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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  MANY SUVS - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By R FARRELL - October 19 - 2:00 am

  I HAVE OWNED ALMOST EVERY SUV AND FOUND THAT FOR THE DOLLAR AGAINST THE RETURN IT WILL BE HARD TO BEAT THIS VEHICLE. EXCELLENT WARRANTY. COMPARED AGAINST 3 OTHER SUVS BEFORE I BOUGHT.

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  Pleasantly surprised - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By VP - October 17 - 10:00 am

  My Sedona has 10,200 miles on it and it is still as smooth and quiet as brand new. I never really liked minivans, but as my kids are getting bigger, the room is needed. Im glad I purchased this vehicle because it drives well and I can haul lots of goods.I think in anothr couple of years and a few improvements, the Sedona is going to set the standard for minivans.

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  Cheap and reliable - 2003 Kia Spectra
  By Andrew Dietz - October 16 - 8:00 pm

  I put almost 120,000 miles on this car before I traded it in for my new car (not a Kia). The price was cheap and for the cost, the car ran pretty reliably. I never had any major repairs needed - just normal maintenance stuff like the timing belt. The brake systems needed a LOT of repairs over the years though. I had to replace rotors with every set of brakes and I had the brake calipers replaced once as well. I was told it was due to Kias "small parts". The car was fun to drive, and I felt like I could drive rough with it when I needed to and it would hold up well. It blows around a little too much in the wind though. I did find the seats very uncomfortable, though.

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  garbage car of the year - 2001 Kia Rio
  By jtm - October 16 - 3:10 am

  i have a 2001 kia rio sedan and it is more time parked than running.Im not satisfied with its performance economy and service is so expensive.To find part is too difficult

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  Not THAT Impressed... - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Not THAT Impressed.. - October 15 - 12:10 am

  Just bought my Kia Optima used not new. Im used to a sports car so handling is very different, seems jerky to me. Much smoother ride (shocks/suspension) than my old Camaro, but doesnt handle corners/turns well. My first impression is "where is all my gas going?" Just appears to guzzle it. There is a hitch with initial start, kinda jerks when moving from a stand still. Interior is very nice, wood grain, stereo, seating etc. My 64" bros had plenty of leg room in back seat. I still have trouble finding the turn signal, seems too high on steering column. :) Overall its a nice car, just a big transition for me coming from a sports car to a 4 door sedan.

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  Worth every penny - 2006 Kia Sedona
  By ML - October 14 - 3:16 pm

  My wife and I have owned a Voyager and a Caravan. From the start it was one problem after another. We made the decision to try the newly remodeled Sedona. It has been by far the best minivan we have owned. The ride is very nice and the interior is roomy and very comfortable. What you get for the price beats anything out there in my opinion.

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  How can we all have the same problem? - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By Kia 04.5 Owner - October 14 - 11:26 am

  Reading the reviews I couldnt even laugh. I have replaced the dash (odometer problem - forgot about that until I read another review). C02 censor is being replaced (again 3x); car shakes (BADLY) at 70mph. Taking it in (AGAIN) so I can pass emissions test. I did not buy the extended warranty so I am out over $2K (YIKES). If I could have afforded $2K in repairs I would have stayed with Honda and put more money in the INITIAL investment. Looks like it is time to trade out before the transmission goes out. {sigh}

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  dont ever get one!!! - 2001 Kia Sportage
  By md4dmse - October 14 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the absolute WORST vehicle I have ever owned!!! Has spent more time in the shop than it has in the driveway in the last three months, and wasnt much better before that. Things that broke were window motors, signal light, back seat latch, cup holder, three catalytic converters, and had to install a new motor at 36000 miles!!! 36,000!!! To top it all off, it still broke down within 400 miles of the new engine install. Do yourself a favor and steer WAY clear of this one.

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  VERY ECONOMICAL - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By JUMPINSTEVIEG - October 14 - 10:00 am

  I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH THE NEW BODY STYLE AND ITS A BIG MAKEOVER FROM THE LAST ONE

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  Still Up in the Air - 2010 Kia Soul
  By mildly annoyed - October 14 - 8:30 am

  We bought this car for the fuel efficiency and we got a good trade in as well. Got the base model but made them put in after market cruise control with the purchase. The cruise control looks and behaves cheaply. The dealership was shady and Im not sure they arent screwing us. It seems that after the last time i took the car in for its scheduled check-up some warning lights came on. Even after they did a diagnostic! Im going to get the equipment to run diagnostics myself. The check engine light comes on for a loose gas cap.