Kia Sportage Scores Carbuyer's First Car of the Year Award

During its inaugural award ceremony, Carbuyer.co.uk has named the Kia Sportage the 2011 Car of the Year, as well as Best 4x4. Describing it as a “landmark car,” they also say it combines on and off-road performance with plenty of equipment.

The award was handed over by editor Dan Strong to Kia Motors Europe’s Chief Operating Officer Paul Philpott and Kia Motors (UK) Limited Managing Director Michael Cole on the company’s stand at the Geneva Motor Show.

“This is great recognition for a great car and we particularly value the fact that carbuyer.co.uk is a website established to help retail buyers choose the car that is best for them. It is not just about high-performance and glamour – it is about real-world practical values for real people,” Philpott commented.

“Since we launched the all-new Sportage we have seen remarkable levels of interest and demand for the car from a wide audience. It has attracted people from every sector of the new car market and CarBuyer’s endorsement of Sportage’s technology, reliability, design and value simply emphasises those advantages. We are delighted to receive this award from carbuyer.co.uk – and we are especially proud to be their first-ever winners!” added Cole.

The Sportage comes with either 1.6- or 2.0-liter petrol engines, plus 1.7- and 2.0-liter diesel units. Two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive choices allow customers to select the best alternative for their needs, while prices range from £17,015 to £26,740 on the UK market. All models come with Kia’s comprehensive and completely transferable seven year warranty.