IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 15, 2016 - Arriving at New York City Hall in downtown Manhattan, the 2017 Kia Niro officially received a Guinness World Record® title for the lowest fuel consumption driving across the USA from coast to coast (hybrid car).  The new record-setting mark is an incredible 76.6 mpg.


"We're extremely pleased with the Niro's record-breaking performance," said Orth Hedrick, vice president, product planning KMA. "We set out to build a vehicle that offers real-world utility, great looks and fantastic mileage, and setting the Guinness World Record® title confirms our achievement."

The Niro EX was driven by Wayne Gerdes of Carlsbad, California, and co-driver Robert Winger of Williamsburg, Virginia, 3,715.4 miles from Los Angeles City Hall to New York City Hall using only 48.5 gallons or 4.1 tanks of gas. The vehicle was not altered in any way for the attempt.

The Niro, an Urban Crossover Hybrid Vehicle, is the first dedicated Kia hybrid and was conceived to bridge the gap between outstanding fuel economy and compact crossover usefulness. In addition to its athletic and attractive design, the Niro's long list of features includes: a specially-designed, innovative hybrid system to provide a more dynamic and engaging driving experience; a spacious cabin with lots of room for five occupants and their gear; a full array of advanced driver assistance features -  available Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist and Lane Departure Warning1; and advanced telematics and entertainment equipment - UVO3 with Apple CarPlay™2, Android Auto™3 and a 7-inch touch screen and available Smart Cruise Control, navigation and a Harman Kardon®4 premium audio system.

The all-new 2017 Niro is set to arrive in Kia retailers in the first quarter of next year and will be available in five trim levels: FE, LX, EX, Touring and in a limited-quantity Launch Edition. The FE is EPA rated to achieve 52 mpg highway/49 mpg city/50 mpg combined, while the LX reaches 51/46/49 mpg and the Touring at 46/40/43 mpg.5

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and set an all-time annual sales record in 2015, surpassing the 600,000 unit mark for the first time in company history. Kia offers a complete line of vehicles in the U.S., including the rear-drive K900** flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle***, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona minivan, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States.  Kia's North American manufacturing operations include plants in West Point, Georgia*, and the municipality of Pesqueria in the state of Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts.
1 These features are not substitutes for safe driving, and may not detect all objects surrounding vehicle. Always drive safely and use caution.
2 Apple® is a registered trademark of Apple Inc.
3 Android™ is a trademark of Google, Inc.
4 Harman Kardon is a registered trademark of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
5 Based on EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary with options, driving conditions, driving habits and your vehicle's condition.
** K900 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.

*** Soul EV in select markets with limited availability.