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Highest Possible Ratings for All-New Kia Midsize Sedan in Frontal, Side and Rollover Impact Crash Tests

The all-new 2011 Kia Optima midsize sedan has achieved an overall five-star crash safety rating – the highest possible score – after attaining five stars in each of the overall ratings categories in the latest crash tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s NHTSA.  Already a recipient of a “Top Safety Pick” award by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Optima offers consumers exceptional levels of standard safety equipment and technologies.

“As the most recent addition to Kia’s lineup, the 2011 Optima incorporates some of Kia’s most advanced safety technologies with head-turning style, performance and comfort to provide consumers with high value and peace-of-mind,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America (KMA) and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG).  “As the first Korean-built vehicle to be awarded a five-star crash safety rating under NHTSA’s new, stricter guidelines, Optima creates a new benchmark in the segment and underscores Kia’s commitment to offering consumers the highest levels of quality and safety in all of our vehicles.”

In all, 24 passenger cars, 20 sport utility vehicles, two vans, and nine 2011 model year pickups were rated under the new system that not only includes tougher crash tests, but, for the first time, provides consumers with a single overall safety score per vehicle.  The new testing program also provides consumers with information about new advanced crash avoidance technologies, such as lane departure and forward collision warning systems. Read the rest of this entry »

The all-new 2011 Kia Optima has been collecting notable awards and accolades since arriving at Kia retailers in December, including being named one of the “Top 10 Cars To Look Forward To in 2011″ by CarsDirect.com.

In addition to the CarsDirect.com designation, the new Optima recently has been hailed as “Best New Model” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, “Best of 2011″ by Cars.com and a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  Kia Motors’ latest vehicle in a growing stable of new and recently introduced vehicles seamlessly blends dynamic styling and high-end technology and safety features with class-leading horsepower and fuel efficiency.

CarsDirect.com editors stated the Optima is poised to overthrow the mainstays of the midsize class, and it has just what it takes to succeed. The editors also noted that Optima achieves an excellent balance of sporty handling and compliant ride quality.

“Optima’s latest recognition as ‘One of the Top 10 Cars to Look Forward to in 2011′ by CarsDirect.com is a tribute to its stunning design, fun-to-drive performance and tremendous value,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA).  ”The all-new Optima adds world-class style and emotion to our award-winning vehicle line and is now available in retail showrooms nationwide.” Read the rest of this entry »

The Editors of Edmunds’ InsideLine.com named the all-new, performance-oriented 2011 Kia Optima as an “Editors’ Most Wanted(SM)” Award winner.  The Optima was one of six vehicles to receive the accolade and the only midsize sedan honored.

“Consumers no longer have to settle for mediocre traditional midsize sedan offerings – the Optima breaks through the status quo by offering world-class design, confidence-inspiring performance, and a long list of safety and technology features without compromising Kia’s outstanding value,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). “We’re honored to receive this distinguished recognition from the editors of Inside Line.  This award underscores the dramatic impact Kia’s design-led transformation is having on the brand.”

The stylish, all-new 2011 Optima was praised for its “comfortable cabin, excellent mileage and plenty of features.”  In the review of the vehicle, Inside Line called the Optima “an affordable family car that looks, feels and drives a class higher.”

“The Edmunds’ Inside Line ‘Editors’ Most Wanted(SM)’ Award winners are chosen for one simple reason: They’re the cars, trucks, and vans that we like the best,” said Ed Hellwig, Editor of InsideLine.com. “‘Editors’ Most Wanted’ winners are the cars that we remember the most even after hundreds of test drives.  These are cars that we’d buy for ourselves and highly recommend to our friends and family.”

The Edmunds’ InsideLine.com “Editors’ Most Wanted(SM)” Awards are awarded annually to six vehicles based on the votes of 11 Edmunds’ Inside Line editors.  Every car and truck for sale in the United States is eligible for the “Editors’ Most Wanted” award if tested by Edmunds’ Inside Line by December 1. Read the rest of this entry »

Building on the momentum of Kia’s growing lineup of new generation vehicles, the all-new 2011 Kia Optima midsize sedan has received the highest possible crash safety rating of “Good” in all four tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and has been recognized as a “Top Safety Pick,” the top award handed down by the organization.

“We are honored that the all-new 2011 Optima has earned the IIHS ‘Top Safety Pick’, joining five other Kia products and underlining the brand’s dedication to the highest levels of vehicle safety and quality,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA).  ”Kia’s design-led transformation has been delivering stylish new vehicles that combine outstanding performance and innovative technologies and convenience features with a long list of standard safety equipment, and the highly anticipated Optima will further increase consumer awareness and consideration of Kia and attract new customers to the brand.”

Arriving in showrooms now, the 2011 Optima joins five Kia products that were previously named Top Safety Picks including the  2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle, 2010 Forte compact sedan, 2011 Sorento compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV), 2011 Sportage CUV, and Sedona minivan.  The Sedona was the first Kia vehicle to receive the IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” along with the “Safest Minivan Ever Tested” distinction in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

Following the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, leading online automotive resource Edmunds.com reported the all-new 2011 Kia Optima received the highest increase in online car shopper consideration of any other vehicle or brand at the show.

The Optima, which arrived in showrooms in late November, saw a boost in consumer interest and consideration from 3.2 percent prior to the show to as high as 15 percent following Kia Motors America’s (KMA) press conference on November 17.  The numbers represent the percentage of shoppers considering cars in the midsize category who researched a vehicle’s information on Edmunds.com.

“The all-new 2011 Optima has been highly anticipated since its debut earlier this year – its design distances it from the rest of the midsize sedan category and its impressive list of standard features and powerful and fuel efficient powertrain choices continue one of the most aggressive new vehicle introduction cycles in the industry,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. “Our new generation of vehicles are really resonating with consumers, and Optima’s dramatic increase in shopper consideration following the Los Angeles Auto Show is further evidence of the impact our design-led transformation is having in terms of increased awareness and consideration for the Kia brand.” Read the rest of this entry »

Amerigon Incorporated announced that its proprietary heated and ventilated seat system will be offered as an option on the front seats of the all-new 2011 KIA Optima, a mid-size sedan now being sold in showrooms.

The new KIA Optima has been re-designed and re-engineered for 2011 and includes a variety of technology features and interior amenities including the Amerigon heated and ventilated seat system.

“We are pleased that KIA has included our new heated and ventilated seat system for its newly designed and much anticipated Optima,” said Amerigon President and Chief Executive Officer Daniel R. Coker. “We believe that underscores the success our two companies have enjoyed working together and the value our technology provides for the KIA vehicles lines. We look forward to continuing to work closely with KIA.”

In addition to the all-new 2011 KIA Optima, the 2011 KIA Sportage, the KIA Mohave and the KIA Borrego also offer Amerigon’s heated and ventilated seat system. KIA vehicles featuring Amerigon’s proprietary Climate Control Seat® (CCS®) system, which delivers active, individually controlled heated or cooled air to seat occupants, include the KIA Opirus full-size sedan.