IRVINE, Calif., June 30 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2008 Kia Sorento has been given the top ranking in the midsize SUV segment in AutoPacific, Inc.'s 2008 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA). These awards are considered quantitative gauges that measure how closely a vehicle matches to an owner's expectations. Sorento received a higher rating than the Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Dodge Nitro and HUMMER H3.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to:
http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/kia/33854/
"Having Sorento recognized yet again by AutoPacific is a tremendous honor as these awards directly reflect the satisfaction of Kia owners," said Tom Loveless, vice president of sales, Kia Motors America (KMA). "We are pleased to know that Sorento's characteristics and overall appeal are recognized and appreciated by our customers."
Based on survey responses from more than 33,500 vehicle owners, the 2008 IVA measure the combination of trust, anticipation, expectations and reality within specific product segments by having respondents rate 15 attributes concerning whether they would change them after having owned their vehicle for 90 days. An "ideal vehicle" is one that meets the owner's expectations based on how few attributes they would change. Sorento received a score of 1,250 out of a possible 1,500.
Recently, the 2008 Kia Sorento also achieved a top ranking in AutoPacific's Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA), was recognized as a "Best Bet" in the Midsize SUV category by The Car Book and received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) five-star crash safety rating in all four seating positions.
In addition to Sorento being named best-in-class in its segment, Kia Motors also ranked among the top 10 in the 2008 IVA Mainstream Brand segment, as did the 2008 Kia Spectra and Rio in the Compact Car and Economy Car segments, respectively.
About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the sales, marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 640 dealers throughout the United States. For 2007, KMA recorded its 14th consecutive year of record U.S. sales. Kia Motors subscribes to a philosophy of building high value, high quality, safe and dynamic vehicles. Kia Motors prides itself on producing vehicles that are exciting and enabling and evoke the Kia tagline "The Power to Surprise."
Kia Motors America is the "Official Automotive Partner of the NBA." 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.
Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). Model tested with standard side-impact airbags (SABs).
Video: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/kia/33854
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080630/NYM064
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com