News: Kia Sportage named one of the "Top 10 Cars for New Grads" by Edmunds.com

 

-  Sportage praised for "offering everything people love about other small
SUVs for a couple grand less"

 

(SEOUL) May 26, 2005 -- Kia Motors' all-new Sportage SUV has been named one
of the "Top 10 Cars For News Grads" in the US by Edmunds.com

"Kia clearly did its homework when redesigning its Sportage," said Karl
Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief. "Indeed, after a two-year sabbatical,
the model reemerges as a stellar little car-based truck offering everything
people love about other small SUVs for a couple grand less," added Brauer. 

"For many, graduating from college and getting that first 'real' job is
celebrated by buying a cool car," said Brauer. "Our Top 10 Cars for New
Grads fit a range of entry-level budgets and are youthful yet sophisticated,
allowing for a smooth transition from college life to the 'real world.'"

The well-equipped all-new Sportage features progressive styling, a versatile
interior and unprecedented standard safety features including six airbags
(two advanced front airbags, two front-seat-mounted side airbags, and two
full-length side-curtain airbags), four-wheel disc brakes with antilock
brake system (ABS), traction control system (TCS) and electronic stability
program (ESP). It is available in two engine types including a 2.0-liter
16-valve four-cylinder engine with 140-horsepower and 136 pound-feet of
torque or a more-powerful, all-aluminum 2.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine
with 173-horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.

The all-new Sportage is joined on the list by many formidable models from
other makers such as the Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda 3.

"We are very excited about this latest accolade for the all-new Sportage
from such a respected authority on automotive research as Edmunds.com," said
Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors. "The
all-new Sportage is quickly redefining our image as a maker of high-quality,
stylish, and fun-to-drive vehicles that offer class-leading safety and
roominess," he added. 

Kia Motors Corporation (
<http://autoway.kia.co.kr/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.kiamotors.com
/> www.kiamotors.com) -- the fastest growing automaker in the world -- was
founded in 1944 and is Korea's oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As
part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the
world's premier automotive brands. Kia's 16 manufacturing and assembly
operations in 12 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year
that are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers
covering 155 countries. Kia today has over 32,000 employees and annual
revenues of $14 billion. It is the major sponsor of the Australian Tennis
Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup.  Kia Motors
Corporation's brand slogan -- "The Power to Surprise" -- represents the
company's global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through
continuous automotive innovation.