2017 KIA FORTE EARNS TOP SAFETY PICK PLUS RATING FROM INSURANCE INSTITUTE FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY

Award Cements Forte as a Leader in the Compact Sedan Segment

• Forte earned “Good” rating in IIHS small overlap test and met all other crashworthiness requirements
• Compact sedan received “Good” rating for headlights with HID Dynamic Bending Light

IRVINE, Calif., July 20, 2017 —The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded its best rating possible, Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+), to the 2017 Kia Forte built after March 2017 when equipped with optional front crash prevention and high intensity discharge (HID) headlights with Dynamic Bending Light. This top safety award came right on the heels of the Forte being named highest-rated compact car in the 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS), which measures consumer satisfaction and the least number of issues in the first 90 days of ownership.¹




“Kia Forte is one of our most popular and best-selling vehicles,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president, Product Planning KMA. “The new distinction of TSP+ rating from the highly-respected IIHS reconfirms the high priority we place on safety for our customers and why Forte remains a favorite in the compact sedan class.”

To qualify for TSP+, the IIHS testing parameters require each vehicle to earn “good” ratings in five crashworthiness tests – small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength and head restraints – as well as an “advanced” or “superior” rating for front crash prevention and an “acceptable” or “good” rating in headlight testing.

About the 2017 Forte
Refreshed for the 2017 model year, the Forte features sophisticated and sporty styling, new powertrain components and advanced driver assistance systems, including: Autonomous Emergency Braking; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; Forward Collision Warning;² and Dynamic Bending Light (adapts the headlights depending on vehicle speed and steering angle to deliver improved illumination).

Now available in three trims, a new sporty S trim sits in between the entry-level LX trim and the top-trim EX model. Replacing last year’s 1.8-liter inline-4 cylinder engine is a standard 2.0-liter Atkinson I-4 that makes 147 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 132 lb-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm. The new base engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, though a second-generation six-speed automatic transmission is available. Delivering efficiency and smoother shifting, the newly engineered six-speed automatic is also matched to the 2.0-liter GDI I-4, which produces 164 hp at 6,200 rpm and 151 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm.

About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand.   Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

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1 The Kia Forte received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles reflecting higher quality among compact cars in the J.D. Power 2017 U.S. Initial Quality Study based on 77,419 total.

2 These features are not substitutes for safe driving, and may not detect all objects surrounding vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.

KIA MOTORS’ MUSIC-LOVING HAMSTERS WELCOME A NEW MEMBER TO THE FAMILY IN MARKETING CAMPAIGN FOR THE TURBOCHARGED SOUL

• “The Arrival” debuts online and in-cinema on Friday, June 30
• Motörhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ serves as the soundtrack for Kia’s eighth hamster commercial

IRVINE, Calif., June 29, 2017– Over the last eight years, the Kia Soul and a trio of paw-tapping, music-loving hamsters have stood apart from the competition and captured imaginations.  So how did Kia go about improving an icon? By turbocharging it. Now available with a 201-horsepower engine, Kia has upped the ante on its funky crossover, and the latest installment of Kia’s award-winning ad campaign finds the ever-present hamsters welcoming the new addition to the Soul family in “The Arrival.”



Set in a hospital, the spot opens on a young nurse making her rounds in the maternity ward when she happens upon an empty bassinet. Bursting into the hallway, she is joined by other staff members in a futile attempt to catch the nimble newborn hamster and minimize the chaos he leaves in his wake. Emerging on the rooftop helipad, the youngster makes a dramatic leap off the building, and utilizes a make-shift parachute to safely float to the street below where a Turbo Soul is waiting.

“Turbocharging gives consumers a new and more powerful way to experience one of Kia’s most popular vehicles, and we are announcing its arrival by infusing Kia’s iconic hamster campaign with newfound speed and aggressive style,” said Saad Chehab, vice president, marketing communications, Kia Motors America. “The Kia Soul has never had any trouble standing out from the crowd, and with Motörhead’s ‘Ace of Spades’ as the soundtrack, ‘The Arrival’ delivers hard-charging swagger and a healthy dose of mischief and chaos.”

Created by David&Goliath, Kia's advertising agency of record, “The Arrival” will debut online and on more than 25,000 movie theater screens nationwide this weekend through the National CineMedia and Screenvision movie networks. Kia’s latest hamster campaign includes :90, :60, :30 and :15-second versions for both general and Hispanic markets across in-cinema, digital and online channels. An extended cut of “The Arrival” is available now at YouTube.com/Kia.
A pop-culture phenomenon since bursting onto the scene in 2009, Kia’s hip posse of hamsters have always stood out from the crowd and brought people together through music, dance and positivity. Previously, the hamsters utilized popular songs ranging from the Black Sheep’s classic hip-hop track "The Choice Is Yours" and LMFAO's smash hit "Party Rock Anthem” to Maroon 5’s “Animal” and Lady Gaga’s “Applause,” to spread the word that the Kia Soul offers “a new way to roll.” Most recently, a universal take on the classic riff “Dueling Banjos” was created for 2016’s “Soul Jam,” which incorporated more than 20 different musical instruments. Over the years, the hamsters have become advertising icons with the 2011 spot generating more than 20 million online views alone. In addition, the hamsters were recognized by the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame and named the first-ever "Rookie of the Year" after being chosen the "Automotive Ad of the Year" for two straight years by Nielsen Automotive.

About Kia SoulThe popular 2017 Kia Soul is available in three trim levels, including Base with manual or automatic 6-speed transmission, Soul Plus with a 6-speed automatic and the new 201-horsepower turbocharged Exclaim¹. Prices start at $16,100². With options³ for desirable features such as premium touch points, an 8-inch scrolling capacitive touch screen, LED mood/music lighting and a panoramic sunroof, the Soul continues to provide value to loyal fans of the funky people mover.

For the third consecutive year, the Soul was the highest ranked, compact multi-purpose vehicle in initial quality by J.D. Power and Kia was the highest ranked brand overall in initial quality overall for the second consecutive year.

About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand.   Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.*
For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

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* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

¹ Quantities are limited.
² MSRP excludes destination and handling, taxes, title, license fees, options and retailer charges. Actual prices set by retailer and may vary.
³ Not all optional features are available on all trims.

KIA TOPS J.D. POWER’S INITIAL QUALITY NAMEPLATE RANKINGS FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR

Five Kia Vehicles – the Most of Any Nameplate – Earn IQS Segment Awards; Kia Posts the Lowest Number of Problems in the Last 20 Years of the J.D. Power Study

• After ranking highest in the entire industry in 2016, Kia improved 11 points as owners reported fewer issues with their Kia vehicles within the first 90 days of ownership than all other car and truck brands in the U.S.
• Kia’s Soul, Forte, Cadenza, Niro and Sorento topped their respective categories, with the Cadenza achieving the lowest average number of problems among all models ranked in the study

IRVINE, Calif., June 21, 2017 – Continuing a multi-year string of quality and reliability awards and accolades, J.D. Power’s 2017 Initial Quality Study (IQS) today recognized Kia Motors as the highest-ranking nameplate in the United States for the second year in a row. Kia’s improvement to 72 problems per 100 vehicles marks the best nameplate performance within the last 20 years of the study, driven by five segment awards – the most of any nameplate – for the Soul (Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle), Forte (Compact Car), Cadenza (Large Car), Niro (Small SUV) and Sorento (Midsize SUV). The Kia Soul took home an IQS award for the third consecutive year while Kia’s two newest models, Cadenza and Niro, were outstanding performers in their first model year, with the Kia Cadenza earning the top score among all models ranked in the study. Together with the Optima and Sportage, each of the seven award eligible Kia models included in the 2017 IQS study finished first or second in their respective categories.

“When Kia beat out the entire industry in last year’s J.D. Power Initial Quality Study many people wondered if we could maintain such a lofty position. Today, the answer is loud and clear as Kia owns the top spot for the second straight year with more 2017 segment award winners than any other nameplate,” said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, Kia Motors America. “Our back-to-back chart-topping IQS performances reconfirm Kia’s status as today’s world-class automaker and reflect the exacting standards and craftsmanship our team members instill into every car, crossover and SUV Kia builds.”

The annual report analyzed responses from 77,415 respondents with regards to 243 vehicle models across 26 segments. Vehicles were evaluated on driving experience, engine and transmission performance and a broad range of quality problem symptoms reported by vehicle owners.

About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand.   Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

THREE KIA MODELS EARN COVETED AUTOPACIFIC VEHICLE SATISFACTION AWARDS

 Kia Optima, Cadenza and Sportage Rank Highest in Satisfaction with Latest Awards from AutoPacific

• AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards honor vehicles that best meet buyers’ expectations and requirements
• Optima tops the midsize car category for second consecutive year

IRVINE, Calif., June 13, 2017 – Three of Kia Motors America’s (KMA) highly acclaimed models, the 2016 Optima midsize sedan, the 2016 and 2017 Cadenza premium sedan as well as the 2017 Sportage Compact CUV, have been named segment winners in AutoPacific’s 2017 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) in the midsize car, large car and compact crossover SUV categories, respectively.



“Kia is a leader in design, quality, technology and value, and the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards are another validation of our world-class products and their ability to meet and exceed customer expectations,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning, Kia Motors America.  “As a two-time winner, Optima illustrates that if you buy a Kia, you are going to love it.  With Cadenza and Sportage also winning their categories, Kia is delivering what buyers are looking for in any size of vehicle.”

AutoPacific’s VSAs identify the most satisfying vehicles on the market, based on more than 54,000 responses from owners of 2016 as well as 2017 cars and light trucks, which were purchased from September through December 2016. These responses measure owner satisfaction by evaluating more than 49 separate attributes ranging from interior comfort and styling to fuel economy and performance.

 “Kia’s performance in our Vehicle Satisfaction Award research shows that Kia’s new products are more-than-competitive in their product segments,” said George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “It is tough to win AutoPacific’s VSA two years in a row and Kia Optima’s performance shows it not only has eye-catching style, but also has the outstanding functionality midsize car buyers require."

About Kia Optima
The West Point, Georgia-built* Kia Optima midsize sedan offers several compelling features, including award-winning design, comfort, spirited performance and fantastic equipment.  Kia Optima’s stellar features combined with the brand’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty¹ keep it a perennial bestseller. The 2017 Kia Optima is available with three engine choices, including two turbocharged options, and five trim levels LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX and SXL. The Kia Optima SX boasts standard 18-inch alloy wheels and SXL is now equipped with 18-inch chrome alloy wheels.  In addition, LED dual-projection headlights with Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) is standard on SX and SXL.  High-Beam Assist (HBA) is standard on SXL and available in the new SX Technology package. Technology is synonymous with the Kia Optima.  Android Auto² and Apple CarPlay³ are now standard on EX trim.  Meanwhile, advanced driver assistance systems⁴ are now available in the EX Technology package, which include Autonomous Emergency Braking⁴, Forward Collision Warning System⁴, Advanced Smart Cruise Control⁴, Electronic Parking Brake⁴, High-Beam Assist⁴ and Lane Departure Warning System.⁴   The Kia Optima also achieved a Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for vehicles built after March 2017 when equipped with optional front crash prevention and LED headlights with High Beam Assist and comes with Kia’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty¹.

About Kia Cadenza
The 2017 Kia Cadenza boasts luxury refinements with expressive styling, advanced technology, and refined powertrain. Designed at Kia’s California design studio, the second-generation Kia Cadenza is available in three trim levels and comes with Kia’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty¹. The handsomely equipped Premium, Technology and Limited models feature an enhanced 3.3-liter V6 that produces 290 horsepower and 253 lb.-ft. of torque. The powerplant comes paired to an efficient, yet responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, a Kia first for a FWD vehicle.  Standard premium features include leather seating surfaces with heated front seats, 7-inch color display featuring Apple CarPlay³ and Android Auto² capabilities, and dual zone climate control.  The Kia Cadenza offers available advanced driver assistance systems such as Advanced Smart Cruise Control⁴, a Forward Collision Warning System⁴, Autonomous Emergency Braking⁴, a Lane Departure Warning System⁴ and a Smart Blind Spot Detection System⁴.  The Kia Cadenza also achieved a Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) designation, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the highest designation possible when equipped with optional front crash prevention and LED headlights and comes with Kia’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty¹.

About Kia Sportage
The 2017 Kia Sportage SUV, the fourth generation of Kia Motors America’s longest-running nameplate, wraps a stunning and contemporary design around a structure that is both stiffer and more spacious than ever before. Advanced driver assistance systems, significant suspension and steering improvements, and available intelligent AWD vastly improve the Kia Sportage’s driving dynamics while premium materials and world-class craftsmanship create a class-up experience in an otherwise utilitarian segment. The Kia Sportage boasts a roomier, more luxurious cabin featuring an impressive level of craftsmanship, with high-quality, soft-touch materials and a range of technologies improving overall comfort, convenience, and connectivity. Updates to the drivetrain provide enhanced efficiency and performance, while changes to the suspension deliver better ride and handling. Kia Sportage is available in three distinct trim levels (LX, EX, SX Turbo) and comes with Kia’s industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty and five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty¹.

About Kia Motors America
Headquartered in Irvine, California, Kia Motors America continues to top quality surveys and is recognized as one of the 100 Best Global Brands and 50 Best Global Green Brands by Interbrand.   Kia serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and offers a complete range of vehicles sold through a network of nearly 800 dealers in the U.S., including cars and SUVs proudly built in West Point, Georgia.*

For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.

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1 The Kia 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program includes various warranties and roadside assistance. Warranties include powertrain and the New Vehicle Limited Warranty (Basic). All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for details or go to kia.com.

2 Android Auto is a trademark of Google, Inc

3 Apple CarPlay is a trademark of Apple. Inc., registered in the US and other countries.

4 These features are not substitutes for safe driving, and may not detect all objects surrounding vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.