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 Luv my Sorento - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By DBosco - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Its just about the funest driving vehicle that my wife and I have ever owned. Its great for short trips to the store or long trips across the state. We wouldnt trade it for the Lexus 300 model!!

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  Teds Opinion - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By Edward J. Loughney - October 17 - 7:16 am

  My experience with this car has been 4.0. It could have a little additional power. And I cant understand why they didnt install the automatic rear view mirror. It would also be nice to have something similar to the GM program that gives driving instructions on trips.

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  my second kia - 2003 Kia Rio
  By klg - October 17 - 2:00 am

  this is my second kia, i was very satisfied with my first, which is why i bought another. i like a car that is simple and reliable,i dont need or want added frills, kias are honest cars

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  NEVER AGAIN! - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By lizzie - October 16 - 10:20 pm

  You get what you pay for. In KIA terms, inexpensive means cheaply made. The gas mileage stinks for the car size. This car will nickel-and-dime you to death! The latch on the drivers door has been repaired at least 6 times. The doors freeze and wont shut (if you can even open them) if the temperature dips below 30. The engine is so loud, it sounds like a full-size pick up on the road. The body is cheap. It chips and dents very easily. When youre driving, the doors are like tin foil - you can actually hear the wind outside whistling through the door seal. I will NEVER buy another KIA again. If you need a small, inexpensive car, go for something with more substance.

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  I love my KIA soo much! - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By James - October 16 - 4:26 am

  OMG, where do I start. I bought it new NOV 07, I got to choose the one I wanted any color anything. Took one look at my white EX 5spd rear spoiler, and I was hooked. So long story short 2 1/2 yrs later and car approaching 60,000 miles on it now, not a thing has gone wrong. People always comment on my car, and how clean and good it has held up! I take care of my car but dont baby it! I think it handles really well, and at times I feel like Im in a sports car. The rear spoiler makes it look so much better and 5 spd Overdrive, I dont have to always down shift up hills (only when some trucker or slow car gets in front of me. All and all At least take a look and consider!

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  Best SUV Ive owned. Are you listening Ford? - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By J Marrero - October 15 - 8:18 pm

  We switched from a Toyota FJ Cruiser to the Sorento for financial reasons. I loved our FJ although the $500 monthly price tag and fuel cost was weighing us down. She dragged me to the Kia dealership to test drive a Sorento. She wanted the turbo four cylinder citing it was miserly on gas. I was quite skeptical until I got in the car. It was a Pearl White with black leather interior and sporty wheels. But I was taken aback by the performance and handling. Fast forward one year and I really like this SUV. Driving into Virginia we usually get around 38 miles to the gallon, WOW! The car handles quite well, looks great, has power to spare on tap and sips gas. This was a fantastic deal. Oh yeah the Ford comment. We had a Ford Expedition before the Toyota FJ. The engine started popping spark plugs two months after wed made the last payment. The Kia Sorento? Keeps running and running while we save gas money. When this lease is up we are getting another Kia Sorento. Id like to say it again... are you listening Ford?

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  Best SUV Ive owned. Are you listening Ford? - 2017 Kia Sorento
  By J Marrero - October 15 - 8:18 pm

  We switched from a Toyota FJ Cruiser to the Sorento for financial reasons. I loved our FJ although the $500 monthly price tag and fuel cost was weighing us down. She dragged me to the Kia dealership to test drive a Sorento. She wanted the turbo four cylinder citing it was miserly on gas. I was quite skeptical until I got in the car. It was a Pearl White with black leather interior and sporty wheels. But I was taken aback by the performance and handling. Fast forward one year and I really like this SUV. Driving into Virginia we usually get around 38 miles to the gallon, WOW! The car handles quite well, looks great, has power to spare on tap and sips gas. This was a fantastic deal. Oh yeah the Ford comment. We had a Ford Expedition before the Toyota FJ. The engine started popping spark plugs two months after wed made the last payment. The Kia Sorento? Keeps running and running while we save gas money. When this lease is up we are getting another Kia Sorento. Id like to say it again... are you listening Ford?

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  Its a Steal! - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Dans Kia - October 15 - 10:20 am

  What a great value. Other than so-so gas mileage, this is a tremendous vehicle. Very dependable and a great warranty.

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  Fun car - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By Lia - October 14 - 5:46 am

  I really like this little guy. Its so cute, I have to say it looks smaller then it is. Very roomy inside and I will say for the warranty and price no other car in its class can beat it. It says alot about the manufacturer to put a 5 yr 60k mile warranty on their vehicle they must not be expecting a bunch of big issues. One thing I would change would be to have a better (taller) armrest and a bit less plastic in the car, but the sat radio and ipod jack are awesome. Power seats standard on driver side would be cool, also a little less cabin noise its louder then my Nissan but hey its an suv But I bought this for practicality so for that it gets a 10. I hope it continues to make me happy

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  great little car - 2010 Kia Forte
  By minotrice - October 14 - 3:04 am

  we bought the ccar used in 2012, since then it has been all over fl and 2 trips to ga. on the hwy i get between 36-41mpg and on the slower back country roads going 55 i get 52mpg. not a single problem with the car the only reason i gave it a 2 for comfort is the front seats are only good for about 150miles anything longer and and they let you know your in an econmy car. the car has good pick up and go too