The Forte sedan and its sibling hatchback return to the Kia vehicle lineup for 2012 with an impressive combination of smart styling, value, technology, safety features and comfort. Named a 2010 and 2011 "Top Safety Pick"¹ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and to MSN Autos' 2011 "Top 10 Cars Under $15,000" list, the Forte and Forte 5-door offer today's tech-savvy consumers with attractive, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive options in the compact segment.

On the heels of achieving 20 consecutive months of year-over-year sales growth, Kia Motors America (KMA) has been recognized by NADAguides, a leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, by having three of its vehicles – Rio 5-Door SX, Forte SX and Soul + -- named to the publication's "Most Versatile 2012 New Cars Under $20K" list. Kia placed more vehicles than any other automaker on the top ten list, which is intended for new car shoppers in the market to find fuel-efficient vehicles that are feature-rich and highly-versatile for the needs of everyday driving while also being budget-friendly.

Total Car Score (www.totalcarscore.com), one of the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison websites, has named the 2012 Forte sedan and hatchback to its "Top Cars for College Grads" list. This roster of over-achieving compact cars was released on the cusp of graduation season, as new college grads – along with their parents – look to purchase vehicles that are reliable and cost-conscious, while also considering factors including safety, fuel-efficiency, comfort and performance. Beyond praise for its styling, spaciousness, technology and interior materials, the 2012 Forte was found to be the most affordable vehicle among the cars selected.