The Sportage compact crossover returns to the Kia lineup for 2013 with the same head-turning design, impressive power, outstanding efficiency and a plethora of comfort and convenience features. Having received numerous awards and critical acclaim since its launch in 2010, Sportage was most recently recognized by the United Services Automobile Association (USAA) as a "Best Value" in 2011 and 2012 and named a 2012 "Best Buy" by Consumers Digest. It continues to be a top contender in the ever-growing compact CUV segment.

Some must have considered whether Peter Schreyer had lost the ability to think rationally. There could be no other explanation as to why the Design Chief of Volkswagen and Audi would depart the studios he’d helped make famous for Kia Motors Corporation (KMC). Back in 2006, Kia was still making in-roads into many of the markets Schreyer’s former employer had dominated for decades. Schreyer, however, saw the potential in Kia and welcomed the challenge he’d been offered: Completely redefine the image of the Kia brand through the power of design.

Kia Motors America (KMA) is one of the fastest-growing car companies in the U.S., and its two popular crossover utility vehicles have acquired an impressive collection of awards and accolades from industry observers. This week, the brand’s two CUVs received a different type of recognition when Strategic Vision revealed that new car buyers identified the 2013 Sorento and 2013 Sportage as the number one ranked vehicles in Total Value in the Medium and Small SUV segments, respectively, in the research firm’s latest Total Value Index® (TVI) study.

With its impressive list of safety features, dynamic styling and advanced technology, the 2013 Sportage has been named a “Best Bet” by The Car Book 2013.

Two of Kia Motors America’s (KMA) most popular models were recently named to AutoPacific’s annual Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA). The 2013 Optima sedan was named most satisfying Mid-Size Car and the sporty 2013 Sportage was heralded as the most satisfying Compact Crossover SUV by the trusted automotive marketing and product-consulting firm. The 17th annual survey based the results on responses from more than 52,000 new-vehicle owners.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2013 Initial Quality Study (IQS) has ranked the Kia Soul and Kia Sportage as leaders in the Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle and Sub-Compact CUV segments, respectively. And, for the first time, Kia ranks among the automotive industry’s top 10 nameplates for initial quality. The 2013 Soul ranked first in the Compact MPV segment for the second consecutive year, and the Sportage tied for the highest ranking in the Sub-Compact CUV category.

The award-winning Kia Sportage recently was named by Kelley Blue Book as one of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2013. The sporty compact crossover ranked sixth among its competitors, standing apart from the crowd with aggressive styling and a hard-to-find combination of fun-to-drive performance and impressive fuel economy.