Five-Star Crash Safety Rating for Midsize Kia SUV in Frontal and Side Impact Crash Tests

IRVINE, Calif., December 19, 2006 – The 2007 Kia Sorento earned a five-star crash safety rating, the highest rating possible, for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This marks the first five-star frontal rating for the Sorento, and its fifth consecutive five-star rating for side impact.

“The Sorento is in excellent company, joining Sportage, Sedona and Optima with five-star crash safety ratings from NHTSA,” said Len Hunt, executive vice president and COO of Kia Motors America. “Kia has come a long way in a very short time, and our goal of building high quality, safe vehicles is being realized as we refine and expand the product lineup.”

The award-winning, five-passenger Sorento combines power, utility and style with a new standard for value in its segment. For 2007, the versatile vehicle is loaded with many comfort and convenience features, more standard safety features such as advanced two-stage airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front headrests, driver knee airbag, and electronic stability control (ESC), providing capable on- and off-road performance.

Available in LX and EX trim lines, as well as LX Sport Package and EX Luxury Package, and two-wheel or four-wheel drive, Sorento builds on the previous generation model with subtle exterior refinements, including redesigned front headlamps with projection lights, a revised front grille insert and more rounded body-side cladding. The interior has more leg room in the second-row seats, a new center fascia gauge cluster and floor console enveloped in upscale wood and metal trim materials. A new, all-aluminum, 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 262 horsepower – a 36-percent increase over the previous generation engine – and 260 lb.-ft of torque is mated to an electronically controlled five-speed Sportmatic® transmission, allowing drivers to choose between automatic or manual shift mode.

Like all Kia models, the Sorento is covered by the manufacturer’s comprehensive vehicle coverage program, which includes a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty. A 5-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty and 5-years/60,000-miles of 24-hour roadside assistance are added benefits offered to consumers.

Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov).

Kia Motors America – the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corp. in Seoul, South Korea – offers a complete line of vehicles for purchase at one of more than 630 dealers throughout the United States. For more information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.