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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  Good all around new car - 2007 Kia Optima
  By p - August 14 - 12:33 pm

  I compared Honda, Toyota, Ford, Saturn, Pontiac and was surprised to find that the Optima beat out the others. The deciding factor was the standard safety features and room. I am 64" and found that most of the others wouldnt accommodate my knees. The backseat is great and there is more than enough room all around. I have owned the car only a short while but have been very impressed with the overall common-sense design. The ride is very good. It is a midsize sedan, not a sports car. The standard 2.4 is plenty for me especially with the ability to down/up shift. I did the comparison, crunched the numbers and for the money you just cant beat it.

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  I love my Kia - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Patricia Hisaw - August 13 - 9:50 am

  Ive only owned my Kia for a few weeks, and dont have a lot of miles on it yet but I thoroughly love it. It looks as good as a car costing $35,000.00 or more, and drives like you would expect a very expensive car to drive. It has all the bells and whistles and I see heads turn as I drive down the road, and I know its not me theyre looking at (Im 72!).

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  Kia Sorento - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Sunshine State - August 13 - 6:20 am

  We got one of the first LX 6s, it has much more power than the 4 banger. It handles great and comes with rear A/C. It comes with third row seats which are too small and if used there is almost no rear cargo room. However, when not used there is plenty of cargo space. Quality and build are excellent & power train seems flawless. Drives a bit choppy on rough roads but very smooth and quiet otherwise (has 18 inch tires). So far gas mileage is close to sticker and we use A/C most all the time. You get a great deal of standard features for the price and its made in the USA. Got it for my wife but after my first drive I wanted to keep it for myself. Our last SUV was a gas guzzler.

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  Good Car - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Nick - August 13 - 2:23 am

  In the current market of rising gas prices this is a very sound vehicle with good gas mileage. I have gotten an average of 25 MPG city/hwy. There is plenty of necessary pep available with the slide shift transmission for entering freeway traffic. I hate it when my baby is dirty because she looks so pretty when she is clean.

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  I love my Soul - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Ari - August 12 - 8:20 am

  I got the Soul because I wanted something different. I was about to lease my fourth Altima when I decided to get something unique; the Soul is certainly unique. I ended up with an upgraded sound system because the dealer didnt have the color I wanted. I plug-in my iPhone and blast Slacker radio so loud, I can be heard inside my house from the curb.

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  This Kia Will Turn Heads! - 2003 Kia Optima
  By optimumclass - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I bought the Optima two months ago, and absolutely love it! Previously I owned a Mercedes-Benz 300SD, and the Optima turns just as many heads, and is very fun to drive!

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  Kia vs Honda - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By Ukraine - August 11 - 2:00 am

  I researched for 5 mos.I wanted a Honda Civic. And was able to buy the Kia GSX with all of the same features for $3,600 less! Gas mileage exceeds what they post. In town I can get up to 29mpg. On the hwy have even gotten up to 33 mpg! I get loads of compliments and questions on it. Some people think its a BMW, with its styling.Terrific driving performance.

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  Good car for the money! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By sabz - August 9 - 2:34 am

  Originally had the 2011 Optima, but after having the same problem 6times with the brake pedal getting stuck, and not being able to start the car, the dealer bought it back from us, and we traded up to the 2012. Weve had the car since about this time last year. Really impressed with the difference. Seats are significantly more comfortable, and interior quality is also improved. Performance is adequate, and so is interior and trunk space. However, we arent able to get the MPGs that are predicted to get, about an average of 26. Overall, were really happy with the car, and hope to get many miles out it.

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  Great and fun commuter - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By ARConcepts - August 7 - 8:03 pm

  With now 2000 miles under its belt, I would like to say this was a great purchase. There are some slight noises through the cabin, but overall fit and finish is very good. The manual transmission is the way to go to get the most from the engine, though the clutch takes a little getting used to and rpms tend to hang a little per shift. Long strokes between gears, but a $90 aftermarket short shifter should allievate this problem. Great gas mileage thus far ,worst MPG so far 28.79 mpg on the first tank (best 33.06 mpg last tank 1806 miles). Roomier than my old 98 Explorer storage wise and lots of great features make it a welcome little car. Was really fun in the mountains, just needs more HP.

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  20,000 miles and loving it more - 2012 Kia Sorento
  By flyboy80 - August 7 - 5:36 pm

  Been trouble free, fun to drive, extremely agile in traffic. Meets or exceeds advertised performance numbers. Acceleration and braking awesome. Fuel mileage 30 to 35 MPG (Imperial) in county/town, and 35 to 40 on freeway at 62 to 65 mph, depending on wind. One days travel actually 625 miles on tank (15 IMP). We know there have been economy problems with some models, but not this one. Ride is firm, but offset by great control in turns and winding roads. V6 is the way to go. Best weve owned.