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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  Excellent SUV - 2005 Kia Sorento
  By Curtis Miller - November 26 - 8:43 pm

  I purchased the Sorento to replace a Jeep Grand Cherokee that had 150K miles. For the cost, the Sorento cant be beat. But be aware that gas mileage is not great. I drive 85 miles a day and have been averaging about 18mpg which isnt bad but a bit lower than my Jeep. I havent had any issues with the Kia except for one "recall" dealing with the control unit for the passenger air bag. I didnt buy the Sorento for off-roading; but now that winter is approaching I do expect to get to test out its driveability in snow. I dont expect to be disappointed. A good buy!

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  Kia Krazy - 2005 Kia Optima
  By Kia Krazy - November 26 - 2:20 pm

  This car is well built for a Kia. The 2.7 liter v6 is quite peppy and smooth. The transmission is very smooth and the Infinity sound system is great. The leather seat are more comfortable than I expected and with all these options and quality its weird to see the price.

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  2nd review of my EX Turbo - 2011 Kia Optima
  By donnie71281 - November 24 - 7:55 pm

  Ive not put a little over 800 miles on my 2011 Turbo EX. Not a single problem. My Optima tracks 100% Straight on the freeway with NO left pull at all. Ive read of others having the left pull issue and i agree that you should test drive the car on the freeway first. Though I would say that of ANY car. This problem isnt an uncommon issue with electric steering(generally sofware related). Honda and VW have had the same issue. Our 2003 accord has started the left pull again. I still love my Optima 1,000,000 times more than i did the Accord Ex-L V6 i test drove. Im also going on week 3 without a trip to the gas station. Really love that.

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  More than I expected… - 2008 Kia Spectra
  By Islanders - November 23 - 4:46 pm

  I have only had the Spectra5 for a week, but Im 63 and have plenty of head room and enough leg room in both the front and back seats. The cabin is roomy with good cargo space. Nice trim kit, power windows, locks, strong AC. A great car to drive. Im also impressed with the build quality. Nice solid feel to the transmission, and engine, etc from the first time I test drove it. Getting 30 mpg mixed driving with AC on. Im trying to conserve fuel, but also havent been passed by anyone. That might drop a little if it is a real grid lock urban crawl. So far Im very pleased. I had a trailer hitch installed for a bike rack. Also getting Thule roof racks and sat radio. Great car.

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  Great Car for a Great Price - 2004 Kia Spectra
  By johndoend - November 22 - 10:00 am

  I was very hesistant about buying a Kia, but after having this car for a month, Im not sure theres many better vehicles in this price range. The vehicle has awesome safety features and has a very quiet ride. I am 64" and my legs can actually move underneath the steering wheel, something I cant even do in a Subaru Forester. The interior and exterior are well designed and almost make the car look European. The EX model comes with several key features, like remote entry and power windows. This vehicle does well on the interstate and gets at least 30 miles to the gallon. The warranty is awesome. Kia has done an amazing job in making this car.

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  Trading in my Sedona for a Sienna - 2003 Kia Sedona
  By Heather3696 - November 22 - 10:00 am

  If it wasnt for those rear seats and the noisy air conditioning, I would keep this car. I cant stand fighting with those rear seats. They are super heavy (if no impossible) to remove and replace. I actually took it back to the dealer and made them put the seats back in. Even the sales guy couldnt do it. The air conditioning is super loud when the car is idling. Step on the gas just a little and the noise goes away. Come to a red light and the noise is louder than the radio. My next minivan will have fold away seats. Im looking at the Odyssey or the Sienna.And the gas mileage is terrible. Maybe 15 city, 19 hwy.

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  Still Lovin it! - 2003 Kia Sorento
  By Rozebud - November 22 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Kia for a year and a half now and I still love it! I wrote my first review in March of 03 and never imagined Id still feel the same farther down the road. It still feels like a new car. The steering and transmission is still tight and nothing has broken or worn out. The airbag light did come on recently and Im taking it in to get it fixed. Probably just a sensor gone bad? Im short and this vehicle fits me perfectly. My husband has a GMC Envoy, a great car too, but I hate driving it because of its size. It is a little hard to get in and out of, especially for my seven year old. I think I might buy the available running boards.

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  love it - 2004 Kia Sorento
  By robert payson - November 22 - 10:00 am

  absolutely love it , cant afford the x5 this was the next choice!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Forte is great! - 2010 Kia Forte
  By brockluofm - November 22 - 5:10 am

  I love my Kia Forte. It is strong and peppy. Sometimes I feel like it shifts to 5th in a funny place, but the drive is very nice. I have also been getting better gas mileage than I expected. I love the Blue Tooth and steering controls but wish it had automatic lights as a feature. The trunk is enormous. Overall, so pleased!

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  Review Update - 2010 Kia Soul
  By Doc - November 21 - 11:10 am

  This is my second review of my + automatic in titanium. Just over 1k mi. and I really like this car. Yes the seats are still a tad firm but Im getting used to them. BIG omission. There is no light in the large two level glove box! I hate that. Sound system is great. Very happy with my lease.