Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Kia Named To "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012" List By Total Car Score
Total Car Score ( www.totalcarscore.com ), one of the most comprehensive automotive ranking and comparison websites, has named Kia Motors America (KMA) as one of its "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012." One of only two non-luxury brands listed, the fastest-growing automotive brand in the U.S. also posted the biggest improvement over 2011 with a gain of 3.76 points. The list, based on the average Total Car Score for every model within the manufacturer's product line up, comes on the heels of the 2012 Soul urban passenger vehicle and 2012 Sorento midsize CUV being honored with "Top Scoring Car Awards" and the 2012 Forte compact sedan landing on the "Top Cars for College Grads" list from the website.
"With record sales that have contributed to Kia becoming the fastest growing car company in the U.S. over the last five years and a full line of critically acclaimed vehicles, consumer awareness of the Kia brand has dramatically increased, and this recent accolade from Total Car Score is further evidence of the breadth of our transformation," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "Kia continues to be committed to offering consumers a comprehensive array of vehicles with a hard-to-beat formula of cutting-edge technologies, high fuel efficiency, immense value and world-class design."The "Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012" list by Total Car Score is based on numerical ratings for 2012 model year vehicles currently on the market. The list provides a data-driven assessment of which automakers are producing the most desirable, highest quality cars, crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks."As one of only two non-premium brands on the list, Kia has validated its ongoing efforts to produce some of the best cars on the market," said Karl Brauer, chief executive officer and editor-in-chief of Total Car Score.Kia's Unprecedented GrowthKia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality[2] and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking[3]. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia - KMMG - is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. - the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.
SOURCE Kia Motors America
Monday, June 11, 2012
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Parallel Park Kia’s All-New cee’d? No Problem
Let’s admit it –parallel parking isn’t exactly the best part of driving, and it can be both tricky and stressful, especially in some tight European city spaces. That’s why Kia came up with the ‘parallel park assist system’ for our All-New cee’d, so you can just sit back, relax and let 10 parking sensors do the rest.
Don’t believe us? Check out the video from Kia UK below to see the cee’d’s parallel park assist system in action:Courtesy of Kia Buzz
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Kia Optima Hybrid - Lean on Gas Mean on Feel and Performance
The KiaOptima Hybrid is lean on gas and mean on feel and performance. We recently had the great pleasure of test-driving one for a week and while we did not blast Motley Crue through the cars incredible sound system, there was the uncontrollable desire to drive fast that is often induced by Vince Neil and the boys. After a week of up and down streets and cross-town trips and even going the long way just to see what would happen, the needle on the gas gauge barely moved. But we moved, we moved a lot.
This car is so sporty. When our friends came over to visit they thought we were hosting wealthy relatives. So it is a car that can easily be claimed as a status symbol, especially if you are trying to curry favor with mother earth. If you are still of the mind set that eco friendly cars are short on performance you can forget it. This car has both power and fuel efficiency, 40 highway miles per gallon and 35 while driving in the city. The only thing that is a little difficult to get used to is that the engine doesn’t run all the time so we occasionally wondered whether the car was still on. What we didn’t realize is that the Kia Optima Hybrid is smart, like Stephen Hawking smart. This car knows when to turn the engine on if more power is needed, and when to let it rest to conserve more fuel.We have never driven a car this technologically advanced. There is a computer screen in the center console that can do everything from place a hands free phone call, to helping us back up with it’s available rear camera display, to informing you when your tire pressure is low. Our favorite feature had to be the retractable panoramic sunroof. We think it was Baybah’s also. He would hook his feet together lace his fingers behind his head and stare with wonder up into the atmosphere. It was kind of like driving in a convertible but without the safety concerns and bad hair days. The five star rollover crash rate is the highest possible and that made us feel secure. The entire experience of driving this car was in a word, awesome, and we relished every second of this opportunity. Test drive one for yourself at your local Kia dealer today.Courtesy of Crazy About My Baybah
Monday, June 4, 2012
Friday, June 1, 2012
Vehicle Profile: The 2012 Kia Sedona EX
Room, comfort and versatility: They’re what make a minivan work for so many families. In recent years, however, the price of entry for a new minivan has been astronomical. The 2012 Kia Sedona EX, the top line model, moves into luxury territory with all the amenities family buyers want while providing the outstanding value that Kia delivers throughout its product line.
The 2012 Kia Sedona brings the brand’s renowned value and quality to the whole family. For the family looking for some luxury in a van, the 2012 Sedona EX continues the value streak with an MSRP of $29,190.
Adding a few luxuries to some vans can drive their prices into luxury car territory. That’s not the case with the 2012 Kia Sedona EX. This value-packed model starts out with the comfort and convenience of a standard rear-view mirror camera display, six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, four-way power front passenger's seat, power rear quarter windows, six-speaker audio system, auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink®, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a trip computer with integral compass and heated power outside mirrors.
The seven-passenger configuration in the Kia Sedona EX includes middle-row captains’ chairs for maximum comfort. Order the available Rear-Seat Entertainment System, and those captains’ chairs will become the most coveted seats in the vehicle. A generous 34 inches of legroom helps make the third row comfortable for adult passengers, too.
The middle-row captains’ chairs are easily removed, and the third-row bench folds flat into the floor to open up a massive 141.5 cubic feet of carrying space. Compare that to the 108.4 cubic feet of space in the Nissan Quest. You can fold the 60/40 sections of the third-row seat into the floor individually, too.
When you load up a family van with people and their belongings, you add weight, of course. So, out on the road, you’ll want plenty of reserve power, especially on hills. The 2012 Kia Sedona obliges with a 271-hp 3.5-liter V6 matched to a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. The Sportmatic® feature allows manual shifting when desired, such as for driving on hills.
Out on the road, you’ll find the 2012 Kia Sedona offers another major advantage over the Toyota Sienna. In the Sedona, a sophisticated, multi-link independent rear suspension, similar to what you’d find on a sport/luxury sedan, ensures agility and smooth ride quality. The Toyota Sienna, meanwhile, uses a simpler beam-type solid axle. In the Sedona, each rear wheel can respond to bumps independently, providing a noticeable difference in ride smoothness.
In the Kia Sedona EX, your passengers will enjoy comfort no matter what the weather holds with front and rear air conditioning, power side windows and the previously mentioned power rear quarter windows. Getting in and out from either side is easy with dual power sliding doors. When loading all your stuff in the 2012 Sedona EX, you’ll appreciate the standard power tailgate.
The 2012 Kia Sedona EX offers plenty of audio choices, starting with a standard AM/FM/CD/MP3/Satellite audio system that includes both 3.5mm auxiliary and USB/MP3 input jacks. SiriusXM® Satellite Radio comes with three months of complimentary service. Helping you keep order in your life, Bluetooth® wireless technology bolsters the convenience of your smartphone.
Add the Premium Entertainment Package and equip the Sedona EX with an Infinity® 10-speaker audio system and a rear DVD entertainment system with wireless headsets and remote control. Or, choose the Navigation Package with an eight-speaker audio system along with a navigation system.
It’s not all about the kids, is it? Add the Sedona EX Luxury Package and treat yourself to the comfort of leather seat trim, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, tri-zone automatic climate control and a power tilt/slide sunroof. You also get a memory system that remembers personal settings for the driver’s seat, outside mirrors and the adjustable pedals.
That’s a lot of family van value with real luxury for the driver, too. It all comes backed by the brand’s five-year or 60,000-mile Limited Basic Warranty with a Roadside Assistance plan for that period, plus a 10-year or 100,000-mile Limited Powertrain Warranty and five-year or 100,000-mile Anti-Perforation Warranty.
Come in and see why the 2012 Kia Sedona EX is the ideal family van for your family.
