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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  Switched over - 2008 Kia Optima
  By exfocusowner - May 3 - 11:16 am

  I traded my Focus for this car. Not a single disappointment. Its especially complimented on its deep ocean metallic blue. And when people see the interior there impressed, and when they hear the price and warranty (which I got the fully covered out to 100,000 10 years) not just the power train drive train, they really flip out. I can say Im very pleased and impressed. I know Ive only currently have 1600 miles, but its been a very pleasing trip

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2007 Kia Sedona
  By Jay Thomas - May 2 - 8:33 pm

  I traded my 5 year old Chevy Venture for a new 2007 Kia Sedona EX with all options. I have not been disappointed. This van rides quiet and feels extremely solid on the road. Powerful and smooth. The build quality is excellent. Fit and finish are superb. Fuel economy has been much better than expected. Averaging around 20.5 MPG combined city/hwy and got 23.3 mpg on vacation this summer. Not bad when you consider 75 mph with four people and a weeks worth of luggage. Changed the oil myself. Very easy to do since the oil filter is located on the top of the engine. I highly recommend this van.

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  Excellent Car - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Denise711 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I love my new 2004 Rio. It is fun to drive and very comfortable. I like it also because with the rising gas prices it still doesnt cost much to fill up the tank. My car gets good gas milelage. I like the way it looks and even though it may look small it is very roomy.It also has a good stereo with a cd player. It is a very smooth driving car at a good price and I woudnt trade it for any other car.

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  Good Minivan,Eexcellent Value - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By bluedevils - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Interior - quality materials, convenient, well designed, comfortable seats, upscale feel with leather. Excellent stereo. Powertrain - Responsive in spite of 4800 lb weight. Very few warranty issues. Solid, reliable, well-built vehicle. Enjoyable to drive and travel in this vehicle. Smooth and quiet. Fuel economy - we get 20 mpg overall, 22-23 highway @ 75mph, 17 mpg city. Value - outstanding value. Loaded for low $20s Features- Lacks some key features in this segment: foldaway 3rd seat, all wheel drive, power sliding doors, etc. Has some nice features that others lack: moonroof, pwr passenger seat, pwr rear windows, Homelink, etc Excellent warranty & safety ratings.

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  bad quality - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By richcor - May 2 - 10:00 am

  After 7,000 miles the van started to experience problems, Alternator problems,broken plastics, transmission oil leak,air conditioning(3 times), Speed meter fluctations, driver window fault and now the van is shuting down the engine while runing.In puerto Rico the warranty is 36,000 miles and now Im stock with a van that is a safety concern

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  Wont Buy Again - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By chevylover - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Have 2002 Kia Sportage convertible. Recently bumped a large rubber trash can at 5 mph, and passenger mirror broke off. Check engine light comes on intermitently. Air bag light blinking random pattern for months. Wont go to dealership because service is terrible. Quality is poor, but then again thats why the price is low. Read here about recalls, havent received any notifications at all. Been a chevy buyer all my life, will not go back to Kia. Sneeze and a dent appears in the outside panels, paint chipping in doors, molding in windows not secure. Tailpipe broke off w/ only 27K miles. Seems low to me to have exhaust issues. It was an experience that I wont repeat.

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  awesome truck for the money - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By john botts - May 2 - 10:00 am

  the sales people were great and so is the service department

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  Not happy at all! - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Connie - May 1 - 7:10 pm

  I purchased my Kia Sorento in March. Ive driven it 648 miles. So far, the car has at least 3 rattles that sound like the car is falling apart. I got the back up camera - a waste of time because it cuts down your view in the rear view mirror. The mirror dims at night so you cant see where cars are behind you - dangerous! It rides like a truck and the brakes make me pray every time I try to apply them -- never know if they will stop me! Fairly decent gas mileage. I traded in my Toyota Highlander for this vehicle, and as soon as I can save up enough money, Ill trade the Sorento in to get back to my Highlander. Ive driven Toyotas for 22 years -- never a rattle. Not so with Sorento!

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  Love My Sorento - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Susy - April 30 - 9:13 pm

  This is my second kia and it wont be my last.Ive had my Sorento for almost 4 years now and only made 1 small problem. About a year ago I had a crack in the coolant holder. I call Kia, I had an appointment and was in & out in less than an hour. My next car is going to be a Kia Spectra 5.

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  Why pay big bucks - 2006 Kia Sportage
  By Clint - April 30 - 10:30 am

  I have compared this SUV with all the others and the big bucks do not get you anything better. If buyers would give a look and try, they will buy the Kia. The workmanship and performance are very very good. I get 23mpg city and 27mpg highway. Keep it at 55 mph - I have hit 29.2mpg.