"Sorento has grown into a credible contender. There were no oversights or flaws in the testers, and they had a class look and feel." -- USA Today
"This all-new Sorento is indeed a much better vehicle that the body-on-frame ... it replaces. It's a solid, unibody, do-everything ute that doesn't cut a bad figure doing it ... The biggest surprise wasn't its new skin, but the extremely nice interior, which made me feel like I was riding around in a much pricier ride. Just a quick look inside and you'll do a double take. The seats look good and feel comfortable." -- AutoWeek
"What impressed me the most about Kia Forte Koup was engine noise; there was none which is an achievement for a four cylinder engine ... I found the Kia Koup to be snappy, fun to drive and good looking." -- Style Magazine
"A Kia Soul - Starts at $13, 300 ... This funky new hatchback is sure to turn heads - and it's a worthy choice for young families. SUV fans will like the Soul's command seating. The boxy profile means you'll be less likely to bang your head while tucking your toddler into his car seat. Durable upholstery makes cleaning spills a snap." -- Parents Magazine
"The new-for-2010 Forte is the strongest in its respective class ... If we were to pick a car from this list, the Forte would be among the front-runners ... and the Kia Soul ... It's presence here is testimony to its affordability - even in the long run - and its appearance immediately identifies it as something different ... In the often dreary small-car segment, the Soul stands out." -- Car and Driver
KIA SORENTO AWARDED "TOP SAFETY PICK" BY INSURANCE INSTITUTE
FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY
2011 CUV Wins Highest Recognition from IIHS
Sorento receives top ratings for front, side, rollover, and rear impact protection
CUV becomes fourth new generation Kia vehicle to be named "Top Safety Pick"
IRVINE, Calif., June 2, 2010 - Joining the 2010 Forte compact sedan and 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle,
the 2011 Sorento compact utility vehicle has been recognized as a "Top Safety Pick" by the Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the midsize SUV category when built after March 2010. Sorento, which went on sale
earlier this year, received the organization's top honor by earning "Good" ratings - the highest achievable - in
frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests. The Sedona minivan also received the IIHS "Top Safety Pick"
and "Safest Minivan Ever Tested" distinction shortly after its launch in 2006, and again in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
"In addition to offering consumers outstanding quality, appealing new design, comfort and value, the Kia brand
is first and foremost committed to providing the highest levels of passenger safety," said Michael Sprague, vice
president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). "The 2011 Sorento is an example of Kia's ongoing and rapid vehicle
expansion, demonstrating that buyers can have an affordable, well-equipped and attractive CUV without sacrificing
impressive levels of crash protection."
Ratings from the Institute are based on results from frontal, side and rear impact crash tests, and for
2010 a good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a rollover also was required to win.
Each vehicle's overall evaluation was based on various measurements specific to each crash angle, and overall
impact on crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision. All vehicles must have electronic
stability control available to be eligible.
The 2011 Sorento offers the safety-minded consumer a plenty of standard safety equipment. All trims
(LX, EX and the soon-to-be-available SX) come outfitted with driver and passenger advanced front airbags,
front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake
System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Hill Start Assist
Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all models, the former assisting in
preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when trying to pull away from an uphill gradient, while the
latter helps keep the vehicle moving straight and steady down steep grades.
The first vehicle to roll off the line at Kia's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point,
Georgia , the 2011 Sorento encompasses both the brand's signature design cues as well as its distinct
combination of value, safety and style. The 2011 Sorento, which went on-sale in early-January, offers consumers
a well-equipped, well-appointed CUV with best-in-class horsepower suited perfectly for the fun, dynamic and
discerning driver.
Kia Motors America in 2010
Kia Motors is in the midst of a dramatic, design-led transformation,
which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important
segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains
in U.S. market share. With four new vehicle introductions and several other key
initiatives planned for 2010, Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to
build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology
such as UVO powered by Microsoft® infotainment system (expected to be available in select Kia models
in the U.S. later this year). The launch of the 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA,
further enhances the lineup, and is now in dealerships.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) 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 670 dealers throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA
recorded its 15th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales ever.
Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides
itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors
America and its full vehicle line-up is available at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information,
including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
KIA FORTE AWARDED "TOP SAFETY PICK" BY INSURANCE INSTITUTE
FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY
New
for 2010 Compact Sedan Wins Highest Award from IIHS
·
Forte receives top ratings for front, side, rollover, and rear impact
protection
·
Compact sedan is third vehicle in company history to be named "Top
Safety Pick"
IRVINE, Calif., April 20, 2010 - Following in the footsteps of the 2010 Soul urban
passenger vehicle, the 2010 Kia Forte compact sedan has been recognized by the
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) with a 2010 "Top Safety Pick"
award in the Small Car category. The new Forte, which replaced Kia's popular
Spectra model, received the organization's top honor by earning "Good" ratings
- the highest achievable - in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash
safety tests. The Sedona minivan was chosen as a "Top Safety Pick" shortly
after its launch in 2006.
"The Kia brand is growing rapidly in
the U.S. thanks to new vehicles such as the Forte that embody our core
philosophies of quality, value, style and safety," said Michael Sprague, vice
president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). "Forte offers buyers a
youthful and dynamically styled vehicle with an impressive array of standard
safety features, and being honored as an IIHS 'Top Safety Pick' award winner furthers
its position as a top contender in its segment and a vehicle that offers
consumers the entire package."
Ratings from the Institute are based
on results from frontal, side and rear impact crash tests, and for the first
time a good performance in a roof strength test to measure protection in a
rollover also was required to win. Each vehicle's overall evaluation was based
on various measurements specific to each crash angle, and overall impact on
crash test dummies inside the vehicle at the time of collision. All vehicles
must have electronic stability control available to be eligible.
Available in three trims, LX, EX and
SX, pricing for the Forte sedan starts at $13,695 for the LX trim, while the EX
begins at $15,995 and the SX starts at $17,4951. In addition to
competitive pricing, Forte also showcases a class-leading combination of
standard safety features with active front headrests, advanced two-stage
airbags, front seat-mounted and side curtain airbags, four-wheel disc brakes
with an antilock brake system (ABS), brake assist (BAS), electronic brake-force
distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC), a traction control
system (TCS) and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).
All Forte models also come
well-stocked with a long list of standard amenities, starting with a standard
AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities
with three months complimentary service2. Also standard on all
models is an auxiliary audio input jack and USB port for connecting personal
MP3 players as well as Bluetooth®3 wireless technology and
connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls, which enables hands-free
operation for all compatible mobile phones.
Kia Motors America in 2010
Kia Motors is in the midst of a
dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically
styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time,
contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. With four new
vehicle introductions and several other key initiatives planned for 2010, Kia
is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through
design innovation, quality, value, safety features and with new technology such
as UVO powered by Microsoft®4 infotainment system (to be available
in select Kia models in the U.S. beginning in summer 2010). The launch of the
all-new 2011 Sorento CUV, the official vehicle of the NBA and the first vehicle
to be assembled5 at Kia's first U.S.-based manufacturing facilities
in West Point, Georgia, further enhances the lineup, and is now in dealerships.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) 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 670 dealers
throughout the United States. For 2009, KMA recorded its 15th consecutive year
of increased U.S. market share and recently achieved its best quarter of sales
ever. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality,
safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that
are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive
Partner of the NBA." Information about Kia Motors America and its full vehicle
line-up is available at its Web site - www.kia.com. For media information, including
photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.
