KIA K900 AND SOUL RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS 2015 CONSUMER GUIDE AUTOMOTIVE BEST BUY AWARDS
- The K900 luxury sedan earns best-in-class status in the Premium Large Car category
- The fun and funky Soul urban passenger vehicle receives the top honors in the Subcompact Car category
Irvine, Calif., November 19, 2014 – Consumer Guide Automotive has awarded the Kia K900 and Kia Soul its prestigious Best Buy Awards for 2015 in the Premium Large Car and Subcompact Car segments, respectively. The K900 was lauded for its luxurious interior amenities, “limo-like” rear-seat accommodations, refined V8 engine, and long list of premium features, all while costing $20,000-$30,000 less than its competitors. The Soul impressed editors with its large passenger space, flexible cargo room, upscale features and amenities - all wrapped in a compact and affordable package.
“2014 marks Kia’s 20th year in the U.S. market, and in that time, the Kia brand has continued to challenge convention and redefine the notion of what value really is,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Kia Motors America (KMA). “To be recognized by Consumers Guide Automotive with two Best Buy Awards for 2015 is an indication that our products continue to exceed expectations with a winning blend of world-class design, outstanding quality, state-of-the-art technology and premium amenities, all at a tremendous value to the customer.”
Each year Consumer Guide Automotive editors select the best vehicles from 20 segments to receive Best Buy Awards with vehicle price and value being major factors. By prioritizing these key consideration points in the car-buying process, the Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Awards serve a practical purpose to everyday car shoppers.
About the 2015 K900
The 2015 K900 challenges the rear-drive luxury sedan segment with an extensive list of standard equipment, world-class accommodations, premium driving dynamics and stunning design that redefines consumer perception and expectations of the Kia brand. Offered with a 420-hp V8 engine, the K900’s list of standard equipment and upscale amenities features first-class accommodations and advanced technology. The range-topping V8 equipped with the VIP Package adds additional luxury amenities including reclining outboard rear seats. The all-new K900 V8 Luxury and V8 VIP are on sale now.
About the 2015 Soul
The 2015 Soul displays its own unique character through a blend of funky personality, fun-to-drive characteristics and premium interior amenities intended to set it apart from the pack. The signature Soul design is instantly recognizable yet thoroughly fresh. Honoring Soul owners’ fierce individualism, three unique trim levels remain available: Base, Plus and Exclaim. Motivation for the Base Soul is delivered by a gasoline direct injection (GDI) 130-horsepower (at 6,300 rpm) 1.6-liter all-aluminum DOHC four-cylinder engine. The GAMMA engine produces 118 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,850 rpm. The Plus and Exclaim models are offered with the more powerful 2.0-liter NU power plant with GDI technology. Power is rated at 164 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 151 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm. The 1.6-liter engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic. The Plus and Exclaim models are available exclusively with the six-speed automatic gearbox.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and surpassed the 500,000 annual sales mark for the second consecutive year in 2013 following the launch of seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K900 flagship sedan**, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle***, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona minivan, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States. Kia’s U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.
Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com. To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.