Kia Niro Tops Consumer Reports Latest Car Reliability Ratings for 2017

The sales and service staff here at Jim Butler are once again excited about a Consumer Reports survey, and the results proving how Kia is a superior force in the longevity and reliability game. Some of the predominant findings from this year are about newly redesigned models in general: they are likely to have less reliable engines, jerky transmissions, or high-tech features that may completely fail. Passengers love their infotainment systems: they are the entertainment vehicle that keeps them ultimately entertained while they cruise to their next destination. But this year's results showed that on re-designed vehicles, people actually reported twice as many problems on Infotainment systems.

Cars such as the Subaru Impreza showed below-average reliability, with issues such as in-car electronics. Sometimes the rearview camera did not work properly, and the phone tended to suddenly pair without warning. GMC's Acadia sometimes produced blank screens, and in in-dash navigation system that is known for sudden malfunction. The Chevy Cruze was redesigned for the 2016 and 2017 model years, and suffered problems within the power equipment, engine, and transmission in terms of reliability.

The 2017 Kia Niro was the one that scored highest in reliability, a benchmark achievement for one of our absolute favorite vehicles. Billed as an “un-hybrid”, the Niro is a very successful combination of a hybrid powertrain, with a subcompact crossover for the best of many various uses. The interior is plenty roomy, with an elevated seating position for easy entry/exit, and a clear view of the road directly ahead of you. Fuel economy is rated at 52 MPG for the city, which immediately lures many to line up to purchase one. Blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warning are some of the available safety tech devices on board, that will assure for you a safe trip under any circumstances.

12 years after Ford added electric assist options to its Escape, a hybridized, small utility vehicle finally gets to show its true potential with the Niro. We are adamant about just how great this vehicle is for the price, as it is much cheaper than the Nissan Rogue, and the 32-mpg RAV4 hybrids by several thousand dollars. The hybrid powertrain technology basically behaves quite similarly to a conventional gasoline-only vehicle, and rewards the buyer with high efficiency. You can fit 6 carry-on suitcases behind the rear seat, and the traditionally sharp design elements of Kia will win you over with a new Niro. It's always refreshing to see compact hybrids deliver to the max with your money's worth: ranking high on Consumer Reports is a lofty feat to be reckoned with! 

Penchant For Problem-free Ownership: Kia is Ranked Most Dependable by J.D. Power Survey

Customers who have a desire to own the very best in premium vehicles are in a distinct and knowledgeable group of their own: they also have higher loyalty than volume-brand buyers. Many customers who seek us out at Jim Butler Kia also are the type who put a very high importance on a vehicle owning experience that is problem-free. Now in its third year, the J.D. Power U.K. Vehicle Dependency Study measures problems experienced during the first year of ownership, looking at 177 problems across 8 different categories.

More than 12,000 owners of new vehicles registered from February 2014 through April 2016 were the base of information for these findings. Some of the categories looked at are vehicle exterior, driving experience, features/controls/displays, audio/communication /entertainment/navigation, seats, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, vehicle interior, and transmission. The finished ranking of overall dependency is determined by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles, with a lower number ultimately being better.

Kia and Volvo actually tied for No. 1 in vehicle dependability among every single brand, with a score of 83 PP100. Among these premium owners that have experienced nearly no problems with their vehicle, 58% say they definitely will have a lease or purchase the same brand of car again. Once an owner experiences one or more problems, that number declines to 48%. One of the reasons why we are so proud to stand behind Kia here at Jim Butler is the brand's amazing lack of design problems, and the fact that this really stands true in the long run. When a customer has an appointment for service, a design problem is sometimes not an easy fix, and if the owner has to live with said problem for the entire life span of the vehicle, they are not likely to ever go near the same brand in the future.

Surveys and reports such as this have also cited just how important customers find fuel efficiency: it is cited more than any other reason, and is the category of lowest satisfaction among those who own premium cars. Excellent and feature-filled models such as the Soul, Rondo, Optima, and Sportage are some of the highest-ranked vehicles that exist. Ranked 3 out of 19 Midsize SUV's the 2018 Kia Sorento is a wildly comfortable, top-safety scoring, and luxurious upscale ride.Car and Driver states that “transitional stability is what really sells the Stinger GT's handling credentials”, and that it's “everything you'd want in a GT car”.

If it's the Soul that ultimately moves you, come down to the lot and check out its 16-inch alloy wheels, UVO3 interface, six-speaker audio system, and Bluetooth capabilities. This is a cabin that stays very quiet on the highway, and a vehicle that was given a five-star overall safety score from the NHTSA. When equipped with the Primo package, the mid-grade Soul Plus offers up adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning for quick avoidance of dangerous scenarios. 

Subcompact Sedan and Hatchback Currently Hailed: The 2018 Kia Rio Close-up + Pricing

One of the spookiest and most fun seasons is upon us at Jim Butler Kia in St Louis: we love when ghouls and ghosts rule the land, and some of the best fall-themed events in the nation take place right here in our metro. The Rizzuto Show Eat & Treat are some great family-friendly events that will take place at the Chesterfield Amphitheater, and give everyone in your troop an awesome opportunity to “get their spook on” At the Eat & Treat there will be local area food trucks sponsored by the St. Louis Food Truck Association and treats for the kids including activities, free Halloween bags, trick-or-treating and more! 

Kia customers have been mega-impressed with the very eye-catching European-inspired design, great performance stats, and low starting prices of stand-out models as of late. The Rio is a feature-rich subcompact sedan and hatchback that is a great choice for buyers looking for an entry-level vehicle, that still has higher-than average tech and handling aptitude standards in mind. Car And Driver stated that the Rio's high level of ambition for its pricing point was excellent, and that it has “a style all its own”. This was the brand we love to represent's best-selling car globally during 2017, claiming nearly 450,000 units accounted for and off the floor.

The well-seasoned team from Car And Driver took the Rio for a test drive on the brick-paved streets of Baltimore's Fells Point Neighborhood, and were very impressed with the level of abuse it took while handling numerous turns and other trials. After taking a close look at the market trends and what American consumers had on their priority list, Kia went straight for the punch, and offered a very able vehicle at a very low price. LX trim levels begin at $13,900 on the sedan and $14,200 for the 5-door, S trim levels begin at $16,100 for the sedan, and $16,400 for the 5-door, and the EX trim begins at $18,400 for the sedan, and $18,700 for the 5-door.

The fourth-generation Rio available during the coming year has significant improvement over its predecessor in passenger comfort, technology options, and overall design elements. Raising the bar in the small-car segment is what customers are looking for as many become more value-conscious: the bottom line is more important than ever when It comes to a new car transaction. Safety features such as rear-view camera system, and audio devices like a six-speaker stereo with satellite radio are what is offered on the tech side of things, while the EX trim level provides sheer upper-end gadgetry for fans of the best in automotive existence.

Come check these high-octane yet practical vehicles out during the coming fall season, and see how this upper-level trim experience provides you a 7-inch floating touchscreen interface, UVO3 voice recognition infotainment system, and Apple CarPlay capabilities. The vehicle choice for you could be the one that has a 5-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: make us a stop along your fall sightseeing itinerary, and take in just how spectacular the Rio's vibe and veracity is!

2018 Kia Stinger: Pricing Plans and the Promise of Fully-Loaded Potential

With the advent and current release of the 2018 Stinger, Kia proved that they can absolutely craft a credible and thrilling-to-drive performance sedan. Many had been wondering about pricing for quite some time, as the reports were flowing in rapidly regarding how awesome the test drives were, and now there is a bit more clarity about how much it will cost to add one to your garage. The pricing on the 2018 Kia Stinger will begin at around $32,795, and that is with the 255-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. At this point, opting for all-wheel drive will add around $2,200, allowing you to embark on your journey a little easier during the winter slush and snow that can be common in St Louis.

If you have been greatly impressed by the buzz about the Stinger, you may already be clued in to how much more you can get out of the vehicle by opting for the premium package. Here you are able to pull off the lot with LED lights, a sunroof, power seats, navigation, and a stealth upgrade in sound system for around a grand total of $38,000. Everyone here at Jim Butler is excited about the arrival of the Stinger GT. With it, you get a 3.3-liter twin-turbo 365-hp V-6 engine, and the potential to unleash an abundance of tight turns and plenty of off-the-line luster. A fully loaded Stinger GT does run about $50,000, but keep in mind you are positioning yourself in a vehicle that Maxim Magazine bills as a “drool-worthy rocket”.

The Stinger gets on up to 60 MPG in 4.7 seconds, and has a top speed of 167 MPH. This is even quicker than a Porsche Panamera V6, and the result of really yearning for a “dream car” after years of very hard work and commitment. Executives, expert engineers, and very seasoned designers all came together to make this vision a reality, and bring the car to full and roaring life after concept years. Within the upper-level trim package, you get comforts such as a 16-way power driver's seat with head-up display, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control standard.

All models have rear wheel drive, and an 8-speed automatic transmission, with five various shift and throttle programs, as well as manual control. The esteemed auto blog Jalopnik raves “Good Work” regarding the Stinger. Motor Trend was very wowed about the fact that, if you don't require all-wheel drive, the Stinger is around $10,000 cheaper than the Audi A5 Sportback, a highly-sought-after sedan in the upper end of pricing points.

We all know just how big of a fuss the Dodge Charger created during its successful run, and just how many people the platform won over. The interior of the Stinger is much nicer, and we know that you're going to be converted quickly: as soon as January rolls around, get ready to enjoy the fruits of many full days and nights of research and design: this is an all ways a sedan that delivers track-style thrills and long-standing practicality.