Kia Sportage Awarded Top Ranking in AutoPacific 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards

MANILA, Philippines - Kia Motors America, Inc. (KMA) recently announced that the 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV topped the compact crossover SUV category in AutoPacific, Inc’s 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA), closely following the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Award received earlier this year. The AutoPacific IVA awards are a quantitative measurement of how closely a vehicle matches an owner’s expectations.

“We take great pride in knowing our owners are satisfied with their vehicles and the Sportage’s recognition as an ideal vehicle is a tremendous compliment,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, Kia Motors America (KMA). “This second AutoPacific award directly reflects the satisfaction of smart, discerning Sportage owners, and this type of consumer feedback validates Kia’s commitment to providing high levels of quality, style, safety and practicality in all of our vehicles.”

The Sportage, noted for its passenger and cargo space as well as its off-road capabilities and impressive fuel economy, meets the needs of consumers looking for the total package at a significant value. The Sportage offers an extensive list of standard safety and convenience features, including six airbags with full-length side curtain airbags, SIRIUS Satellite Radio with three months complimentary service and USB and auxiliary input jacks, while the 2.0-liter engine delivers impressive fuel economy at 20 mpg (city) and 25 mpg (highway).

Based on survey responses from more than 32,000 vehicle owners, the 2009 IVA measures 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. The Sportage received a score of 1,224 out of a possible 1,500.

In addition to the Sportage’s top ranking in its segment, the Kia Spectra, Optima, Sorento, and Borrego ranked among the top five in their respective categories.