- Sportage praised for “offering everything people love about other small SUVs for a couple grand less”
(SEOUL) May 26, 2005 -- Kia Motors’ all-new Sportage SUV has been named one of the “Top 10 Cars For News Grads” in the US by Edmunds.com (www.edmunds.com).
“Kia clearly did its homework when redesigning its Sportage,” said Karl Brauer, Edmunds.com Editor in Chief. “Indeed, after a two-year sabbatical, the model reemerges as a stellar little car-based
truck offering everything people love about other small SUVs for a couple grand less,” added Brauer.
“For many, graduating from college and getting that first ‘real’ job is celebrated by buying a cool car,” said Brauer. “Our Top 10 Cars for New Grads fit a range of entry-level budgets and are
youthful yet sophisticated, allowing for a smooth transition from college life to the ‘real world.’”
The well-equipped all-new Sportage features progressive styling, a versatile interior and unprecedented standard safety features including six airbags (two advanced front airbags, two
front-seat-mounted side airbags, and two full-length side-curtain airbags), four-wheel disc brakes with antilock brake system (ABS), traction control system (TCS) and electronic stability program
(ESP). It is available in two engine types including a 2.0-liter 16-valve four-cylinder engine with 140-horsepower and 136 pound-feet of torque or a more-powerful, all-aluminum 2.7-liter DOHC
24-valve V6 engine with 173-horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque.
The all-new Sportage is joined on the list by many formidable models from other makers such as the Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Jetta and Mazda 3.
“We are very excited about this latest accolade for the all-new Sportage from such a respected authority on automotive research as Edmunds.com,” said Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President
and COO of Kia Motors. “The all-new Sportage is quickly redefining our image as a maker of high-quality, stylish, and fun-to-drive vehicles that offer class-leading safety and roominess,” he
added.
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Kia Motors Corporation (www.kiamotors.com) -- the fastest growing automaker in the world -- was founded in 1944 and is Korea’s oldest manufacturer of motor vehicles. As part of the Hyundai-Kia
Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Kia’s 16 manufacturing and assembly operations in 12 countries produce more than 1.1 million vehicles a year that
are sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 155 countries. Kia today has over 32,000 employees and annual revenues of $14 billion. It is the major sponsor of the
Australian Tennis Open and an official worldwide sponsor of the Davis Cup. Kia Motors Corporation’s brand slogan -- “The Power to Surprise” -- represents the company’s global commitment to
surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation.
