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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  Dont buy a Kia - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By wendy - June 9 - 2:00 am

  We bought a brand new 2005 Sorento and loved it. Within the first year, the brakes and rooters were replaced. The dealership replaced them 4 times, at our expense, then we took it to another mechanic and since then they have been fine. The motor has been replaced twice and is now at the dealership again after it just died in the middle of the road, and my husband and I had to push it off the road. Weve replaced every light in the car numerous times, at least 3-4 times a year. Its been in for oil leaks at least 3 times. The paint started chipping within the first year. Ill never ever buy another Kia.

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  My Kia Forte has won me over - 2010 Kia Forte
  By chickyflyaz - June 9 - 2:00 am

  I had been driving a 2009 Nissan Altima prior to purchasing this Kia. I had originally set out only wanting another Altima but could not get a good enough deal. A friend talked to me into checking out the Kia dealership where I test drove the Forte. It was affordable and while I was disappointed it wasnt my first choice, I liked it enough to buy it. 3 weeks later I absolutely love it! I drove that car for 2 1/2 weeks before I had to put gas in the tank! I love the way it looks and the comfortable interior. I would like a little more get up and go, but it does get moving eventually.

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  Best Deal and pleasent suprize - 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid
  By David - June 8 - 6:30 pm

  Bought new and got an awesome deal, love the car more than I thought and so have the people who have ridden in it.

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  SURPRISING - 2006 Kia Sorento
  By jc - June 8 - 9:16 am

  My latest new Kia Sorrento LX 2WD wasnt "the car" I wanted to buy. I am glad I got it. It has shown excellent performance, and its design and engineering put you in total control. This car is a great mini SUV. Fuel economy (highway driving) has been 14mph average so thats a bit disappointing with todays oil prices. Ive tested it on windy, normal, foggy, rainy, snowy conditions with huge success. No fear of ever losing control. The design and engineering are way at the top for this car! Overall Im one pleased KIA buyer. The interior is also decent, could use more perks, and Im into leather, but hey Id recommend it to anyone seeking a good balance of car to price. Make a good deal & get one.

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  Awesome car - 2009 Kia Sportage
  By gerardw - June 8 - 4:34 am

  Living in Central Canada where the winter weather can get down into the -40C range, and the summer temps, like today, can hover in the +30C area, I read reports on the Sportage and decided to buy. I previously had a Kia Magentis for five years, which, to date is the best car I have ever owned. The Sportage is coming in a close second. Very comfortable, great ride, good on gas and excellent dealer service all add up to continuing with this brand next year. No problem starting in the cold weather and efficient air conditioning in the summer bring excellent reliability. I miss an inside armrest, wish it had digital temperature controls, but if that is all I have to complain about????

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  Wheres the storage tray? - 2011 Kia Sportage
  By hybanker - June 7 - 12:03 pm

  Anybody else get a new sportage and have the dealer tell them the rear storage tray will be available later? Its listed as standard equipment, but my dealer cant find one or order one. Otherwise very happy with the purchase. Nice warranty - I got rid of a Ford Freestyle because the transfer case kept leaking.

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  i love my kia - 2005 Kia Spectra
  By tweyhrich - June 5 - 5:33 am

  this car is really awsome. I didnt think i would like it as much as i do. I looked at it online and the price was good and thought it wouldnt be this nice as it is. the olny thing is i wish that i would have got the sx instead of the ex but thats ok [they dont have ground fx avil for ex]and a 5 speed stick not the 4 speed auto. It is a really spunky car though and the more i drive it the more i like it. If you are looking to buy a car i would check this one out

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  Me and my Kia - 2004 Kia Amanti
  By Loretta Taylor - June 5 - 2:00 am

  I Love my KIA. It is very easy to handle and fun to drive. I used to own a Lincoln town car. The Kia Amanta Is very comfortable and surronds me with luxury. It is easier to drive than the Lincoln.

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  A Great Alternative - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By Yetidog - June 5 - 2:00 am

  The Sorento is an excellent alternative to the more popular Highlander, Pilot, Explorer, and GMC midsized SUV clones. It is fun to drive, handles well, and turns on the proverbial dime. It is also a true truck frame, rear axle SUV. Beyond the physical features of the vehicle, it is value-priced and carries the best warranty around.

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  First new car ever, Spectra EX - 2009 Kia Spectra
  By Trevor Totman - June 4 - 2:43 pm

  I havent had my Spectra for very long, but so far it has been the best car Ive owned. Its quite zippy for a grocery getter,even with it being an automatic transmission. Stereo system(hey, Im 24, this is important stuff!) is great. I love that Ive got an auxillary jack and I love the hidden charger in the middle console. It helps keep wires out of the way, and you can set your MP3 player or iPod/iPhone inside to keep it from sliding all over the car. The DOHC is a nice touch, but I wish the fuel economy could be a hair better. All in all, a nice roomy car that is incredibly affordable and great for the post college kid or the starting family.