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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  Kia Rio 2008 - 2008 Kia Rio
  By roger - January 13 - 4:36 am

  I love my KIA Rio. It gets 34 mpg. It is fun to drive. Warranty is great. It is the best car for the price.

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  third car - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By k/dan - January 12 - 3:36 am

  well i have bought alot of cars but this seem to be a fun car to drive even though it is just a third for the winter still liking it

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  The Rio is a great little car. - 2004 Kia Rio
  By Steve Cooper - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Smooth and quiet car with plenty of power, loaded with extras, great stereo and unbelievably low price. My 3rd Kia and I’ll keep buying them. The Rio is a hidden treasure.

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  Great Car - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Waylo - January 11 - 2:00 am

  I did much research on SUVs before going and trying out the Sorento, It is far and away the best deal on the market. When you drive it, the solidness is evident. I have recommended this car to my friends.

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  tuned by porsche - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By lillexus - January 11 - 2:00 am

  Look at some of the awards this guy has gotten and you get a feel for the content. KIA uses the same high quality components as the big boys. Borg Warner, Eaton, Bosch,etc. Suspension tuned by Porsche. Carbon fiber differential. One magazine has the 0-60 times at 8.23 seconds in their own tests. They think the stated horespower is artificially low. Plus the styling.

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  Im a Kia Fan! - 2006 Kia Optima
  By Camwise - January 10 - 1:03 pm

  We have had this car for about 9 months and it has been great. We even bought it from a car rental place! It has run great with no major mechanical issues. Occasionaly when its been a while since the last oil change it will be hesitant on the acceleration and the check engine light comes on, but once you change the oil its back to perfect. Now my wife and I are searching for an SUV and lets just say the Kia Borrego is high on our list! Kia makes quality cars and your not going to find anything more reliable than this for the price! I get 25-30 miles per gallon with a good mix driving of highway and city miles.

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  Its just ok - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By LoreB - January 10 - 1:00 pm

  I fell in love with the exterior look of the Kia Sorento, which clouded my ability to like any other SUV in its class. I like my Kia, but wish I had been more selective, and taken more time looking. It drives nice enough, has enough power, but, the back seat is cramped. I wish I could mention the dealership where I bought this SUV. I would not recommend it! Test drive the Mazda Tribute or the Hyundai Santa Fe. I should have considered one of these two.

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  My Ride - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Ermack - January 10 - 12:10 pm

  I go on many road trips to the south. I love the way it handles on the highway and I just set the cruise control and drive 4 lane interstate to my destination. I experience pleasure with good quality radio/cd/tape music and love the comfort of the leather seats, seats that are able to be adjusted as one drives which adds to more pleasure in driving. I love the body style of the car -- reminds me of a stylish European car. My biggest thought about ownership is the 10 year/100,000 mile warranty -- with this it will probably be the last car that I have to purchase in my lifetime. The mileage is average and correct as stated, city 17 and highway 25. No matter how I drive these are the numbers.

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  Worst car ever made!!!!!! - 2001 Kia Rio
  By Cindy1106 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car I have ever had. I have had to replace the transmission twice. I had to replace the master cylinder, airbag, brakes and the control modulator. Now the car kis constantly stalling and the Kia dealer mechanics cant even tell me whats wrong with it. If you want a reliable cheap car, save yourself plenty of headaches and buy and hyundai or toyota.

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  awesome car!!! - 2016 Kia Sorento
  By Dan - January 8 - 11:18 am

  I must say, i own this car for over 1 year now and I have no complaints about it. I have a little over 12000 miles and no problems at all with the car. My wife and I like to take weekend trips all the time and we are always pleased with the smooth drive and the comfort. If you think to get one dont hesitate go for it. Is definitely worth the money!!!!