2012 Kia Optima And Sorento Named Among Best Family Cars Of 2012 By Edmunds.com And Parents Magazine

Parents magazine and Edmunds.com have named the 2012 Kia Optima midsize sedan and Kia Sorento crossover utility to the publications' "Best Family Cars of 2012" list. The accolade recognizes vehicles focusing on reliability, safety and affordability as top priorities, with the Optima and Sorento's "Top Safety Pick" designations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) playing a key factor in being named as two of only 15 vehicles to the coveted list. Other criteria the judges considered were performance, interior quality, exterior design, family-friendly features and technology.

"As bold design and value are no longer mutually exclusive, the Optima and Sorento have changed the way many consumers look at what family cars can and should be," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing and communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "This recognition from leading family and automotive resources Parents magazine and Edmunds.com reinforces why these two Kia vehicles are among our top-selling products and why more families are considering Kia for the first time."

This is the fifth year editors from Parents magazine and auto experts at Edmunds.com have collaborated on naming the "Best Family Cars." Hundreds of vehicles are evaluated throughout the judging process, and owners who drive these cars are also consulted prior to naming the winners.

"Buying a new car is a big family decision and our guide makes the process easier," said Dana Points, editor-in-chief of Parents magazine. "The Optima and Sorento made our list because they are safe and affordable, plus they have smart, family-friendly features to make kids and parents happy."

Although both vehicles are best-selling and award-winning, the Optima has been widely considered the showpiece of Kia's model line. "Kia has reinvented itself over the last few years, and the beautiful Optima sedan is a big part of that revolution," said Scott Oldham, editor-in-chief of Edmunds.com. "Both inside and out, the affordable Optima looks like it costs more than twice its price. Add its roomy interior, fuel efficient powertrains and 100,000 mile warranty[2] to the mix, and it's easy to recommend the Optima to America's families."