Kia Motors was selected as the Best Car Manufacturer in the 2012 Which? Award, announced the carmaker on Friday. Which? is a consumer organization in the U.K. with more than 650,000 members.

The carmaker was recognized by the organization for the best customer satisfaction achieved by its seven-year warranty service and excellent durable quality. It beat off other renowned brands like Hyundai, BMW and Toyota.

Which? said that Kia’s new Rio, Sorento and Picanto all impressed in its test lab, while the new cee’d and Optima got the thumbs-up in its road tests.

“Compared to where it was just five years ago, we feel that Kia is the most improved car brand around,” it said.

Michael Cole, Kia Motors limited managing director in the U.K., said that they were absolutely delighted to win the award.

“It marks the culmination of several years of hard work by our designers, engineers and by our dealers who are as committed as we are to give our customers an outstanding buying and ownership experience,” said Cole.

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)