Kia Motors' First U.S.-Built Vehicle Packs a Punch with Class-leading Horsepower and Fuel Economy

• New for 2012, available Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) four-cylinder engine improves fuel economy to class-leading 32 mpg on the highway

• Award-winning CUV strengthens value proposition with dramatically increased residual value resulting from the addition of new technology and connectivity features and numerous upscale amenities

IRVINE, Calif., September 26, 2011 - The Sorento compact crossover enters its second model year with an impressive resumé of awards and accolades, including being recognized as a 2011 'Top Safety Pick' by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Launched as part of the company's design-led transformation, the Sorento presents consumers with a well-equipped, well-appointed CUV with impressive power, fuel efficiency and handling suited for the fun, dynamic and discerning driver, and offers a generous list of standard comfort and convenience features as well as an impressive array of safety equipment. The Sorento also has achieved a number of historic firsts for Kia, including being the first vehicle built at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Georgia, and becoming the company's first vehicle to surpass sales of 100,000 units in a single year.

The Sorento builds on its initial success for the 2012 model year with the addition of an available 2.4-liter, four-cylinder GDI engine that offers significant gains in horsepower and fuel efficiency. This state-of-the-art fuel system allows Sorento to provide class-leading four-cylinder power (191 horsepower) and fuel economy (32 mpg/highway). The 2012 Sorento also offers additional cutting-edge technologies such as Kia's new UVO powered by Microsoft®4 voice-activated infotainment system based on the Windows Embedded Automotive platform. Greatly aiding driver connectivity, convenience and safety, UVO is standard on Sorento EX models.

Also new for 2012 – and standard on all Sorento trims with cloth seating – is YES-Essentials seat fabric that provides anti-bacterial, anti-soil and anti-static properties for added longevity and livability. The 2012 Sorento also introduces new convenience, comfort and luxury features available across all trim lines, including: power-folding side mirrors, a heated wood trim steering wheel, memory driver seat and side mirror position, a power passenger seat and a cool ventilated driver's seat.

Dynamic Design with an Attractive Price

Sorento employs a unibody design with the ability to comfortably fit up to seven passengers, and represents a modern compact CUV that is just the right size for today's consumer with an overall length of 183.9 inches and overall width of 74.2 inches. Sorento offers occupants a spacious, yet comfortable ride in a relatively compact exterior size. Prominently displaying the signature grille and wraparound headlamps exhibited on all new Kia models, Sorento offers an aggressive stance and sleek profile. Sorento features swept-back lines and dynamic presence with an angled window line, large flared-back headlamps, prominent fog lamps and rounded nose, while the view from the rear offers the same forceful attitude with a rounded back and tail lamps set powerfully within the rear lift gate. Available in LX, EX and SX trim levels, the popular CUV begins at $23,1505 for the LX trim, offering standard convenience features, including air conditioning, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capabilities with three months complimentary service6, MP3 connectivity and Bluetooth®7 wireless technology and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

Refined Exterior

The versatile Sorento offers standard 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/65R17 tires and wheel moldings and body-color, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signal indicators. The EX trim offers a newly redesigned 18-inch five-spoke hyper finish wheel outfitted with 235/60R18 tires plus fog lamps, roof rails and a rear spoiler. EX trims offer an optional panoramic sunroof (V6 models only). Advancing to the more refined SX trim adds mirror-finish 10-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome-tip exhaust, body-color wheel well molding, stainless steel under bumper trim accents and step pad, sleeker body-color front and rear bumpers and LED tail lamps for a decidedly more upscale appearance.

Modern Interior with Cutting-Edge Technology

The Sorento provides a feeling of spaciousness with both five- and seven-passenger seating configurations (third row optional), making the Sorento more versatile than most of its compact CUV competitors. With 142.5 cubic feet of interior volume when equipped with five seats or 149.4 cubic feet with seven, Sorento is spacious with generous head and legroom for optimal occupant comfort. In the five-passenger configuration, the CUV offers 37 cubic feet of cargo to accommodate both passenger and cargo needs for cruising around town as easily as weekends camping in the mountains.

In addition to a comfortable ride, an impressive slate of technology features also come standard, including an AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system with SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio, auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connecting personal MP3 players, and Bluetooth wireless technology connectivity with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls to enable hands-free operation for all compatible mobile phones. Standard equipment on EX models such as UVO Powered by Microsoft, push button-start ignition with smart key and rear sonar back-up sensors, rear view back-up cameras8 and air ionization purification technology complete the modern and high-tech driving experience. Moving to the SX trim offers a standard voice-activated navigation system with SiriusXM Traffic™ while also adding an upgraded Infinity®9 surround sound system with 10 speakers for superior listening enjoyment.

Comfort & Convenience Are Standard

Standard comforts can be found throughout, including air conditioning, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel with integrated audio controls, trip computer, rear map pockets, automatic up and down driver's window function, illuminated vanity mirror, EcoMinder™ Indicator to assist with fuel-efficient driving habits and a second-row arm rest with cup holder. Progressing to the EX trim provides even more well-appointed standard features including updated interior accent illumination, dual automatic temperature control, rear air conditioning (V6 models only) and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. SX trims add touches of sophistication with an automatic dimming rear view mirror with Homelink®10, memory driver's seat, four-way power passenger seat and ventilated/cooled/heated front seats (optional on EX), leather seat trim for the first and second rows, stainless steel pedals and a stainless steel sill plate with illuminated scuff trim. Rounding out the new 2012 SX features are a standard heated wood trim steering wheel and cloth-covered A-pillars.

Able to suit practically any driver, Sorento offers the discriminating consumer specific package options. The Convenience Package, available for the LX trim, adds roof rails, rear sonar, a rear view mirror with backup camera display, heated front seats and fog lamps. Moving to the Premium Plus Package (EX trim) are leather trim seats, heated front seats, power passenger seat, three rows of seating and a host of other amenities. A panoramic sunroof also is available (EX V6 and SX trims only) further adding to the feeling of spaciousness. By upgrading to the Limited Package, (available for the EX-V6 trim), owners will benefit from luxuriously appointed features, including a voice-activated navigation system11 with real-time traffic, an Infinity premium surround system with 10 speakers and a 550-watt digital amplifier, power folding outside mirrors, memory driver seat and side mirror position and an air-cooled driver seat for added comfort and convenience.

Class-Leading Performance and Fuel Efficiency

The 2012 Sorento offers three engines – an advanced 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine providing class-leading 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque and a class-leading fuel efficiency rating of 32 mpg/highway; a 3.5-liter V6 providing class-leading 276 horsepower12 and 248 pound-feet of torque; and the affordable 2.4-liter Multi-Port Injected (MPI) four-cylinder engine producing 175 horsepower and 169 pound-feet of torque. All engines are coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic™ shifting control. This advanced six-speed automatic transmission is a proprietary design for Kia Motors that was developed, engineered and built specifically for Kia vehicles, making the brand one of only three manufacturers to employ this transmission design technology. To further meet consumer needs, there is a choice of either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations, the latter coming with a locking center differential to evenly distribute power to all wheels while operating the vehicle at low speeds during more severe weather conditions. For enhanced ride performance, the Sorento employs a compact and light MacPherson strut front suspension and a fully independent multi-link rear suspension.

Advanced Safety Features

Like all Kia vehicles, the 2012 Sorento is equipped with a plethora of standard safety equipment. All trims come outfitted with driver and passenger advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, first and second row side curtain airbags and front active headrests, four-wheel Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Brake Control (DBC) also come standard on all models, the former assisting in preventing the vehicle from rolling backward when trying to pull away from an uphill gradient, while the latter helps keep the vehicle moving straight and steady down steep grades.

Industry-Leading Warranty

The 2012 Sorento is covered by Kia's comprehensive warranty program13, which offers consumer protection at an exceptional value. Included in this program are a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the comprehensive vehicle coverage.

Design-Led Transformation and Product Line

Kia Motors has undergone a dramatic, design-led transformation, which has been delivering dynamically styled vehicles in several important segments at exactly the right time, contributing to the brand's continued gains in U.S. market share. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and brand growth through design innovation, quality, value, safety features and new technology. Kia's commitment to the U.S. market is represented by its U.S.-based manufacturing facilities in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – which is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and added the critically acclaimed Optima midsize sedan to its production line in September. Kia's model year 2012 vehicle line includes the Sorento CUV, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, all-new Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

by Kia

by Kia