NBA’s Blake Griffin stars in new multi-platform campaign for 2015 Kia Optima

NBA all-star Blake Griffin continues to showcase his comedic talents in an all-new advertisement campaign for the 2015 Kia Optima — available at Jim Butler Kia, the St. Louis Kia Superstore.

Griffin enters his fourth campaign for Kia as a global brand ambassador. His deadpan delivery and comedic skills take center stage — other than maybe the 2015 Optima — in a series of three 60 and 30-second commercials, the first to air on Christmas Day during NBA coverage. In the latest batch of ads, Griffin headlines as the lead actor in big-budget action movies spanning ancient Rome, the Old West and an aircraft carrier.

Griffin improvises the script of each movie and ditches the scripted method of transportation for a brand new Kia Optima. The commercials will air on TV, the Internet and through various social media elements. The first 60-second spot entitled “The Showdown” can be viewed on YouTube. The other commercials will air on television during the NBA season.

After Griffin won the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition in 2011 by jumping over a Kia Optima, Griffin helped to grow the brand by starring in a variety of commercials from a time-traveling Optima to a member of a crime-fighting duo with funnyman Jack McBrayer last season.

The Optima is Kia’s No. 1 selling model in the United States, and it’s available at the St. Louis Kia Superstore, Jim Butler Kia of Chesterfield Valley. The 2015 Optima is powered by a 2.4-liter, gasoline direct injection (GDI) 4-cylinder engine or an available 2.0-L turbo GDI engine as well as a 2.4-L hybrid powertrain. Unique 18-inch chrome wheels, premium Nappa leather-trimmed seats and LED fog lights don the SXL trim.

Look for the Blake Griffin Kia Optima ads this Christmas or online now and learn more about the 2015 Kia Optima by calling the Jim Butler Kia sales team at 888-392-6606, or if you’re in the Chesterfield Valley area, stop on by at 722 Long Road Crossing.

Redesigned 2016 Kia Sorento CUV rolls into Jim Butler Kia

In time for holiday season, new CUV offers roomy interior, brawnier exterior

Combining with increased towing capacity, more room for passengers and their gear and a newly available turbocharged engine, the 2016 Kia Sorento CUV hits the U.S. market and the St. Louis Kia superstore — Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley — in January 2015. With a newly inspired exterior, class-up interior, progressive technology and a brand new driving experience, the 2016 Sorento will raise the bar for refinement and capability.

The redesign of the Kia Sorento begins with the inspired interior. The designers at Kia Motors America (KMA) wanted to keep the sophistication of a city car with the ruggedness of the outdoors. The exterior is more sturdy and beefy with a more plated stance, wonderful for rugged adventures in the great outdoors. The 2016 Sorento’s more muscular body sits atop four new alloy wheel designs ranging from 17 to 19 inches. 

The roomier interior will amaze Sorento owners as both the five-seat and seven-seat styles offer premium comfort to those along for the ride with a 0.5-inch increase in both rows along with more headroom. Kia designers added more cargo volume from 72.5 cubic feet to 74 cubic feet overall, and the cargo volume behind the third row jumps from 9.1 cubic feet to 11 cubic feet. All this in addition to an easy-folding lever which allows different seating arrangements will provide the space needed for any equipment on the family’s next camping trip or the next surf trip to the beach.

For the sometimes unpredictable weather that St. Louis can throw at us, the 2016 Kia Sorento from Jim Butler Kia offers heated and ventilated front seats as well as heated rear seats for comfort in all seasons. Along with the heated seat features, the improved Sorento has 14-way power driver and eight-way power passenger seats, a four-way headrest with one-button adjustment, dual-zone HVAC and Kia’s second-generation panoramic sunroof, as well as available premium Nappa leather trim seating surfaces.

To tie the interior together, a premium sound system is available and aptly suits the Sorento’s style. Blast your favorite tunes from the 630-watt, 12-speaker Infinity stereo system combined with the Clari-Fi music restoration technology. The Sorento holds the proud honor of the first vehicle in North America to offer this technology from Harman. Harman’s Clari–Fi scans all types of compressed audio files for lost music details and corrects waveform deficiencies based on existing music information and audio source quality. It then recaptures the missing highs and lows, restores the vocals to their natural tone, returns to a true stereo sound and removes unwanted distortions and artifacts. This sound system will have audiophile’s rejoicing.

The 2016 Sorento offers a variety of UVO eservices and an available navigation system as well as an integrated rear backup camera. A 4.3-inch TFT color touch screen is standard and also incorporates Bluetooth, and UVO voice recognition capability.

Under the hood, Kia offers three different engines for its 2016 Sorento — a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder, the smooth 3.3-liter V6 and the improved 2.4-liter inline-4. Five trim levels — L, LX, EX, SX and SXL will be available when the first shipment of the 2016 Sorentos hits Chesterfield Valley and the St. Louis area at Jim Butler Kia.

On top of the rugged exterior, roomy, upscale interior and the three engines, the 2016 Kia Sorento has a bevy of safety features along with the advanced AWD system and the 4WD Lock Mode if the outdoor conditions call for it. With these fantastic features, the 2016 Kia Sorento makes an excellent car for the traveler and adventurer in you this holiday season. Contact a sales representative at Jim Butler Kia at 888-392-6606, or if you’re in the Chesterfield Valley or Creve Coeur Area, stop by our dealer at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. The new 2016 Kia Sorento — combining both the rugged and the reliable — at Jim Butler Kia, the St. Louis Kia Superstore!

Double dip: 2 Kia models win Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Awards

Both 2015 K900 and Soul available at St. Louis’ Jim Butler Kia

Consumer Guide Automotive (CGA) awarded the 2015 Kia K900 and Soul with its prestigious Best Buy Award, and Jim Butler Kia is the only dealership in St. Louis with both these award winners.

Jim Butler Kia is St. Louis’ exclusive K900 dealer, and this premium large car was lauded by CGA judges for its luxurious features and amenities, 420 HP V-8 engine and its costing less than $20,000 to $30,000 less than its competitors. The 2015 K900’s range-topping V8 and VIP Package adds additional luxury amenities including reclining outboard rear seats. The K900 V8 Luxury and V8 VIP are on sale now at Jim Butler Kia. 

On the flip side, the 2015 Kia Soul took home the CGA’s Best Buy Award in the subcompact car category. The urban passenger vehicle received the top honors by impressing judges with plenty of space for passengers and cargo and its upscale features all packaged in an affordable vehicle. 

“To be recognized by Consumers Guide Automotive with two Best Buy Awards for 2015 is an indication that our products continue to exceed expectations with a winning blend of world-class design, outstanding quality, state-of-the-art technology and premium amenities, all at a tremendous value to the customer,” Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing, Kia Motors America, said.

CGA determines each year the best cars, trucks and SUVs from 20 different categories based on the initial price and value of each vehicle. These awards can be a great gauge for everyday car shoppers. 

After 20 years in the United States market, Kia models continue to build on their awards and success, and those amazing Kias are available at the St. Louis-area Jim Butler Kia, serving the Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, St. Charles and other nearby cities. Call (888) 392-6606 today to speak to sales representatives to learn more about these great models, available at Jim Butler Kia, the STL Kia Superstore!

New 2016 Kia Sorento

With 2015 slowly approaching, Kia Motors America (KMA) got a head start on 2016 with the North American debut of its 2016 Sorento. The CUV was seen by the American public at the Los Angeles Auto Show. 

The previous generation of Sorentos was noted for its exceptional design, but Kia’s designers wanted to improve in every way they could. The exterior is more sturdy and beefy with a more plated stance, wonderful for rugged adventures in the great outdoors. A longer hood and stronger shoulders give an aerodynamic look that many will recognize as a Sorento. Along with a lengthened and widened wheelbase, the positioning of the LED lights sets apart the 2016 Sorento from its CUV competition. 

The new upscale, roomy interior will wow Sorento owners as both the five-seat and seven-seat styles will offer premium comfort to those along for the ride with a 0.5-inch increase in both rows along with more headroom. Kia designers also put in more cargo volume from 72.5 cubic feet to 74 cubic feet overall, and the cargo volume behind the third row jumps from 9.1 cubic feet to 11 cubic feet. All this in addition to an easy-folding lever that can allow different seating arrangements will

provide the space needed for any equipment on the family’s next camping trip or the next

surf trip to the beach. 

Heated and ventilated front seats as well as heated rear seats are also available for new Sorento owners. Along with the heated seat features, the 2016 Sorento has 14-way power driver and eight-way power passenger seats, a

4-way headrest with one-button adjustment, dual-zone HVAC and Kia’s second-generation panoramic sunroof, as well as available premium Nappa leather trim seating surfaces.

To tie the interior together, a premium sound system is available and aptly suits the Sorento’s interior. Blast your favorite tunes from the 630-watt, 12-speaker Infinity stereo system combined with the Clari-Fi music restoration technology.

The Sorento holds the proud honor of the first vehicle in North America to offer this technology

from Harman. Harman’s Clari–Fi scans all types of compressed audio files for lost music details

and corrects waveform deficiencies based on existing music information and audio source quality.

It then recaptures the missing highs and lows, restores the vocals to their natural tone, returns to a true stereo sound and removes unwanted distortions and artifacts. This sound system will

have audiophile’s rejoicing.

The 2016 Sorento offers a variety of UVO eservices and an available navigation system as well as an integrated rear backup camera. A 4.3-inch TFT color touch screen is standard and also incorporates Bluetooth, and UVO voice recognition capability.

Under the hood, Kia offers three different engines for its 2016 Sorento — a new 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder, the smooth 3.3-liter V6 and the improved 2.4-liter inline-4. Five trim levels — L, LX, EX, SX and SXL will be available when U.S. sales begin in the first quarter of 2015. 

On top of the rugged exterior, roomy, upscale interior and the three engines, the 2016 Kia Sorento has a bevy of safety features along with the advanced AWD system and the 4WD Lock Mode if the outdoor conditions call for it. With these fantastic features, the 2016 Kia Sorento makes an excellent car for the traveler and adventurer in you. Contact a sales representative at Jim Butler Kia for more information and when you can expect to see the 2016 Sorento on our lots.

Introducing All-New Diesel Vehicles to the U.S. and KIA

Looks like the market is changing and more manufacturer's are starting to introduce diesel vehicles to the U.S including KIA! 

We've all heard of hybrids, and maybe some of you drive a 2013-15 KIA Optima Hybrid. They are very efficient vehicles, and they are only going to get better as KIA introduces new technology. Next up is the hybrid-diesel combo that KIA Europe debuted at the Paris Auto Show. It takes the efficiency that diesel engines are known for and couples it with the hybrid motors we use today for an even more efficient choice for your next KIA Optima. Hopefully this vehicle will make it to the U.S..

When the future KIA Optima T-Hybrid makes it across the pond so to speak, the place to buy it will be at Jim Butler KIA. Since the technology is still in the development stage there are no estimated fuel economy numbers but generally the combination of the stop-start technology, hybrid and turbo diesel can make up to a 20% difference in fuel economy (plus a nice power boost with the electric supercharger).

Stay tuned at the Jim Butler KIA blog for more information and news on the mass production of the KIA Optima T-Hybrid!

2015 KIA Sedona-The Luxury of a K900 for the whole family!

Yes the comparison might seem a little ridiculous to most but after you take a drive in both, let's talk. 

The 2015 KIA K900 entered the market in mid-2014 as the flagship for KIA's launch into the luxury sedan market. It is an impeccable automobile; 420 hp V8, rear-wheel drive, technology that is unmatched and Maybach style rear seats. The K900 is fit for a king, hence the reason why King James (Lebron James) took on the job of being KIA's spokesperson for the new vehicle. 

Now enter the 2015 KIA Sedona SX-L. As some of our Jim Butler KIA customers might know already, the SX-L is the KIA badge for the top trim level of nearly every new KIA model in the model lineup. The 2015 KIA Sedona not only lives up to that expectation but also throws in a some luxury appointments form the 2015 KIA K900. Let's look at the list.....

The 2015 KIA Sedona has just about all the luxury and technology that the K900 introduced to the market; Surround View Monitoring, Lane Drift and Front Collision Warning System, Heated/Venitilated Seats, Dual Pano-Sunroofs, Bluetooth handsfree calling, UVO info/entertainment system, Rear backup camera, power liftgate, LED accent lights and Chrome grille/door handles/fog light accents. It is a beautiful minivan. 

The 2015 K900 is matched with a 6-speed smooth shifting transmission and a 276 hp V-6. Will it make your minivan a sports sedan? No, but it gives you plenty of power for doing what minivans do best and that's traveling! Take this van on the highway for up to 25 mpg/hwy, let the kids watch their favorite movie in the back. Even make sure they are as comfortable in back as you would be in the back of a K900, YES, reclining seats with footrest are integrated into the second row. Tr-Zoned Climate Control keeps everyone happy and at the right temperature. The second row even has optional heated/ventilated seats. 

Describing everything about the 2015 KIA Sedona SX-L is exhausting, and reading it will be a task. Contact us today to be added to our list of 1st calls when we get the first SX-L on the lot and we'll show you around. The experience of the 2015 KIA Sedona SX-L will be well-worth the visit to Jim Butler KIA. 

Kia Reveals its Secret Weapon: K900 with 650 HP

At the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Kia revealed their monster-powered K900 with an output approaching 650 horsepower. Fitted with a Garrett 2871R twin-turbo boosting the K900’s 5.0-liter V8 engine it deserves the title of “High-Performance.”

To accompany the new boost in performance, KIA developed a custom body kit with carbon-fiber inserts, blacked-out chrome trim and 21-inch gloss black wheels to give it a sleek and powerful look. The K900 also has a lowered Eibach suspension and eight-piston brakes with 15-inch cross-drilled rotors.

The interior is donned with tan leather and black suede accents. Monitors are mounted in the seatbacks, and the trunk is specifically designed to store a racing suit and helmet.

Sound too good to be true? That’s because the “High Performance” K900 is only a SEMA show car, and KIA holds no future plans for production of this concept, but it is still a sight to behold and shows us that KIA has a lot more in store. Visit Jim Butler Kia for the latest updates on all New Kia Models and the K900!

2016 Kia Sorento Says 'Bonjour!' to Paris

The 2016 Kia Sorento made its European premiere in Paris recently, with its style, practicality and technology making everyone say "Ooh, la, la!"

The third-generation SUV has a sophisticated new design that offers a premium look and feel in addition to more space and plenty of innovative features. Luxury permeates the entire vehicle, with the interior of the new Sorento featuring soft-touch materials and leather. Drivers and passengers enjoy ample headroom and legroom, plus there are advanced tech features such as multiple cameras for easier maneuvering and a tailgate that opens automatically when the vehicle senses that the key is nearby. The 2016 Kia Sorento also has a new, strengthened bodyshell that helps quiet noise and vibration, creating a serene ride. 

Three engines are available on the new Sorento, including a gasoline direct-injection unit and two turbo-diesel engines. Body control motion is improved with larger shock absorbers mounted vertically behind the axle line, and an all-new electric motor-driven power steering system mounted directly onto the steering rack provides greater steering feel and quicker response than ever before.

Can you picture yourself driving the 2016 Kia Sorento down the Champs-Elysees in Paris? Where else in Europe would you want to take the SUV out for a spin? Drop by Jim Butler Kia and let us know!

Quiet 2015 Kia K900 Packs Power

Loud doesn’t always mean powerful. In fact, it’s often the quiet
ones you have to watch out for.

The 2015 Kia K900 V-8 proves just that. Car enthusiasts have been saying that the K900 floats along like clouds in the sky, cushioning passengers from bumps and providing only
faint hum from its engine, which fades
pleasantly into the background.

Drivers also remark on the K900’s dash, with easy-to-usehard buttons for navigation and audio, and an infotainment system that’s simple to figure out.

Are you ready to test drive the quietly powerful Kia K900? Visit us at Jim Butler Kia, and we’ll

put you in your own cloud car.

New Ads Showcase 2015 Kia Sedona Features

The 2015 Kia Sedona is on its way, and Jim Butler Kia is excited about what we’re seeing from the vehicle in a new group of television

and online spots.

A new set of spots showcases the Sedona’s sophistication and sportiness, with race car drivers whipping around the track in elegance

in one ad and a gentleman taking advantage of Kia’s hands-free technology in another.

The redesigned Sedona is a smart car -- in more ways than one!
With the Sedona’s hands-free smart key power liftgate, you’ll be
able to load up for your next camping trip or vacation without
dropping a bag,thanks to a sensor that lifts the
hatch when you’re nearby with your key.

And the 2015 Sedona’s design is getting a sophisticated, European inspired boost, thanks to the vehicle’s innovative first-class lounge seating, rigid chassis, unique center console and long list of advanced technologies.

The Diary of a Kia Soul Enthusiast

We were cleaning the Jim Butler Kia office recently and came across someone’s diary. We tried not to read it, honest! But we caved and found the sweetest love note to the Kia Soul. We’re letting you sneak a peek, but don’t tell anybody, OK?

Dear Diary,

I think I’ve fallen in love! No, not with Chris -- that’s old news. No, the one that’s captured my heart is the Kia Soul! That modern design, those fun colors, and all that space for my friends -- it’s a dreamboat.

But here’s the thing, Diary -- word on the street is that the Soul’s got a new family member, and this one’s going to be even better! Oh, I can hardly wait to get my hands on the new Soul! The grapevine tells me that this one will get a turbocharged 1.6 liter I-4 from its cousin, the Kia Forte. The new Soul will have so much punch, especially with that engine that makes 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque in the Forte.

Some people even are saying that this new Soul might have all-wheel drive. That’s still just a rumor, though. But wouldn’t it be rad?

I want a new Soul so much! I love the current Kia Soul, but there’s just something about a fresh body, you know?

‘Til next time!

Whew! Ok, friends, don’t tell everyone that you read that here! But we have to admit that we’re excited about the upcoming Kia Soul, too. What do you think it will be like? Drop by Jim Butler Kia and let us know!