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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  All MPG Advertizments are Lies!!! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By kirk700 - May 24 - 8:50 pm

  I have logged 17,000+ miles on my 2012 KIA Optima. I love the car, 100% reliable and very comfortable. Im glad I chose it over the Accord and Fusion. That said, the window sticker read 26 city, 36 Hwy MPG. I am in sales and travel between 100 to 400 miles a day. 30% city and 70% Hwy. The best I have ever recorded is 30mpg. The worst is 24 mpg. My opinion, these figures are closer to what should be printed on the window sticker.

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  Finally found it! - 2005 Kia Amanti
  By LAJR - May 24 - 8:16 am

  I went from looking at Chevys, to Pontiacs, to Hyundais before I stumbled upon the Kia Amanti. I was sold after the test drive. The sales personnel at the dealership were outstanding (imagine that!). A must drive for anyone looking for a car.

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  not worth it - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By John C - May 24 - 12:30 am

  the gas mileage was disappointing.. The Spectra stared to fall apart in a year.. the service department was horrible.. I was hoping it would hold up and the dealership would honor the warranty but after taking it in three times for the door on the gas cap, they said it was a poor design and only cleaned it again.. and were so rude! they said I must have broken it and the seat belt that wouldnt retract.. the side door wouldnt always close.. and I always smelt something burning.. I wasnt planning to sell it in a year after buying new but lost confidence in this car and the warranty.. it is very top heavy and not a good car to drive in the real world.. I took a huge loss with Kia..

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  Kia Optima 2012 Excitement gone - 2012 Kia Optima
  By nccarowner - May 23 - 1:56 pm

  I bought the Optima EX after looking around for months. My excitement of owning the car is down now. I do not get the advertised mpg even if I coast & go just under the speed limit. The dealers have given me the same rehearsed response about MPG. My 2000 accord could hold the road better & get better gas mileage. I only get 28-29 on the highway at 65 mph. The onramp I have to wait to accelerate compared to my 12yr old honda accord. I have to go a min of 5mph slower or there is huge oversteer. The paint on the car is easily chipped off. I get compliments on the looks but Im stuck in the car. Charger has a better ride but seats arent as nice & it got 32mpg when I tested it for 2 days

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  A winner for the money - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By JoeD - May 23 - 12:53 am

  Rides and handles well for a medium size SUV. I disagree with those who say the 4 cyl is slow. We have no problems either in town or the mountains although mileage could be better. Lots of standard features for the money. More room than a Subaru Forester and those bring a premium price here in the NE.

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  Not going back to Hondas - 2002 Kia Optima
  By TB Buc - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Awesome, awesome, awesome! Cant be any happier. Everything is perfect.

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  For the money, its a steal - 2002 Kia Sportage
  By Carl from Montana - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Mine has 22000 miles in first six months. Several trips of 5,000 miles virtually non-stop DC to MT. Offroad driving in snow in Rockies(its rocky, not muddy). Mountains, switchbacks....The car is a steal. 24mpg. Holds 70+ mph on long grades. Could use more power but not much more. Light, so wind buffet an issue on windy days. Noise an issue-- almost as noisy as a Jeep Wrangler softtop. But a most competent performer and a steal for the price. (14,000+)

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  BEST VAN I EVER DROVE - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By HYUNG KIM - May 22 - 2:00 am

  THE SMOOTHEST CAR I EVER DROVE AND BETTER THEN JAPANESE VANS.

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  Not worth the money - 2001 Kia Optima
  By Jessica - May 21 - 11:36 am

  I bought this car brand new off the showroom floor. Immediately we had some small issues but nothing major. After owning it for about 3 years and having more warranty problems, my car spent 6 months in the shop. So many things were replaced its hard to remember. There were transmission problems, computer problems, speaker/radio problems, window and lock problems, and engine problems to name a few. Due to the horrible depreciation on the car, we were only just now able to get rid of it without going into neg. equity. My advice, stay away, theres a reason for the warranty.

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  great car even at 60 - 2010 Kia Soul
  By suzieq - May 20 - 11:13 pm

  I loved the car as soon as I saw it, and 6 months later i traded in a 2007 Mazda 3 hatchback. Fun to drive with but one drawback for the moment. As i live in Montréal and it gets very cold.... I have had trouble with rear doors freezing. Has anyone else had this trouble. I am going to the dealers to-day and see what they say.