Kia Sorento Rises to Top of Class in UK JD Power Survey

But it is not just in North America that Kia's off-roader is leaving tread marks. It also won Best Off-Roading Vehicle by 4x4

The Sorento scored a segment victory as the best 4x4, only 4x4 with a '5-Star' rating and 7th best overall vehicle available. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

Magazine in the UK (see automotive news for August 18, 2003: Kia Sorento Wins 4x4 of the Year Award in U.K.), obviously a presage for its latest U.K. accolades.

Making its first appearance in the same country's annual J.D. Power & Associates Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) survey, the Sorento scored a segment victory as the best 4x4, only 4x4 with a '5-Star' rating and 7th best overall vehicle available.

Managing a CSI rating of 84 percent, the Sorento and its ownership experience were described by J.D. Power associate WhatCar? magazine as "good or above average in seven of the eight survey categories... the cabin is practical, seats comfortable, styling attractive... dealers

The introduction of the Sorento SUV to the Kia lineup showed consumers that the company could build more then just small low-cost cars. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

are helpful and polite... some of the lowest running-costs in the 4x4 class... a worthy winner."

"The introduction of the Sorento SUV to our line-up in 2002 took Kia Motors to a whole new level by redefining our brand as not just a maker of small, low-cost vehicles, and we have not looked back since," commented Yong-Hwan Kim, Senior Executive Vice President & COO of Kia Motors Corporation. "In 2004, the Sorento was our third leading seller globally with 106,269 units sold, and we expect this popular model to become our top seller in 2005 with nearly 121,000 units being delivered to customers."