Kia Amanti (Opirus) Tops Strategic Vision Customer Delight Index

Garnering another significant accolade, Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the upscale Amanti topped the large car segment in the 2008 Strategic Vision Most Delightful® Vehicle study.

The Customer Delight Index® provides a comprehensive look at the product attributes and benefits that elicit extremely positive -- or ‘delightful’ -- responses from the primary drivers of vehicles beyond meeting foundational needs. The Amanti scored 651 across the range of attributes measured, far exceeding the segment average of 529, emphasizing strong perceptions and experiences of quality amongst owners. Noteworthy and strong attributes that helped drive ‘delight’ in Amanti customers included overall performance, overall thoughtful engineering, quality of the interior, riding comfort, overall durability and fuel economy.

"As a safe, reliable and attractive full-size sedan, Amanti meets drivers' needs at an exceptional price point," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA.

"Leading the Strategic Vision Most Delightful Vehicle study is another example of Amanti's strengths and of Kia Motors' commitment to providing a line-up embodying quality, fuel efficiency and value."

This is the second time the Amanti has topped the Customer Delight Index and also led the large car segment in 2005. Having also topped the Strategic Vision SmartGreen Index℠ and Total Value Index® in the large car segments and a recipient of a "Good" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in frontal and side impact crash tests, the well-appointed Amanti offers outstanding safety features, luxury and overall convenience in the full-size sedan segment.

Amanti offers a long list of standard amenities, including: eight airbags; leather seats, chrome and wood accents; and a 3.8-liter all-aluminum DOHC V6 engine which generates 264 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Other large car segment vehicles measured in the 2008 Customer Delight Index study include the Ford Taurus, Hyundai Azera, Mercury Sable, Nissan Maxima, Buick Lucerne, Dodge Charger, Mercury Grand Marquis, Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick LaCrosse.