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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  2001 Kia Sportage - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By LadyDi - May 7 - 10:00 am

  I love my Kia. For the price and comfort it cant be beat. Its fun to drive and I can view the road much better. The dealership in Clearwater is also great. Thanks Kia

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  Sedona - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By cconaf2 - May 7 - 10:00 am

  I Have 13000 miles on it with no problems. My grill has a spot that is pealing the black paint away. I have driven from DC to Texas with no problems. I think it has good acceleration. Just wish the gas malage was better.

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  So Far an Excellent Choice - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Gomez2002 - May 7 - 10:00 am

  We bought our first Kia this month. What a great vehicle. The quality of the vehicle and the options make this van a great package for the money. We have only put about 500 miles on the van to date but so far its a keeper.

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  I wasnt happy with gas mileage - 2007 Kia Rio
  By LB - May 7 - 4:23 am

  We purchased the vehicle in May of last year. It is a cute economical disposable car but, here it is a year later and the car cant pass inspection because there is a bubble in the tire they said from a pothole living in New York. Its a great possibility but, they offered no help to resolve the situation. One of the main reasons for purchasing this particular vehicle was the gas mileage and it gets nowhere near what is says would. When we asked the dealer we were told it was the gas. We use exxon company has been around along time. I will never purchase another Kia again. This is the first time Ive had problems like that. They told us exxon gas was bad it doesnt matter what gas its still bad.

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  a new love in my life - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By GAUTHIER - May 4 - 10:00 am

  after taking out cars for days just before buying a 300M i said to my husband i really want to take out the kia amanti there was just something about it,so we went to the kia dealer and the moment i sat in this car i was hooked,then i drove it i looked at my husband and as he says i knew this was the car you wanted just by the smile on your face what can i say get in one and judge for yourself i bet you will be the proud owner of a kia amanti too. all i can say is enjoy as i have......

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  Underrated - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Insurance Guy - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This KIA is very comfortable and has plenty enough power to get anyone into trouble. It has all the bells and whistles of much more expensive cars. This is the Honda of the future. Remember when people laughed at Hondas when they first got here? The Japanese need to be looking over their shoulders.

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  A new experience - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By skiperpete - May 4 - 10:00 am

  This is the most suppriseing vehicle. I have ever driven. It is so responsivbe that it is hard to realize you are in a van of any type.

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  I JUST LOVE IT - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By COLON RUBEN - May 4 - 10:00 am

  BUILD JUST RIGHT FOR MY NEEDS

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  My 2 year 56k mile review - 2014 Kia Soul
  By Hunter - May 3 - 12:30 pm

  I bought my lovely 2014 Latte Soul Base A/T back in March 2014. Had a whole 31 miles on it! (guess from other test drives) Got it for $14,222 with a few extras like mudflaps, SOUL floor mats, and maybe a few other dealer add-ons. No real mods besides my Amp and 2 12s I pulled from my 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Still running great! She has been to Tennessee (Only once) My Jeep went to Tennessee 100 times haha, South Carolina, and Virginia / VA Beach so far. About 4 Virginia trips to VA Beach so far (In a few weeks it will be going back I have took numerous photos of my soul, along with one I took in the fall of 2015, has been shared and spread across several dealer websites AND was posted by KIA Motors America on their Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media accounts last month! Here is the link to their Twitter Post, https://twitter.com/Kia/status/697901801337720832 Also Ill post a link below with some of my favs Ive taken. My Soul now has 56,000 miles, I had a check engine light at 21,000 were a sensor on the transmission threw a code, but fixed it self, but dealership replaced it anyway, along with the few recalls thats came out. I do currently have 2 issues and 2 concerns. 1st main issue is the sun glasses holder, at random times it has a rattle like something broke off in it and is rattling around, but noticeable only really on roads that are not as smooth but is very annoying at times. Sometimes it makes noise sometimes it does not. 2nd is what sounds like coming from the back when going slowly over speed bumps or really bumpy roads like its the suspension but not sure. My 2 concerns is when turning off my car I hear a bubbling gurgling noise, I just recently recalled hearing it again since having to use AC. 2nd concern is my AC sometimes has a mildew smell but usually goes away after 30 seconds. Almost forgot somewhere around 30k my Poor rear passenger side window got shattered ohhh the glass everywhere, I think it was my dads fault as we suspect a rock may have flung up from the lawn mower, he felt bad and bought me a replacement from a wreaked Soul in Texas. (he owns a body shop) Picture in my gallery below. My Soul soon will need new tires, still running on the stock tires. My Soul made me proud last month, we had a Ice storm really bad here in NC, So many wreaks even right in front of me I seen people loose control of there vehicle but being safe my Soul got me through everything safely. - Video from my Dash Cam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmv_6cChc_s Local media used this video. Overall I love my Soul and hope she makes it to 200k+ She might in the near future get registered in the State of Virginia in a few weeks will be spending some extended time there. Here are all the pictures Posted Here (The ones I like anyway) And a recent one from today! - http://hunterspad.com/?page_id=99

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  Love my KIA Spectra - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Love my spectra - May 3 - 5:36 am

  This car has been extremely reliable, the only thing it has been in the shop for is regular maintenance. The gas mileage has been phenomenal consistently near 30 mpg freeway, and mid to upper 20s in town. This is a great car I am sad to have to sell it. The one draw back on this car is that it does not work well for a growing family.