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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  The more I know it the better I like it - 2003 Kia Optima
  By Richard Gross - June 27 - 8:33 pm

  The more I drive this car the better I like it. Peppy, handles great, and the Selectronic shifter is great in the mountains. Good gas milage, good looks, and nice interior (leather package). Will it be reliable in the long haul? Only time will tell, but with the great warranty I am not worried.

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  Sold My Yukon SLT - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By TomB - June 27 - 8:20 pm

  This vehicle is everything it represents itself to be. It has plenty of power, comfortable. Very nice layout.

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  Constantly in the shop - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By wspd16 - June 27 - 2:06 pm

  This is my first brand new car. Unfortunately also the worst. Problems stated at 3000 miles. Engine light is on almost every time I bring it in for any type service. All 4 power window motors went. Transmission problems, engine problems, wheel bearing problems, 4X4 problems, Defroster takes forever to clear front wind shield, cup holders broke easily. Vehicle had much more down time than its worth. Service department had to repeat their work two and three times before vehicle would run right for certain repairs.

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  best vehicle - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By red sox fan - June 27 - 2:00 am

  just a great vehicle

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  Better than expected - 2006 Kia Rio
  By jequines - June 26 - 9:46 pm

  Bought second hand for my wife and she loves it, I sorta like it. Has heated front seats which was surprising for a car like a rio. Gas mileage is excellent performance is adequate and comfort is adequate also. I was expecting this car to be horrible but she loved it so we got it. It has 60,000kms on it now with only 2 problems, spark plugs died at 40,000km no big deal, but timing belt slipped around the same time and had to be replaced for $800 not under warranty! Metal body is poor quality every stone chip begins rusting immediately unlike domestic galvanized cars. Overall I would buy again(for the wife).

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  Glad I Got It! - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Kristi - June 26 - 4:16 pm

  I compared the Kia to the Tribute and the Escape. They all have similar mileage and features, but what sold me was that most of the Kia features were standard and not expensive extras. The only thing I added were the leather seats and I extended the 10 year warranty bumper-bumper instead of just the engine/drivetrain. Everyone comments on how attractive it is and on the cool features like all the storage compartments and comfort of the ride. I gave up a fun convertible and wasnt convinced I was doing the right thing, but this is one of the best cars Ive ever driven!

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  Very nice little minivan - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By stockey - June 26 - 1:20 pm

  Very sturdy and trouble free van, nice build quality inside compared with cheap American minivans. Overall I am very pleased with my purchase.

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  brake problems and gas pedal problems - 2006 Kia Rio
  By karen - June 25 - 5:36 pm

  Purchased because of the cost and size along with good mileage. I have had 3 brake cylinders replaced in less than 1 year two of them on the same side and still my brakes are squeaky and at times making noises that I have never had before in any vehicle I have ever driven. They seem unwilling or unable to diagnose the real problem. I am very disatisfied with the car. Problems with the gas pedal sticking 1st thing in the morning and they are unable to find the problem with that as well. Im unhappy with the car.

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  This is a GREAT car! - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By akbusdrvr - June 25 - 10:00 am

  I live in Alaska where we get lots of snow. This winter I did not have one problem getting around in the snow or ice. I like the auto lock hubs, no more getting out to turn the hubcaps! I also tested the automatic, and it did not seem to do as well as the manual transmission. Also, a person cannot beat the warranty on these cars. A great little UTE!

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  Kia sportage - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By Anna - June 25 - 5:33 am

  Got this back in March 09. I like it a lot. The biggestthing is safety. The gas mileage is ok. Also got it for 4- wheel drive to deal with snow/ice and driving country backroads. Got a good deal so other people might too.