2017 KIA Sportage Ushers In New Breed of Sophisticated CUVs

KIA’s longest running nameplate sees improvements inside and out, expected to hit dealers in 2016

At Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley, we’re proud to have served as a St. Louis KIA dealer this past year. We are always ready to look ahead however. As 2016 approaches, we wanted to highlight a 2017 model-year vehicle that should hit our St. Louis KIA dealership next year.

The 2017 KIA Sportage made a public debut at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, and the crowd was wowed. KIA’s longest running nameplate sees contemporary design updates for the exterior as well as a more spacious interior.

The chief design officer of the next-gen Optima Peter Schreyer also oversaw the 2017 Sportage’s transformation. Smooth curves wonderfully compliment the sharper creases on the body panels. The front fascia sees the most dramatic change. The trademark tiger-nose grille of KIA is still displayed prominently, but the headlights have been lifted up higher and now sweep along the edges of the hood. According to KIA, the wheelbase has been stretched 1.2 inches (now 105.1 inches), while overall length has increased 1.6 inches to 176.4 inches.

The interior overall is roomier and more spacious to enhance the KIA experience. The dashboard is designed to have two distinct zones: display and control. The display zone utilizes the instrument panel and new color touchscreen, while the control zone has intuitive climate and audio controls. Advanced High Strength Steel was used more extensively, and the goal of the 2017 KIA Sportage is to earn five stars from the NHTSA and Top Safety Pick + from the IIHS.

AWD will be an available feature for the Sportage if you’re the off-road type or want to tackle whatever weather St. Louis will throw at you. Under the hood, the 2.4-liter engine on the EX and LX trims churns out up to 181 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque to help improve fuel economy. The SX turbo trims will benefit from the turbocharged 2.0-L with up to 241 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque.

While we look forward to 2016, we also are excited for the upcoming vehicles in KIA’s lineup. To learn more about new KIAs near St. Louis or to schedule a test drive, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online!

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To Tell the Truth: NBA All-Star LeBron James Responds to Real Tweets about His K900

Cleveland Cavaliers forward stars in new comedic KIA commercials to prove he drives KIA flagship sedan

Let’s be honest: if you drove the KIA K900 available at Jim Butler KIA, St. Louis’ exclusive K900 dealer, you’d be pretty stoked. You’d be showing everyone your new wheels and the luxurious features without the luxury European price tag.

Chances are, though, that you’re not an 11-time NBA all-star and NBA champion. LeBron James is, and while many celebrities and athletes may be driving around in a new BMW or Mercedes-Benz with the gaudy price tag, the Cleveland Cavaliers forward drives to the games and around town in a 2016 KIA K900. There are some skeptics, though.

In the latest batch of new commercials from KIA Motors America, James responds to real life tweets questioning his legitimacy in driving a K900. James claims he was driving a K900 before he partnered up with KIA to be the model’s ambassador, and with the 2016 KIA K900’s upgrades and updates over the 2014 model year, fans still wondered if he really does drive a KIA.

In the newest first commercial entitled “Ten Mil,” James reads a tweet saying, “I’ll bet anyone $10,000,000 that LeBron doesn’t roll up to the games in a KIA.” James is confident in his love for the new KIA K900 that he’s ready to take the Twitter user up on that bet. He knows that since the bet was made on the Internet that is, in fact, legally binding.



James is ready for the user to “pay up” and proceeds to head from his house with an armored car, probably to carry the $10,000,000 back home. The K900 is “fit for a king.” Two other spots are set to air through the remainder of the NBA season.

The tweets from fans for the other spots are:

“There’s a thousand percent chance that there’s a zero percent chance that LeBron drives a Kia,” (“1,000%”) and “LeBron drives a KIA like I fly a spaceship” (“Spaceship”).

The K900 is starting to make a name for itself, and with celebrities such as James driving it, it’s certainly a luxury car that is both affordable and competitive with European brands that charge much, much more.

To test drive or order a K900 near St. Louis or to learn more about KIA’s luxury flagship rear-wheel drive sedan, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or drop us a line online.

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2016 KIA Optima ‘Shines’ in Competitive Midsize Sedan Segment

Coming off a KBB Best Buy Award, the 2016 KIA Optima at Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley still continues to earn the compliments and praise from the Kelley Blue Book writers and reviewers. In KBB’s latest Quick Take on the 2016 KIA Optima SX, Keith Buglewicz examined the midsize sedan and saw that it was, in fact, worthy of its “upset victory” in the KBB Best Buy Awards.

“The impressively well-rounded new Optima boasts the style, features, and driving experience you'd expect from a class-leading midsize sedan,” Buglewicz said.

The KIA Optima beat perennial favorites such as the Honda Civic and up-and-comers such as the Mazda 6. It was that well-roundedness that propelled the KIA Optima to the top of the charts. With its new turbo engine, the performance has been upped. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine pumps out up to 245 horsepower to give some oomph into your daily drive.

Speaking of which, the day-to-day drive is where KBB said the KIA Optima shines. Buglewicz called the 2016 Optima’s dash logically designed which should be easy to operate in the driver’s seat described as “ergonomic perfection.” Rear seating is roomy and comfortable, making the 2016 Optima look better and better as an option for a family sedan.

When one thinks of popular midsize sedans, the KIA Optima may not always be at the top of the list. But as a Best Buy Award Winner in one of the most competitive segments in the U.S., perhaps it’s time to see what all the accolades are about. Come check out a KIA Optima for yourself at Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley! To schedule a KIA test drive near St. Louis or to learn more about the 2016 KIA Optima, contact Jim Butler KIA online or give us a call at 636-256-9600.

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2016 Optima and 2016 Sorento Win International Car of the Year Awards

Globally-recognized award winners are in-stock and for sale near St. Louis at Jim Butler KIA

As KIA vehicles at Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley continue to win awards, the global recognition for the brand’s most popular models keeps trending upward as well. The 2016 KIA Sorento and the new 2016 KIA Optima were both honored with Road & Travel Magazine’s (RTM) International Awards.

The 2016 Optima was named RTM’s International Car of the Year (ICOTY). The ICOTY panel consists of automotive journalists from such publications as Consumer Guide, MSN and RTM. The last victory for the Optima as an ICOTY was in 2013.

The judges at RTM were impressed with the 2016 KIA Optima’s long list of standard and available features. The engine options in the 2016 Optima also wowed those at RTM as the previous generation’s 2.4-liter and turbo 2.0-L engine return along with the addition of a new 1.6-liter turbo engine. RTM made mention of the 2016 Optima’s value as well, something those in St. Louis looking for a new sedan will appreciate.

It wasn’t just the Optima that got on the good side of the ICOTY jurors. The 2016 Sorento, already an award-winner in its own right, won the International SUV of the Year Award. The available all-wheel drive capabilities combined with the premium cabin quality and protective safety features made the Sorento a shoe-in for the award.

The Sorento and Optima marked the fourth consecutive year that KIA won an ICOTY award for the brand. Previous winners also include the K900 and Cadenza. Courtney Caldwell, RTM’s editor-in-chief, said KIA is an industry success story that always wows the staff.

“We’ve never had one brand win this award four years in a row, but KIA has done it,” Caldwell said. “It goes to show just how exceptional the new KIA models are, providing clear direction of where the KIA brand is headed. We are near speechless at the level of progress the Kia brand has made in spite of the stiff competition.”

See why the judges were speechless with a test-drive of a new 2016 Optima or Sorento. At Jim Butler KIA, we know KIAs, and we’re ready to help you every step of the way in your KIA purchase journey. Call us today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online!

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New V6 Engine Highlights Addition to Luxurious 2016 KIA K900

Luxury car for lower price tag soon available at exclusive St. Louis K900 dealer Jim Butler KIA

Building off its impressive record high score in AutoPacifica’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards, the premium KIA K900 sedan roars into the 2016 model year with a brighter-than-ever future. Those in St. Louis who seek a luxurious rear-wheel drive sedan without paying the luxury price tag that your European brands carry will love the new 2016 KIA K900 at Jim Butler KIA!

New trim levels, engine options for 2016 K900

To help provide more choices for St. Louis luxury car fans, the 2016 K900 will have three trim levels: V6 Premium, V6 Luxury and V8 Luxury. The biggest addition is, ironically, a smaller yet still powerful 3.8-liter V6 engine, standard with up to 311 horsepower. Other standard upgrades include leather seating and a panoramic sunroof.

Exterior changes for the K900 include a new bumper, 18-inch wheels for the V6s and 19-inch chrome wheels for the V8s, subtle changes to the front grille and new taillight designs.

New features for the K900 add to the convenience and safety factor of the K900. Available Autonomous Emergency Braking and Smart Power Trunk will make your life just that much easier. New interior upgrades include, but are not limited to, improved navigation, a 9.2-inch HD touchscreen with UVO services and premium audio and curfew, speed and geofence settings.

Feel opulent without having to break the bank in a new 2016 KIA K900! Stay tuned to the KIA Butler’s blog, inventory and social media for updates on when the 2016 K900 hits St. Louis’ exclusive K900 dealer Jim Butler KIA in Chesterfield Valley!

To learn more about the K900 or to schedule a test drive, contact Jim Butler KIA online or call us at 636-256-9600!

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