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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  Good For Many.Not So Good For Fat Ole Me - 2011 Kia Soul
  By ohahachris - June 28 - 12:23 am

  I am a big guy who wears 42-waist pants. The drivers seat is about 2" too narrow for all-day comfort. My wife and I have a part-time gig delivering "free pubs" to stores and have lived with this car as a rental replacement for our usual delivery vehicle for a week. Great grocery-getter. Ride, handling, power--all very good at a light load. This would be my short list if I werent fat,and did not use for deliveries. Under load of 115, 25count, bundles of 90-page magazines, the suspension bottoms and the engine sounds pained. Were glad we didnt need the added load of AC. My performance and fun-to-drive ratings should be 3.5. 5 for unloaded 2 for loaded.

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  Great buy - 2009 Kia Sorento
  By FRANK MCARTHUR - June 27 - 6:53 pm

  Had this SUV for one year now and have had ZERO problems. The 6 under the hood gives me passing power when its needed. Inside is very well made. Gets about what I thought I would get on fuel. About 20 HWY and 17 city. I drive this SUV to work and round trip is 120 miles a day, five days a week.

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  best bang for your buck - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Lebruf - June 27 - 3:20 am

  I bought this used from an auction through my cousins dealership. I was out the door for under $11,000. I was skeptical at first because of the name and Hyundais prior reputation...but I was thoroughly impressed. I was sick of doing repairs on my old VW and wanted something with a warranty. I never have had a problem, and I beat this thing up in terms of mileage. Its great for long trips, as quick as I need it to be (the V6 Tiptronic HAULS) and well... it makes me feel good. I feel good because 4 or 5 of my friends spent about 5-6 grand more on an Accord or Camry and it wasnt as nice as the Optima.

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  Stay as far away as possible - 2000 Kia Sephia
  By Jenny - June 27 - 1:16 am

  Within the first year of purchasing this car the battery died. Metal exterior very susceptible to dings and scratches that wouldnt normally happen on cars like Hondas. Major brake repairs nearly every year, costing me about $300+ a pop. TERRIBLE handling in snow. Interior parts (heat pipe) got loose. Transmission problems with only 60K miles on it (luckily it was still under warranty). Really good on gas, but that doesnt make up for the thousands of dollars youll have to make in repairs and maintenance (and Im not talking about your average oil change). Also note, I was in an accident and it was TOTALLED only going 30 mph.

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  Great Economical SUV - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By kia4me - June 27 - 12:06 am

  Great vehicle. Gas use is higher than expected, but still good. Comfortable and quiet. Does not have sports car like acceleration, but I did not expect it. A great purchase for me and my family.

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  2010 KIA 2.0 Plus - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Kathy - June 26 - 12:04 pm

  Bought for 8,000 dollars a few a months ago. 86,0000 miles and 4th owner. Was not thrilled about giving up my 2001 Outback (196,000). this car sits more like a SUV. Its the first year made. Like the fact it is easy to get into. My dog carrier is a good size. I am 52 and it very easy to load and unload items. Wonder if the new ones are more comfortable? Downfall, I feel like Im filling it up every time I turn around. Guess it has a smaller gas tank. Over all, not a bad car.

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  Dales Review - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Leroy - June 26 - 10:13 am

  Was rated 34 miles to gallon highway; is getting 33-34. It hauled 3 people and luggage for 13 day vacation to Colorado. Everyone rode comfortably; no difference in performance between mountains of Colorado and the Missouri highways it normally travels. Car is quiet and fun to drive.

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  moms bus - 2004 Kia Sedona
  By sawatpv - June 26 - 10:00 am

  I have traded my mercury villager LS for this Kia Sedona ex. I love everything about it except for the blind spots and gas mileage. this van has a lot of power, very comfortable. this is wierd but I get better gas milage when I use the techron. any other gas I get poor mileage on it. thanks to edmunds I got this van for 18,000 before taxes and lic. fee!

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  Sorento Rocks - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Shadownin - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Let me just start by saying I love my Sorento! Not only did it come with EVERYTHING standard, but it was way less than the other car companies. Plus, it has the best warranty ever. Its fun to drive, way stylish, and dont tell Kia, but I think they could get away with pricing it $5000 more and still be way ahead of everyone else.

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  really reliable - 2000 Kia Spectra
  By supervixon - June 26 - 9:33 am

  I had this car for 6 years now, it has 100,000 miles on it. I drive 40 miles a day to work. Not one thing has gone wrong with it, I mean nothing. The only time its in the garage is for maintenance. I cant complain of anything mechanical. What a great price - had it paid off in two years. Great gas mileage too.