KIA Teases Off-road Concept Vehicles Ahead of 2015 SEMA Show

Sorento, Forte get customized off-road accessories for Las Vegas specialty parts show

KIA will show off six highly customized vehicles that highlight different regions of the U.S. to go where few KIAs have gone before. When one thinks off-road adventure, perhaps an expedition vehicle or ATV can be seen traversing the desert or the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest. At the 2015 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, KIA wants to let others know that, even though they’re concepts, KIAs can join in on the fun too.

So far, KIA has given its fans a taste of two of the vehicles it will roll out on display at SEMA this year. From Nov. 3 to 6, those in attendance will get to see the imagination of KIA run wild. First up is the PacWest Adventure Sorento. The humble CUV certainly comes out of its shell with this unqiue concept.

This Sorento goes from CUV to utility vehicle as it takes on a tougher stance with a custom suspension. A snorkel intake and system makes it look like it belongs with the AEV Jeeps. The green exterior paintjob reflects the dense and beautiful forests of the Pacific Northwest. This Sorento would definitely feel at home in the garage of an explorer and in the rainy forests. While we probably won’t see a Sorento such as this at Jim Butler KIA, it is always fun to see what KIA can come up with.

While the Sorento can feel rugged with its available all-wheel drive, KIA took the improbable a step further with one of their vehicles you probably wouldn’t see in a desert environment: the Forte. While you could see a Forte in the suburbs of Chesterfield and St. Louis, it wouldn’t be the first vehicle on many minds when you ask for an off-road vehicle.

But the designers at KIA get to get their hands dirty with the Forte Koup Mud Bogger. The American South is represented by this truly one-of-a-kind Forte Koup. A four-inch body and suspension lift is paired with four 28-inch off-road tires. Though it might look out of its element, the Forte is anything but that. A panoramic roof with a vinyl pushback top was added, and the stripped-down interior where the carpet has been removed; the entire floor is lined with Line-X protective coating. The two Sparco Evo II Red Race Seats have replaced the seats you’d normally find in a Koup.

If you’d like to check out a Forte or Sorento of your own, call Jim Butler KIA at 636-256-9600 or contact us online. As your St. Louis KIA dealer, we invite you to check out our new Souls 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.

KIA Soul Wins Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year for 4th Straight Time

2016 Soul latest model year to best competition in Urban Category at annual award ceremony

The new year hasn’t even begun, and already the 2016 KIA Soul is garnering awards. The new 2016 KIA Soul emerged victorious in the Urban Category at the 12th annual Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year awards in Chandler, Ariz. This marks the four consecutive year that the KIA Soul has won its category.

Local media personnel and athletes rated vehicles from all makes and models to see how they fit with those who lead an active and outdoor lifestyle. The KIA Soul won, yet again, because of its unique combination of style and versatility. The 2016 Soul’s navigability in denser urban areas, such as downtown St. Louis or South St. Louis City, made it the right choice for those who live in the city but love to venture to more outdoor and active areas.

“Combining an iconic design, refined interior, numerous tech features and impressive cargo volume, our urban runabout is a true standout for those seeking a vehicle that supports an active and athletic lifestyle,” Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning at KIA Motors America, said.

For those in the market for a new compact CUV near St. Louis, the 2016 KIA Soul at Jim Butler KIA is already an award-winner! There’s no better time than now to take a look at a new KIA Soul at The KIA Butler. If you live in St. Louis and lead an active lifestyle — running, biking, camping — then the KIA Soul will be your new favorite vehicle!

To learn more about the 2016 KIA Soul or to schedule a new KIA Soul test drive near St. Louis, 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 new Souls 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.

Shop our new 2016 KIA Souls near St. Louis!

Refined KIA Optima Drives Gracefully in 2016 as Brand’s Best-Seller

Improved handling, premium interior perfects 2016 Optima in competitive midsize segment

For St. Louis KIA fans, the 2016 Optima has finally been officially revealed by KIA, and the wait was well worth it. The 2016 KIA Optima took what it learned from the previous model year and perfected it.

“The Optima changed the way people felt about the KIA brand, and KIA owes much of its growth and success in this country to the car’s head-turning design and sporty performance,” Orth Hedrick, VP of Product Planning at KIA Motors America, said. “The all-new Optima ... has matured in all the right ways, from the European sport-sedan design to the premium materials to its improved ride and handling.”

2016 KIA Optima’s Premium Interior

A longer, wider and stiffer chassis offers a larger cabin for the refined Optima. With the bigger size comes increased comfort for all five trim levels — LX, LX 1.6, EX, SX and SXL. The Optima’s luxurious K900 and Cadenza cousins definitely see an influence in the design.

According to KIA, real stitching along the dash and doors, complemented by tasteful metallic accents, varying by trim level highlight the interior craftsmanship. The cabin is now even more driver-friendly as a cleaner, more unified design will please drivers of the 2016 Optima. By grouping and reducing the number of functional keys and buttons, KIA’s already-superior ergonomics are improved.

Ride Handling Improved for the 2016 Optima

The Optima’s engineering team worked to help improve the ride and handling for the 2016 model year. A lighter and stiffer chassis improves the steering response, handling and stability.

Under the hood, three engine choices can help new St. Louis Optima owners find the balance they want between sport and efficiency. The previous’ Optima’s two engines carry over — the 2.4-liter I4 (available on the LX and EX models) and the 2.0-L turbo engine, available on the SXL and SX trims. Both engines are mated with a six-speed auto transmission with the Sportmatic shifting. Maximum torque is now available at a lower RPM than 2015 thanks to some retuning. This also helps improve the fuel economy of these two engines.

New for 2016 is a smaller yet still feisty 1.6-L turbo I4 engine, exclusive for the LX trim. This engine churns up to 178 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. This new engine is also mated to a new transmission for KIA with the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).

To learn more about the KIA Optima 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 new Optimas 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.

Search our new Optima inventory!

Premium 2016 Cadenza Looks to Boost KIA’s Line-up in Next Model Year

More trim levels, increased value propels FWD sedan into 2016 at Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield, MO

The KIA Cadenza is coming off an award-winning year and seeks to build off its accolades for 2016. KIA’s premium front-wheel drive sedan won AutoPacifica’s Best Large Car for 2015, and the upcoming model year looks like a breakout year for the Cadenza.

New base trim still retains Cadenza charm

The Cadenza enhances its value for 2016 with three available trim levels and updated options. A new base model has been added to the trim levels for the KIA Cadenza which helps to lower the entry cost. Fans of the Cadenza can still find the almost-luxury sedan’s luxurious appearance even at the base trim.

Base Cadenzas still retain their 18-inch alloy wheels, projector beam headlights, rear LED combination lamps, and front fog lights. Navigation now comes standard across the entire Cadenza line as well as an 8-inch color touchscreen. This intuitive touchscreen features an integrated Rear Camera Display.

KIA included other great features from the upper-level Premium and Limited trims. To enhance the Cadenza’s value, KIA added to the new base trim:

• a premium Infinity audio system
• eight-way power adjustable passenger seat 
• 10-way driver’s seat 
• leather seat trim
• heated front seats
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity
• Steering wheel audio controls
• dual-zone automatic climate control
• push button start.

Higher trims’ options become standard on 2016 Cadenza

With all the attention on the new base trim, the Cadenza’s Premium and Limited trims aren’t without their changes for 2016. A panoramic sunroof, normally an option, is now standard on the Premium trim. Other additions that up the convenience factor in the Premium trim include steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, UVO eServices with voice command, a 550-watt Infinity audio system, auto rain-sensing wipers and a back-up warning system.

The cream-of-the-crop Luxury trim gains Blind Spot Detection with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert  to improve the safety features on the Cadenza. The Luxury’s SXL’s package comes fully equipped with extra features such as 19-inch chrome alloy wheels, LED fog lights, a Surround-View Monitor and a rear armrest with pop-out cup holders and USB charging port. Cadenza fans will love the Luxury SXL’s unique front grille, premium headliner and additional wood grain style trim.

No matter your 2016 Cadenza trim choice, you’ll be powered by the smooth 3.3-liter V6 and its 293 horsepower and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. Have some fun with the six-speed automatic transmission that includes a Sportmatic manual shift mode.

To learn more about the KIA Cadenza 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 new Cadenzas 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.