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Kia Stonic Goes On Sale In Korea This July

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The new Kia Stonic was launched in Europe last week, allowing us to learn a whole lot more about this cool new small crossover vehicle.

It’s still a couple of months away from arriving in showrooms in Europe, but that is not the case in Korea, where it will be available for sale on July 13.

The Korean media is buzzing about the new release, which has allowed us to put together even more information about the new Stonic, so let’s take a closer look at what Korean consumers can expect.

Kia Stonic Korean release date

The official Korean unveiling took place earlier this week at the Namyang research & development center in Hwasung.

It was during this event that the July 13 sale date was announced, with Kia also saying that they have already started to receive pre-orders.

Exterior colors (in Korea)

Kia Stonic For Sale In Korea

There will initially be 6 exterior color options for the Korean-spec Stonic, although more may be added at a later date.

Interior colors

Stonic colors

There is expected to be a black and white color combination used on the dashboard, seats and door panels, but you can also expect to see some color accents that will add a touch of flair.

The Korean-specs Kia Stonic brochure reveals that three different color accents will be available:

  • orange
  • gloss black
  • matte brown

AWD option?

Many thought that since the Hyundai Kona has an AWD option, the Stonic would, too, but these vehicles ride on different platforms, so no AWD for the Stonic!

Kia Stonic price in Korea

The good news is that the front-wheel-drive only platform that the Stonic rides on is cheaper than that of the Kona, which helps cushion the blow of no AWD being available.

The Korean-market pricing for the Kia Stonic is as competitive as it gets, as it will seriously undercut much of its competition.

The starting price in Korea will be around 19 million won (US$16,709), which is about 2 million won less than rivals such as the Hyundai Kona, SsangYong Motor’s Tivoli, and Renault Samsung’s QM3.

Stonic EV coming or not?

There have been a lot of rumors suggesting that an all-electric version of the Kia Stonic would be made available at a later date, but those reports are being denied by the Koreans.

Mr. Seo Bo-Wan, domestic marketing director for Kia, went as far as to say that there are no plans for a Stonic EV now or anytime in the future.

His comments come on the heels of reports suggesting that the Stonic EV would be coming as soon as next year, and that it would have a range of around 390 kilometers.

If it’s not going to be offered as an EV, then we can almost certainly rule out hybrid or PHEV variants, too.

Seo Bo-Wan stated that the reason for not going this route was so that consumers would be better able to differentiate between the Stonic and the Niro, which will be getting an EV variant sometime next year.

Kia Stonic Teased In Official Image Renderings (GALLERY)

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The all-new Kia Stonic image renderings released ahead of its official unveiling!

It’s always exciting when car rumors that have been swirling around for a while are finally confirmed.

That is what has happened today, with the automaker announcing that their new B-segment vehicle will indeed bear the Stonic name.

It’s a funky name, but it is derived from combining “Speedy” and “Tonic,” a nod to the first and last notes in the musical scale.

The new Kia Stonic model will have some stiff competition from the likes of the Renault Captur, Nissan Juke, and its sister model, the Hyundai Kona, but it looks as though it is up for the challenge.

Kia Stonic Design Kia Stonic 2018

Image renderings of Kia Stonic

Rather than just giving us the name of the new model, the South Korean carmaker delivered a trio of design sketches that give us an idea of how the upcoming Rio-based SUV will look inside and out.

Unlike the (Hyundai) Kona, the Stonic will have a more conventional subcompact crossover design, which includes split headlights and some other juicy little details.

One thing to keep in mind when looking at the sketches is that designers tend to overemphasize the alloy wheels in these pictures.

Those big wheels, as well as the retractable door handles seen in the sketch, will not be on the production model. We can expect the real deal to have a larger greenhouse, as well as larger side mirrors.

These touches may take away some of the cool factor seen in the sketches, but make no mistake, this is still going to be a great looking vehicle.

Kia has said that many of the design elements will be taken from the Sportage and Sorento, and that the sloped roofline of the Stonic SUV will feature what they call a “uniquely designed” roof rack.

2018 Kia Stonic interiorAs far as the inside goes, it appears as though the Stonic will be using many of the design elements found in the new Kia Rio supermini.

The layout is about as close to identical as it gets, although the air vents have a different shape, and the infotainment system seems to be a little larger, with the side control buttons removed in the Stonic set-up.

Stonic AWD

We also don’t know whether the Stonic will be FWD only, or of it might have an AWD option, but latest Kia rumors suggest that the Stonic AWD will be available!

Stonic EV

Will Kia Stonic be available as an all electric car? Rumors suggest that Kia will launch the Stonic EV in 2018.

Kia Stonic release date

The 2018 Kia Stonic will be officially released in South Korea this July, while European premiere will most likely be held at theFrankfurt Motor Show in September.

Latest Kia Soul Commercial Features Wild Baby Hamster & Hot Blonde Girl

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The 2017 Kia Soul commercial features a new baby hamster and a hot blonde girl!

You don’t need to be a fan of Kia to get a kick out of the hamsters who helped launch the Soul.

They’ve been missing for a while, but the dancing Kia hamsters are back for their eighth commercial ad, and they are bringing along a new addition to the family.

This latest Soul turbo TV spot starts off a little wild, as the new hamster leaves the maternity ward to take a spin in the new turbocharged Soul crossover.

Kia Soul Girl CommercialThe new hamster evades hospital staff and security before making it to the roof for an even more daring escape.

Before the escape is complete, though, the hamster makes a huge mess in the hospital, knocking over IV’s, running through a CT scanner, and getting blasted with flour in the hospital kitchen.

Once the little & wild turbo hamster gets up on the roof, it uses a sheet as a makeshift parachute, which it uses to make a dramatic landing though the sunroof of the Kia Soul Turbo.

You don’t actually get to see the new Soul Turbo model until the very end of the ad, but it’s not that big an issue when you consider that it essentially looks the same as the standard Soul.

2017 Kia Soul hamster ad

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The new Soul model is powered by a 1.6L turbo engine that cranks out 201-horsepower and 195-lb.-ft. of torque.

It is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, with the power sent to the front wheels.

This is the most powerful of the available engines, but there is also a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter that delivers 130-hp, as well as a 2.0-liter version that delivers 161-hp.

This boxy Kia delivers some serious performance, too, going from 0-62 mph in just 7.5 seconds, with a top speed of 124 mph.

The 2017 Kia Soul Turbo has been out for a while now, and it comes with a starting price of just $22,800.

Girl in latest Kia Soul commercial?

We have noticed some hot-looking girls in the latest ad.

Do you know perhaps who is the blonde girl in the 2017 Kia Soul commercial?

Song in the Kia hamster ad?

The song played in the 2017 Soul commercial is called Ace of spades performed by Motorhead.

2018 Kia Stonic Small Crossover Officially Unveiled

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It feels as though we have been waiting the new Stonic crossover forever, but now we have some official images to go with all the chatter as Kia officially unveiled their new vehicle earlier this week.

The 2018 Kia Stonic has some real European styling, and it may well be the most customizable vehicle that the Koreans have ever delivered.

The design is certainly one that catches the eye, but there are still some elements that make in unmistakably a part of the Kia family, with the tiger nose grille being the biggest giveaway.

The all-new Kia Stonic was designed at the automaker’s European design studio in Germany, and it features a combination of sharp horizontal lines and sculpted surfaces that are much softer looking.

2018 Kia StonicCustomers who lean towards the B-SUV segment want a vehicle they can customize, and the Stonic allows them to do that.

They can choose from a variety of tw-tone color finishes, the inspiration for which came from the Provo concept design.

All told, there will be 20 different color combinations to choose from, while the roof will come in 5 different color choices.

Kia Stonic engine specs

The engines being used in the new Kia Stonic are downsized turbo variants mated to a manual transmission, which Kia hopes will improve efficiency and drivability.

The engine choices begin with a 1.0-liter T-GDi that delivers 120-hp, as well as a 1.25- and a 1.4-liter naturally aspirated gas engines.

A 1.6-liter diesel engine is also available, and comes in two different power outputs, whilst also offering the lowest emissions of all the choices.

Features

Ergonomics and technology are at the heart of the European designed cabin, with customization the highlight of the exterior of the Stonic, thanks in large part to all the potential color combinations we discussed earlier.

The Stonic is set to be the smartest in its class, as it will feature infotainment technologies that will help with comfort, safety, and convenience.

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come standard, and smartphone functionality will also be a part of the touchscreen infotainment experience.

Comfort and convenience are at the forefront here, with automatic cruise control, heated front seats, and keyless entry all included.

Kia Stonic cargo room

The exterior dimensions of the Stonic may fall on the side of compact, but it packs in plenty of passenger and cargo space.

Shoulder room is best in class, while head and legroom are also excellent.

Cargo space comes in at 352-liters, but can be extended or shrunk using the two-step boot floor.

New Kia Stonic 2018   Kia Stonic SUV Photo

Does the Kia Stonic come with AWD?

The Stonic’s sister model, the Hyundai Kona, comes with the option for AWD, but the Kia model does not.

It rides on a different platform that is not adjusted for all-wheel-drive.

Kia Stonic release date

The Stonic will arrive in Europe sometime in Q3 this year, but Kia have not yet made an announcement about a US release date.

There is a possibility that it will not be made available in the US, as it would be placed in the same segment as the ever-popular Kia Soul.

Kia Stinger V6 Demand Remarkably High In Australia

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We are excited to report some good news from down under, where Kia Australia have made it known that they underestimated the demand for the new Stinger sports sedan!

Chances are it may be tough to get your hands on one for the first few months.

Kia communications manager Kevin Hepworth told Caradvice that roughly 100 orders have already been taken for the Stinger, which makes it Kia’s most popular model yet.

He went on to say that the company is very excited about the amount of interest being generated by the new sports sedan, and he also commented that it makes sense, since this is a vehicle that was designed to offer up some thrills and excitement.

Stinger V6 gains the most interest in Australia

New Kia Stinger on sale in AustraliaPerhaps the most surprising part of all of this is that all but one of the 100 pre-orders are for the higher-spec Stinger 3,3L twin-turbo V6, which delivers 272kw of power and 510Nm of torque, and the ability to go from 0-100 km/h in less than 5 seconds.

The Stinger powered by 2,0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine will go on sale in Australia later in 2017, as dealers are only going with the V6 model for the first few months.

Hepworth was the first to admit that Kia was not sure how the release of the Stinger in Australia would play out, particularly since it was a totally new vehicle as opposed to a replacement model.

Those doubts were quickly quelled almost as soon as the unveiling of the Stinger took place.

The biggest concern right now is that there are going to be some lean months as Kia works to meet the demand for the vehicle in Australia.

The good news is that this wait is going to make the arrival of the new model all the more exciting.

This should also be viewed as a sign that consumers are no longer looking at Kia as just a value brand.

The all-new Kia Stinger is set to go on sale in Australia in the early part of September, with the specs and pricing set to be revealed closer to that date.

It is expected that that the Stinger pricing (Australia) will fall in the 40’s for the base model, while the V6 will start in the mid-50’s. (Source: Caradvice)

2018 Kia Soul License Plates – 4 Quality Products Worth Buying

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The 2018 Kia Soul is a great looking vehicle without any additional touches, but it’s one that also begs to be customized.

The owners of the funky hamster ride love nothing more than to make their ride their own, and there are ways to do it without breaking the bank.

One of the best, and easiest, ways to change the look of your vehicle is with Soul license plate frames.

It may seem like a relatively small addition, but it’s a good starting point for future modifications and upgrades that you may want to make.

We are now going to help you choose the best license plate for Kia Soul.

Best Kia Soul licence plate frames

So, how do we know which Kia car license plates are good and which should be avoided?

We went to Amazon and sifted through all the license plates that are on offer and narrowed them down to 4.

We looked at the materials used to create the plates, the reviews left by customers, and a few other factors, and we believe we now have discovered the best license plates for your Kia Soul car.

Let’s take a closer look at all the top Kia Soul license plate frame options:

1# OEM licesne plate with red Soul logo

License Plate For Kia Soul (OEM)!.

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Made from solid brass and plated with chrome, this is a genuine OEM Kia license plate frame. This is one that will almost certainly stand out because of that shiny chrome plating.

It’s also easy to install, and can simple be screwed over top of the existing plate.

While this product states that it is made for 2010-2013 model years only, we found in the comments section from previous buyers that it will also fit models all the way up to the 2018 Soul model year.

The use of the Soul logo at the bottom is a very nice touch.

2# Same as above but with black Soul logo

OEM Kia license plate.

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This one is almost identical to the product #1 above, with the main difference being that the Soul signature logo is in black instead of red color.

It comes down to personal preference, but you may want to choose the color that best fits the exterior hue of your boxy ride.

Let’s check a couple of other not OEM Kia products…

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3# Chrome license plate frame

.Chrome license plate

While this one is not an official Kia product, it’s still one that we can definitely recommend.

Customers who own this license plate frame are quick to point out that it is made from quality materials, plus it’s a little cheaper than the previous two on this list.

4# License plate frame from zinc

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Product-4We prefer OEM Kia plates, but understand that some of you may be looking for something a little more affordable.

They don’t come much cheaper than this license plate made from black zinc.

It may be on the cheaper end of the scale, but it looks higher priced, and appears to be of quality construction.

Conclusion

You are, of course, allowed to purchase any 2018 Kia Soul license plate that you want, but we believe that you cannot go wrong if you opt for any of the 4 on this list.

Kia Forte Koup Tuning & Accessories (Photos)

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For the latest in our Kia owner interview series, we thought it would be a good idea to talk to someone with experience driving the Forte Koup.

Those of you who follow our blog will already know that this sporty model is going to be discontinued, and we want everyone to be aware of what they will be missing.

We turned to Julio, a native of Puerto Rico who now makes a living as a pipe welder in North Carolina.

As well as the Forte Koup, which Julio modified to look even better than the basic model, he also owns a Sportage, which he got after trading in his Kia Soul.

It’s fair to say that this man is a big fan of what Kia has to offer.

Kia Forte Koup In Silver ColorJulio picked up his Forte Koup in 2015, and has loved the two years that he has now owned it.

He enjoys the sporty styling of the vehicle, as well as the features which include leather seats, which can be heated and cooled, and the Bluetooth radio.

It was the 1.6-liter turbo engine in this model that first got Julio interested in the Forte Koup, but he was still pleasantly surprised at the power it generated.

He gets regular positive comments on just how great the vehicle looks.

Julio did some things to customize his ride, including lowering he vehicle and adding black chrome to the wheels.

He has also added a Forte Koup cold air intake, dual oil catch cans and carbon fiber Kia “K” emblem.

Read on to learn more about Julio’s ownership experience.

Kia Forte Koup specs

  • engine: 1,6L turbo engine
  • color: silver
  • Model year: 2015
  • average mpg:28 mpg on highway
  • miles driven so far: 63,000

1.Tell us something about your Kia car ownership experience so far?

Lowered Kia Forte KoupSo Far my experience with the Kia Forte Koup is awesome, the car has the sport look , it’s pretty fast and I really think the car had a lot of features for the price, leather, heat and cold on seats, Bluetooth Radio!! Got everything I want..

2.How long have you owned your ride?

I had my car since 2015

3. Honestly, what was your intention when you bought your Kia car?

When I first bought the car I just wanted to see how a turbo car feels!

4. What do you like the most about the car?

The power that little motor can produce.

5. What do other people say about your car?

Most of the people told me(nice ride), what kind of wheels are those? But pretty much everybody likes the car

6. What is it that makes your ride look unique?

I think the wheels and the way I lowered the car!! Most of the people use black, bronze, white and many other colors on wheels, And just went with Black Chrome! For me is a prefect combination with the color and the accessories in the car.

Kia Chrome Alloy Wheels   Forte Koup K Logo in black color

7. What Kia accessories have you installed so far / do you have any future plans?

Original Kia accessories I have is the K emblem on carbon fiber, other than that, I got cold air intake, dual oil catch cans, intercooler resonator delete.

And waiting on some more new parts.

How Much Can A 2019 Kia Soul Tow?

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When you think about the Kia Soul, you don’t automatically think of a vehicle with a huge towing capacity.

You might be surprised, though, especially if you are looking to haul smaller items such as motorbikes, small pieces of furniture, or jet skis.

We get asked a lot about Kia Soul towing numbers, so we thought it might be a good idea to write a whole article about it.

To be honest, we didn’t really know how much a Kia Soul can tow, but we were happy to do a little bit of research to get the information for you guys.

Surprisingly, the US Kia website doesn’t list the towing capacity of the Soul, so we had to travel down under to the Australian version of the Kia website to get numbers.

Towing with Kia Soul is possibleWhile we were performing our research, we also found several posts from Soul owners using their vehicle to pull small trailers.

We also came across a cool YouTube video that showed a Kia Soul owner towing a small boat.

We have added that video at the end of this piece if you want to check it out.

We know that it’s official figures you are after, though, so listed below is the towing capacity of the Kia Soul as listed on the Kia Australia website.

Kia Soul towing capacity numbers

Kia Soul Towing Capacity

If the trailer does not come equipped with a brake, you can tow 550 kg (1,200 lbs.). That number rises to 1,100 kg (2,400 lbs.) when a brake is included.

The odd thing here is that the US Soul owner’s manual says that the vehicle should not be used for towing.

NOTE: We are going to go looking for 2019 Kia Soul towing specs for US models, and will update this piece when we find it.

The Kia Soul YouTube boat hauling video

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You can take our word for the towing capacity of the Kia Soul, or you can choose to see it in action for yourself.

The above video shows the owner of a Kia Soul easily pulling a small boat down at the lake. Makes you want to buy a boat and get on the water, doesn’t it?

Conclusion

If you are looking to tow big heavy loads, the Kia Soul is not the vehicle you should be using for the job.

Keep in mind that the US owner’s manual for the Kia says that you shouldn’t be towing, while the Aussie version of the site lists numbers.

The pictures and video displayed online show that the Soul is able to handle smaller loads, but at the end of the day it’s up to you whether you want to risk it or not.

Safety, both for you and other drivers, should always be top priority.

Kia US April 2017 Sales Figures: Forte Up, Soul Down

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Kia Motors America have released the details of their sales figures for the month of April, so let’s take a closer look.

As a whole, the first quarter has been a bit of a disappointment, with the 181,000 units sold down from the 202,000 units sold during the same period last year.

While the numbers for April 2017 are down from last year, the 5% decline is better than what is being delivered overall, which may be a sign that a sales spike is on the horizon.

Kia best sellers in U.S.

Leading the way in sales in the month of April was the Kia Optima midsize sedan, which moved 10,731 units.

Kia Niro sales in U.S.The second-best results were achieved by the Forte, with sales hitting 10,496 units, the best ever for this model.

Those numbers were achieved despite the fact that the Forte coupe was removed from the range, leaving the Forte sedan and Forte5 to carry the load.

The Sorento SUV slipped into third spot with sales of 9,317 units, followed closely by the ever-popular Soul, which sold 9,182 units.

While the Soul is still selling well, it is in a bit of a decline since its mid-cycle makeover.

The funky crossover routinely held the #1 sales spot for Kia, but has dipped in recent months.

There could be a good reason for this, though, which is that some of its sales may be being picked up by the new Niro hybrid model.

Speaking of the Niro, it continued its positive start by moving 2,939 units in the month of April, taking it over 7,000 units sold since the start of the year. That puts it on pace to crack 25,000 units sold in 2017.

April Kia sales by model

Kia April Sales USA

Sales highlights

  • Rio: The Rio subcompact car posted sharp decrease in sales last month, selling only 1463 units.
  • Forte: Best-ever monthly performance of the Forte car family.
  • Optima: Optima midsize sedan is back on top. Kia also sold 86 units of the Optima PHEV!
  • Cadenza: Cadenza sales remain at the same levels as last year.
  • K900: Nothing new here! The K900 sales in free fall.
  • Niro: Niro sales remain strong. Let’s hope the model continues to rise in popularity.
  • Sportage: Not a bad result for the Sportage, but sales were off compared to last year.
  • Sorento: More than 9,000 units sold, which is not bad, but we think there’s still room to grow.
  • Sedona: This was a good month for the Sedona minivan.
  • Soul: It seems like the refreshed Soul can’t climb back to the same levels as a year before. Meanwhile, 167 Soul EVs were sold in U.S. last month.
  • Overal Kia US sales: 53,358 vs. 56,508 in 2016

2017 Kia Cadenza Crash Test Ratings & Results

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US’ IIHS just published the crash test safety ratings of the 2017 Kia Cadenza luxury sedan.

When buying a car, safety is one of the most important things to keep in mind, which may explain why Kia vehicles are now in such high demand.

The Kia line-up consistently excels in crash tests in both Europe and North America, landing top safety ratings across the board.

The latest model to achieve top safety ratings from the IIHS in the US is the Cadenza, so let’s look at the 2017 Kia Cadenza crash tests to see how it performed.

Kia Cadenza scores top safety rating

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has completed the testing of the Cadenza, and have named it as one of the safest vehicles out there.

The 2017 Cadenza received an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, which is an award that is only given to vehicles that perform well in all the major tests.

These safety tests include forward crash mitigation, standard tests, and headlight examinations.

This round of tests signaled the first time that the Kia premium sedan had undergone the small overlap front protection test, which mimics the situation where the driver-side corner of the vehicle comes into contact with an object or another vehicle.

In that test, the driver space of the vehicle remained well maintained, with intrusion at the brake pedal coming in at 4 inches.

The safety belts and airbags did the job, ensuring that the movement of the dummy was minimal, which would translate to minimal injures to a drive in such a collision.

The front crash prevention system also performed well, preventing collisions in tracks tests at 12 mph and 25 mph.

Safety features of Kia Cadenza 2017

The all-new Cadenza is literally brimming with safety features.

It all begins with a solid foundation, which comes in the form of the body, which is made of more than 50% of advanced high strength steel. That’s roughly double the amount used in the previous model.

The side body panels use tensile strength steel to offer better dent resistance.

The Cadenza engineers also employed hot-stamped components, a structural adhesive, and a 35% increase in structural stiffness to help improve driving dynamics.

The chassis was made lighter by using aluminum in certain areas of the vehicle, while increasing the size of the brushings on the subframes in front and back helped with lateral stiffness and improved NVH numbers.

Cadenza knee airbag

There are a lot of airbags featured in the 2017 Cadenza, with the final number coming in at 9, which includes the driver’s side knee airbag.

Safety systems

Kia Cadenza Crash Test Results 2017There are several driver assistance features to be found in the Cadenza, such as Froward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, and Advanced Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go functionality.

This will also be the first time that Kia have used the Blind Spot Detection system in one of their vehicles.

The system helps prevent the vehicle from drifting towards an adjacent vehicle by braking on the opposite side to keep the car on course.

Latest Kia Cadenza safety ratings prove that this car is more than just a pretty face.

If you are looking for a luxurious ride that is among the safest on the market, look no further than the fully redesigned Cadenza premium sedan.

Kia Optima Rental – Where & Why To Rent?

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Why & where to rent a Kia Optima?

Midsize sedans are always a popular choice for people looking to rent a vehicle, as they tend to be comfortable, safe, and designed in a way that makes them perfect for both business and pleasure.

Given the popularity of the segment, you are going to find that your local car rental company has a variety of different brands and models available.

One of those is the Kia Optima, which is always a great choice of you are looking to rent a car for a few days.

Rent Kia OptimaThe Kia Optima car rental is a good idea because it is a vehicle that is great on gas, and which also comes with a host of safety features that make it one of the safest rides on the road.

When you rent a car, you want one that is’t going to hit you hard in the wallet when it comes time to fill up, and you certainly get that with the Kia Optima rental car.

There are 4 different trim levels to choose from, so you can get to choose just what amenities you need during your rental.

Given the popularity of the Kia Optima, you really shouldn’t have any problems finding it at a car rental company near you.

The Optima delivers all the elegance that you would expect from a midsize sedan, but it also has a sporty look and feel that you are sure to love.

If you are looking for a great midsize sedan on your next car rental, the Optima is an excellent choice.

Kia Optima rental companies

Do you know of any car rental companies in your local area that rent Kia Optima?

New Kia Picanto UK: Colors, Price, Dimensions …

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The new generation Picanto city car, now in its third generation, has just been released by Kia Motors UK.

This car may be small, but it sure packs a punch.

The 2018 Picanto is stylish, refined, sporty, and technologically advanced, making it a real bargain at a starting price of just £9,450.

There is also plenty of choice, as there are 9 versions to choose from, with 2 engines, 2 transmissions, and 5 distinct trim levels.

Pictures of Kia Picanto 2018

2018 Kia Picanto UK   UK Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto UK trim levels

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • GT-Line
  • GT-Line S

Picanto GT-Line and GT-Line S trims serve as the top of the range and deliver a real dose of sportiness, not to mention some unique features inside and out.

Let’s take a closer look at the new Kia Picanto UK-specs pricing, dimensions and color options.

Kia Picanto 5-door only

The city car segment has never truly embraced the 3-door model, with only 10% of all sales going that road. With that in mind, the new generation Picanto will be available as a 5-door model only.

2018 Picanto dimensions & cargo space

The whole idea of buying a city car is to get a vehicle that is not too large, which may explain why the automaker have maintained the exact same dimensions as the outgoing model.

The new Kia Picanto length comes in at 3,595mm, with the width set at 1,595mm.

While the dimensions stay exactly the same as before, Kia have created more passenger and cargo space on the inside. They did this by adding 5mm to the height, which is now 1,485mm, and by extending the wheelbase to 2,400mm.

The sportier style of the new model comes in part from the decision to shave some length off the front overhang and add a little extra around back.

That added length in the rear creates 255 liters, up from 200, of luggage space. That figure grows to 1,010 liters with the rear seats folded down.

New Kia Picanto color options

UK Kia Picanto ColorsThere are 6 exterior colors available on the UK-spec Picanto.

The standard Picanto color is Blue Breeze.

For an additional £250, you have the option of Silver Frost.

You can also pay an extra £495 to get the premium exterior color options of Chilli Red, Midnight Black, Titanium Silver, Silver Frost, or Pop Orange.

Pricing & Cost of Picanto

TrimEngine / BHP / transmissionVED yr1 / yr2BIK %OTR price
11,0L / 66 / 5-sp. manual140 / 14019 %9,450
21,0L / 66 / 5-sp. manual140 / 14019 %10,750
21,25L / 83 / 5-sp. manual140 / 14020 %11,250
21,25L / 83 / 4-sp. auto160 / 14023 %11,900
GT-Line1,0L / 66 / 5-sp. manual140 / 14019 %11,950
GT-Line1,25L / 83 / 5-sp. manual140 / 14020 %12,450
31,25L / 83 / 5-sp. manual140 / 14020 %12,650
31,25L / 83 / 4-sp. auto160 / 14023 %13,300
GT-Line1,25L / 83 / 5-sp. manual140 / 14020 %13,950

With the release of the third-generation Picanto, we now know what the pricing will be set at.

The base Picanto 1 model comes equipped with a 1.0L 3-cylinder engine, and it starts at £9,450. The same engine will be used in the 2 trim level, with the starting price for that model coming in at £10,750.

There is also an option here for the 1.25L engine. When placed under the hood of the “1”, the starting price moves up to £11,250, while the same engine used in the “2” takes that model to £11,900. This engine is the only one that will be used in the “3,” which has a starting price of £12,650.

The GT-Line model will have a starting price of £11,950, while the GT-Line S will start at just £13,950. These models will have a new engine option in a couple of months when Kia will offer up the 1.0L turbo option.

Conclusion

The fully redesigned 2018 Kia Picanto is a sportier, improved version of the outgoing model, and it is sure to be a hit with the UK car buying public.

Top 5 Fastest Kia Cars in 2019; 0-60 Times Revealed

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If you have a need for speed, you have probably wondered what the fastest Kia car is in the US.

Over the past few years, it was the Kia K900 flagship sedan that held the top spot, which was no real surprise given that it is powered by a V8 engine that cranks out 420 horses.

The K900 luxury sedan goes from 0-60 in a mere 5.5 seconds, showing just how hard those horses work.

The Kia K900 may be about to lose the crown as Kia’s fastest car, though, as the upcoming Stinger sports sedan looks set to topple the king.

This is a vehicle that has been generating a lot of buzz lately, and for a good reason.

Kia 0-60Kia has delivered some of the details on the Stinger model, and we are suitably impressed.

It’s a beautiful looking vehicle, but also one that is going to burn up the road, going from 0-60 mph in just 4.9 seconds.

Those numbers are reserved for the range-topping Stinger GT trim level, which comes equipped with a twin turbo V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with that powerplant delivering 365 horsepower.

We have a handy little table to help you identify the top five fastest cars that Kia has to offer, but let’s also take a closer look at some of them.

0-60 mph standings

RankModel0-60EngineHorsepower
1Stinger4,93,3L V6 twin turbo365
2K9005,55,0L V8420
3Cadenza6,23,3L V6290
4Soul6,51,6L turbo201
5Forte56,91,6L turbo204

Rank: #1

Stinger 0-60 time: 4,9 seconds

This will be the first time that Kia have dipped into the sports sedan segment, and it looks as though they are on to a winner. The engine that powers this beauty is a 3.3L V6 twin turbo that delivers 365 horses. It is mated to an 8-speed sport tuned automatic transmission.

Rank: #2

K900 0-60: 5,5 seconds

While the Stinger will be all about sports styling, the K900 has always been about luxury. Being luxurious doesn’t mean that you need to be boring, though, and the K900 is one of the fastest in the Kia line-up, thanks in large part to its 420-hp V8 engine.

Rank: #3

Cadenza 0-60: 6,2 seconds

Another premium model from Kia, and another that delivers a real jolt of power. While there is no turbo model, the 3.3L V6 engine is still able to crank out 290 horses. All that power takes the Cadenza from 0-60 in just 6.2 seconds.

Rank: #4

Soul turbo 0-60: 6,5 seconds

The Soul may be funky and cute, but it is also surprisingly fast. The new mid-cycle refresh added a 1,6-liter turbo engine and a 7-speed DCT into the mix, cranking out 201-hp, and allowing the Soul to go from 0-60 in just 6.5 seconds.

Rank: #5

Forte5 SX 0-60: 6,9 seconds

The Forte comes in 3 distinctly different body styles, but it is the top of the range Forte5 SX that is the speedster. Under the hood is a 201-hp 1.6-liter turbo that takes this model from 0-60 in just under 7 seconds.

Toyota FT-4X Crossover Going After Kia Soul?

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When the Kia Soul was first brought to the marketplace in 2009, it was just one of several boxy cars on the market.

No-one really expected anything special from this vehicle, but with a savvy marketing campaign and an urban style all its own, the Soul went on to put the likes of the Scion XB and the Nissan Cube out of business.

The Kia boxy car continues to dominate the market to this day, but its success has other automakers looking at ways to imitate what Kia did, and perhaps even turn the table on the Soul.

That is exactly what Toyota are looking to do with the FT-4X concept.

The Toyota FT-4X concept has been officially unveiled at the New York Auto Show, and at first glance it appears to be a rather juiced-up version of the Honda Element or Kia Soul.

2020 Toyota FT-4X AWD

Toyota-FT-4X-AWDIt’s certainly a funky look, and one that could be the forerunner of a production model designed to go up against the Soul crossover.

The name itself is derived from the much longer “Future Toyota Four-Wheel Drive Crossover,” with Toyota looking at this model as an unconventional crossover.

By that, we mean that they see the FT-4X as a functional vehicle that will be equally at home on city streets as it would be in off-road environments.

It must be said that the look of the vehicle, especially up front, is similar to that of the FJ40 Land Cruiser and FJ Cruiser, both former off-road models delivered by Toyota.

While the overall profile is a boxy one, the addition of a vertical window over the rear fender, as well as rear doors that open vertically or outwardly, give it a bit of a different look.

There are a lot of cool features inside the FT-4X, many of which are in place to cater to the outdoors types.

The sound system can be removed and used as a portable unit, while the HVAC vents in the center can be turned downwards to cool items below them.

A sleeping bag is neatly tucked away in the center arm rest, and the front door handles can also be used as water bottles.

It is worth noting that this is a concept model, and that many of the features mentioned here would simply not be viable in a FT 4X production model.

Official FT-4X release date in U.S.

The FT-4X release date hasn’t been announced, but it could hit the US-market in late 2019 or early 2020.

Toyota FT-4X price

There was no word on the Toyota FT-4X pricing, but we expect it to have a similar pricing range as the current Kia Soul.

Serious threat to Kia Soul or not?

The big question that needs to be asked now is whether this Toyota model could be considered a serious threat to the Soul crossover vehicle.

It’s really impossible to say without knowing what the finished vehicle would look like and how it would perform, but what we do know is that the Soul will be in its 3rd generation before this model sees the light of day.

That would mean more upgrades and potentially even new models (AWD all-terrain, improved EV, etc.) for the Soul, meaning that the FT-4X would still have some catching up to do.

What is the cost of 2018 Kia Forte in US?

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When people go looking for a new car, the idea is generally to strike a balance between good looks and affordability.

This is often easier said than done, as you are often forced to give up one element in favor of the other.

One vehicle that strikes a perfect balance is the 2018 Forte, and it also helps that it delivers up different design options for drivers of all tastes.

Let’s take a closer look at what the new Kia Forte is all about.

Available models of 2018 Kia Forte in U.S.

We mentioned options when talking about design, and this Kia model has 3 very good ones to choose from: a 4-door sedan, a 5-door hatchback, and a 2-door coupe.

2017 Kia Forte CostThis is a strategy that appears to have worked very well for the Kia brand, because sales of the Forte family are very much on the rise especially since the line underwent a bit of a refresh last year.

The 4-door sedan and the 5-door hatchback had their overall design tweaked during the refresh, whilst also receiving several powertrain upgrades.

The 2-door Forte Koup remained unchanged at that time, and the information about the vehicle on the official US Kia website is all about the 2016 model year.

This could mean that the Kia Forte Koup has already been slated to be removed from the line-up, which is why we are going to focus on the other two models for the remainder of this blog post.

The good news here is that the changes made to the sedan and hatchback have not led to Kia upping the price in any major way.

This is especially pleasing when you understand that part of the changes made included the addition of several key safety and convenience features.

Let check the latest Forte MSRP details and how much each model costs.

2018 Kia Forte MSRP (U.S.)

  • Forte 5-door hatchback
ModelEngine & GearboxMSRP
LX2.0L 4 cyl. / 6-sp. automatic$18,300
EX2.0L 4 cyl. / 6-sp. automatic$22,200
SX1.6L turbo / 6-sp. manual$26,100
SX1.6L turbo / 7-sp. DCT$23,900
  • Forte 4-door sedan
ModelEngine & GearboxMSRP
LX2.0L 4-cyl. / 6-sp. manual$16,800
LX2.0L 4 cyl. / 6-sp. automatic$17,900
S2.0L 4 cyl. / 6-sp. automatic$19,400
EX2.0L 4 cyl. / 6-sp. automatic$21,700

Conclusion

Last year was a big one for the Forte car family, as they were able to achieve their best year ever in terms of sales success.

With the changes made to the 2018 models of the 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback, we can only assume that those sales numbers are going to continue to grow.

While it is the new exterior styling of the Forte that is sure to catch the eye, let’s not forget that a new base engine and a 7-speed DCT has been added into the mix, which means better performance and fuel efficiency.

New convenience and safety features have also been added, making the Forte the vehicle to beat in its segment.

As you can see from the pricing table that we have included above, this is a vehicle that can easily slide into most new car budgets.

The cost of Kia Forte is all the more impressive when you consider the features that it comes with, which is something that the competition can’t touch.

Don’t just take our word for it, do a little side by side comparison to get an idea of the value you get when buying this Kia compact car.

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