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Owners of older Kia vehicles may want to look out for a recall notice in the mailbox. The Korean automaker is recalling over 507,000 vehicles in the U.S. due to an electronic glitch that may prevent airbags from deploying in a crash. The recall comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) revealed in March it was investigating why some airbags had failed to deploy in certain Kia and Hyundai vehicles. At the time, NHTSA was aware of crashes where four people were killed and another six were injured. In today, both Hyundai and Kia have combined to recall nearly 1.1-million vehicles in the U.S. to address the issue. SEE ALSO: Hyundai, Kia Being Investigated for Air Bag Failures The latest recall from Kia affects the 2010-2013 Forte, 2011-2013 Optima, and 2011-2012 Optima Hybrid and Sedona vehicles. The automaker says the airbag control unit may short circuit because they may be susceptible to electrical overstress, preventing the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners from deploying. Currently Kia does not yet have a fix, but is working with its supplier on the issue. Hyundai issued its first recall in February, affecting 154,000 Sonatas in the U.S. In April, Hyundai added to the total by recalling an additional 425,000 vehicles in the U.S. for the same issue. The company said in March it was aware of two deaths in its vehicles, which occurred in head-on collisions at extremely high rates of speed. NHTSA has said the airbag control module that is under investigation is manufactured by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a German auto supplier. The company is working with NHTSA on the issue. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum The post Kia Recalls Over 500K Vehicles in US for Airbag Issue appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The Kia Niro EV has been unveiled with some more specs at the Busan Motor Show in Korea. This time, the Korean automaker unveiled two new battery options, a U.S.-exclusive 64-kWh battery for a 236-mile range and a 39.2-kWh battery pack with a 150-mile range for other markets. These numbers translate to a 7.8-second zero-to-62-mph time and up to an 80 percent charge in under an hour using a 100kW fast charger. Last January, Kia also present the EV in concept form as the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show without providing power numbers. As has been customary with Kia, different presentations have unveiled new specs, with CES showcasing its concept and the following International Electric Vehicle Expo in Jeju, Korea, showcasing its production version. SEE ALSO: Hyundai Kona N Development Confirmed On the driver assistance side, the Niro EV will feature Level 2 autonomy, which is defined as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as having one driver assistance feature which can allow for “both steering and acceleration/ deceleration using information about the driving environment”. This translates to adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, where the driver is expected to assume control of the wheel. Look for the Niro EV to debut in Europe at the Paris Motor Show in October before going on sale in Korea before the end of the year, followed by expansion to other markets. A version of this story originally appeared on Hybrid Cars. The post Production Kia Niro EV Shown in Busan appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“But what really stands out is how the car feels more focused towards the driver. The steering is sharp and direct (a little too much so until you’re used to it) as well as communicating what is going on beneath you.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

Kia is recalling 106,428 Sedona minivans for an issue with its power sliding doors. According to the recall notice from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), affected models are from the 2015 to 2018 model years, with the vehicles assembled from July 21, 2014 to December 6, 2017. The affected vehicles may have sliding doors that do not operate properly due to a software error, resulting in possible injury. “The recalled vehicles contain Power Sliding Doors with an automatic stop and reversal feature that is designed to reverse the movement of the door back to open when an obstruction is sensed,” NHTSA says in the recall notice. “Due to the Power Sliding Door Control Module’s programmed threshold level, the power sliding door may not reverse course in the presence of certain obstructions.” SEE ALSO: 2019 Kia Sedona Shows Off its Fresh New Face As of May 17, the Korean automaker had identified that 14 of 21 complaints reported an injury, and has confirmed two of them. Owners of the affected vehicles will be notified by mail on June 18 and will have to schedule an appointment with their local dealership to resolve the issue. Technicians will reprogram the module software of the power sliding doors free of charge. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum The post Kia Sedona Recalled for an Issue With its Power Sliding Doors appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“Refreshed for 2019, the Kia Sedona minivan gets a few tech upgrades and powertrain updates to keep it an enticing buy for families.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

In part 1 of the sedan vs. hatchback series, we briefly talked about the main differences between a sedan and a hatchback. Now we know that a sedan is a three-box design vehicle that has more stability at high speeds, and the hatchback a two-box design vehicle with maximized flexibility in the cargo space! To give you a clearer idea which vehicle might suit you best, we will specifically look into two Kia models that have both sedan and hatchback options: the Rio and Cerato (also known as the Forte). Two Faces of Kia Rio: the Sedan and the Hatchback Kia Rio Sedan & Hatchback (from left to right) Both the fourth-generation Rio sedan and hatchback offer a slightly bigger, sportier appearance than their predecessors thanks to a longer wheelbase and more upright A-pillars. The Rio’s interior is also decidedly more spacious, modern and upscale with an improved instrument panel and upgraded interior materials, accommodating its new range of technologies. Under its hood, it is equipped with a 130 horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, improving the driving dynamics and fuel efficiency, as well as responsiveness. Kia Rio Hatchback Aside from the similar specifications, the hatchback has a thinner tiger-nose grille with a different fog light design. While the headlights of the hatchback have a four-lens design, the sedan’s have two. As mentioned before in part 1, the hatchback offers a foldable rear seat option, which allows ample cargo space to accommodate large luggage, small furniture items or weekend gear – tailored for a lifestyle in need of more room. Kia Cerato (Forte): Sedan and Hatchback Kia Cerato (Forte) Sedan & Hatchback (from left to right) Kia Cerato sedan and hatchback, also known as the Forte in some regions, feature a sophisticated yet sporty design with efficient powertrain components and advanced driver assistance systems. Delivering impressive performance along with excellent fuel economy, the Cerato offers a wide, comfortable cabin no matter how long the journey. Kia Cerato (Forte) Hatchback Similar to the Rio, the obvious difference between the Cerato sedan and hatchback comes down to the added storage capacity that the hatchback body style provides. While both have a bold, aggressive front fascia, the wide tiger-nose grille on the hatchback extends into the headlights. The choice differentiators between a sedan and a hatchback are your lifestyle and personal circumstances. Perhaps you are an adventurer with a lot of equipment to carry or, perhaps, you like more driving power that gives you a smoother ride on daily driving – your choice of classification entirely depends on your preferences. So which Kia will it be? Feel free to tell us in the comments below! Lees volledige artikel

“The new Kia K900 is a fine representation of Korean luxury. There are plenty of emotional solutions the well-equipped car provides, from the elegant interior to the spacious cabin and the standard AWD.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

The 2.0-liter turbocharged Kia Stinger is now available in Canada, but just like the twin-turbocharged V6 model, it will only be available with all-wheel drive in the country. In just about every other market the Stinger is sold in, rear-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional. In Canada, however, the sports sedan is only offered with all-wheel drive. That hasn’t changed with the recent addition of the 2.0-liter model to the Stinger lineup north of the border, but seeing as there’s snow on the ground for five months of year in many parts of the country, prospective buyers probably won’t be up in arms. “Long before it even arrived in our dealerships, the Stinger was already the industry’s hottest car – and for good reason,” Kia Canada COO Ted Lancaster said in a prepared statement. “Since its arrival, the overwhelming customer feedback on the 3.3L version has demonstrated that Canadians are ready for a new option in the sports sedan market, so we’re excited to now be adding the 2.0L Stinger to give the old regime an even harder run for their money.” SEE ALSO: 2018 Kia Stinger Review | Kia Stinger GT Review The 2.0-liter turbo engine makes 255 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, the sedan will hustle from 0-60 mph in roughly 6.1s and top out at 150 mph. In Canada, the 2.0-liter AWD model will be sold under the GT-Line trim, which includes paddle shifters, drive mode select, 18-inch alloy wheels, a leather interior, a 7-inch center stack display, a 3.5-inch TFT driver’s display and safety tech such as blind spot monitoring, parking sensors and rear cross traffic alert. Pricing for the 2.0-liter Stinger AWD GT-Line will be announced at a later date, Kia Canada said. Discuss this story on our Kia Stinger Forum. The post 2.0L Kia Stinger Now Available in Canada – But Still no RWD appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“Overall, the Stinger is a great looking sports sedan that offers surprising blend of performance, utility and value.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

When car searching, or just discussing vehicles in general, you are sure to come across models offering two different class options – “sedan” and “hatchback.” Sedans and hatchbacks are very similar in that they both have seating capacity for up to five with a spacious trunk for storage. So what makes a sedan a sedan and a hatchback a hatchback? Kia Rio Sedan Sedans are traditional car models generally with four-doors and two rows of seating. The roof curves down to the trunk, hinged below the rear window and the trunk space is separated from the car’s interior. In automotive styling terms, the sedan is a three-box design vehicle with its primary areas articulated into three “boxes” or “pillars”: the engine, passenger compartment, and trunk. Kia Rio Hatchback Meanwhile, hatchbacks are two-box design vehicles with the passenger compartment and cargo space in one pillar. Although hatchbacks are very similar to sedans, they are usually available in either three-door (two passenger doors and the hatch) or five-door (four passenger doors and the hatch) models, since in the case of hatchbacks, the trunk’s lid is also counted as a door. Kia Rio Hatchback Unlike the sedan, the hatchback’s roof is extended, hinged at the top of the vehicle right above the rear window, maximizing accessibility to the cargo space from outside the car. This design also makes the cargo area fully accessible from inside the car. Kia Cerato (Forte) Hatchback While both sedans and hatchbacks are very similar in general, hatchbacks offer more flexibility for cargo storage than most sedans, especially when the rear seats are folded down. More importantly, most hatchbacks offer better fuel economy compared to sedans thanks to their comparatively lighter weight. Kia Cerato (Forte) Sedan On the other hand, sedans tend to have a bigger engine, which is crucial for vehicle performance and handling. With the added weight of the trunk, sedans are more stable at high speeds compared to hatchbacks. The longer wheelbase also lets passengers enjoy more generous legroom. While it always boils down to personal preferences when deciding the car that is right for you, Kia Motors is constantly dedicated to create dynamic and diversified vehicles to fit any customer’s needs. In Part 2, we will talk more about our two models with both sedan and hatchback classifications, the Rio and Cerato (also known as Forte), so stay tuned for a closer look at them! Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] Spy photographers have caught the facelifted 2019 Kia Sportage completely undisguised. The Korean automaker’s crossover is getting some minor changes on the outside, with a revised front end that is a bit more aggressive. The Sportage will receive an updated grille, headlights, and new fog light design as part of the makeover, while the rear gets new tail lights and an updated bumper. Our spy photographers also managed to get a photo of the interior, which reveals no significant changes inside the cabin. SEE ALSO: 2017 Kia Sportage Review That should also be the case underneath the hood, which means the Sportage should continue to offer a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, while the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder mill is available on higher trim levels. Currently, the 2.4-liter engine produces 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, while the turbo engine offers 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Sportage is also available with all-wheel drive, although the turbo engine does get a slight power decrease to 237 hp in that form. The particular prototype spy photographers managed to catch on camera is sporting Recaro bucket seats up front and a roll cage inside the interior, suggesting that it’s probably heading to the Nurburgring for testing. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum The post 2019 Kia Sportage Looks Ready to Test its Facelift on the Track appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has awarded the 2019 Kia Sorento with a Top Safety Pick+ rating. It’s the best rating possible from IIHS, which means the Sorento received good ratings in all six crashworthiness tests and has Good-rated headlights when equipped with optional autonomous emergency braking and LED headlights. The latest award for Kia now makes the Korean automaker the leader among automakers with either a 2018 Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ rating. Along with the 2019 Kia Sorento, the 2018 Forte sedan, 2018 Optima, and 2018 Soul have all received a Top Safety Pick+ rating. Kia also has four other models that received a Top Safety Pick rating: 2018 Cadenza, 2018 Sedona, 2018 Sorento, and 2018 Sportage. SEE ALSO: 2019 Kia Sorento Review and First Drive In order to qualify for a Top Safety Pick+ award, vehicles must earn Good ratings in six crashworthiness tests, along with a Good or Acceptable rating in the passenger side small overlap test. In addition, a vehicle must also receive an Advanced or Superior rating for front crash prevention, and a Good rating in headlight testing. Qualifications for the Top Safety Pick award is a bit different, with vehicles having to earn Good ratings in five crashworthiness tests, an Advanced or Superior rating for front crash prevention, and a Good or Acceptable rating in headlight testing. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum The post 2019 Kia Sorento Earns Highest Safety Rating from IIHS appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“The 2018 Kia Optima mid-size sedan has earned a Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety thanks to beefed-up crash protection on the passenger side.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

With a starting price of $39,250 including destination, the Kia Stinger GT has been a pleasant surprise to automotive enthusiasts. In fact, we came away so impressed with the Korean automaker’s sports sedan that we named it AutoGuide.com‘s 2018 Car of the Year. There’s a lot more to the Kia Stinger GT than its 3.3-liter, twin-turbo V6 engine with 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, but we all know everyone loves reading about zero-to-60 times. So we decided to compile a list of five expensive cars you might be surprised to hear would lose in a drag race with the Stinger GT. SEE ALSO: Kia Stinger Wins AutoGuide.com 2018 Car of the Year Award For this list, we used official zero-to-60 times published by the automakers rather than a third-party source. Kia says the Stinger GT does the sprint in 4.7 seconds, but it’s worth noting it has been tested to go faster. 5. BMW 540i It’s the cheapest of the five cars on the list, but the BMW 540i is still nearly $20,000 more than the Kia Stinger GT. Powered by a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder engine, the 540i is actually less powerful than the Stinger GT with 335 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the standard 540i hits 60 mph from a standstill in 4.9 seconds, while the xDrive all-wheel-drive variant matches the Stinger GT’s performance at 4.7 seconds. The BMW 540i xDrive, however, starts from $61,495. 4. Audi A7 While the Audi S7 is clearly a faster machine than the Stinger GT, the A7 is a different story. Powered by a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine, the A7 boasts 340 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a zero-to-60 time of 5.2 seconds. Its price tag? A hefty $70,675. ALSO SEE: 2018 Kia Stinger Review | Kia Stinger GT Review 3. Mercedes-Benz CLS 550 Anytime BMW and Audi are mentioned, you can pretty much guarantee Mercedes-Benz is lurking. Although there’s a new CLS that is set to arrive dealerships in the near future, the current model is actually slower than the Stinger GT. The CLS 550 and CLS 550 4MATIC both accelerate to 60 in 4.9 seconds, powered by a 4.7-liter biturbo V8 engine generating 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. So even though the Stinger GT has less power, it accelerates quicker and is much cheaper than the CLS 550’s starting price of $76,145. The all-wheel-drive 4MATIC model costs $2,500 more. 2. Porsche Panamera Kia itself wasn’t shy about comparing its Stinger GT to the Porsche Panamera. With a starting price of $86,050, the Panamera is more than double the Stinger GT and it’s noticeably slower in a sprint to 60 mph. The standard Panamera does it in 5.4 seconds, while the more expensive Panamera 4, priced from $90,650, takes 5.2 seconds. It probably doesn’t help that the Panamera with a 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine offers less performance with 330 hp and 331 lb-ft of torque. 1. Jaguar F-Type Of all the expensive cars out there that the Stinger GT is faster than, none is probably more surprising than the Jaguar F-Type. Sure the Stinger GT doesn’t beat the high-performance F-Type R, but it is faster than the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 variant with 380 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. That model takes 4.8 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standstill, and that’s at a cost of $81,745 – another car that’s double the Stinger GT’s starting price. Discuss this story on our Kia Stinger Forum The post Top 5 Expensive Cars the Kia Stinger GT Beats in a Drag Race appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The 2020 Kia Telluride SUV, which is expected to debut sometime this year, has been photographed underdoing tests in the United States. Kia told AutoGuide in an interview earlier this year that it would have an announcement in regards to the production Telluride soon. We’re expecting an official announcement in the late summer or early fall, but for now, these spy photos give us a good idea of what to expect. As you can see, the production Telluride will draw on the boxy shape of the concept vehicle shown a couple of years back. These photos also reveal it will have Kia’s venerable Tiger Nose grille, along with squarish headlights and rectangular taillights. Another interesting design feature is the chrome notch running along the beltline, which is joined by another notch running along the top of the windshield. These are two design features seen on the concept that appear to have made it to the production vehicle, so good job on staying true to the design study, Kia. SEE ALSO: Kia to Make Announcement on Production Telluride SUV Soon Details on the Telluride’s powertrain and platform have yet to be announced, but were expecting it to share a platform with the new Hyundai Santa Fe and feature the same lineup of naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinder engines. More details on the 2020 Kia Telluride are expected to come to light shortly. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum. The post 2020 Kia Telluride Spied Looking Nearly Production Ready appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

Kia has announced it is among the first group of beta partners to use augmented reality on Facebook Messenger. The Korean automaker unveiled its augmented reality experience for Facebook Messenger at Facebook’s annual F8 developer conference. Kia is the only automaker Facebook selected to participate in the initial launch of AR for the Messenger Platform. Users can now place a three-dimensional rendering of a Kia Stinger GT, in the color of their choice, anywhere they want. So if you ever wanted to know how the Stinger GT would look in your driveway, garage, or other environments, here’s your chance. Naturally, users will be able to easily share the augmented reality images within Messenger, add them as images and films to their Individual Stories, and save them to their phones. SEE ALSO: Production Kia Niro EV Lands With 64 kWh Battery, 236 Mile Range Kia has been involved with Facebook Messenger since November 2016, when it launched “Niro Bot” for the Niro hybrid crossover. It’s all part of the Kia Bot for Messenger initiatives, which also includes the second-generation digital assistant, “Kian05” that launched in November 2017. “The Stinger is like nothing anyone has ever seen from Kia. Therefore, it inspires us to find new and innovative ways to bring this incredible sports sedan to the public and show them everything the car and the Kia brand are capable of achieving,” said Kimberley Gardiner, director, marketing communications, Kia Motors America. “The addition of augmented reality into the Kia Bot for Facebook Messenger allows us to provide today’s car buyers with an extended interaction on the social platforms they use most.” Discuss this story on our Kia Stinger Forum The post Virtually Park a Kia Stinger Anywhere You Want appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The production-spec Kia Niro EV has made its official debut in it domestic market of South Korea this week. The Niro EV was previewed by a concept of the same name, which was first shown at CES 2018 in January. The production vehicle looks a bit more like the regular Niro and Niro Plug-In, but gets its own aerodynamically optimized front fascia. SEE ALSO: New 2019 Kia Soul Spied With Sporty Center Exit Exhaust Powering the Niro EV in the North American-spec models will be a 64 kWh battery pack and single electric motor. Range is estimated to be around 236 miles, but seeing as these early manufacturer estimates are often a bit ambitious, a real-world range of just over 200 miles is probably more realistic. The Hyundai Kona EV, which has the same EV powertrain, has an estimated range of 250 miles, but that’s because it’s a little bit smaller than the Niro. In Korea, a smaller 39.2 kWh battery will be offered with the Niro EV, which provides a driving range of 149 miles. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid will arrive at Hyundai dealers ahead of the pure EV later this year. The hybrid uses a 1.6-liter engine and 8.9 kWh battery, providing an estimated pure electric driving range of 36 miles. Its interior previews what to expect from the EV, featuring a typically Kia interior with a new TFT driver’s display and an eight-inch color touchscreen. More information on the US-spec Kia Niro EV will become available closer to its arrival late this year or in early 2019. Discuss this story on our Kia Niro Forum. The post Production Kia Niro EV Lands With 64 kWh Battery, 236 Mile Range appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“The 2019 K900 gets up to speed with ease and authority, accompanied by smooth and quick gear changes.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

First rendering of the 2020 Kia Soul redesign hit the web! The 2020 Kia Soul is currently in the prototype phase, with some test models spied on the roads. The current spy shots don’t give too much away, but kksstudio … Continue reading → Lees volledige artikel

“The Rio is in fact a terrific little car that anyone should be quite proud to own. There is a grown-up vibe to it that greatly outpaces whatever expectations you might have for a sub-compact car.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

After reviewing 40 nominated interiors that were all-new or significantly improved from the prior year, WardsAuto has released its list of the top 10 best interiors of 2018. The publication said this year, the color red was extremely popular inside cabins, not just as an accent color but covering complete seats and wide swaths of door panels. “We know a lot of consumers end up buying black, gray or beige interiors, but there are also a lot of shoppers who want more excitement,” said WardsAuto senior content director, Drew Winter. “This year’s class of winners will make these folks happy.” SEE ALSO: Top 10 Affordable Cars with Surprisingly Higher-End Interiors The 2018 winners are listed in alphabetical order. 10. Chevrolet Equinox Chevrolet claims its sixth Wards 10 Best Interiors trophy, this time with the all-new Equinox crossover. WardsAuto editors praised the Equinox for its soft, premium materials, massive center console, outstanding infotainment system, excellent value, and contrasting black and butterscotch color scheme. They also left impressed by the lack of fit-and-finish problems, barely finding a seam that is out of place. More luxury amenities include heated and cooled second-row seats, heated steering wheel, 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, wireless phone charging, and a reminder not to leave children or cargo unattended in the back seat once the engine is shut off. 9. Hyundai Kona The Hyundai Kona may be the cheapest car on the list, but its interior looks and feels anything but cheap. The use of brilliant splashes of color helps make the interior hip, with neon lime trim framing the air vents, ignition start button, and transmission shifter bezel. It can also be found on the piping, stitching, and head restraints for seats in both rows. WardsAuto also praises the Kona’s high-definition head-up display and simplified center stack design. This is the fifth Wards 10 Best Interiors honor for Hyundai. 8. Infiniti QX50 If you’re looking for a more luxurious crossover, the all-new Infiniti QX50’s interior is stylish, while featuring “a lot of conceptual edginess” in a production vehicle. Helping impress are the brown Ultrasuede headliner and navy blue Ultrasuede accents found on the center armrest, instrument panel, and doors. Editors say the QX50’s interior is simultaneously effervescent, calming, and inspiring. The cabin also receives high marks for a generously proportioned center console, spacious second row, and overall excellent value. 7. Kia Stinger AutoGuide.com‘s 2018 Car of the Year also gets a nod for having one of the best interiors. The Korean automaker’s sports sedan has impressed on all fronts, from performance to luxury. It’s Kia‘s fifth Wards 10 Best Interiors trophy with the flagship sedan getting praised for its “spot-on build quality, lovely brushed aluminum trim, an ample second row and beefy seat bolsters to accommodate aggressive maneuvering.” Said to be both elegant and athletic, the Kia Stinger’s interior features high-quality leather, soft-touch materials, and the driver-assistance systems are fantastic, said WardsAuto. 6. Lexus LS 500 Believe it or not, this is only the fourth Wards 10 Best Interiors trophy for Lexus. But it does come a year after the LC 500 was named a winner in 2017. The all-new LS 500 flagship sedan gets recognized for the automaker’s willingness to use spectacular color combinations such as crimson in the F-Sport variant. Editors say the LS 500 uses “top-shelf stuff from headliner to floor,” making the LS 500 worth every penny of its high price tag. 5. Lincoln Navigator The all-new Lincoln Navigator marks a strong return for the nameplate, with its interior being called an “absolute jaw-dropper” by WardsAuto. Tested in Black Label trim, the Navigator actually earned the highest cumulative score in this year’s competition. Venetian leather, Dinamica faux suede, and lacquered wood trim all contributed to the Navigator’s trophy, along with high scores on its infotainment system. And giving you the impression that “you’re swimming in a glass of cabernet,” is the Mahogany Red finish found on the leather, carpeting, and select hard plastics. 4. Porsche Panamera The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid was the most expensive vehicle tested in this year’s competition, so it’s almost no surprise it gets a trophy. Wowing the judges were the saddle-brown leather and brushed aluminum trim, along with the completely reworked, sleek center stack. One judge said the Panamera had “the best massaging seats on the planet,” while the second row console controls, fixed head restraints, firm seats, and easy cycling through certain modes were also recognized. 3. Ram 1500 The sole pickup truck on the list is the Ram 1500, with the Limited trim being tested for the competition. The Ram’s touchscreen left judges impressed, with a giant vertical 12-inch screen featuring bold graphics. WardsAuto editors found the indigo/frost interior color combination stylish and handsome, while also praising the cabin’s cloth-mimicking film, swirling-patterned Harmon/Kardon speaker grilles, and distressed metal trim. 2. Range Rover Velar If the Infiniti QX50 isn’t a luxurious enough SUV for you, then maybe the Range Rover Velar fits the bill. WardsAuto tested a First Edition model that had white, black, and cool all over with its triangular perforation pattern found on the seats and door speaker grates. The “copper weave” carbon fiber trim, faux suede, and aluminum also impressed. As expected, fit and finish are stellar, while comfort is high in the Velar, especially once the massaging seats are turned on. 1. Toyota Camry Lastly, there’s the popular Toyota Camry sedan. The test car featured red leather with accents of black and silver, while editors also praised the unusual center stack that features a lack of symmetry. One editor went so far as to write, “Wow, this is a Camry?” on her score sheet. The Camry also features a great head-up display, unique fluted center-stack buttons, extending visors, a nice gauge-cluster screen, and no exposed grab bar pins. The post Top 10 Best Interiors of 2018: WardsAuto appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

Another triple victory for Kia’s design excellence! Following the triple trophies won at the iF Design Award earlier in 2018, Kia has triumphed again at the Red Dot Award, receiving three prestigious awards for Kia Stinger, Kia Stonic and Kia Picanto. Arranged by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, the Red Dot Design Award is one of the most highly-respected international design awards in the world, alongside the iF Design Award and IDEA Design Award. The product design category saw heated competition this year with over 6,300 products from 59 countries. This year was all the more special for Kia with the new fastback sports sedan Stinger winning the ‘Best of the Best’ title at the hands of 40 international jury of design experts. Highly praised for its pioneering design, the Stinger carries classic, modern gran turismo design with a spacious and cosseting interior. Kia Stonic, the most customizable compact crossover Kia has ever made, was also named ‘Winner’ of said category for eye-catching, SUV-inspired design, combined with an elevated seating position and agile handling for a sporty, exciting drive. Despite its compact dimensions, another winner – the third-generation of the Kia Picanto – received praise for its youthful, energetic design that offers the largest cargo capacity in its class. The latest trio of victories adds to Kia’s continuing legacy of successful design, winning a remarkable 21 Red Dot Awards since the Kia Soul first took its victory in 2009. Our global design team can be incredibly proud of their latest triple triumph. It highlights Kia’s passion for design quality and ingenuity, which has once again been lauded by a panel of international design experts. – Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Kia Motors Corporation Absolutely thrilled and looking forward to the official presentation of the Red Dot Award taking place in July 2018 in Essen, Germany, we would like to express gratitude to our fans who serve as significant inspiration for our design innovation. Look for more success to come with Kia’s development of high-quality, trendsetting designs that will shatter worldwide expectations! Lees volledige artikel

Nowadays, some hatchbacks are giving crossovers a run for their money with respect to their cargo hauling capabilities. Moving a lot of things in a car can quickly become a drag if you don’t own something big enough to get the job done well. There’s nothing more annoying than having to make multiple trips when a single trip with a larger vehicle would have met your moving needs. This is where the appeal of crossovers comes in. They mostly drive like a regular 4-door sedan, but due to longer wheelbases and an overall larger size, they offer impressive amounts of cargo space to handle whatever is thrown at them. ALSO SEE: Top 10 Hot Hatches We Wish Were Sold in North America But there is another class of vehicles that surprisingly offer similar amounts of cargo space despite their smaller overall size: hatchbacks. Let’s take a look at the top ones which have caught our attention. Top Hatchbacks With Crossover Rivalling Trunks 2018 Honda Fit As its name might suggest, the Honda Fit comes out on top with an unbelievable 57 cubic feet of space when the rear seats are folded. The Fit’s ability to squeeze out so much space from a tiny body is like magic, so it’s really no wonder the rear folding seats were branded as “Magic Seats” by Honda themselves. Add to the fact that the Fit even surpasses some compact crossovers such as the 2019 Jeep Cherokee whose total cargo space of 54.9 cubic feet doesn’t even come close. 2018 Kia Forte5 Not far behind from the Fit is the enormous 56 cubic feet the Kia Forte hatchback allows. Even better, when the seats are in place, there is still a very usable 23 cubic feet of space which beats the Fit’s 17 cubic feet of space with the seats up. As an overall package, we think the Forte5 is a very close second to the Fit because it offers amazing cargo hauling both when the seats are up and down. 2018 Subaru Impreza Hatchback The Impreza Hatchback offers an average 20.8 cubic feet of space with all the seats in place. But that transforms to an almost class leading 55.3 cubic feet when those seats go down. The hatchback totally eclipses the sedan version’s 13 cubic feet predictably but what is not expected is that the hatchback does this while being 6.5-inches shorter than the sedan. Hatchbacks are traditionally similar in length to their sedan counterparts, but here we have a hatchback that is smaller but roomier and probably easier to park than the sedan version. Go figure! 2018 VW Golf Having the most square shape in the segment really pays dividends for the Volkswagen Golf as it boasts 23 cubic feet of space with the seats up and 53 cubic feet when the seats are folded. The great thing with the Golf is that despite slightly lower cargo dimensions than the Fit and Forte 5, the square shape actually lends to a more usable space especially when the rear seats are in use. A solid win for the Volkswagen when it comes to real world capability. 2018 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback The Cruze Hatchback is at the tail end of cargo carrying capacity in this list of hatchbacks. But even with 47 cubic feet of total cargo space, it rivals a lot of subcompact crossovers for practicality. The 25 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place easily compare favorably to some compact crossovers like the 2019 Jeep Cherokee’s 25.8 cubic feet. 2018 Honda Civic Hatchback Honda recently reintroduced the Civic Hatchback to American consumers. It’s so far proven to be a good all-around vehicle and the hatchback body style has given Civic buyers the opportunity to enjoy a crossover rivaling 25.7 cubic feet of space with the rear seats in place, and 46.2 cubic feet when they are down. 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Despite modest dimensions like the rest of the cars on this list, the Hyundai Elantra GT sports 55 cubic feet of total cargo space. A very useful 24.9 cubic feet remains if those seats are occupied. This is a hatchback that even when all seats are occupied by passengers, has more cargo space than an Audi Q5, which incredibly is in a larger class of vehicles than usual compact crossovers. The post Top Hatchbacks With Crossover Rivalling Trunks appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“Kia has updated its Optima saloon and Optima Sportswagon estate with revised styling, new engines and additional technology.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

In celebration of Earth Day, we’d like to take you on Kia’s green journey. In efforts to achieve a sustainable future, Kia pursues significant ECO dynamic activities. In 2014, Kia ranked 35th in the 2014 Best Global Green Brands, marking its footprint as a rising star among global automotive brands in terms of sustainability and environmental friendliness. The environmentally friendly brand ECO dynamics was first launched in 2009 as part of Kia’s firm commitment to the pursuit of zero emissions in the brand’s future. “Eco”, taking lead from “Ecology” and “Economy”, paired with “Dynamics” – ECO dynamics – translates to “Automobile of Sustainable Mobility”. Following suit, there are now three active sub brands: ECO Hybrid, ECO Electric, and ECO Plug-in. Vehicles that fall under the Hybrid sub brand are those that combine traditional combustion engine with an electric motor to maximize engine efficiency while minimizing carbon emissions. Building upon the success of Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), Kia has increased battery capacity and is constantly developing Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs), to enable full electric operation over an extended distance. Electric Vehicles – Soul EV – have been produced in pursuit of the ultimate goal of zero emissions. EVs’ high efficiency EV motor minimizes energy draw to result in better fuel economy and its massive lithium ion polymer battery improves fuel efficiency as well as battery life through low internal resistance, improved design and control to help maintain optimal status when being charged or discharged. EVs have a built-in charging system which maximizes convenience by offering both fast charging at charging stations and easy charging at home. There is no concern about not knowing how much driving distance you have remaining with the supervision cluster, an OLED screen and round segment LCD providing a helpful information for eco-friendly driving. As part of eco-strategy to expand the range of environmentally-friendly vehicles, we recently exhibited the Niro EV concept, a fully-electric compact SUV, at CES 2018. Powered by a next-generation electric vehicle powertrain, this concept boasts new safe, advanced technologies that represent the next step in our ongoing journey to electrification. On top of its eco-branded products, Kia conducts eco activities across the whole process of manufacturing cars ensuring that all phases of car production, from design and assembly to distribution and disposal, contribute to making the earth much safer and healthier. Stay tuned as Kia continues to strive to create products that will do less harm for a greener planet. Happy Earth Day! Lees volledige artikel