J.D. Power's Initial Quality Nameplate Rankings Boasts Kia at the top for Year #2

Claiming the most vehicles of any Nameplate on the J.D. Power Study is quite an achievement: it makes complete sense that one of the most important ways to rank vehicles for consumers is in regards to how many documented problems they have. It excites us greatly that last year, Kia ranked highest in the entire industry, and improved 11 whole points. Owners reported having fewer issues with their Kia vehicles within the first 3 months of ownership than any other brand, an important trait in any car ranking. The Soul, Forte, Cadenza, Niro, and Sorento all were at the top of their respective categories, and the Cadenza nabbed the startling achievement of having the lowest average number of problems among every single model ranked in the study.

The jump in improvement to just 72 problems per 100 vehicles is the best nameplace performance for any brand within the last two decades of the study, which is driven by five unique awards. When Kia beat out the entire other list of competitors in last year's Quality Study, many wondered if our brand would come back swinging so strong for a second year. The craftmanship the team members instill into every single car is a symbol of the pride and top-notch skills that it takes to give Kia cars the predominant – ranking prowess they always deliver.

This annual report analyzes responses from 77,415 respondents, and encompasses 243 different vehicle models across 26 segments. The vehicles evaluated were done so based on driving experience, performance of engine and transmission, and a large range of problem symptoms reported by the numerous owners of vehicles. This year's findings revealed that audio/communication/entertainment issues continue to be the most common for owners of brand-new vehicles. On the bright side, it has also improved drastically within the last year. Cruise control and collision-avoidance / alert systems are some of the areas where new vehicles struggle, and have difficulty keeping free and clear of reported issues.

In many circumstances, multiple features are worth the hassle, but the more complicated a vehicle is, the more potential it has for problems. We will tell anyone that walks in the dealership here that it's going to be a pleasure to navigate the St. Louis Metro with a vehicle you can rely on, and one that is ranking on the front lines and known for minimal hassle. The eight problem categories that are asked about are designed to provide manufacturers with information that helps identify problems quickly, and propel quickly the ultimate drive of the product's long-term improvement.

The last thing we want to have happen to you as you are getting ready to enjoy an event-filled St. Louis summer is for you to obtain a vehicle that doesn't cut it for you during your first time increment of ownership. We understand that having a technical issue within the first 90 days is not going to make you feel confident about your future, and provide a hassle for your schedule. Choosing a Kia secures your future of ownership with the best in the business, and we are happy to provide the most resilient and well-built auto out there. Consistently ranking above par off the starting line is a necessary trait for a repeat purchase, and we can't wait to show you just how accessible and A-list champion your next Kia purchase will be.

2017 Kia Soul Nabs Prized Spot on Kelley Blue Book's “10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000” List

The mass offerings available in the current car market provide those searching with durable and husky trucks, mid-size sedans that ooze luxury features, and hybrids that are Eco-friendly and efficient. Many consumers out there are looking for a car that is stylish and funky, and these are the savvy young tech-workers, artists, and dedicated city dwellers our there making a difference. Kelley Blue Book has been the pricing and feature source dealing with all things car-related since 1918. A company that got its origins with just three Model T Fords, it later grew into the all-out industry standard for determining car value.

This is the sixth year in a row that the Soul was selected for the list of cool cars under $18,000, and it was selected for its signature combination of design, feature content, technology, as well as amazing value. Plenty of room for passengers, an interior filled with features savvy drivers are after, and a true sense of practicality within the crossover genre are all reasons to rush down and check out this awesome new release. You can come check out three different trim levels for this year's Soul, and figure out which one stokes your appetite the most: the Base has manual or 6-speed transmission, the Soul Plus with the 6-speed automatic, and the Exclaim Turbo, with the brand new 7-speed DCT.

Re-designed headlights and fog lights are great new features for this year's Soul, and front and rearfascias that are a bit edgier in appearance will be very well-received. Inside you'll find two dedicated USB charge ports, and an 8-way power passenger seat that adds to the convenience and comfort factor during your journey. Anyone who is truly searching for a bargain in the landscape of cars will appreciate the Soul right off the bat: the under $18,000 category has really never seen an entry with so much usable space, tech features, and an overall value. Cars that offer as much as the Soul does at this price make large strides in exceeding the cost element that for many other vehicles is a barrier to entry.

If you opt for the Base Soul, it comes standard with a gasoline direct injection, 1.6-liter all-aluminum DOHC 4-cylinder engine that sturdily cooks up 130 horsepower, and 118 lb-ft of torque. The Plus model makes use of the more muscular 2.0- liter engine with GDI technology, and has a power rating at 161 horsepower, with bragging rights to 150-lb.-ft of torque. If you are truly looking for the option that will give you the power off the line and momentum to conquer the road the way you want to, and by producing 201 horsepower, and 195 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 RPM. St. Louis has many long-standing summer traditions, such as grilling pork steaks, and Maull's Original St. Louis Barbecue Sauce; showing up to the party in your new Soul is going to make you want to stay in your summer sandals year-round!

World-Class Ovation: 2017 Kia Optima Receives Top Safety Plus Rating From IIHS

As we get ready to gear up for what promises to be a hot and exciting summer here in the St. Louis metro area, we have been helping many customers pick out a sedan that fits their lifestyle. It's no secret that the name mentioned (and sold) the most is the Optima, and it has just received another prestigious safety nod as of late. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given the Optima the “Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) rating, which is the highest destination possible within this entity.

The Optima scored incredibly high in five crashworthiness tests, and in the Integration of Autonomous Emergency Braking for crash prevention. The element to really take notice of here as a consumer is that good crashworthiness ratings, and a superior rating for the optional front-crash prevention system are all important to anyone looking for standout safety features in a current vehicle.

The IIHS is known for setting some of the highest standards when it comes to evaluating the many aspects of safety within a vehicle, and heralding this listing further proves the success of KIA's ongoing effort to do everything possible to improve the quality and integrity of their front-running auto line. When a model is qualifying for TSP+, it must earn “good” ratings in five different tests for crashworthiness: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof restraints, and head restraints. As we tread onward daily to what is certainly a modern climate in the auto manufacturing industry, drivers are now able to reap benefits from driver assistance systems that seemed far-fetched just a few decades ago.

Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are just a few of the features that will help you during your day-to-day drive. Front Collision Warning System is a particularly useful feature: it scans the road ahead while you drive, and is designed to give you fair warning If you're about to crash into a vehicle that is stopped, or slow-moving. Many that are involved in the research and development for future auto projects nationwide are certain that driverless cars are making their way very soon on the horizon, but for now, these added safety features work overtime to give you added protection from the various elements that could cause you harm.

The Optima is available with three engine choices, including the new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, that proudly operates in conjunction with a sweet seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Ask us right here at Jim Butler about the five trim levels available for the Optima: LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SXL are all on top to see to it that you get the specific look and feel that works for you. With the SXL option, you get standard 18-inch chrome alloy wheels, and super cool LED dual-projection headlights with Dynamic Bending Light and High-Beam Assist.

Owning a top-notch sedan is going to absolutely put some oomph back into your daily life: come down and see us at Missouri's esteemed Kia dealer, and we'll lay the groundwork for you to enjoy the features of the Optima every day for a durable commute.