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 car ive dreamed of driving - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By the57spoons - August 10 - 9:06 am

  Looks good! runs good,and it is ALWAYS turning heads!Many times,different drivers on the highway will accelerate up next to us to see what is it, esp. the "expensive vehicles", BMWs, Mercedes, Jaguires and Yes Lexus All positive comments from workmates and others, who think at first Ive got a new Mercedes or Jag.and wonder how much more am I getting paid on the job to afford it!The real irony of this is that I bought the car for my wife, and Ive found myself driving it every chance I get!

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  Happy Pauls Review - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By Paul Vasquez - August 9 - 10:00 am

  The Sedona EX is a joy to drive. Smooth, solid feel. Classic looks. Nice pick up. Great Value! Very impressed so far!

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  Kia Sorrento EX - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Hans1234 - August 9 - 10:00 am

  Generally a great SUV for the money. Sturdy, well behaved and easy on the eyes with lots of extras. Good built quality throughout. Good overall engine performance but a little thirsty.

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  2011 kia - 2011 Kia Optima
  By fmarie - August 7 - 11:50 am

  Last week I bought a 2011 kia optima stick shift with 26,000 miles on it. It looked brand new and even smelled brand new. It is very spacious and luxurious on the inside and very classy, yet sporty on the outside. I have been disappointed in the gas mileage, I have been averaging about 26, 27 in city and on highway. The front seat is a slight uncomfortable because i cannot adjust the angle of the front seat. There is a blind spot on the right back passenger side. It seems a little jerky when going into first and second shift, but when the engine is running it is very quiet. Its a much bigger car than i realized at the purchase.

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  So far, So..rento Good! - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By huntram - August 6 - 11:53 am

  We have just had this car for two weeks. My wife just started a new job and has to commute 100 miles round trip. She feels very safe in the Sorento. I am pleased with the Kia warranty. The car is VERY responsive, in acceleration, braking, and steering. The fit and finish is very good. Forget what youve heard about Kia in the past!

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  Loved My Kia - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By Sheri - August 5 - 9:20 am

  I drove a 2006 Sorento Lx for one year. To no fault of my own it was involved in an accident and totaled. I miss it and wish I still had it. It was so much fun to drive. Plenty of room for me and my 3 young kids! The sport trac shifter it had was wonderful! I really wish I still had it or could get another one NOW!! I loved that car!

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  My Rio at 2 Years Old - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Cassie1 - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Air bag light came on about as soon as I got it - dealers say moisture, finally after near 2 yrs they are replacing clock spring, trunk leaked when it rained, theyre fixing, driver seat broke, theyre fixing. It doesnt do well in snow, wind blows it around too much, too light of a vehicle. Windows fog up easily & its hard to get the defrost to unfog them. Only engine trouble is needed plugs & wires. Back seat room limited, cup holders too small for most cups, armrest cant be used comfortably while shifting, A/C very cold.

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  Impressed - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Happy KIA owner - August 5 - 2:00 am

  Having owed several makes and models of cars that fall into the same category as this KIA, I have to say that KIA is the best hands down. The features are arranged comfortably and ergonomically. The power and punch at take off is impressive and the warranty can’t be beat for the price I paid. Finally, I have to say that if you’re looking for a car and you don’t at least test drive the KIA you get what you deserve

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  So far its been great! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By artiejoe - August 5 - 2:00 am

  So far I am very happy with the new Sorento. It has a lot more than an older S-10 Blazer I own (1992) that I bought new. If the Sorento holds up close to the way the Blazer did, I wil be a very happy camper.

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  better deal than gm - 2008 Kia Sportage
  By the best - August 4 - 3:30 am

  My sportage was a leftover 2008 and i bought it feb 2009 i was very happy with the warranty and the rebate of 4000 .i will never go back to gm after owning a kia.it handles good on the road ,and in the snow and ice.only complaint i have is that the front seats need to have arm rest.