Spy Shots of New KIA Crossover Could be a Hybrid

As CUV market grows, KIA looks to add to toolbelt with possible EV-mode hybrid CUV

KGP Photography and Left Lane News

Recent spy shots (credit to KGP Photography and LeftLane News) show what could be a new CUV for KIA. Those who have examined the photographs say that it could also have a hybrid variant. The subcompact CUV would fit right in with KIA’s current line-up with the likes of the Sorento and Sportage.

In terms of competition, the supposed new KIA crossover will rival current market options such as the Nissan Juke and new Honda HR-V. According to reports from AutoNews, the new KIA hybrid could be capable of running in an electric-only mode. Video of the hybrid testing calls it the “Niro,” but no official name has been announced yet.

Some exterior details that can be seen in the spy shots include high yet styled headlights and wheels at the corner of the vehicle. The instrument cluster is clearly readable from the few interior spy shots, and this is where the EV mode information comes from as well.

This is good news for those in St. Louis who are both hybrid and KIA fans. An EV-capable CUV would definitely open up new opportunities for the KIA brand and Jim Butler KIA. As this hybrid is just in the testing phase, no official announcement has been made regarding the upcoming KIA hybrid CUV, but be sure to stay tuned to Jim Butler KIA’s blog and social media for the latest in KIA news!

To learn more about our selection of KIA vehicles or to schedule a test drive, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online. As your St. Louis KIA dealer, we invite you to check out our KIAs in-person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler KIA, you can make your new vehicle purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, MO, and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights KIA dealer.

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Sedona Ranks Highest in Minivan Segment for J.D. Power APEAL Award

Industry recognition latest for KIA minivans amid its record-setting sales year

The 2015 KIA Sedona is living up to its billing as a minivan that does and offers more.

J.D. Power awarded the Sedona minivan with its Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) award for the minivan segment. Sedona bested rivals such as Honda, Nissan and Chrysler to take home the hardware.

The J.D. Power APEAL study measures new-vehicle owners’ overall satisfaction with their vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership. The results are divided into 10 categories and weighted accordingly: exterior, interior, storage, audio, seats, heating and ventilation, driving dynamics, powertrain, visibility, and fuel economy.

“The redesign of Sedona ... is an extraordinary success story for the Kia brand,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning for Kia Motors America, said. “Sedona’s superior combination of a strong, confident design, advanced safety features, and premium amenities, is revolutionizing the minivan segment.”



A new Sedona presents so much more than a minivan for St. Louis families. A standard 3.3-liter V6 engine can certainly excite drivers, and the first-class “lounge seating” and CUV-like appearance means a minivan that breaks the mold.

The 2015 KIA Sedona’s accolade follows up the brand’s previous award from J.D. Power. In June, KIA was ranked as the best non-luxury brand in the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study. The same models available at Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley beat out juggernauts such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Buick.

To learn more about the 2015 KIA Sedona or to schedule a test drive, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online. As your St. Louis KIA dealer, we invite you to check out our KIAs in-person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler KIA, you can make your new vehicle purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, MO, and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights KIA dealer.

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K900 Leads the Way with Record High Score in Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

Luxury model’s Presidents Award along with three other KIA models rank top in segments

The KIA K900 took a monumental step forward as KIA’s flagship luxury model earned the rare President’s Award from AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSAs). This award is given to the vehicle that achieves the highest-ever overall VSA award. The K900, available at St. Louis’ exclusive K900 dealer Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley, set the new record in the VSAs.

More than 65,000 owners of new 2015 model year vehicles rated their vehicles in 50 detailed attributes ranging from fuel economy, comfort and convenience. AutoPacific’s survey didn’t just want to give awards based on highest performance or price tag — they wanted to rate the overall experience of owning a new car.

K900 in Rare Company

When the votes were tallied and the numbers calculated, the 2015 KIA K900 was deemed the cream of the crop and became just the third vehicle in the past 19 years to earn the President’s Award.

The K900 not only won the overall award but also bested the competition in the Luxury Car Category. KIA’s luxury entry not only continues to rake in the accolades, but it also goes head-to-head with luxury brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Those in St. Louis who are looking for the luxury sedan amenities without the luxury tag should definitely consider the outstanding K900 from Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley.

The interior and exterior of the K900 both give off the luxury vibe with their attention to details and fine materials throughout. The K900 is powered by the first V8 engine ever in a KIA sedan, and 5.0-liter engine roars out 420 horsepower. Whether under the hood or behind the wheel, the K900 is certainly a luxury sedan for fans to pay attention to.

KIA most awarded brand in 2015 Vehicle Satisfaction Awards

KIA didn’t just stop with the K900. Three other models — the Cadenza, Soul (tie) and Sportage — each came out on top in their categories. The Cadenza in the Large Car format, the Soul tied for first in the Compact car category and the Sportage won the Compact CUV segment.

Each of these three vehicles wowed their owners so much that they took home more awards for the KIA brand, In fact, these four victories gave KIA more category winners than any other brand. KIA also ranked third in overall brand score among non-premium automakers.

Congratulations to all these KIA models for impressing and meeting the needs of all their new owners. You can get in on the fun to with any other these and other KIA models at Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley!

To learn more about the K900 and other KIA models, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online. As your St. Louis KIA dealer, we invite you to check out our KIAs in-person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler KIA, you can make your new vehicle purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, MO, and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights KIA dealer.

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High-tech Forte5 Cruises into 2016 with European-style Design and Performance

Improved technology packages, new LX trim showcase the versatile hatchback

The KIA Forte5 is not only a tech-savvy hatchback but also has some kick to it. This holds true for the new 2016 KIA Forte5 as improvements to the already advanced technology and a new trim level highlight the latest installment of the KIA hatchback.

New LX trim offers St. Louis KIA fans more value

While it may be the new base trim on the Forte5, the LX models are anything but basic. Standard features on the LX models include: cruise control, keyless entry with remote trunk release, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear camera display, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, MacPherson strut front suspension and Bluetooth wireless technology.

The LX trim along with the EX trim are powered by a 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder engine.

EX, SX trims complimented by Forte features and technology

The EX and SX trims are back for the 2016 Forte5. Along with the some of the best features in the segment, the Forte EX and SX add to the LX power windows, air conditioning and power heated outside mirrors. Both also ride on the MacPherson suspension but also have the advantage of FlexStreer. This puts the driver in control different settings — Comfort, Normal and Sport — with the touch a button conveniently placed on the steering wheel.

Additional standard features on the EX include a new 4.3-inch rear camera display, 17-inch wheels, LED positioning lights, power folding outside mirrors, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob.

Advanced technology packages are available for the Forte5 EX — the Premium Technology Package and an all-new-for-2016 Premium Tech Package. The Premium Technology Package includes heated front seats, leather seat trim, power sunroof, push-button start with Smart Key, LED taillights and navigation with HD Radio.

The new Premium Tech Package takes a step forward with its two-way power adjustable heated driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, and dual-zone automatic temperature control with center console rear vents.

Under the hood, the sporty SX trim’s 1.6-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine is mated standard with a six-speed manual transmission; a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is available. Also standard on the 2016 Forte5 SX are a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch wheels, larger front brake rotors, LED taillights, sport front and rear bumpers, dual exhaust, push-button start with Smart Key, UVO eServices Telematics and metal pedals.

Overall, the 2016 Forte5 offers a sporty hatchback with loads of technology and performance, great for any other those in St. Louis who have been bitten with the tech-bug and also have racing in their blood. Stay tuned to Jim Butler KIA’s blog for more information on the 2016 KIA Forte5!

To learn more about the KIA Forte5, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online. As your St. Louis KIA dealer, we invite you to check out our KIAs in-person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler KIA, you can make your new vehicle purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, MO, and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights KIA dealer.

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A Place on the Podium: A Look at the World of KIA Motors Racing

Three racers from around the world drive KIA Optimas, Forte Koups on the track

KIAs are known for providing quality vehicles for daily use and outdoor adventurers. However, KIA also makes statements at the race track thanks to the KIA Motors Racing team!

Recently, KIA’s racing team earn podium finishes in back-to-back rounds in Elkhart Lake, Wis. These place the total number of podium finishes for five for KIA Motors Racing as the 2015 season reaches its halfway point.

But while the KIA racing team piles up the victories on the track, the team itself is a relatively recent development. KIA entered the world of motorsports in 2010 with the introduction of the Forte Koup. In order to show the change that the Koup would bring, it needed a place to demonstrate its prowess.

KIA teamed up with Kinetic Motorsports and its co-founder Nic Jonsson to race the then-new KIA Forte Koup. Jonsson won the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Street Tuner Driver Championship in 2011 behind the wheel of a Koup.

Since then, the sporty Optima, one of the best-selling cars in the country, became a mainstay on the KIA Motors Racing roster. The Optima’s racing highlights include besting brands like Forde, Porsche and Aston Martin with two pole positions, two victories and six podium finishes in 2012. In 2013, KIA was the first Korean brand to win the historic Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, besting Honda, Mazda and BMW in its path.

The drivers behind the racing Optimas

Mark Wilkins

Two drivers take the wheel behind the Optimas in the racing circuit. Canadian Mark Wilkins and Englishman Ben Clucas pilot the turbocharged Optimas for KIA Motors Racing.

Since 2012, Wilkins has been racking up wins for KIA Motors Racing. His career highlights behind the wheel of an Optima include the win at the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix and a third-place finish in the Grand Touring Sport (GTS) Class Driver Championship.

Ben Clucas joined KIA Motors Racing in February of this year after racing Aston Martins for the past few years along with representing Kinetic Motorsports.

Ben Clucas

KIA Motors Racing will next take the track in Rounds 11 and 12 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, July 31 through August 2. KIA and racing fans can watch the previous race in Wisconsin on Wednesday, July 8 on CBS Sports Network at 8 p.m.

We at Jim Butler KIA hope you enjoyed this look at KIA Motors Racing, and good luck to Wilkins and Clucas!

To learn more about the KIA Forte and Optima, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online. As your St. Louis KIA dealer, we invite you to check out our KIAs in-person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler KIA, you can make your new vehicle purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, MO, and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights KIA dealer.

Take a look at our Optima inventory!

Check out our Forte Koup inventory!