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 Sorento - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By reno chic - May 23 - 3:36 am

  Bought this after I had my daughter; fits our family perfectly (including a large dog and luggage or other passengers). Very comfortable and practical. Good on or off road so we can go camping or to the city. The only pitfalls are that it doesnt have much oomph, so you can only use the 4WD to a certain extent (nothing too steep in the early spring mountains). But if youre going to have a bumpy ride, at least its cushioned well with lots of things to hold on to. Tons of awesome little hidden storage areas, comfortable to sleep in if necessary (with a Thermarest). Great standard options in both models. Never overlook the great warranty! I love my Sorento.

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  Great car for the $$ - 2006 Kia Rio
  By Ryan Wern - May 21 - 2:50 am

  Bought the car used in November of 06 simply for a commuter. I was just looking for a cheap car to get me to work and back and not kill me with gas prices being high. I was BLOWN AWAY with this car. It has great performance all around considering the small engine and low hp, and the mpg is very close to what Kia said it was. With just me in it, I average 37 mpg highway, which is all I really drive with it. Im used to driving high horsepower American made trucks, so for me to actually say this thing has some power means something. Stock stereo is above average for any car, and the trunk is massive. I would recommend this car any day.

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  Cute But - 2006 Kia Spectra
  By Margie - May 19 - 2:20 pm

  The car handles nicely and has great acceleration. It has great leg room for passengers in the back seats as long as the front seats are not all the way back. You can pack a lot of items in the back and with the seats down its even better.

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  Go Buy One - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Big Al - May 18 - 9:33 am

  First SUV I ever bought -- the more I drive it the more I love it. Test drove a few of the competitors. The ride and comfort were unmatched. It worked great in its first snow.The only thing I can find wrong with it is the gas mileage. But it is a SUV so I didnt expect much. For the money I spent I feel I got a lot of SUV. Plus that warranty -- you cant beat it.

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  2012 kia optima SX Turbo Very, Very bad gas mileage - 2012 Kia Optima
  By jiebew - May 18 - 5:20 am

  Poor gas mileage. only getting about 21 MPG I drive mostly freeway and cant get any more than that. took it to the dealer and they did nothing about it. Seriously thinking about a lawsuit. will be soon getting some legal advise from and attorney. If other are already in this mode i would love to hear from you. Yesterday and today I couldnt get the car to go above 40 MPH. I had to pull off the road and turn the car off and restar it. It did better but something is wrong. will be taking it back to the dealer in the morning.

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  Love the seats - 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid
  By Jim - May 17 - 12:50 pm

  I have sat in both the front and back seats and I there great. I have a bad neck and on long drives my neck never bothers me. This is coming from a man that traded in a Cadillac for the hybrid. The mileage is exactly what the review say, a bit lower than other of the same size, especially in colder weather. Overall though I am very happy with the car

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  Good car but 35 mpg highway is a joke - 2013 Kia Optima
  By volki1 - May 14 - 4:42 pm

  I bought the car in September this year, a 2013 EX with the Premium Package. First I was going for the Hybrid but during the test drive the car felt "heavy". I drive a Ford Focus Hybrid occasionally between offices and the Optima Hybrid just felt like a bigger and heavier car in comparison. For the money I spent, the car offers features unmatched in this class and for this price. The problem however is the gas mileage. I drive about 90% highway to work with cruise control set as often as possible and at speeds of 50 - 55 mph. And after over 6,000 miles I still do not get anywhere near the 35 mpg highway. Usually I do get below 30 mpg. If you want a fuel efficient car, look somewhere else!

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  I LOVED my Forte! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By mathwhiz1 - May 14 - 2:54 pm

  I recently traded in my 2010 Kia Forte for a 2013 Nissan Sentra, but I only traded it in because it was high in miles (over 100k). Otherwise I would still be driving it. I was a little leery about buying a Kia, but I was pleasantly surprised. Mine came equipped with all kinds of toys: Bluetooth, Sirius satellite radio. Acceleration was more than ample for passing.

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  You Chose - 2007 Kia Spectra
  By kimelyn - May 10 - 3:36 pm

  I bought my car new with only 35 miles on it Sept. 2007. It is a great little car. The makers need to work on the electrical problems. I have had three electrical problems in the past 6 months. I didnt have to pay for the first one but did on the others. The first was wiring harness burnt out, second was break lights and thrid was front lights on dim. It gets great gas mileage compared to what i did drive. Wish the seats were darker easy to see stains.

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  Takes a lickin and Keeps Tickin - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By bdienes - May 9 - 10:00 am

  We got into an accident the day of purchase. The Sorento took the rear end hit well. The passengers were not harmed by a vehicle traveling 50+. Very impressed at the strength of the vehicle.