Kia Cars | Used Cars, Motorbikes, Vans & Other Vehicles

The Kia Motors Corporation, based in Seoul, South Korea, was the first South Korean to manufacture, and export, motor vehicles. The name, "Kia", has origins in the Chinese, and means, literally, "to come up out of Asia". The company has certainly lived up to its billing, in recent years, and now boasts no less than 12 manufacturing, and assembly, operations in 8 different countries. Its annual production is over 1.3 million vehicles, per year, making it one of the fastest growing motor vehicle manufacturers in the world.

About Kia
Nowadays part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group � Hyundai became the major shareholder in the company in 1998 � Kia has its sights firmly set on becoming one of the leading car manufacturers in the world. Its manufacturing plants at Hwasung, and Sohari, in South Korea, itself, are now complemented by others at Yancheng, in China, and Zilina, in Slovakia, and a $1 billion manufacturing and assembly plant is under construction at West Point, Georgia, in the United States. Kia vehicles are sold, and serviced, by a network of dealers and distributors in 165 countries across the world. The Kia ethos is one of innovation, combined with safety, and affordability, which is reflected in its slogan, "The Power to Surprise". Kia also prides itself on the quality of its customer service and support; the Kia "Total Protection" warranty, for example, includes a 5-year, or 60,000 mile, basic warranty, and a 10-year, or 100,000 mile, warranty against perforation, or transmission failure.

Current Kia Models
The latest Kia model is the oddly-named Ceed � or strictly speaking, "ceed", or "cee'd" � which is also available in SW ("Station Wagon") and Pro-Ceed versions. The SW version is a compact estate car, with a wide tailgate, and roof rails, while the Pro-Ceed is a somewhat sportier, 3-door hatchback. The Ceed is available in a choice of petrol � 1.4 litre, and 1.6 litre � and diesel � a 1.6 litre common rail injection, and 2.0 litre � engines, and although prices are a little higher than for previous Kia family cars, all models are now covered by a 7-year, or 100,000 mile warranty against mechanical, or paint defects, and a 10-year, or 100,000 mile, ant-perforation warranty. Performance is adequate, if not spectacular � the 1.6 litre diesel injection model, for example, delivers 115bhp, and reaches 60mph in just under 14 seconds � although handling, courtesy of fast, accurate steering and multi-link rear suspension, is fairly impressive.

Of the earlier Kia models, the Sportage � a "crossover" SUV, or "Sports Utility Vehicle" � was first produced between 1995 and 2002, and reincarnated in its current guise in 2005. The Sportage is essentially a "bargain" 4x4 vehicle, and as such, is suitable for use on the road, and for the occasional off-road excursion. The Sportage is available in 2.0 litre, and 2.7 litre, petrol, and � more economical � diesel versions, and is equipped with "intelligent" 4-wheel drive, ABS and EBD braking systems, and traction control.

If towing is your game, you might like to consider the Kia Sorento, winner of the headline category in the "Towcar of the Year Awards", presented by the Caravan Club, for three consecutive years, in 2006, 2007, and 2008. The 3.5 litre, V6 petrol engine version may appear, at first glace, not to be a particularly wise choice, in terms of fuel costs, but it does manage an acceptable 25mpg; if fuel consumption is a major concern to you, a 2.5 litre common rail diesel injection version is also available. The Sorento functions as a full-time, or part-time, 4x4 and is equipped with self-levelling suspension. The ATT, or "Active Torque Transfer", feature delivers power to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions � to aid fuel consumption � but automatically transfers power to the front wheels, according to road conditions.

Smaller Kia models include the Rio, a "supermini" available in a 1.4 litre, 96bhp petrol version, or preferably, perhaps, a 1.5 litre, 109bhp diesel version, and the Picanto � the best-selling Kia model in the United Kingdom � available in 1.0 litre, and 1.1 litre versions. Both are surprisingly roomy, and comfortable, for small cars, and include power assisted steering. On the downside, the Picanto engine, in particular, may seem � understandably � a little weak, and the handling of the Rio is not its strongest point.

Buying a Second Hand Kia
There are, undoubtedly, savings to be made by buying a used Kia, but try not to let a low price tag blind you to some of the fundamentals of buying a used car. One of the things that you can check, for yourself, is the frequency with which engine oil has been replaced; infrequent oil changes significantly increase the chances of engine trouble later in the life of a Kia, or any other motor vehicle, for that matter. This is one reason that you should request a full service history � or, at least, as much of the service history as is available � from the vendor of a used Kia. It may also be worth your while to have a prospective second hand purchase inspected by a qualified mechanic; this may highlight defects that are not immediately obvious, to you, alone, and you may be able to factor the cost of repair into the price that you ultimately pay for the car.