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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  Transmission - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Jack - February 23 - 4:36 pm

  I bought the car in November; as soon as I drove off the lot I broke down. The car had a bad alternator. Luckily the dealer replaced it at no cost to me even though I bought it with no warranty. It ran great till two months later the transmission blew without warning; no prior transmission slipping or anything. With the bill running $2200.00 I was out of luck as far as the dealer was concerned. I only paid $1500.00; good deal at the time. I wouldnt pay $3700.00 for it.

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  Best kept secret in value and style. - 2007 Kia Sorento
  By JAMES - February 23 - 9:20 am

  I never tire of driving this suv. Its power and smooth ride make it fun every trip out. My wife and I cant get over the features of this vehicle for the price we paid! It is truly the best purchase we have ever made on a new vehicle.

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  I LOVE MY SORENTO - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Mike Powell - February 22 - 6:40 am

  I love my Sorento.Many people mistake it for a Lexus.The only complaint that I have is the position of the parking brake mechanism.It hits just above the knee.The only problem that I have had is the clock doesnt keep time,however that will be taken care of at my first oil change(not a major problem).Overall I am completely satisfied and would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a new SUV.

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  Afraid I made a mistake - 2008 Kia Rondo
  By Nanlan - February 22 - 6:13 am

  I just purchased a 2008 Rondo today. I think I made a mistake. The test drive took place in city traffic where I didnt see some of the flaws. On the long drive home there was a very annoying sound at the drivers window (air coming in). The car is very "floaty" & seems too wishy washy on the road. I dont feel in command of my vehicle. The 4 cylinder engine whines so loud, like it may explode before we really get rolling. I am thinking of taking it back in the morning & getting my money back. This is a cheap car & I dont feel safe in it.

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  Great car! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Christie - February 21 - 8:06 am

  I never gave Kia motors much thought until one day on the internet I was doing some comparison shopping and the Amanti popped up, so I did a lot of research and decided to test drive the Amanti and when I did, it had me sold! My first impression was the nice interior, then the drive, which was smooth and quiet; when I stepped on the gas pedal I was amazed at the pep for a 200 horsepower engine. The car is well made, very tight inside and out. People are constantly looking and waving when Im going down the road. Ive had this car for three weeks and everyday I can not wait to get behind the wheel! Test drive this car and you want be disappointed.

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  Pick of the Litter - 2001 Kia Sephia
  By Saberus - February 21 - 3:36 am

  A steal for 11k new. My little red Kia wouldnt quit. I wasnt faithful in changing the oil after 18k miles, but the engine didnt seem to notice. Dealership mistakenly put in ATF instead of 5w-30 on that change, and ran for 9000 miles on it before I changed it myself and found out. The engine was stronger than ever. I dont know or understand how, but it was dynod after that at 240hp, and was getting 35ish mpg. She was unbeatable. But I couldnt keep up the payments, and she was repod in 2004. Never had a problem with her. Willing to bet that little car would have outlasted me if I still had her. I miss my car.

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  Great Car ! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By GREAT CAR! - February 20 - 10:46 pm

  Second Kia owned. Had new 2004 Optima with over 100,000 miles when traded with no problems. The quality and reliability sold us and we could not be happier with our Soul. Great ride and good mileage 28-32. We tested ScionXD and Honda Element, but the Soul was the winner.

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  Great buy - 2012 Kia Sedona
  By dcbrown - February 20 - 9:04 am

  As a 71 year old I never thought that I would own a mini-van. But three grandchildren under 4 and a 96 year old mother-in-law changed all that. So I went shopping in late 11 dead set on getting an Oddysey. Reality set in quickly as price and an unwillingness of four Honda dealerships to deal eliminated that choice. And lucky that was for I had a blast shopping around - something I had not needed to do for my previous five cars. My final choice was an easy one spurred by a great deal, friendly dealership, and fully loaded Kia Sedona at about 12k less than the desired Oddysey. It is now ten months and almost 20k miles into the vehicle and I love it.

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  MPG not even close - 2011 Kia Optima
  By td007 - February 19 - 8:21 am

  Normal driving youll be lucky to get 19mpg. Thought with a range of 24-34 it would fall some place in between. Otherwise it is a fun car. With all the bells and whistles it is comparable to a car that costs $20k more.

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  2012 EX Amazing - 2013 Kia Optima
  By jerryk007 - February 19 - 4:47 am

  The Optima EX sedan is an amazing value automobile that I cannot still believe that this vehicle can be built for the cost! Great style; excellent interior design; dash assembly perfectly fit and easy to read; great leg room in rear and front; superior fit and finish for a mid sized sedan. Quiet ride-Yes-acceleration of a V6 in an in-line 4 YES! Changed oil to synthetic. I would highly recommend as one of "the" best in its class!