2013 Kia Sportage Given "Best Bet" Distinction By The Car Book

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.

"We are very proud to have the 2013 Sportage recognized as a "Best Bet" by The Car Book," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing and communications, KMA. "As Kia's longest running nameplate, the Sportage offers sleek styling, modern amenities and fun-to-drive performance in a capable compact CUV."

The "Best Bet" distinction is based on objective information collected from government and independent sources that evaluate the safety and performance needs of the American consumer. Cars that have ratings in all of the key Car Book categories – safety features, fuel economy, rollover, front and side crash tests, maintenance and repair costs, warranties, insurance costs, and complaints, with the greatest emphasis placed on crash test performance – are potentially titled as "Best Bets."

The Car Book is an annually updated guide to buying a new car, van, truck or SUV. It's the one-stop shop for the latest safety ratings, dealer prices, insurance premiums, maintenance costs, tires and is published in cooperation with the Center for Auto Safety, the nation's leading auto safety advocacy group.

"The Car Book, the consumer's best guide to smart and sensible car buying, analyzes multiple new cars each year and selects the top picks for the American car buyer," said Jack Gillis, author of The Car Book. "We appreciate Kia's commitment to deliver high-value market choices for the American car buyer."

About the 2013 Sportage

The 2013 Kia Sportage offers value-, image- and safety-conscious consumers a striking design and a standout combination of fun-to-drive performance, the latest in-vehicle technologies, and an abundance of comfort, convenience and safety features all at a tremendous value.  The sleek and modern Sportage is available with either a 2.4-liter, 176 horsepower engine or a 2.0-liter, 260 horsepower Turbo GDI engine.  Inside the cabin, the Sportage offers a host of available technology features, including Kia's new UVO Powered by Microsoft^{® [1]} hands-free, voice-activated infotainment system.  The 2013 Sportage features a starting MSRP of $19,000[2].

Kia: One of the World's Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands

Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand's "Top 100 Best Global Brands," and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company's first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry's largest segments has fueled Kia's rapid growth and is complemented by Kia's comprehensive lineup which includes the Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

*The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

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 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year.  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.

[1] Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

[2] Starting prices are manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), which excludes $800 destination and handling fee, title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

SOURCE Kia Motors America