NADAguides Names Three Vehicles from Kia Motors as "Best Car Buys for 2011"

IRVINE, Calif., May 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On the heels of back-to-back all-time record monthly sales for Kia Motors America (KMA), the 2011 Sorento CUV and 2011 Sedona minivan earned the top scores in the SUV and Van categories in NADAguides' annual "Best Car Buys for 2011."  The U.S.-built* 2011 Sorento has been Kia Motors' best-selling vehicle for 16 consecutive months and received high marks for its five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), outstanding fuel economy, low depreciation and competitive price.  The Sedona was praised for its long list of standard equipment, low starting price, and improved horsepower, and with the popular and fuel-sipping 2011 Soul urban passenger vehicle finishing in the top three in the Wagons category, Kia Motors was one of only four automakers to place three or more models on the report across multiple categories.

"Our design-led transformation has fundamentally changed consumer perception of the Kia brand, and the inclusion of three of our vehicles in NADAguides' Annual 'Best Car Buys' report is further validation that Kia's commitment to bringing a comprehensive lineup to consumers that feature a compelling combination of design, performance, safety, fuel economy and value is resonating with more and more new car shoppers," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  "With year-to-date sales up more than 40 percent over 2010, interest in the Kia brand has never been higher as consumers turn to our fresh new products like the Sorento CUV and Soul that not only offer class-leading features but are backed, like the entire Kia lineup, by our industry leading 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty(2)."

The NADAguides Best Car Buys Report is based upon specific criteria important to automotive consumers including price, first year depreciation value, fuel efficiency, warranty coverage and NHTSA safety ratings. NADAguides' analysts developed a calculated study in which all current model year vehicles are analyzed and the top three vehicles within each vehicle segment are then named to the NADAguides Best Car Buys.

About the 2011 Kia Sorento

The 2011 Sorento, the first vehicle to roll off the line at Kia's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia, encompasses both the brand's signature design cues as well as its distinct combination of value, safety and style.  The 2011 Sorento, which has been Kia's best-selling vehicle each month since going on sale in January 2010, offers consumers a well-equipped, well-appointed CUV, suited perfectly for the fun, dynamic and discerning driver.  Available in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the 2011 Sorento features a starting MSRP of $22,395(3).

About the 2011 Kia Sedona

The 2011 Sedona is available in LX and EX trims, with pricing for the LX starting at $24,595(3) and the EX trim starting at $29,195(3). A segment leader in value and safety features, Sedona offers consumers invaluable protection provided by a wide range of standard safety features, including six standard airbags(4) (dual advanced front and front seat-mounted side air bags, and full-length side curtain air bags for all three seating rows), active front headrests, and a four-channel, four-sensor, Antilock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which takes into account vehicle load and weight distribution in order to apply the appropriate-level of stopping force.

About the 2011 Soul

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, pricing for the dynamic compact CUV begins at $13,300(5) for the base trim, offering standard convenience features, including air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service(6) and MP3 connectivity.

Soul has earned a trophy case full of prestigious awards and accolades since its launch, including earning a "Top Safety Pick" from IIHS, being a recipient of the "Best Family Cars for 2010" designation by Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine, recognized as "Best Hatchback of 2010" by Cars.com, and "Best New Car for Your Teen" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance.

2011 Kia Motors America Product Line

Kia's model year 2011 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio sub-compact sedan, Rio5 sub-compact hatchback and Sedona minivan.

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 730 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA."  In 2010, KMA recorded its best-ever U.S. sales and 16th consecutive year of increased U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technologies.

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.

About NADAguides

NADAguides (www.nadaguides.com) is the largest publisher of vehicle pricing and information for new and used cars, classic cars, motorcycles, boats, RVs, and manufactured homes. NADAguides offers in-depth shopping and research tools in addition to the most market-reflective pricing available. The company also produces software, mobile applications, raw data, web services, web-syndicated products and print guidebooks.

*  Assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

(1) Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRPs exclude $795 destination and handling fee, title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

(2) See retailer for warranty details or go to kia.com.

(3) Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRPs exclude $795 destination and handling fee, title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

(4) For maximum protection, always wear your seat belt.

(5) Starting price is manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for lowest trim level. MSRPs exclude $795 destination and handling fee, title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

(6) SIRIUS, XM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of SIRIUS XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries. SIRIUS Radio requires a subscription, sold separately after 3-month trial subscription included with vehicle purchase. Prices and programming are provided by SIRIUS and are subject to change. Subscriptions governed by SIRIUS Terms & Conditions available at sirius.com. SIRIUS Radio U.S. service available only to those at least 18 years of age in the 48 contiguous United States, D.C. and Puerto Rico (with coverage limitations).

SOURCE Kia Motors America