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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  Never in a million years - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By mandalea - June 2 - 8:46 pm

  I never imagined driving a Kia until I saw the new Sorento. We owned an 07 Yukon Denali, but were looking to downsize since we only have one child and moved back to our home state. The extra huge truck just wasnt a practical car for our family anymore. I loved everything about the Sorento online and couldnt believe the price or safety features, plus the warranty is awesome. I was sold the moment the test drive began! The ride is so smooth and the interior quality is unbelievable for a car that costs less than 30K. The Sorento has almost every option the Denali had and the gas mileage is already making me proud before the engine is even broken in!

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  Not Bad! - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By twhnumber1 - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I was very impressed with the warranty offered, as well as the price--the main reason I chose this car. I bought this 5/04 and already have about 6700 miles on it and average about 31-32 mpg. My fiancee is 66" and fits very well in the passenger side with plenty of room. The car has a different look to it, so I have lots of people checking it out. I am so far very satisfied with this vehicle! The back seat room is decent for a compact car and trunk space is pretty good as well. All buttons are easy to read and the night lights arent too bright.

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  Decent car - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By cayley6 - June 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car thinking good gas milage and so far I was wrong. Kia says 25 in city 34 on highway. Im lucky to get 24 on the highway. Interior design is great and has way more power than the Rio.

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  Hard to find more for the money! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By David D - June 2 - 10:00 am

  We were considering the Hyundai Santa Fe and although we liked the ride, the styling left quite a bit to be desired. We saw a Sorento on the road and loved the exterior so we went to a dealership to take a closer look. When considering performance, safety, comfort and price we couldnt find anything out there that even came close.

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  You dont drive the Soul; You WEAR it - 2011 Kia Soul
  By bill6505 - June 2 - 9:01 am

  Bought my base model Kia Soul in late May, 2011 and have put 8,800 miles on to date. Good value and fun to drive. Lots of room inside. The car is nimble and the brakes excellent. Biggest problem is driving it like a sports car, and forgetting that the vehicles around me cant stop as quickly under yellow lights.Gas mileage averaging 27.5 local, and 29.5 on trips Shape is unusual and draws comments and curiosity. Like the fact I can find it in a parking lot, because it doesnt look like a lot of other cars. ( I am a 68 year old male). This is my third Kia, if I count the 1992 Ford Festiva, which was made by Kia. Cant beat the value for the money. Quality and dependability good.

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  No more Government Motors - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By bmwcyle - June 2 - 1:40 am

  I was looking to replace my 12 year old Jeep. I looked and drove about everything on the market in the crossover class. I liked the loaded standards and the seats for seven people. The AWD goes were you point it. It is quick and fun to drive. The layout is good and the fit and finish is nice. I had the passenger roof light switch is bad but I have had no other problems. I love the back up camera and it really helps. It turns in a small space. The tires seem alright but I cant wait to try better tires. The car is just a joy to drive.

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  The power of suprise - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By ConvertedtoKIA - May 30 - 11:03 pm

  I always said I would never buy a KIA and thought they were just crappy cars. I saw the commercial for the Sorento during the Super Bowl. I looked into it and when Edmunds.com says a vehicle has very little need for improvement my interest piqued. I was blown away by the car when I saw it in person. Ive been in all kinds of vehicles up a Porsche and I have ridden in very few cars that are this quiet on the road. The gas mileage and power are great. Little known features also got me like Air Ionization in the cabin. Getting the guy from Audi was the best thing KIA couldve done. "Ive got to put my foot in my mouth" I hear that everyday when people see this car.

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  What do you want from a price point car? - 2002 Kia Spectra
  By elderchuck - May 30 - 4:46 pm

  Sometimes problematic on cheap stuff, but overall fun and economical car to drive and own. Hesitation/surges when warmed up, dealer says "normal" but I say "not". Heard there is a fix but have not found it yet. Would keep car for comfort, economy, price.

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  Enjoying my Kia Rio - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Connie - May 30 - 10:16 am

  Havent had my Rio not quite a month but I am enjoying it. I tried out all the small cars and found this one to be the quietest, and most enjoyable. Had a 04 Dodge Caravan and it drives just as good and holds the road in all weather conditions and even holds the road passing a big truck. It doesnt sway like the 02 Camry I had. Cant believe how good they are making the new small cars now. Inside feels like Im in a large car. Have plenty of room for all my stuff. The 4 door beat the hatchback as far as space. Get about 32 miles to the gallon. But only have 6 hundred miles on it, hope will get better with time. Mine is the basic no electric windows or locks. Found out I can do without them

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  basic transportation - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By trotter - May 30 - 2:00 am

  not a bad car as some magazines rate it.good basic transportation very reliable so far 40,000 miles as on car has not had any problems at all,ride is somewhat noisy comfort level is fair a good second car for back to back. somewhatunderpowered but not unbearable.