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“The SP SUV concept – showcased here in a bright orange and white combination, is quite the looker.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

Get the Flash Player to see this player. The Mazda CX-5 has won the 2018 AutoGuide.com Utility Vehicle of the Year award, but here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the editors came to that decision. The Mazda CX-5 won the most points in AutoGuide.com’s scoring against a field of extremely competitive crossovers and SUVs: The 2018 Volvo XC60, Subaru Crosstrek, Jeep Wrangler, and Kia Niro. Of course, these vehicles weren’t scored against each other, rather were evaluated in regards to how they stacked up against their natural competitors in their respective segments. This video gives some insight into how the Mazda CX-5 won and where the other contenders might have fallen behind in scoring. This video was recorded live on Facebook, so the editors were able to answer questions from the audience. Discuss this article on our Mazda CX-5 Forum The post Watch Our Editors Debate the 2018 Utility Vehicle of the Year Contenders appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The Kia Stinger fastback sports sedan, Stonic compact crossover, and Picanto city car brought home three prestigious ‘iF design’ Awards for 2018. Since its launch in 1953, the iF design Award has been one of the world’s most important prizes for excellence in design. The award originates from the Formergrechte Industrieerzeugnisse (Good Industrial Design) product shows initiated by the Hannover Messe and is now one of the world’s largest design competitions. This year, the iF design Award 2018 received a total number of 6,402 product submissions from 54 countries to be judged by an independent international jury of 63 design experts. The awards are presented across seven categories: product, packaging, communication, service design/UX, architecture, interior design, and professional concept. The three new Kia models were awarded in the product design category. Designed at Kia’s European design centre in Frankfurt, Germany, the Stinger’s combination of classic gran turismo design with a spacious, comfortable interior won the praise of the judges. It takes inspiration from the grand tourers of the 1970s, featuring elegant fastback proportions and a muscular ‘coke bottle’ shape down its flanks, highlighting its rear-wheel-biased power delivery. The Stonic, Kia’s debut compact crossover also designed in Frankfurt, snagged the second award for Kia with its striking and bold exterior design, combined with an elevated seating position and practical SUV format. The Stonic is the most customizable Kia ever, offering customers a wide variation of two-tone paint combinations and interior colors. And last but certainly not least, Kia’s smallest car – the third-generation Picanto – took home the third of the prizes for its youthful and energetic character within A-segment vehicles. This compact car boasts a distinctive new design and high-quality, high-tech cabin, with huge potential for customization and plenty of space. This year marks the second consecutive year that Kia has won three iF awards and the ninth consecutive year receiving at least one. The three awards of 2018 brings the total number of iF design prizes to 15. With continued focus and dedication on design, we hope to steadily increase this number throughout the upcoming years. So make sure you stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled for the evolution of Kia’s designs! Lees volledige artikel

“The artfully rendered climate controls are unique to the Rio, unshared with other Kias and adding visual zest. Compared to many modern automobiles, the Rio’s relative simplicity is delightful.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

The Kia Stinger is a new type of product for the typically reserved Korean automaker. Never before has Kia made a rear-wheel drive sports sedan, and it’s out to prove that its first attempt can punch well above its weight class. The automaker today announced the Stinger Experience, which will visit several major cities across America throughout 2018. The program will allow attendees to drive the 365 hp V6 Stinger in 0-60 mph acceleration runs, cornering tests and a slalom course. That’s not all though – they will also be able to pilot a BMW 640i, Porsche Panamera V6 and Audi A5 on the same courses to compared the Kia with some of the vehicles it was benchmarked with. SEE ALSO: Kia Stinger Wins AutoGuide.com 2018 Car of the Year Award The Stinger Experience tour will stop in Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. Hopeful attendees can sign up at KiaStingerExperience.com for the stop that is most appropriate for them. The first stop will be in Los Angeles on February 24th and 25th, with the program ending with the Phoenix stop on April 21st and 22nd. Kia says direct sales opportunities won’t be offered on-site, but specialists will be able to direct interested consumers to one of Kia’s 800 US dealers. “With a faster top-speed and 0-60 time than a six-cylinder Porsche Panamera, the Stinger GT is like nothing anyone has ever seen from Kia before and must be driven to be fully appreciated and understood,” said Kia American marketing boss Saad Chehab. “The Stinger Experience gives people an opportunity to see and feel for themselves just how far Kia has come, and that the Stinger can hold its head high against some of the best that Germany has to offer.” So if you want to get behind the wheel of AutoGuide.com’s Car of the Year and see what all the hype is about, be sure to sign up through KiaStingerExperience.com. Discuss this story on our Kia Forum. The post Sign up to Drive a Kia Stinger Alongside a Porsche Panamera and BMW 640i appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

Ever wonder which automakers make the best vehicles? Consumer Reports is out to answer that question each year, searching for the automakers that produce reliable, high-performing models. The brand rankings are based on the publication’s vehicle testing, along with owner feedback on over 640,000 cars to determine the predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings. Each Overall Score is a composite of the road test score and the predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings from Consumer Reports‘ Annual Auto Survey. SEE ALSO: Most Dependable Vehicles of 2018: J.D. Power To keep things fair, brands are ranked based on the average overall score for all of their current test models. That means automakers with fewer models must really excel in order to perform well. Top 10 Best Automakers of 2018: Consumer Reports 10. Toyota This year, Toyota had an overall score of 72 across 20 tested models. The Japanese automaker’s road test score was 67. It ranked high for predicted reliability, but owner satisfaction could be better. 9. Honda In ninth place this year is Honda, with an overall score of 73 and a road test score of 78. A total of eight models were tested from the brand. Predicted reliability was average, while owner satisfaction was above average. 8. Tesla The only American automaker on the list is Tesla, with two models tested. It received an overall score of 74, while its road test score came in at 88. Owner satisfaction is highest, while predicted reliability is average. 7. Subaru Seven models were tested from the Subaru brand, earning a road test score of 83 and an overall score of 76. Both owner satisfaction and predicted reliability were above average. 6. Kia With both above average predicted reliability and owner satisfaction (although not the highest rank), Kia comes in sixth place. The Korean automaker had eight models tested, earning an overall score of 76 and a road test score of 78. ALSO SEE: Top 10 Worst Automakers of 2018: Consumer Reports 5. Porsche Porsche has the highest owner satisfaction, but average predicted reliability. Ranking fifth overall, the German automaker had four models tested, contributing to an overall score of 77 and a road test score of 88. 4. Lexus Toyota’s luxury arm continues to perform well in the annual rankings, finishing in fourth place this year. Six models were tested wearing a Lexus badge, helping earn the brand an overall score of 77 and a road test score of 73. Both owner satisfaction and predicted reliability were above average. 3. BMW Like Lexus, BMW had above-average predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. But the German automaker earned an overall score of 79 across eight tested models. Its road test score was 88. 2. Audi Audi finishes second place this year, ahead of rival BMW. But like BMW and Lexus, the German automaker had above-average predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. With eight models tested, Audi earned an overall score of 80 and a road test score of 86. 1. Genesis At the top of the list this year is Genesis, Hyundai‘s new luxury brand. Although it has average predicted reliability, it received highest marks for owner satisfaction. With two models tested, Genesis has an impressive overall score of 81 and a road test score of 89. The post Top 10 Best Automakers of 2018: Consumer Reports appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The second-generation Kia K900 flagship sedan should debut at the 2018 New York Auto Show. The Korean automaker has released a teaser image for its next-gen K900, a model that will likely see some changes as it hopes to push stronger sales compared to its predecessor. The Kia K900 was introduced to the U.S. market for the 2015 model year, but it has been on sale in other parts of the world under the K9 or Quoris nameplate since 2013. But the sedan hasn’t quite made the impact in the segment that Kia would like. Kia’s more recent models have impressed consumers and the media, including the Stinger which was named AutoGuide.com‘s Car of the Year. Don’t be surprised if the K900 sees some significant changes in order to better compete in the luxury segment. SEE ALSO: ‘More Exciting’ Kia Forte is Coming Says Product Manager Not much is known about the new model, but it should be longer and sleeker compared to the current offering. Kia is staying relatively quiet, but did say the K900 will pack new technologies aimed at improving safety and giving the driver more confidence behind the wheel. Expect to see some new advanced driver assistance features and maybe even some semi-autonomous technology. Although some rumors suggest the K900 could debut at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, it’s more likely it will bow in New York given that the U.S. is a bigger market for the K900. Deliveries are expected to start around the second quarter of 2018, so expect details soon. Discuss this story on our Kia K900 Forum The post Kia Teases its Next-Generation K900 Flagship appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“Kia knows it takes some splash to get noticed in the sport sedan segment, and they’ve delivered” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

If you’re shopping for a new vehicle and dependability is at the top of your wish list, start here. The J.D. Power 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study has been released, and along with ranking all the major automakers from most dependable to least dependable, J.D. Power has shared the top performing models per segment. We’ve compiled the data in an easy-to-read list so that you can see which vehicles are the most dependable in their class. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Least Dependable Automakers: 2018 J.D. Power Small Car: Kia Rio Topping the small car category this year is the Kia Rio. The Chevrolet Sonic placed second, while the Nissan Versa finished third. Small Premium Car: Lexus CT The small premium car segment sees the Lexus CT hybrid at the top of the list, while the BMW 2 Series was also recognized for its dependability. Compact Car: Toyota Prius The popular Toyota Prius ranked highest among compact cars, but the Buick Verano finished second, and the all-electric Nissan Leaf came in third. Compact Premium Car: Lexus ES The most dependable model in the compact premium car segment is the Lexus ES, followed by the Infiniti Q40, and the BMW 4 Series. Midsize Car: Chevrolet Malibu The Chevrolet Malibu impressed in this year’s study, finishing top of the list in the midsize car segment. The Malibu bested the Toyota Camry, which came in second, and the Buick Regal that came in third. Midsize Sporty Car: Dodge Challenger In the midsize sporty car category, the Ford Mustang is nowhere to be seen. Instead, the Dodge Challenger is the most dependable in the segment, followed by the Chevrolet Camaro. Midsize Premium Car: Lexus GS Yet another Lexus model on the list, the GS was ranked highest in the midsize premium car segment, followed by the BMW 5 Series. Large Car: Buick LaCrosse American automakers dominated the large car segment, with the Buick LaCrosse ranked highest. The Chevrolet Impala came in second, while the Ford Taurus slid into third. Small SUV: Hyundai Tucson What’s shaping up to be a competitive segment, the small SUV category went to the Hyundai Tucson. Ranked second was the Chevrolet Trax, followed by the Volkswagen Tiguan in third. Small Premium SUV: Audi Q3 Audi beat out its German rivals in the small premium SUV category, with the Q3 taking top honors. The BMW X1 came in second and the Mercedes-Benz GLA ranked third. Compact SUV: Chevrolet Equinox American automakers make up the top three in the compact SUV segment, with the Chevrolet Equinox ranked highest, followed by the GMC Terrain and Ford Escape. Compact Premium SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLK Audi may have beat Mercedes in the small premium SUV category, but the GLK is ranked highest in the compact premium SUV category. Keep in mind this year’s study measured the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles during the past 12 months by original owners of 2015 model year vehicles, which is why the GLK is on the list, even though it’s not sold any more. Second place goes to the Porsche Macan, while the Lexus NX finished third. Midsize Pickup: Toyota Tacoma Only two trucks were recognized in the midsize pickup category, with the Toyota Tacoma beating out the Nissan Frontier for top honors. Midsize SUV: Chevrolet Traverse The Chevrolet Traverse was named best-in-class for the midsize SUV category, followed by a three-way tie between the Buick Enclave, Hyundai Santa Fe, and Toyota Venza. Midsize Premium SUV: Lexus RX The popular and dependable Lexus RX tops the midsize premium SUV category, while the Lincoln MKX finished second and the Lexus GX followed in third. Minivan: Honda Odyssey There aren’t very many minivans left in today’s marketplace, but the Honda Odyssey is the most dependable, followed by the Chrysler Town & Country. Large SUV: Ford Expedition Only two large SUVs were recognized in this year’s study, with the Ford Expedition named most dependable. The Chevrolet Tahoe finished second in the category. Large Light Duty Pickup: Chevrolet Silverado Chevrolet’s Silverado manages to beat out the Ford F-150 in the large light duty pickup category. No third place finish was announced. Large Heavy Duty Pickup: Ford Super Duty The Ford F-Series Super Duty, however, beats out the Chevrolet Silverado HD for most dependable in the large heavy duty pickup category. The post Most Dependable Vehicles of 2018: J.D. Power appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

This year was the first year overall vehicle dependability has improved since 2013. The J.D. Power 2018 Vehicle Dependability Study has been released, with overall vehicle dependability improving nine percent from 2017, from an industry average of 156 problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100) to 142 PP100. The annual study measures the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles during the past 12 months by original owners of 2015 model year vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. SEE ALSO: Top 10 Most Dependable Automakers: 2017 This year, mass-market brands continue to close the gap with luxury brands, with the mass market average scoring 143 PP100, which is just seven points behind the luxury average of 136 PP100. The overall industry average for 2018 is 142. Here are the top 10 best performers in this year’s study, making them the most dependable automakers of 2018. 10. Lincoln With a score of 133 PP100, Lincoln improves from last year’s score of 150 PP100. This helped the American automaker break into the top 10 on 2018’s list, while it finished 12th last year. ALSO SEE: Top 10 Least Dependable Automakers: 2018 J.D. Power 8. Toyota (tie) Toyota continues to be a strong contender when it comes to dependability, but it did slip a few spots this year. Last year, the Japanese automaker finished third with a score of 123 PP100, but this year the brand scored 127 PP100. 8. BMW (tie) BMW slips a spot after finishing seventh place last year with a score of 139 PP100. This year, the German automaker did improve on its score, however, with 127 PP100 just like Toyota. 6. Hyundai (tie) Hyundai stays steady in sixth place, but this year it is tied with another automaker. With a score of 124 PP100, Hyundai improves over last year’s 133 PP100 total. 6. Chevrolet (tie) Last year, Chevrolet finished in eighth place with a score of 142 PP100. This year, the American automaker improves to 124 PP100 helping it climb a couple of ranks. 5. Kia Kia bests Hyundai in this year’s Vehicle Dependability Study, after finishing in 11th place last year with a score of 148 PP100. This year, Kia scored 122 PP100, a noticeable improvement for the brand that continues to surprise many. 4. Infiniti Infiniti flipped the script this year. In 2017, Nissan’s luxury arm was the third least dependable automaker. putting it near the bottom of all automakers. But this year, it’s the fourth most dependable brand after scoring 120 PP100. That’s a shocking change compared to last year’s score of 203 PP100. 3. Buick Buick is the highest automaker among mass market brands, finishing in third overall with a score of 116 PP100. The American automaker improved from its fourth-place finish last year when it scored 126 PP100. 2. Porsche Porsche still can’t manage to best Lexus in the annual study, after tying the Japanese automaker last year when both brands scored 110 PP100. This year, however, Porsche finishes in second with 100 PP100. 1. Lexus Lexus owners are reporting the least amount of issues with their cars, for the seventh consecutive year. Toyota’s luxury brand scored 99 PP100, making it the most dependable automaker of 2018. The post Top 10 Most Dependable Automakers: 2018 J.D. Power appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The SP Concept made its public world debut at AutoExpo 2018, running from February 9th to 14th, 2018, in India alongside a showcase of global Kia models. Inspired by Indian heritage and driven by advanced technology, the SP Concept is proof of our plans to introduce cars that cater to the changing paradigm of the Indian market. With its bold style combined with our unique design DNA, the SP Concept is geared to satisfy the young consumer seeking the perfect mix of sophisticated beauty, breakthrough technology, and high functionality. This futuristic SUV is expected to set new standards for compact SUVs in India with its combination of wide and stable stance, sporty and long hood profile and more futuristic details. [See image gallery at kia-buzz.com] Its robust front mask features a bold formative design with our hallmark tiger nose grille alongside the addition of numerous futuristic details. Details include a lamp design that combines slim graphics and functionality through a top and bottom headlamp joined with the wide front grille, the Daytime Running lamp with high-tech graphics and positioning lamps leading to the inside of the tiger nose grille assisting in providing unique day and night images. Inside the SP Concept, the interior is sleek, combining an advanced sensual style and dynamic sensibility at its core with a differentiated layout that enhances convenience. With eye-catching, high-tech elements and modern, trendy cabin design – this futuristic SUV is sure to attract young trendsetters. Overall, the SP Concept exemplifies what’s to come for motoring enthusiasts once retail sales kick off in India in the second half of 2019, stepping forward to replicate our global success. Stating that the Power to Surprise is reflected in everything that we do, a line-up of global models, including the Picanto, Rio, Stonic, Cerato, Cee’d Soul EV, Cadenza, Stinger, Mohave, Sorento, Sportage, Grand Carnival, Niro Plug In Hybrid, and Optima Hybrid, were showcased at AutoExpo 2018. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The all-electric Kia Niro is currently undergoing cold weather testing in the Arctic Circle. Earlier this year, Kia unveiled the Niro EV Concept at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show, previewing the future all-electric crossover set to arrive later this year. Final details and specifications on the production Kia Niro EV have not been announced, but the Korean automaker did say the concept was capable of returning 238 miles of driving range on a single charge. Expect the production model to be similar in range. SEE ALSO: Kia Niro EV Helps Usher in a New Generation of Technology The Kia Niro EV will serve as one of five fully-electric cars Kia plans on selling by 2025. Joining the Niro EV in the near future will be the next-generation Soul EV. Although this prototype is wearing heavy camouflage, our spy photographers point out the lack of an exhaust and engine sound confirm it’s the all-electric variant. There’s also a different design on the wheels. Look for more details on the Kia Niro EV to surface later this year, as it should head to market as a 2019 model. Discuss this story on our Kia Niro Forum The post Heavily Camouflaged Kia Niro EV Spied Winter Testing appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“With its racy lines, a choice of a punchy turbocharged four-cylinder engine or a powerhouse twin-turbo V-6 coupled to either rear- or all-wheel drive, the Stinger checks several important boxes for a car in this segment.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

“Gaining a more sophisticated design influenced by the Kia Stinger, the 2019 Forte remains one of the most appealing, affordable vehicles on the market.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] It feels like Kia has taken on a whole new personality following the introduction of the Stinger sedan. The all-new Kia Stinger was named AutoGuide.com‘s 2018 Car of the Year, and the Korean automaker followed up the sports sedan with a redesigned Forte at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. Sporting a sleeker look with some Stinger influences, the new Forte is more about economy than performance, with a 147-horsepower engine underneath the hood. So while it has a sportier appearance than its predecessor, the Forte is more about its 35-mpg fuel rating than it is about excitement. But perhaps that’s going to change, as Derrick Ty, product manager for Kia Forte, recently told Motor Trend that a more exciting version is in the works. Naturally Ty didn’t disclose very many details, as automakers hardly comment about future products, but he did confirm Kia isn’t done with the Forte just yet. “We have more exciting products that are coming that I can’t speak of,” he said. SEE ALSO: Kia Compares its New Forte with a… Lamborghini Aventador What he did promise is that the new Forte is just a taste of what’s to come and that “there’s a pretty good thing coming our way.” As for what’s more exciting? Motor Trend speculates Ty could have been alluding to earlier discussions that focused on the Stinger’s liftback design and whether that would find its way to future Kias. There’s a possibility the more exciting model is a hatchback of sorts. Last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Korean automaker unveiled the Proceed Concept, a stunning wagon we couldn’t keep our eyes off of. So needless to say, we wouldn’t argue if Kia decided to put that concept into production, making it a Forte variant in the U.S. And while we’re dreaming, Kia shouldn’t hesitate to borrow the Hyundai Veloster N’s powerplant and give the Forte 275 hp. [Source: Motor Trend] Discuss this story on our Kia Forte Forum The post ‘More Exciting’ Kia Forte is Coming Says Product Manager appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] The 2019 Kia Soul has been spied winter testing and it appears it will finally offer an all-wheel-drive variant. The next-generation Kia Soul rides on a new platform originally designed for front-wheel-drive applications, but also offers an all-wheel-drive option that the Korean automaker will likely take advantage of given consumer demand. The prototype caught on camera by spy photographers is wearing a lot of heavy camouflage, but we can tell the Soul will retain its overall boxy shape. What’s more interesting is the possibility it will have stacked headlights, giving the front end a new personality. SEE ALSO: 2017 Kia Soul Review One possibility is the next-generation Kia Soul will be offered in two flavors, with the all-wheel-drive model taking inspiration from the rugged Trail’ster Concept, while the front-wheel-drive version remains more pedestrian with a sporty appeal. Also, expect the Soul EV to receive some major enhancements for its next-gen iteration, offering more range as Kia turns its attention to strengthening its offerings of electrified vehicles. It’s unclear when the new Kia Soul will be introduced, but possibilities include the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show or the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. Either way, it should arrive dealerships by next year. Discuss this story on our Kia Soul Forum The post 2019 Kia Soul Spied Testing Possible All-Wheel Drive appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“We are delighted to announce we will be extending the wonderful relationship with our major sponsor, Kia Motors, for a further five years. The Australian Open and Kia Motors partnership is one of the great success stories in Australian sport. Our incredible 17-year journey continues to evolve and is indicative of the extraordinary growth experienced by both our organizations during this time.” – Craig Tiley, CEO & Tournament Direct of the Australian Open On our 17th year of partnership with the Australian Open, we extended the partnership for another five years at the signing ceremony held at Melbourne Park, promising another half-decade of the power to surprise. Tennis legend Rod Laver, whose name is shared with the main Australian Open arena, also took part in the signing ceremony. Over the last 17 years, Kia’s courtesy vehicles have accumulated close to six million kilometers during journeys made carrying tennis players, match officials and other VIPs in comfort and safety around the host city of Melbourne. Each year has been incredible – the Australian Open fully aligning to the youthful spirit of our brand. We are thrilled to be on board for the next five years as a part of the world’s most exciting Grand Slam tennis tournament. With the additional five years signed on during the the latest ceremony officially makes us the longest-running major sponsor of the tennis tournament, having started the relationship in 2002. To celebrate our long term commitment to the game of tennis, we will be offering various new on and off-line activities for tennis enthusiasts around the world to enjoy throughout the upcoming years. Stay tuned as we continue to exercise our power to surprise through dynamic and exciting events sure to go above and beyond anyone’s expectations. Lees volledige artikel

“Using CES 2018 as a platform, Kia is demonstrating a range of new technologies as part of its new ‘ACE’ strategy to make its cars more Autonomous, Connected and Eco/Electric.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

The Kia Stinger and racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi will start in the automaker’s Super Bowl LII commercial. The Korean company today released a 15-second teaser spot for the commercial, which will air in the third quarter of the Super Bowl and mark Kia’s ninth consecutive year advertising during the broadcast. SEE ALSO: Kia Stinger to Influence Entire Kia Lineup in the Future The ad will feature Fittipaldi, a two-time Formula 1 world champion and two-time Indy 500 winner, along with another mystery guest. A press release from the automaker reads: “One is two-time Formula One and Indianapolis 500 champion, Emerson Fittipaldi. The other is…” We’ll find out who the mystery celebrity in the spot is when it airs on Sunday, January 28th, 2018. Discuss this story on our Kia forum. The post Kia Stinger, Emerson Fittipaldi Star in Automaker’s Super Bowl LII Spot appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“We enjoyed the use of the Niro’s Smart Cruise Control when we extended our following distance to the maximum setting. That had us hardly applying the brakes at all for a less stressful and more enjoyable ride.” Click to Read More Lees volledige artikel

There’s a good reason why the Kia Stinger has been named AutoGuide.com‘s Car of the Year. Recently, at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, the Korean automaker rolled out its new Kia Forte and proceeded to compare the compact sedan to a Lamborghini Aventador. The hilariously cheeky video even had the Forte pitted against the Italian exotic on the track – but both cars were sitting still. Now, Kia has released a more serious comparison video, pitting the Stinger GT against the Porsche Panamera and the BMW 640i Gran Coupe M Sport. The company called on AMCI Testing to conduct a series of performance tests that reviewed acceleration, cornering, the slalom, and a closed-course lap. SEE ALSO: Kia Compares its New Forte with a… Lamborghini Aventador Naturally since Kia is promoting the video and sharing it on social media, it’s obvious which vehicle is best in the comparison. But you might be surprised to hear some of the results, especially considering how much more expensive the competition is. We would be more surprised to hear consumers cross-shopping the Stinger GT with the Panamera or 6 Series Gran Coupe, but it does show just how good the Stinger GT really is. Discuss this story on our Kia Stinger Forum The post Kia Compares the Stinger GT to a Porsche Panamera V6 and BMW 640i appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

“The first sign of the Australian Open is the sight of Kia cars all over Melbourne, ferrying the world’s best tennis players between the city and Melbourne Park.” – Craig Tiley, Chief Executive Officer at Tennis Australia It’s that time of the year again! This year marks the 17th year of Kia’s partnership with the Australian Open, and the 14th year of our association with Rafael Nadal. Over the past 17 years, Kia’s courtesy fleet has traveled close to six million kilometers carrying tennis players and match officials in comfort and safety. The Kia fleet continues the tradition once again this year, driven by more than 300 Australian Open drivers expecting to record up to more than 300,000 kilometers during the tournament. The fleet of vehicles are supplied for the Australian Open after the completion of an epic 1,700 kilometer road trip. Former Wimbledon and US Open champion Lleyton Hewitt traveled from Brisbane to Melbourne in the Stinger to get together with our global brand ambassador Rafael Nadal, winner of 16 Grand Slam titles and currently the world’s top-ranked tennis player. Together, they handed over the official key for 120 strong fleet of vehicles over to Australian Open organizers at the official vehicle handover ceremony. The ceremony was held at Kia Drive located near Melbourne Park where Australian Open organizers accepted the Stinger, 60 Sorento SUVs, and 60 Carnival SUVs. The vehicles will play their part in transporting players, match officials, and VIPs until the very end of the tournament. The Australian Open kicked off on January 15th and will finish with the men’s singles final scheduled for January 28th at Rod Laver Arena. Various exciting programs, both on and offline, will be available for tennis fans’ enjoyment throughout the tournament in celebration of our long-term involvement with tennis and one of its most successful players. Meanwhile, make sure you stay tuned on our website and continue cheering for Nadal! Lees volledige artikel

Crossovers outsold traditional cars in North America last year. It’s no secret that people love crossovers, so why is Kia showing off a new generation of its Forte compact sedan rather than debuting some sort of jacked-up off-roader? “While the rest of the industry is seeing more crossover sales, we’re actually seeing sedans still having an impact,” Orth Hedrick, VP of Product Planning at Kia America, told AutoGuide.com at the Detroit Auto Show. “Forte sales last year actually increased.” In 2017, the Forte nameplate enjoyed its best year of sales with more than 117,000 units finding a new home in the U.S. Kia still sells a ton of crossovers, but there’s a number of reasons why sedans still matter. “While car buyers may prefer a crossover with a more commanding view of the road, we found that many crossovers have a price premium over sedans,” Hedrick said. “As a result, buyers were being forced to graduate into an overall smaller vehicle.” That doesn’t suit everybody, so sedans with more passenger and cargo room than a subcompact crossover clearly still have a place in the market today. With 15.1 cubic feet of storage and more passenger space than before, the new Forte is poised to show off that sedans still matter. In Canada, it’s a similar story. “The Forte is still selling well,” says Ted Lancaster, VP and COO of Kia Canada. “Small cars in Canada are actually quite popular,” he added. It helps that Kia Canada has equipped cars like the Rio with such value-packed features like heated seats and steering wheels. ALSO SEE: 2018 Kia Stinger Review | Kia Stinger GT Review “We do a lot of studying with car buyers to find out what people like about their cars,” said Lancaster. “We don’t discuss brands, we just want to know what features people like, and we take that feedback and put them right into our cars.” Equipment on the Forte hasn’t been finalized, but Lancaster thinks that those heated seats and steering wheel will likely make it to the entry-level car, following in the brand’s reputation of delivering a value-packed sedan at a low price. Taking a look at what other automakers have done in the past few years, it’s clear that crossovers are a priority over sedans. Nissan introduced two new crossovers last year (the Kicks and Rogue Sport) but didn’t refresh or come out with any sedans, Ford brought three updated or new crossovers and SUVs (the EcoSport, Edge, and Expedition) but is also rumored to be delaying its next Fusion redesign and might even shelve it entirely, and Chrysler has stopped selling the Dart and 200C sedans in North America. Kia is among a few remaining mass-market automakers still making and updating sedans and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Discuss this article on our Kia Forte Forum The post Why Kia Isn’t Ditching Sedans in the Age of Crossovers appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

[See image gallery at www.autoguide.com] Kia has confirmed plans of building a full-size SUV based on the Telluride Concept. The Kia Telluride Concept originally made its debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, and now two years later, the Korean automaker confirmed to Australian media it’s in development. “For sure, we are working on that car,” Hyundai-Kia chief design officer Peter Schreyer told Motoring. The company, however, couldn’t confirm if it will be designed for global markets when pressed if a right-hand-drive model was being considered. Kia used to have a full-sized SUV called the Borrego, which was a flop because it came out right as gas prices skyrocketed but seeing as three-row crossovers such as the Volkswagen Atlas and Subaru Ascent are making a return, it makes sense that Kia would consider another entry into the market. Adding to the discussion, Kia Australia chief operating officer Damien Meredith said his team would look at bringing the model to Australia. He also believes that a strong lineup of crossovers and SUVs at both the bottom-end and top-end is better for the brand. SEE ALSO: Kia Telluride Concept Looks Ready to Ride The Telluride Concept was powered by a hybrid powertrain featuring a 3.5-liter V6 combined with an electric motor for a total system output of 400 horsepower. It’s unclear whether Kia will use a hybrid powertrain for the production model. [Source: Motoring] Discuss this story on our Kia Forum The post Kia is Working on a Full-Size SUV appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel

The 2019 Kia Forte debuted at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show with a slick new look that was inspired by the Kia Stinger. There’s a good reason for that. “The two cars were in the design studio at the same times,” said Orth Hedricks, vice president of product planning at Kia Motors America. “So while the designers were outlining the look of the Forte, they look at the Stinger, which is probably why there are similarities.” The long hood, short rear deck design of the Forte was inspired by sports cars and was achieved by moving the cowl point backward. The rear end of the Forte is also sloped back to make it look like the Kia Stinger’s sportback. ALSO SEE: 2019 Kia Forte Debuts Looking Like a Small Stinger The result is a much more stylish compact car, but there are a few more design cues that are borrowed from the well-received Stinger. The headlights and taillights feature a similar array to the sports sedan as well. The interior has been spruced up with a layout that features circular vents (again, just like the Stinger) but with surprisingly high-grade materials. Hedricks explained that the Stinger raised the bar for the Kia brand as a whole. “We’ve always had good design and a priority on quality, but the Stinger combines all our traits into a really strong package,” he said, adding that the performance and luxury of the sport sedan are also really impressive. Those following the Korean automaker will remember the K900 and Cadenza, two big four-door sedans that were sold as being luxurious, high-end options in the Kia lineup, but they didn’t capture the public’s attention like the Stinger did. In fact, they were huge flops. These cars promised high-end luxury but they lacked a few important factors to be successful. For starters, they were really expensive and didn’t have a lot of value. They also didn’t provide a convincingly upscale driving experience, although the K900 had an impressive V8 and rear-wheel drive. Lastly, they just didn’t have the show-stopping style that the Stinger has — they were conservatively styled and didn’t offer anything terribly unique. Hedrick also agreed that they certainly didn’t inspire any following Kias. “Unlike those other sedans, the Stinger represents an inflection point,” he said. “Everything changes for us from here on.” ALSO SEE: Kia Stinger Road Trip: Celebrating Our 2018 Car of the Year with a Grand Tour Adventure The post Kia Stinger to Influence Entire Kia Lineup in the Future appeared first on AutoGuide.com News. Lees volledige artikel