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IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 7, 2011 - The 2012 Soul and Forte Koup recently were named to MSN Autos "10 Great Cars for Less Than $20,000" list, with Kia being the only brand to have two vehicles selected. Soul, Kia's iconic hatchback refreshed for the 2012 model year, delivers a series of refinements, including more power, improved fuel economy and new technologies along with an updated look. Meanwhile, the performance-inspired Forte Koup offers world-class design, fuel efficiency, and outstanding driving dynamics.

"MSN Autos selection of Soul and Forte Koup for the '10 Great Cars for Less Than $20,000' list…

Optima Hybrid Takes Top Honors in the Alternative Powerplant Category

Kia's fuel-efficient midsize sedan recognized for class-leading highway fuel economy1, advanced technology and distinctive styling Kia's first-ever hybrid delivers up to 40 miles per gallon and offers eco-conscious consumers a host of standard safety and convenience features IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 22, 2011 - The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid recently was named to the Hispanic Motor Press Association's (HMPA) "Top 10 Cars of the Year" list as the top Alternative Powerplant vehicle. The HPA award reflects the unique and distinctive preferences and needs of the influential Hispanic population…

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Motorsports, Sedan, Kia, Racing

The Kia Optima is headed to the World Challenge next year. Kia has announced that it will once again partner up with Kinetic Motorsports, this time to build a pair of Optima SX models to go fender to fender with the rest of the World Challenge field. The two turbocharged sedans will compete in the Grand Touring Sport Class against vehicles like the Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro, if you can believe that.

If you're thinking those two are going to make short work of the Optima, you may want…

Filed under: Budget, Minivan/Van, KIA, South Korea

KIA is giving Korean small-car buyers something to smile about with the new KIA Ray subcompact. The vehicle looks to have taken a cue or two from its bigger brothers with stylized headlights and a very corporate mesh grille. We see plenty of Soul in the design, but there's more to the boxy machine than a quick glance would suggest.

Look closely and you'll note that the driver's side wears two traditionally hinged doors while the passenger side boasts a sliding rear door akin to what we typically expect…

Consumers Digest
A leading consumer resource for automotive reviews, recently named four KIA vehicles "Best Buys" - the 2012 Kia Optima, 2012 Sorento, 2012 Soul and 2012 Sportage. This latest recognition comes on the heels of KIA Motors America announcing the company's best-ever October sales and setting its 14th consecutive monthly sales record.

"KIA's design-led transformation continues to attract new customers to KIA showrooms with stand-out design, fuel efficiency, a host of standard amenities as well as residual values that continue to outpace the industry," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications of KIA Motors of America. "Receiving…

Early in September, the first Kia Optima rolled off the production line at the Kia Motors manufacturing facility in Georgia. Also this fall, the 2011 Kia Optima has been widely recognized for its sophisticated and clean design, particularly by the men's lifestyle magazine Esquire.

Esquire's "2011 Design and Technology Awards" recognizes the best innovations in the auto industry for the year. Editors applauded the stylish simplicity of the 2011 Kia Optima, particularly because it remains one of the most affordable cars on the market. The magazine made a point to say, "A decade ago, a shape this clean…

The Kia Forte has received some of the best auto reviews in its class for 2011 and 2012. But it's not the only quality vehicle from this Korean auto maker. The Kia Optima Hybrid just completed a world record drive, proving it can outlast any other hybrid vehicle.

 

A 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid traveled through the continental United States, driven by Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius over 7,899 miles, recording an average fuel economy of 64.55 miles per gallon. Beating the vehicle's EPA highway rating by 61%, the trip took 14 days and averaged 564 miles…

Attention Kia fans! Kia is planning to unveil an all new concept car at this September's Frankfurt Motor Show, in Germany.

To build a little excitement around the event, Kia went ahead and released some photographs online to tease interest. We have to say, it worked. Our interest is definitely piqued.

To sum up exactly how drop-dead gorgeous the new Kia concept is, let us just say, the editors at Top Gear admit to thinking it was a Maserati. No joke! And others mistook it for an Audi.

The new concept really is proof that Kia has what it…

These days, every auto maker worth its weight has at least one hybrid variant of their top selling sedan. For the Korean car producer, the Kia Optima Hybrid is that vehicle. The car has a sporty new look, with a mean, angled front grille and a rising rear compartment with large trunk and taillights.

 

Available for a test drive at Wagner Kia of Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury, MA, Optima contains the basic powerplant for a vehicle of its size and class: a fuel efficient 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine, connected to a six speed automatic.

 

But what makes this car hybrid…