Kia Scoops Two Wheels Gold Stars

SYDNEY – November 9, 2009: Kia has scooped two category wins in the Wheels Gold Star Cars awards, Wheels magazine's annual rating of the best ownership propositions in the Australian car market.

Wheels Gold Star Cars is a value-based analysis of what makes a car the best to own on a daily basis and considers factors such as purchase price, warranty, service costs, fuel costs, retained value, safety and insurance costs, along with the Wheels team's evaluation of how a car drives.

The Kia Soul3 CRDi earned the 'Best Small/Medium $26-31K' category, beating the Volkswagen Golf 118TSI and the Skoda Roomster TDI. Wheels praised the funky Soul for its thrifty 1.6-litre turbo diesel engine, its unlimited kilometre five-year warranty, its 15,000km service intervals, its long list of standard safety features and its competitive insurance costs.

In the 'People-movers' category, the Kia Rondo EX-L earned the gold star by beating the Citroen C4 Picasso HDi and the Dodge Journey R/T Diesel. The Rondo earned its award with a combination of seven-seat capacity, low price, standard 91RON fuel requirement, the peace of mind created by the unlimited five-year warranty, service intervals of 15,000 kilometres or 12 months and cheaper insurance.

"Kia continues to offer innovative and affordable cars that meet the real-world needs of Australian motorists," said Terry Im, President & CEO of Kia Motors Australia.

"Whether you're a member of Generation Y who thinks the Soul is the coolest thing on wheels or a parent who loves the versatility of the Rondo, Kia's revitalised range offers cars for the real world, with affordable ownership costs backed by the confidence of Kia's unlimited kilometre five-year warranty."