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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  Love my kia - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By John Murdock - May 29 - 10:00 am

  This car saved my life when i was flipped 3 times. Thank you kia.

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  My Kia experiance - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By hciaffa - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Looking for a replacement for my wifes Subaru Forester which turned out to be a disappointment for us, it never dawned on us to seek out a Korean brand automobile. I had started to notice some write ups on the Sorento and I thought this looks interesting. The experiance with this car has been great to wonderfull. It is pleasent to drive, the response is very good and it runs like a bear in the snow that we had this past winter in New England. Our model is the EX with the luxury package having the AWD with 4 wd low.

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  Love My ronda - 2007 Kia Rondo
  By missvicki1 - May 28 - 9:59 am

  I bought my Ronda in October of 2010. Didnt like it at first, but then fell "in love with this car". Every day that I drive this car I love it more. Very good gas mikeage in the city or on the highway. Would recommend this car to anyone. Very good for the money value. I definitely would buy another Kia Rondo.

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  Great car for the money - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By from david - May 27 - 4:30 pm

  Plain and simple I love this little car. First time buyer of Korean car. Rides nice, love the mileage, no problems so far in the 6 months Ive had it. The sunroof package is great. I noticed some small amount of road wander though, but its still worth the money. I bought some Kia accessories to really make the car look sharp. I get lots second looks on the highway. I got the car in red, love it, plus it passes a lot of gas stations. I am averaging about 34 mpg. So far, so good, no real complaints. Its a quality built car that I think you should test drive. I got the 5 spd. I think Kia is on track to surpass Japanese quality or at least equal it for far less money. I would buy this car again in a heart beat.

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  Great family car - 2009 Kia Rondo
  By RRTJAY - May 27 - 3:53 am

  After extensive research and test drives, we decide on the Kia. We are so happy we did! It is a great car to drive and has so much flexibility.

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  I lOVE THIS CAR - 2004 Kia Optima
  By rvingsuz - May 24 - 12:03 pm

  This was the first car I have ever picked out for myself and am I ever happy with it. It handles very smoothly and is sooooo comfortable for me....fits me well. I have followed the manufacturers suggestions on care and have not had any problems. It runs great and corners like an expensive sports car. I know, I drive on winding roads regularly. Very fun and inexpensive to own.

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  a must buy - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By mechan - May 24 - 10:00 am

  this is the most likeable van i have over owned and i am going to trade this one in for a newer one so i can keep on taking my kids places they need to be and i just love it

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  I love my Kia!! - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Cabbet - May 24 - 10:00 am

  This is the easiest minivan to drive, my sister who is intimidated with the size of minivans said it was easy to handle. It has a great turn radius, handles the road extreemely well.....I just wish it got a little better gas mileage. The CD player is great..... And I love where the shifter is located. I also like the light indication for each gear as opposed to the needle indicator. This is a well designed minivan, I love it. I have own a 1993 Mercury Villager, 1995 Dodge Grand Caravan, 2002 Chrystler Town and Country and now a 2003 Kia, and I love this one the most!!!!! (the 95 Dodge Caravan is in last place)

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  Just Purchased - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By queenstim - May 24 - 10:00 am

  The Dealership was great, and the vehicle feels much more expensive then it is.

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  Kia Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Bruening - May 24 - 10:00 am

  Love this suv! The only thing Im unhappy with is the fuel economy being subpar. Tons of standards! Excellect warranty!