery. Every time I drive it I find something else about it that impresses me. The Rio is comfortable and the interior design well thought out. I love the way the power windows on my Rio raise or lower for thirty seconds after shutting down the engine, I also like the easy to read and access instrument panels. The ride is a little stiff, but seems to be smoothing out with more miles; "road noise" is not so bad that I have to blast the radio; a quiet conversation is also possible. I traded a truck for the KIA.