Kia Vehicles Honored With "Top Scoring Car Awards of 2012" From Total Car Score

Industry-Wide Vehicle Assessment Website Honors the Soul Urban Passenger Vehicle in the Economy Segment While the Sorento CUV Places High Among Midsize Utilities

-- 2012 Kia Soul recognized for its spacious seats, tech-savvy features and customization options

-- 2012 Kia Sorento lauded for offering a long list of standard equipment, well-configured third-row seat and cavernous cargo space

IRVINE, Calif., May 23, 2012 -- Total Car Score (www.totalcarscore.com), one of the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison websites, has named the 2012 Kia Soul as a "Top Scoring 2012 Economy Car," and the 2012 Kia Sorento as one of its "Top Scoring 2012 Midsize SUVs and Crossovers." The inaugural Total Car Score awards recognize up to two models in each automotive category. The Soul urban passenger vehicle, which received significant enhancements for the 2012 model year, earned high praise for its ease of entry, abundant headroom, standard Bluetooth®(1) and USB connectivity and a variety of colors and interior fabrics offered. The Sorento -- Kia's best-selling vehicle in the U.S. in 2010 and 2011 -- outranked its peers with available third-row seating, a comprehensive array of standard equipment, available UVO powered by Microsoft®(2) voice-activated infotainment system and spacious cargo capacity.

"The popularity of the Soul and Sorento have contributed to Kia's rise to become the fastest growing car company in the U.S.(3) over the last five years, and being named to Total Car Score's 'Top Scoring Cars for 2012' list illustrates the strength of both of these offerings in their respective segments," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing and communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "Both vehicles bring a unique set of attributes -- from standout styling and comprehensive equipment packaging to upmarket amenities -- and are emblematic of the Kia brand's success as a whole."

Total Car Score provides a comprehensive auto rating system that lets car buyers and enthusiasts compare models from all automotive segments. The "Total Car Score" assigned to a vehicle is an overall industry assessment that combines quantitative car reviews from various major automotive authorities, including the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

"Brands like Kia are raising customer expectations across every vehicle segment," said Karl Brauer, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "The Soul and Sorento have earned industry-wide respect for their quality and value, as reflected in their high Total Car Scores."

For more information about Total Car Score's coverage of the 2012 Kia Soul and Sorento, please visit Total Car Score Kia Soul and Total Car Score Kia Sorento.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth

Kia Motors is the one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality(4) and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking (5). Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia -- KMMG -- is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. -- the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan.* Kia's value and technology-laden 2012 model year lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Total Car Score

Total Car Score is an automotive research and comparison website that establishes a new industry-wide standard for ranking every car, truck, van and crossover on the market. TotalCarScore.com evaluates and ranks cars according to an aggregate score based on the most trusted automotive authorities available. The site also features original content, reviews and insights from a veteran automotive journalism and data team. For more information, please go to www.totalcarscore.com.

(1) The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Kia is under license. Other trademarks and tradenames are those of their respective owners. A compatible Bluetooth®wireless technologyenabled cell phone is required to use Bluetooth® wireless technology.

(2) Microsoft is a registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

(3) Based on 5-year cumulative growth between 12-month retail sales for periods ending April 2007 and April 2012 of all U.S. automotive brands.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX Trims and certain LX Trims only) and GDI Turbo are built in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

(4) Source: Automotive Lease Guide Spring 2011 Perceived Quality Study

(5) Source: Experian Automotive Q2 2011 market analysis