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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  I love my Optima - 2010 Kia Optima
  By redsgirl1 - January 6 - 3:02 am

  I purchased my 2010 KIA Optima a year ago and I couldn’t be happier. It was one of KIA’s “rentals” with 12,000 miles on it and in pristine condition inside and out. I’m getting about 30 mpg around town. It handles beautifully and I feel safe and secure driving it. My mechanic was very impressed with it when I took it in for an oil change. Said I made a smart purchase. I’m an old woman now, 67, and this will probably be my last car but if I ever have to buy another car I would buy this one in a heartbeat.

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  My jaw hit the floor - 2010 Kia Soul
  By tim - January 4 - 1:53 pm

  I was not in the market for a car. I drove by the lot that was changing to Kia, so, they only had one model of each car. Perched high on a lift was an engine orange Kia sport! I turned around, test drove the car, went home and researched/went back and bought it. Ive only owned hondas! This is my grand new car owner moment. I start each day in a good mood, because the car is amazingly fun to drive! I live by Disney, tourist drenched, &Ive been stopped 2 dozen times, with people asking endless questions! I do agree on the easily scratched plastic interior! USA assembly perfection. Gorgeous angles. Perfect comfort. Fingertip controls. Hidden trunk grocery stow. Solar Windows. Made for Young, but proud 47 year man

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  Bad to the bone. - 2011 Kia Optima
  By snowman22 - January 4 - 12:04 am

  My 2011 Kia hybrid is now just a bad memory. The hybrid system is nothing short of dangerous. Push the pedal and it would not go. Lots of fun when pulling into traffic. Jerked,hesitate and just awful to drive. Did I mention unsafe. Also seats as hard as bleachers at the ball park. Just horrible. No padding at all. Last---no resale. The Kia dealer would not even take it in on trade. They cant even get rid of it. They offer the lowest auction price. Dirt bottom. So stay away from these vehicles. You will regret the purchase. Dont believe the bull of---we now have the update fit. Not true---just as bad. These cars are a accident waiting to happen. Just Remember--DANGEROUS TO DRIVE.

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  Youll Love This Car! - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Ellen - January 3 - 3:43 am

  This car handles extremely well in snow and driving rain, rides like a cream puff, has a beautiful interior and exterior, is incredibly reliable, can fit five people comfortably, has a huge trunk with a pass-through opening from the backseat, has a wonderful sound system, has convenient controls on the steering wheel for the cruise control and stereo system, and all-in-all one of the best cars I have ever purchased!

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  A Soul + at a Soul ! price - 2017 Kia Soul
  By Tim - January 2 - 5:55 pm

  Ive always liked the Kia Souls but never got one because I felt they were under powered. Enter the 2017 Kia Soul ! and its 1.6L turbo engine. The engine isnt the problem with this car. The problem is that it is only available on the Exclaim model and the Exclaim has added and subtracted a few things. Theyve added a red strip that goes around the bottom of the exterior and gave the interior Leather/cloth seats with orange stitching. They didnt make the Soul a race car by any means, they just added an engine that gave it enough power not to feel like you had to floor it everywhere you went. So why would they make it like a kids toy and add stupid little things like that? On to the list of things that are gone. The front cooled seats are no longer an option and the heated front seats are still there but now only have 2 heat settings instead of 3. Those items are still available on the Soul +. So instead of getting the Soul ! that used to be the top trim level youre getting a Soul ! that isnt even fully loaded. Still, it is a great car Kia just needs to figure out their color schemes and option availability.

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  Very Happy with this car - 2007 Kia Sportage
  By jacee - January 1 - 10:39 pm

  I bought this new in Feb. 2007 with only 4 miles on it. In 5 years I only had one breakdown. The starter went out last year about 50k. I did not try to use the warranty just had it replaced. I have kept up all maint.. Including the expensive timing belt and water pump. That was 1600 but I also replaced the battery and serpintine belt. Anyway the car is not a hot rod but will get you out in traffic. Gas mileage is best at 55 to 60 mph. Drove it on hwy at 75mpg and gas mileage plummeted. Still get about 21 city/hwy. Drive well, very comfortable and love the storage capacity. I am at 66k miles now still no problems.

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  Be carefull of the brakes! - 2008 Kia Rio
  By smith3425 - January 1 - 3:54 pm

  Be very careful of the brakes. I had to slam on my breaks for the first time after 2 years of owning the car. Another car pulled in front of me and stopped and when I hit the brakes the card just slid. I had no control of the car at all. My children and I slid across 3 lanes of oncoming traffic and right off the road nearly getting hit several times. After the breaks lock there is no controlling the car at all. Ever since I have been terrified to even drive the speed limit for fear that I will have to hit the brakes. If you are concerned about buying a car with top notch safety features this is not the one for you!

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  Best Car For The Money - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Excellent Car - December 31 - 4:23 pm

  It drives smooth, holds the road, has plenty of power. It is quiet and comfortable. I can barely hear the engine from inside the car. It has every option that are in other vehicles costing thousands more. The warranty and dealer support are second to none.

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  Odometer - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By John boy - December 31 - 3:03 am

  Like the vehicle, one thing really "bugs" me. You cannot read any of the computer readouts, mileage, gas used, averages, etc.. during day time. Figures are in dark red on a black background impossible for anyone to read.I would spend a few dollars to have this corrected if I could have it done. On a trip you cannot just glance down and see how far you have driven.

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  Looking good - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Davids Tacto - December 30 - 10:00 am

  Design, silent! Soft drinving.