REDESIGNED 2014 KIA SORENTO EARNS 5-STAR SAFETY RATING FROM U.S. GOVERNMENT

• 5-Star rating enhances Sorento’s overall value proposition
• Long list of standard safety features allow Sorento to achieve high scores across all categories

IRVINE, Calif., September 23, 2013 – Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling CUV, the redesigned 2014 Sorento, has earned the highest possible overall safety rating – five stars – from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The new Sorento was recognized for its outstanding performance in frontal and side impact crash tests, as well as high marks in rollover testing.

“Built on an all-new platform, the redesigned Sorento utilizes Kia’s advanced safety equipment and technologies to provide a high level of occupant protection for drivers and their families as measured by the U.S. government,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director, product planning, KMA. “Already a compelling entry in the compact CUV category, earning a 5-Star rating from NHTSA makes the Sorento an even stronger contender within its segment while underscoring Kia’s overall commitment to delivering safety and exceptional value to our customers.”

In addition to NHTSA’s 5-Star rating, the 2014 Sorento has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  It is built at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia and is available in four trim levels.

About the 2014 Sorento
The 2014 Sorento is no mere mid-cycle refresh.  It rides on an all-new platform and suspension system, and offers a new V6 engine and more passenger room as well as a new top-of-the-line trim level known as the SX Limited.  From a styling perspective, redesigned front and rear fascias incorporate new lighting elements, the 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels have been redesigned and a larger 19-inch alloy wheel is offered on the SX as well as the all-new SX Limited.  Inside, the center rack, gear shift, instrument clusters, and soft-touch surfaces all feature a redesigned look.  Other available features now include second row sliding sunshades and heated front seats, panoramic sunroof, a programmable powered lift gate, heated second row seat bottoms, and more.  The 2014 Sorento was the first Kia vehicle to offer the next generation voice-activated telematics system, UVO eServices.

Kia:  One of the World’s Fastest Moving Global Automotive Brands
Kia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

 

ALL NEW KIA CARENS WINS EURO NCAP FIVE-STAR SAFETY RATING

• Maximum safety rating for Kia’s new compact MPV
• Carens achieves high scores across all elements of Euro NCAP test
• Carens is the seventh model to obtain five-star Euro NCAP rating

The all-new Kia Carens compact MPV has been awarded a maximum five-star safety rating by Europe’s leading road safety organisation, Euro NCAP.

The Carens achieved high scores for Adult Occupant Protection (94per cent), Child Occupant Protection (76per cent), Safety Assist equipment (81per cent) and Pedestrian protection (64per cent) and is one of only two compact MPV models to earn five-stars in the 2013 Euro NCAP tests.

“From the beginning of the new Carens’ development programme, Kia engineers were dedicated to creating a compact MPV with the very best structure and safety technology to protect drivers, their families and pedestrians in the event of an accident,” commented Benny Oeyen, Vice President Marketing and Product Planning, Kia Motors Europe.

“In the last five years, Euro NCAP testing criteria has become tougher, making it harder for manufacturers’ products to be awarded top marks.  It is a testament to Kia’s ongoing commitment to improving vehicle safety that we are able to once again achieve the highest rating with new Carens which has great appeal for families with an active lifestyle who seek both style and practicality,” concluded Oeyen.

Euro NCAP testers awarded the Carens maximum point scores for side impact protection against a barrier, child protection for 18-month old infants, front seat whiplash protection and protection for pedestrians’ legs.  The safety organisation also noted that new Carens is equipped with a ‘belt-up’ reminder for all seats, a driver-set adjustable speed limiter and that all of the child restraint types for which the car is designed could be properly installed and accommodated in the car.

Standard safety equipment fitted to the new Kia Carens includes six airbags (front, front side and curtain), seatbelt reminders for all occupants, ESC (Electronic Stability Control), HAC (Hill-start Assist Control) to prevent roll-back and ESS (Emergency Stop Signalling) which flashes the brake lights to alert other motorists when the driver is making an emergency stop.

The all-new Carens returns Kia to one of the most competitive market segments in Europe and is designed and engineered to meet the needs and expectations of modern families.  It features sleek aerodynamics, a cab-forward design that ensures generous interior space with seven seats as standard in the UK, and a broad range of convenience and safety features.

The Carens range starts from £17,895 and is available with three engines a 1.6 GDi engine with 133 bhp and a 1.7 CRDi engine with two states of play of 114bhp and 134bhp with CO₂ from 124g/km. With standard specification such as air conditioning, leather trimmed steering wheel, seven seats, all round electric windows, body coloured bumpers, door handles and wing mirrors as well as a comprehensive list of safety features. The Carens is available in four specifications-  ‘1’, ‘2’, ‘3’ and ‘3 Sat Nav’.

The new Kia Carens joins six other Kia models – cee’d, Rio, Venga, Soul, Sportage and Sorento – in scoring a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash test results.