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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  Better than expected! - 2006 Kia Rio
  By jani - March 22 - 1:40 pm

  We were shopping for something a little bigger (Vibe, Matrix, Focus) but this little car suits us just fine for $5000 less. Our Rio5 5-speed takes us on 100 mile round trips at least twice a week, plus a few miles back and forth to work each week. It gets up to 70 with no problem, cruises at 75-80 comfortably. The shifting is a little stiff in reverse, but otherwise smooth.

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  Gotta Love It - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By crowbar - March 20 - 12:10 am

  Right out of the gate, this car has curb appeal in spades. The sporty looks are fitting after experiencing the way this car handles, and it is indeed a fun ride. The additional features that come standard is impressive, and I couldn’t help but be impressed with the headroom. Fact is, this car is roomy everywhere. The list of standard safety features is also impressive, and many are not even available from other manufacturers.

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  NO regrets - 2002 Kia Optima
  By BOW - March 19 - 4:20 pm

  I bought this car used in 03. It had 27,000 miles on it and was a rental. Before the Kia I had a Mitsubishi Galant. I traded in @ 120,000 miles and 2 transmissions. The KIA is a very well made car, seats are very comfortable, very solid feeling for a mid-size and economical car. Have had no major issues and have 143,000 miles on it now. Even though I did not get the 100,000 mi warranty because I bought it used, no regrets. Would buy another. Think they are well made and a great value. Wish it had a sunroof though!

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  Love my Kia Amanti - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Paula - March 17 - 9:26 am

  I got my Kia Amanti in Aug. 04 and have never been disappointed in it. I traded a Cadillac Catera for it, and I prefer the Kia. It is a great size car, handles well, and the price is right. I have had nothing done to it; other than oil changes and regular maintenance. It is a great car, and I will purchase another one in the future.

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  Sorento SX FWD Rocks! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By rusty53a - March 16 - 10:43 pm

  Had my SX one week. First tank 20 mpg. Love the Handling and ride (very European), and the many safety and function features. After researching many reviews and driving various competition from Nissan, Subaru, Honda, as well as Sorento 4, and 6 cylinders, bought the SX. The double valve shocks and suspension features on the SX make handling like a sports sedan. Best SUV feature and quality for dollar available IMO.

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  New purchase! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By Jack - March 16 - 11:30 am

  I just bought this today. Noted items: As others have said, great performance, looks good, good ride, OK on road noise,lots of features at a great price. Id like better rear view with the mirror, but the headrests seem to block a bit. I didnt notice any problem with the 4-speed gearing like the main review; things felt fine to me. Door closing seemed a little tinny, as in "not as solid" as some Id driven. I mainly looked at Elantras as an option, but their high engine noise and lower acceleration made the difference. Minor differences include a more solid feel in the Elantra and better cup holders, but for overall value, the Forte seems hard to beat. I havent tried all the features yet.

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  VERY SAFE! - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By zambo - March 16 - 10:00 am

  I had a 2003 (with 26,000 miles) EX that was totaled in an accident. My Sedona certainly had significant damage but compared to the other car it was unbelievable how well the Sedona held together from the impact. I was really impressed with my 2003 EX that I went out and got a 2004 EX as a replacement. I got the add model so paid (are you sitting down) 15,998 after 3500 in rebates (2500.00 plus Kia loyalty rebate 1000) and the dealer discount. After taxes and licensing it came to 17500 aprox. but still a killer price for an EX.

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  Kia Makes A Comback - 2005 Kia Sportage
  By Nancy - March 15 - 10:20 am

  I wanted to buy a Sportage when they first came out - am very glad I waited for the 2005 model. I did a lot of research and I dont feel that you could have put more features in a car for the price and the warranty is outstanding. The warranty had a lot to do with choosing this car but competing dealer had same warranty and I still chose the Sportage. It looks good, rides well and is just an all around great means of transportation. The dealership was great and couldnt beat the price - 17,500 with my trade. I am very happy with my Spotage and am glad I decided to buy it.

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  My Rio Wagon. - 2002 Kia Rio
  By Liseannedg - March 14 - 3:23 am

  The price could not be beat. Enjoy the ease of a hatchback. Very family friendly. Easy to tell that materials, i.e., hatchcover are not of highest quality. Otherwise, great car.

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  Kia has come a long way - 2012 Kia Optima
  By molina67 - March 12 - 7:25 pm

  This car is awesome. I admit it was hard wrapping my brain around buying a Kia, but I am sure glad I did. This car is not only sexy it 174 hp when you need them. Only downside I have yet to see 34 mpg as advertised. The highest Ive gotten in 5 months and 6000 miles is 31 mpg, still better than my previous car which was the 6 Cylinder Pontiac G8. That only got 24 mpg and only had 254 hp and after 28000 miles I started having engine problems.