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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  Best Car I have bought - 2010 Kia Forte
  By newcarbuyer - May 10 - 2:00 pm

  Between me and my wife we have bought about 6 new cars in the last 25 years. We have owned Ford, Mitsubishis, Toyotas, Nissans and finally Kias. I have owned the Kia Forte for the past 6 months. It is the best car I have bought. My enthusiasm for the car hasnt diminished in the past 6 months. I like the firm suspension that the Forte was intentionally designed with unlike the VERY soft ride of Toyota and GM. Quality, pickup and gas mileage is great. I do not know how they got the highest horsepower with the greatest mileage in its class for a gas driven car. The engineering of the car is solid and the interior is nice and the car lines are good. I would highly reccemend this car.

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  Trip Computer - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Marty - May 9 - 4:23 pm

  I currently have a Hyundai Sonata and when I wanted to replace my wifes car, I looked at the new Sonatas. The way I wanted the car equipped (the new 4 cylinder and not the V6), Hyundai did not make a Limited with just the 4. In addition, I felt two things about the new Sonata, were below par. The first being the side mirrors. They are fixed, and cannot be folded back. The second is the display for the automatic air-conditioning system is much too small. The Optima allows one to purchase a fully loaded car and have the choice about the engine. The new 2.4 has had great reviews and now has a timing chain vs. a belt.

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  Bought another - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By B.J. Miller - May 9 - 1:46 pm

  I originally had a 2006 Spectra which was totaled in an accident when someone lost control of their SUV after they were hit by someone who ran a stop sign. Fortunately the airbag worked well. I was very happy with my 2006 Spectra but before I purchased another one, I wanted to see what other options I had. I drove every make and model out there and could find nothing else that I was more comfortable in or satisfied with than the Spectra, so I promptly purchased another one and have not had, even for a second, any regrets. I even turned down a purchase of a 2005 Jaguar that was selling for the same price as the Spectra. I found reviews of the Spectra to be more reliable than the Jag.

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  Borrego a best buy! - 2009 Kia Borrego
  By DMILL - May 8 - 11:46 am

  After tracking down some that a dealer (3 hours away) still had on the lot, purchased it and drove 2000 miles in the mountains on vacation. Powerful, comfortable and easy to navigate. Tight turn radius and the other features make a Borrego better than what Ford, Chevy, Nissan, etc. have to offer. Have read that kia is bringing it back for 2011, an Oct/Nov 2010 release, hope this is true because this is truly a fine SUV. Warranty makes this a slam-dunk!

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  Rondo - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By From the inside out - May 8 - 7:26 am

  Great seating position, classy interior, gobs of room, quiet and economical, fun to drive and responsive - whats not to like?

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  Super minivan - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By Monica Valentine - May 8 - 1:43 am

  I had a Sienna which was stolen and gave me problems and a few big repairs. This Sedona is nicer, faster, more features and has a better warranty. I have a fully loaded model and its always a pleasure to drive. Kia is not messing around and this van will steal a lot of Honda and Toyota sales. After my friend saw and drove my Sedona he ran out and bought one for his family and dumped his SUV!

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  Pleased with my choice - 2018 Kia Sorento
  By Granny - May 7 - 11:37 am

  This seems like a really nice car. Only have had it a couple weeks, but it drives easily, very smooth comfortable ride.. and I test drove a couple others. Very easy to get in and out. Even 2nd row seats are comfortable and easily accessible, and recline (and I am tall). I love that it takes regular grade gasoline and I have been averaging about 19 mpg in the city.

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  Love this car - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By tomtom - May 7 - 2:00 am

  great in all areas

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  not too happy - 2002 Kia Optima
  By stainman - May 5 - 7:56 pm

  i am so sorry i ever bought this car.

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  PLEASANT SURPRISE - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By AZTEC ROAD - May 5 - 7:10 am

  When I purchased this car I was in the market for a 96 Camry but just happened to come across Kia. This is car that I would normally not buy. But because it was cheaper than a used Camry I purchased it with the intentions of keeping for a year or two. Now almost 5 years later its a "keeper". Love the warranty and will be driving it for another 5 years. I purchased a 2006 Sonata today and gave a passing thought to trading in the "Green Machine" but decided not to. The only draw backs with the Spectra are its soft seats, lousy on long drives and lousy gas mileage for such a small car. Anyone looking for a car for a teenage-this is it! Also, a grea commuter car.