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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  Just OK - 2012 Kia Optima
  By soadokdls - May 16 - 2:43 pm

  I really like the way the car looks and some of the great features you would never get with a similar car but there are definitely things that I am not impressed with. The UVO system they have works well intermittantly and they claim the issues I have with the phone is bc Im using my iPhone cable instead of their $40 cable which is total BS. Also, I had a 2010 Toyota Camry V6 prior to this so the HP is the same, but since the Kia is a 4 cylinder the power just isnt as good. Oh, and my insurance also doubled!!!! My insurance company claims the Kias ISO rating is 30 and my Camry, which was $2k more, was a 16. How is that freakin possible?? Has anyone else experienced that?

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  Great suv for price - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By samdog2 - May 14 - 7:30 pm

  We were looking to purchase a fuel effecient Suv and the 32 mpg advertised on the sticker was awesome. We went with the 2.4L 16-valve DOHC CVVT 4-cylinder engine. However, we have driven 3,000 miles and have yet to get any where near 32 mpg. This has been highway as well as back road miles. The average mileage is between 24 mpg and 25 mpg no matter where or how we drive. A relative purchased the Ex model a few weeks after us and he hasnt gotten 32 mpg either. Almost all of his miles are on the highway. Other wise we love the vehicle!!!!!!!!!

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  Bang for the buck - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By Caseman1969 - May 14 - 10:26 am

  This is a very nice vehicle for the money. Kia used to be considered a third rate company, but boy have they come on strong. The sound of the door closing alone tells you the quality of the vehicle. No cheap sounding pings here. A solid thud.

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  Update - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By LAJ - May 14 - 8:22 am

  I drove this car for 91,000 miles and five years. It was a reliable, trustworthy car. Never gave me one issue with the engine. Always started. Inexpensive to maintain. At about 75k, things started breaking. The CD player quit working, the button for volume became tricky as well. The AC was not always great in the back,so sometimes we burned up on long trips. The Door locks broke, and the paint began chipping and flaking like crazy. Despite this, it was a great car mechanically. It was a trusty beast, and if not for the fact that my kids started moving out, Id probably still drive the gas guzzler daily. It was just that reliable. Of course, Id have to insure I did not lock the doors, or cared about having a car with paint, all while burning up and checking apps for cheap gas. It gets to ya, its like a good old work truck thats ugly as Heck, but you went to your first job in it, so you keep it. I had a hard time trading it in. I kinda felt sorry for it. I guess thats what happens with good cars. I guess this is a great car if you just need to drive a little bit, or you have a kid who just needs to go back and forth to school, and gas moneys no big thing it they are safe. All in all, its a reliable family hauler thats cheap to maintain. I truly believe someone can drive it 200k with very little issues. If thats all that matters to you, this is the car for you. Just make sure you never lock it or leave anything valuable in it. :)

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  KIA MY LEXUS - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By DEBRA ADEN - May 14 - 4:50 am

  This car has been a great joy to drive as well as so many features that are on the car. We looked at more expensive cars and couldnt find a reason why the Kia Sorrento should not be considered a tremendous value for the money.

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  warrenty issues - 2013 Kia Optima
  By ibergeron - May 14 - 3:22 am

  the Kia Optima we purchased was our third, we had an Amanti, we purchased a Sorento for our son, and now we have an Optima. the car ran great but it blew the engine. the repairs approved was a re-manufactured engine. Every mechanic I have spoken to said that a new engine in a 1 1/2 year old car with 21,500 miles was the correct repair NOT a re-manufactured engine. If you want a vehicle that will be repaired properly, stay AWAY From KIA.

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  embarressed to be seen in it - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Sue Wilson - May 14 - 2:00 am

  the paint is chipping I dont want to be seen in my rio, I was proud at first untill the paint started to leave white spots

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  Excellent Vehicle! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Cyph - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I just bought this vehicle last month and I love it. Compared to many other SUVs in its class,it was the best value for what you get! It drives smoothly and is very roomy. I recommend it!

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  amazing - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Walter Harrington - May 12 - 7:57 am

  This is a very nice car. An exceptional value. I bought the base model, its all I could afford. For under $28,000 I think its a steal. I like the size, the ease of handling, the smooth ride, and pretty much everything about the car. The Sorento I bought is the base 2.4 liter 4. This engine is all you need unless you are planning to race it. If I could have afforded the higher payments I may have bought the V 6. This 2016 Sorento with the 2.4 engine will run circles around my 2014 Honda CR-V. And they both have a 2.4 liter 185 horse power engine. They both have a six speed automatic tranny. they both cost the same. The biggest difference to me is the highway. The Sorento accelerates effortlessly on the interstate. The Honda is much slower. The materials in the two cars are day and night difference. The CR-V, also a base model has base model interior. The Sorento has far nicer seat upholstery, the dash, doors, carpet and so on are much more attractive, and in fact to me do not look like base model interior. The Sorento rides smoother and over all is ore comfortable. To the Hondas credit I have had a few close calls with it, and the braking and emergency maneuvering to avoid hitting deer were very good. Over all for every day driving, trip, touring, and so on I would chose the Sorento Over the Honda. Gas mileage is the same on both Please dont get me wrong, I like the Honda, and have no plans on trading. What Im saying is that for the dollar I think the Sorento is a better value for your money. And the hundred thousand mile warranty is unbeatable .

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  Little Red Wagon Convertible - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By Shammy from AZ - May 12 - 12:06 am

  Have a Red 2001 2 door automatic Sportage with 2WD. I bought it used and love it! The truck is reliable. I drive 80 miles a day. A blast with the rear top removed. The seats are comfortable and you have a good view of the road ahead. The 2.0 Mazda engine runs strong and the acceleration is fast enough to pass traffic. The 4 speed automatic shifts smooth except when the truck is cold ... then it locks out overdrive until warm. Does ride like a truck but that is expected. The frame is tough as I live on a dirt road with lots of ruts and bumps. With the exception of squeaks and rattles this truck is holding up very well. The previous owner maintained it well. Hoping to get many miles out of her.