Kelley Blue Book Names 2014 Sorento to List of 10 Best SUV's Under $25,000

IRVINE, Calif., May 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Motors America's (KMA) top-selling CUV, the redesigned 2014 Sorento, was named to Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com list of the 10 Best SUV's Under $25,000.  The list, which was compiled by editors at Kelley Blue Book, features stylish and sensible sport utility vehicles. Editors named the Sorento to the fifth spot on this exclusive list of segment leaders.  Kelley Blue Book chose the Sorento based on its roomy interior cabin, refined design, premium features and compact size.

"The Sorento is one of seven all-new or redesigned Kia vehicles scheduled to go on sale this year and continues the brand's legacy of world-class design, desirable technology and exceptional value," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Being named to Kelley Blue Book's list of 10 Best SUV's emphasizes Kia's commitment to provide its customers with sophisticated and premium vehicles without the hefty price tag."

With 80-percent of the Sorento built from all-new or re-engineered parts, the popular CUV became a strong contender on Kelley Blue Book's list.  "Big enough to ferry a family of seven yet svelte enough to slide into that last parking spot, Kia's Sorento feels like the Goldilocks of SUVs," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com. "Beyond its just-right size, the Sorento's well-rounded character shines with an eager and fuel-efficient engine, a long warranty, and fun-yet-functional styling."

The 2014 Sorento, built at Kia's manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia*, is available in four trim levels and is on sale now.

* 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 the 2014 Sorento
The 2014 Sorento is no mere mid-cycle refresh.  It rides on an all-new platform and suspension system, and offers a new V6 engine and more passenger room as well as a new top-of-the-line trim level known as the SX Limited.  From a styling perspective, redesigned front and rear fascias incorporate new lighting elements, the 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels have been redesigned and a larger 19-inch alloy wheel is offered on the SX as well as the all-new SX Limited.  Inside, the center rack, gear shift, instrument clusters, and soft-touch surfaces all feature a redesigned look.  Other available features now include second row sliding sunshades and heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, a programmable powered lift gate, heated second row seat bottoms, and more.  The 2014 Sorento was the first Kia vehicle to offer the next generation voice-activated telematics system, UVO eServices.

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 Cadenza flagship sedan, 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.

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.

About Kelley Blue Book
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies.  KBB.com provides consumer pricing and information on cars for sale, minivans, pickup trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs.  Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader Group.

SOURCE Kia Motors America