Popular CUV Recognized for Ride and Handling, Upscale Features and Overall Value

•  U.S Built-Sorento¹ takes top honors in Midsize SUV category
• Kia’s best-selling CUV offers affordable price and outstanding warranty coverage

IRVINE, Calif., December 6, 2012 – Kia Motors America (KMA), one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S.², has been honored by having its best-selling CUV, the U.S.-built Sorento, named to Consumer Guide’s^® annual “Best Buy” list.  Consumer Guide^® makes its selections by evaluating vehicles on all aspects of a consumer’s real-world driving and ownership experience.  The Sorento was selected for having a number of outstanding key attributes in the Midsize SUV category.

“Sorento earns our respect for its excellent ride and handling balance, upscale features and reasonable price,” said Tom Appel, publisher of Consumer Guide^®.  “The available third-row seating and great warranty coverage are added bonuses.”

This year, a more focused evaluation process from the Consumer Guide^® editorial team required vehicles to meet higher criteria in order to be recognized.  The result was a shorter and more prestigious “Best Buy” list than in previous years.  “We’re honored that Consumers Guide^® has named one of our top-selling models as a ‘Best Buy,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  “The Sorento is a cornerstone for the Kia brand and is a flagship among family vehicles, offering world-class sophistication, value, safety and comfort.  Furthermore, we’re proud that this exceptional CUV is built right here in the U.S.”  Read Consumer Guide's^® complete review of the 2013 Kia Sorento: http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2013-kia-sorento.htm

Each year, Consumer Guide’s^® staff drives nearly 200,000 miles to properly evaluate the pros and cons of vehicles in multiple categories.  The vehicles are test-driven in the city, on highways, in rural areas and put to virtually all aspects of everyday driving to give consumers a total picture of how each model performs.

Kia’s Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is one of the world’s fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling.  Kia Motors America’s full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand.  In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality³ and the industry’s highest brand loyalty ranking⁴.  Kia’s U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company’s best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*.  Kia’s value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. ⁵ Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its website – www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.

About Consumer Guide^®

Since 1967, Consumer Guide^® has published authoritative, objective reviews of new and used cars and trucks.  Its staff of 16 includes 10 full-time automotive editors with more than 150 years of combined automotive experience.  Consumer Guide’s^® singular focus is to make car shopping easier for consumers. Consumer Guide^® editors provide professional, unbiased evaluations of nearly 1500 new and used vehicles as well as expert shopping advice and insightful automotive editorials. Consumer Guide^® is based in Lincolnwood, IL. It is published by Publications International, Ltd.