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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  My Kiallac - 2004 Kia Optima
  By L Leal - January 20 - 4:56 pm

  I love this car it still gets good mileage and as far as road trips even my over 6ft tall basketball players dont complain about the ride or the squeeze. They laugh cause I call it my KIA-LLAC. Ride is smooth as any caddy just not as expensive. I found if you keep up your service the car will be good to you......

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  2011 Sorento SX - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By edthecop - January 20 - 4:09 pm

  I purchased my Sorento SX in June, 2011, I am extremely satisfied with all aspects of the vehicle. Initially I was apprehensive about how the ride would be. as many of the reviews I read had the complaint of a rough ride. I would describe the ride as firm, not as cushy as the Envoy I owned for 10 years. However the vehicle maneuvers well and hugs the ground well. I just love the vehicle. Gas mileage is slightly under what is advertised. I bought the model with all the bells and whistles and everything works well. One problem to me is that when the engine is turned off and radio is turned on, there is no possibility to open the windows. This could be a problemin a emergency exit.

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  A great vehicle. One sweet ride! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By brandon72 - January 20 - 2:06 pm

  I just dove this car over 200 miles between North and South Carolina using a combo of highway and city miles and got about 31.5 mpg. Thats incredibly good, especially considering some of these annoying little small SC towns full of speed traps I had to go through. This is a gorgeous vehicle that is very roomy inside. Ive had mine 7 days and love the car. The turbo works very well when you need it and there is an Eco option you can select to make gas mileage even better. (this somewhat inhibits turbo and is best used in town IMO)

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  Toms and Trishs Review - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Tom Hickman - January 16 - 8:03 pm

  Now this is what IÂ’d call going to buy a car at first sight! This is a true dream car; we love it, so smooth, quite and comfortable. We had no intention of buying a car, but after a test drive, we were sold. I think the gas mileage is great at 26.8 highway; local driving, not so good. But overall, huge trunk space and a wonderful sound system, good acceleration, back seat ride, and those heated seats are really nice in the winter. This is a great car for the money. The KIA Amanti is a well built car. The ride is very smooth and quiet.

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  Kia Soul, feel the bumps, but good buy! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Deanna - January 15 - 7:50 pm

  Only had my Soul for a couple of weeks and I cant argue with the styling and standard features, many of which are optional on other cars. Love the controls on the steering wheels, bluetooth, was worth buying the upgraded audio system, plenty of room and nice styling. Its the perfect size for passengers and hauling stuff home from the garage sale!

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  Great Ride - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By suvhappy - January 14 - 10:47 am

  I have only owned my Sportage since Jan 16 which is 3 days as of today and I could not be happier. Traded in a 2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee Larado that had poor gas mileage (of course), was noisy to drive, uncomfortable to sit in except for short drives and handled like a Mack Truck. Just was completely dissatisfied with the drive and feel of an American-made car/SUV which felt cheap - not the reputation of Jeep I had expected. My Sportage has just made a 5 hour trip from the upper northwest Ohio to Columbus and neither I or my passengers felt fatigued by the seating or the room available in the seats. Got the 6-speed Automatic, turbo charged T-GDI model and I am thrilled.

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  Take off and drive. - 2001 Kia Optima
  By b. m. maddox - January 14 - 8:56 am

  When I first drove the car I was surprised of the pick up it had. I live on top of a mountain which has many curves. This car handled like my other sports car but rode much better. We go on trips many times a year and we need trunk space and the Optima has more than we need. All I can say is the Optima is fun to drive.

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  Solid Purchase - 2008 Kia Sorento
  By dj13 - January 14 - 1:20 am

  Excellent value, alot of vehicle for price. The ride is awesome, quite, handles like a dream, great all weather vehicle. We have 23,000 miles now and the vehicle is performing above expectation. It is difficult to look the other way when this vehicle offers so much for such a fair price. We have been pleasantly surprised and this is our second Sorento. The 08 has great power, fun shifting features for sport type driving, and as usual, comfortable seating. Drove from Florida to Arizona and my back felt just fine. Only negative is the passenger air bag sensors are confused. Company has a recall for the settings so I must get that done...besides that...a great buy.

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  Good so far... - 2007 Kia Optima
  By nancy-s - January 11 - 11:20 am

  Impressed so far. Enjoyable to drive. Love having leather in a 16 thousand dollar car. No better value that we could see. Thousands cheaper than a Fusion.

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  Love my Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Victor - January 11 - 8:16 am

  I was looking for a new SUV and found the Kia Sorento. When my wife and I drove the car we loved it immediately. The feel of the car was tight and responsive. The leg room was excellent, important on long trips that we take. There is plenty of space to store all the luggage. So we bought one. On several occasions at parking lots we got a lot of comments on "what is that car its beautiful, is it a Lexus?" I told them no its Kia Sorento; they couldnt believe it. So its time to get a new car and as you guessed, its going to be another Kia Sorento -- one problem, cant decide on the color. Anyone who buys this car will enjoy it as much as we did.