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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  great car - 3 years and no regrets - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Ernie Hobbs - September 30 - 1:46 am

  This has been a great car. Ive had it for three years and so far, no regrets. I also have a 2005 Dodge Durango and I still prefer to drive my Sorento.

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  Great Car - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By hdwestmont - September 29 - 10:50 pm

  I bought this car in February and since then have already put over 7,000 miles on it. I drive a lot! Ive never gotten worse than 27 mpg and have gotten as good as 38, and trust me, I dont drive like an old woman and thats usually with the AC on too. Was planning on buying an American car, but after endless test drives, this car had more get up and go (compared to Pontiac Vibe, Dodge Caliber). I also liked it better than the Nissan Versa (way over priced) and the Toyota Matrix (also way over priced). All in all, Its been a great car, got more options for less money and it doesnt look like a pregnant roller skate! =)

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  AWESOME!!!!!!!! - 2005 Kia Rio
  By krol - September 28 - 6:21 pm

  The Kia Rio 2005, its been my first car. I had it now since 2007, I had a couple problems with the axle. But nothing super expensive, or unfix-able plus this is a used car. People tell me it feels like you are in a go car, which i dont mind it actually feels cool! It is comfy and perfect for a petite person. After all there years still works perfect!!!!!!!!!! Oh the gas is good!

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  Buy a Kia and save $20,000! - 2002 Kia Sedona
  By Christian-S - September 28 - 2:00 am

  Between the 0% financing, not having to spend $1000.00 to purchase an extended warranty, and the difference in price compared to the Honda Odyessy ($30,000.00) I figured I saved about $20,000.00. Everyong can talk trash about the Kia Sedona if they want but so far so good. The professional reviews dont do it justice. Its got plenty of power, lots of room, numerous creature comforts, and is thousands less than the competition. The only thing I would change on this vehicle is the funky way the rear seats fold out of the way. Its a secure method but just flaky. Other than that its a bargain.

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  Diappointed! - 2017 Kia Sportage
  By wgoforth - September 28 - 12:57 am

  Wanting a small SUV and considering the great reviews of the KIA Sportage, we purchased a new 2017 model in September 2016. Immediately after purchase, we realized the front head rest were extremely uncomfortable, pushing our heads into a position where we look down if we keep our eyes in a normal position. A few months later, we began having a lot of pain in our left hip joint. Thought it was just old age until a much younger person took a trip with us and began to mention having pain in left hip joint. There was not a lot of hot weather after our purchase, so we cant say the cooling problems were there initially. As warm Spring days arrived, we realized the air conditioning was cycling from cooling to no cooling every few minutes and on "recirculate" wasnt cooling at all. Later, we realized a problem with the front and rear wiper switches--the wipers dont always turn off when the switch is placed in the "off" position. After leaving the vehicle with the dealership for the 3rd time we are again without the use of the vehicle. The !st time the evaporator box was replaced and the system recharged; the 2nd time they said a system fault was "causing the AC control head to not allow full system operation" so they performed control head reset; The 3rd time, no corrective measure has been performed on the AC since a tool needed has to be ordered, and they dont have an answer for the wiper switch problem because the wiper switches didnt malfunction when checked at the dealership.

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  Entertainer - 2005 Kia Sedona
  By keydriver - September 28 - 12:00 am

  I have had my Sedona only 6 months and so far it has been almost perfect. I have no kids, but often carry music equipment. It was easy to remove the back seats to give me extra room. The driver seat adjustments have made it very comfortable to drive. I had a minor accident last month and rented a smaller, sportier hatchback while my van was in the shop, and couldnt wait to get my Sedona back, not just for the room, but for the comfort and the way it handles. My only concern right now is the fuel mileage which is probably due to the weight of the van coupled with the size of the engine, but the price, warranty, features, handling and comfort make up for that.

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  Hardy Recommendation - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Danielle Prevette - September 27 - 3:33 am

  I am very pleased with this car. It has so far been one of the best cars I have owed over my 40+ years of ownership, which has included Honda, Toyota, Subaru and VW. I have had absolutely no problems in the ss 1st 5 months of ownership.

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  I love my Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By cindy - September 26 - 10:23 am

  I purchased my Sorento EX new 4 years and 80,000 miles ago and I still love it. I had no use for my minivan any longer, but didnt want to go back to a car. I have had no regrets since I drove off the lot with it. The only problem Ive had was my passenger seat air bag sensor stopped working and they replaced it of course at no charge. When this one wears out, I will get another one.

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  Early Adopter - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Linenguy - September 25 - 8:33 pm

  Purchased 2010 Kia LX and it is an impressive vehicle for price. Owned two Hyundai Santa Fes and compared what Kia offered for money and it was no comparison. Surprised 4 cylinder had similar power to my V6 Santa Fe. I live in hilly area and the 4 climbs as well as old V6. To early to tell is reliability will be as good as Hyundai, but since they are same company I assume it will be comparable. Vehicle drives sporty but feels solid and bigger than my Santa Fe. Will see long term mileage. Got my Sorento Lease for less than my 2007 Santa Fe with no money down. Take a look Im sure you will be impressed with value for money. Would get a V6 if you tow things.

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  The Drive Home Was Fun - 2008 Kia Optima
  By AndyHu - September 25 - 3:26 pm

  Just leased this vehicle for the gas mileage. The ride and comfort are awesome. The exterior styling is quite pedestrian. Fit and finish are excellent and the 4 cylinder engine is pretty peppy. You do not feel like youre driving underpowered. If the exterior styling isnt first and foremost in your mind, then for quality ride and transportation, I would highly recommend the Kia Optima. Plenty of interior space.