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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  Luvin my hamster ride! - 2010 Kia Soul
  By gmom - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I did a lot of research before I decided on the Kia Soul. I am LOVING IT! Ive had it six weeks and already have a little over 3800 miles on it. Its fun to drive. My picky husband even likes to drive it. We are in our late 40s and we see more people our age driving the Soul. Not just for the 20 somethings.

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  Update on Transmission Noise - 2011 Kia Sorento
  By Kansas - February 13 - 10:00 am

  Olathe Kia contacted KIA engineers. Solution was to flash the computer. I am not sure how that works, but it worked. Fixed < 24 hours and they provided a free car during repair. Still very pleased with my purchase. Drives great, averaging 23 mpg, still turning heads. Thank you Olathe Kia.

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  Value plus - 2007 Kia Optima
  By TOFB - February 12 - 11:36 am

  Im very happy with my purchase. All the features I wanted for thousands less than the big guys. First mileage test at 1500 miles I got 36.6 mpg on the highway.

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  it doesnt get much better - 2012 Kia Optima
  By arubin - February 11 - 10:33 am

  I have my Optima ex turbo for a week, I already have driven 425 miles, mixed city and highway.The car is solid, quiet and has a very nice combination of ride and handling.Very comfortable seats front and rear, great sound from the Infinity stereo, and very good controls.So far my gas mileage overall mix is 27,28 mpg.I cant say enough how much I love this car.The only negative is the choice of tires ,Nexens are very bad on wet roads.I hope Kia will realize a car as good a the Optima deserves better performing tires.

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  Better than the Civic - 2010 Kia Forte
  By John - February 10 - 6:23 pm

  Traded a 2007 Honda civic for the Forte. Loved my Civic, but the Forte is a much better car. From day 1 the Civic had a lot rattles and noises, not the Forte. Recieved $1400.00 from Honda for paint defects, Forte paint has no defects. A lot of reviews say Honda civic engine is quiet and refined, and the Forte engine is loud, and unrefined. Forte engine is quiet and smooth. Honda was a nice car, but the Forte has a quiet interior with little road noise or wind, and it is fun to drive, handles great, and is great on the high way even in heavy winds. In my opinion Honda must be paying some one for there good reviews. Honda Civic has a lot of TSB like cracked engine blocks. Civic or Forte. FORTE

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  2005 Kia Optima LX - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Optima LX - February 10 - 4:56 am

  I am 50 years old and this is my very first new car. Our baby chose a college 3 states away, and although our vehicles were fine for home, I was afraid to drive it over the mountains. I chose the Optima initially for the safety features. I love the way it handles mountain curves at high speed. Even with my heavy foot I average 24.8 miles to the gallon in town and an amazing 30 to 35 on those long hauls. Nothing is comfortable after 6.5 hours, but at least there is enough room to shift positions. The only thing I dont like is the way the car squats in a quick brake, but at least it stops! I love my car, and am going to help my daughter choose a Kia.

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  Kia - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By boomboxjoe - February 9 - 4:46 pm

  5 star safety rating hurts mpg but my family is safe and I have used it many times to home depot and had 10 bags of concrete in it.

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  awesome - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By icebergn9 - February 8 - 2:00 am

  different style and look altogether,rugged and durable.

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  Katie Kia - 2004 Kia Optima
  By la7bird - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I love this car! I travel significantly in this comfortable, fuel efficient car. It looks professional and much more expense for an economy car.

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  KIA Optima (2004) - 2004 Kia Optima
  By andywy - February 8 - 2:00 am

  I love my new KIA Optima. It has a ton of features for under 20 thousand. I havent made it to my first oil change yet but I still love to walk outside and see it in the driveway. Its pretty spacious and I love the safety features, especially for my kid. (Child Safety Locks, Side Airbags, etc.) All in all its a very nice car for the price. I would recommend it.