Kia Optima Earns Kiplinger's Personal Finance 2012 Best New Car Value Award

Fast Growing Brand's Popular Midsize Sedan heralded in $25,000-$30,000 sedan category

-- 2012 Optima recognized for standout combination of value, performance and design

-- Optima has been Kia's top-selling model for two straight months following start of U.S. production at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia

IRVINE, CA--February 7, 2012: Recognized by the editors at Kiplinger's Personal Finance as a 2012 Best New Car Value, the Kia Optima has been ranked "Best in Class" in the $25,000-$30,000 sedan category. Kiplinger's editors sort through hundreds of contenders to reveal the best values in its annual buyer's guide. Winners are selected in 12 categories for Best in Class, Best New model, Best Resale and Most Fuel Efficient. Within the categories, each vehicle is ranked by performance, value, safety, roominess and driving impressions. Accolades for the Optima, such as Kiplinger's "Best in Class" award, helped the stylish mid-size sedan become the top-selling Kia model in January with more than 8,800 units sold.

"The Optima continues to attract new customers to the brand with the right balance of value, performance, fuel economy and modern amenities that consumers are looking for," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications, Kia Motors America. "The mid-size sedan segment is more competitive than ever, and Kiplinger's recognition of the Optima is tangible evidence that Kia's momentum continues."

Kiplinger's editors found the Optima's sharp creases, wraparound head lights and aggressive front end to make a bold styling statement. "The available turbo-boosted four-cylinder engine puts out more horsepower than most in its class and it's a difference you'll feel on the road," said Jessica Anderson, Associate Editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance. "Add in value pricing and loads of standard features and you've got serious swagger."

The monthly Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine advises its readers on managing their money, covering investing, retirement planning, taxes, insurance, real estate, buying and leasing a car, health care, travel and financing college.

About the 2012 Optima

The 2012 Kia Optima stands apart from the crowd with its head-turning design, fun-to-drive performance, modern amenities and long list of standard safety features. Kia's second U.S.-built[1] vehicle offers drivers cutting-edge technologies, including a standard eight-speaker Infinity®[2] audio system, HD Radio[3], and Kia's UVO powered by Microsoft®[4] voice-activated infotainment and communications system with a starting MSRP of $19,500[5].

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[6] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[7]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia -- KMMG -- is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds the company's two best-selling vehicles in the U.S. -- the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan[8]. Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

1] The Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally-sourced parts.

[2] Infinity is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.

[3] HD Radio and the HD, HD Radio, and "Arc" logos are proprietary trademarks of iBiquity Digital Corporation.

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

[5] Starting prices are manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), MSRP excludes $750 destination and handling fee, title, taxes, license, options and dealer charges. Actual prices set by dealer and may vary.

[6] Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study

[7] Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis

[8] Optima Hybrid is not built at KMMG