Motor Trend GIves 2018 Kia Cadenza Gold Star for Luxury Features, Champion-grade Charm

With all of the grave attention and focus on the crossover SUV category the past few years, all of us here at Jim Butler want to be sure to highlight the benefits of other stellar categories like the full-size sedan! It's true that it seems that nearly every other vehicle on the road has the telltale hatchback and appearance that so many customers love in an SUV, but what about the longstanding and satisfying relationship we have had with the standard automobile? Fitting in right above the midsize Optima and the rear-drive K900, the Kia Cadenza is our front-drive, full-size near-luxury sedan. It is equipped with a 290-hp 3.3-liter V-6, paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, and the good folks at theMotor Trend blog recognized it this month for its outstanding value.

One of the key reasons that it really stands out Is the features usually found on more expensive trim levels such as a head-up display, 360-degree view multi-camera system, a power-operated trunk, and the best in various other technology features to keep you safe. Emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane change assist are also included. Adaptive cruise control is incorporated based on information gleaned from on-board sensors, and has the ability to adjust the vehicle speed to maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead.

Car and Driver avidly claims that the Cadenza is a “compelling choice in a shrinking segment”, recognizing the value of a sedan with a well-built cabin, and luxury styled features throughout the entire model range. The well-built cabin has room for four adults to easily travel with full comfort, and these features get much better as you opt for higher trim levels. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are offered as standard features, and the very handsome and upscale design is bound to make lovers of that much-heralded brand that starts with an “L” take immediate notice.

Car and Driver's overall verdict was that “The Cadenza is a high-tech haven for the upper-middle-class sedan buyer”. For this year's model, the Panoramic Sunroof package is now part of the Luxury package on the base premium trim, not a separate $1000 option as it was before. One reason that there have not been many changes to this year's Cadenza is the massive redesign that took place for 2017: it was then a Motor Trend car of the year contender, favored highly over its stiff competitor the Buick LaCrosse.

Our Staff here at Jim Butler can show you the benefits during a test drive: 12-speaker Harman-Kardon audio, proximity approach lighting, an 8-inch touchscreen with infotainment and navigation, and panoramic sunroof are all extra goodies that will tie together this vehicle. Made as not just a car, but a satisfying place to spend your time, the Cadenza reigns champion in the realm of charm!

Cars Guide Test Drive First Glance: 2018 Kia Sorento G-Line

Writer Nedahl Stelio from Cars Guide is well-known for her uncanny ability to rank a vehicle in terms of family-friendly essence, and aspects such as size and swift steering. She has provided readers with great insight over the last year regarding vehicles like the Audi S5, Toyota Kluger Grande AWD, and Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander. This past week she set her sights on the 2018 Kia Sorento, asking in grave detail if it “hits the seven-seat bullseye”. Since this was back-to-school week for her, she had play dates, tons of shuttling back and forth, and pick-ups loading up her always frantic itinerary.

Nedahl opted to get around in the Kia Sorento GT Line, which is top-of-the-line, as well as diesel-driven. Stolidly going up against other seven-seat contenders are the Nissan Pathfinder, Mazda CX -9, and a Toyota Kluger, and the extra seats in all mean that you can offer up room to your children's best friends, if they need a lift to any of their various after-school activities. Upon first drive, Nedahl ranked the Sorento as incredibly smooth and responsive. The way in which it handled ultimately left her feeling very safe, and the corner-handling was ranked with off-the-charts goodness. The 2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine has ample power for necessary hill climbing, and she claimed that parking, even in a pinch, was still a very easy task.

This review really highlighted how comfortable the back row is, which is a very well-appreciated trait for a family vehicle. Both of her girls aged four and six had enough space to swing freely within their child seats, and they always quarreled less among each other when they had enough room to work with. Stating that “practical is the Sorento's middle name”, Nedahl also had much love for the metal step alongside the car, and six cup holders on top of a bottle holder in each door. The center storage bin is deep enough to house toys, Ipads, or any other various comfort items the younger ones may want to haplessly drag along for the drive.

The heated/cooling front seats, as well as heated steering wheel, are some of those features that cannot be appreciated enough: just this year in St Louis, we have seen some pretty intense and record-breaking low as well as high temperatures, that have rocked the metro this past season. Characteristically defined by the big grille on the front, the Sorento avoids appearing overwhelmingly boxy, and and the bubble-finish dash keeps things nicely grounded and well-tied-together.

Taking the time and energy to sync phones is a thing of the past, because Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will provide the ability to use the apps from your phone with ease on the available 8.0-inch touchscreen. Come pay us a visit to check out the Sorento this month, and check out just how safe you and your family will feel with features like auto emergency braking, blind spot detection, and lane departure warning!

Kia Soul and Sorento Claim “Best Cars for the Money” Award from U.S. News

When customers are flocking to our lot here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we admit that large scores of them are concerned with the bottom line. What a vehicle really offers in terms of a low price and features is frequently the absolute most important thing on the agenda for many getting ready to purchase. Fortunately, Kia doles out the best in the value category once again: both the 2018 Kia Soul and Sorento were announced as the victorious winners of U.S. News & World Report's Best Cars For the Money awards. The awards recognize vehicles across 14 categories that represent the winning combination of value and quality.

The Soul was honored for the Best Compact Car for the Money, and Sorento claimed the Best 3-Row SUV for the Money in this year's sparring-off of value-minded vehicles. We are all very proud of this recent achievement, which shows how Kia vehicles are not only fun to drive, but possess the ability to boast a low total cost of ownership. The U.S. News and World Report rankings do the duty of comparing cars based on the elements of reliability, safety, value, and the opinions of industry experts. This is the second consecutive year of winning, and both of these cars continue to be leaders in their own classes, by offering buyers a smart balance of quality features, utility, performance, and comfort.

As the “Best Compact Car for the Money”, the 2018 Kia Soul urban passenger vehicle offers up a funky, fun, and longstanding practical approach to anyone's everyday drive. The 2018 model focuses on the expansion of available UVO eServices across the model range, and the addition of the innovative infotainment system to the Base Convenience Package as standard equipment. The Soul Plus Primo Package adds Smart Cruise Control and Autonomous Emergency Braking, providing a sense of unparalleled modern safety precaution, and peace of mind. The new Plus Primo “Lit” Package adds LED positioning lights and HID headlights to enhance the on-road presence and appeal.

The wildly popular 2018 Sorento SUV was named the “Best 3-row SUV for the Money”, and is widely-known for its stellar technology offerings. You now get a 3rd-row seat as standard on all 2.4-liter all-wheel-drive and 2.4-liter LX AWD models. The driver assistance features on this vehicle really take the cake: Autonomous Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Dynamic Bending Lights are all included to keep your safety level at a monumental high. We are wildly excited to see our vehicles rank so high in a category of awards that is so crucial to everyday living: vehicles ranked high in the value factor are always going to be the innovative change the auto world is currently so hungry for!

Kia Niro Wins Honors for Green Car Journal's Green SUV of the Year Award

So many customers that come to visit us here at Jim Butler have a very important priority when they visit us to see about a brand new car: they ask us about how it benefits the Earth. A few decades ago, this wasn't as much a concern, as fuel-guzzling vehicles worldwide dominated local and national markets, and consumers flocked to whatever was best for them. Now as time has moved forward, and things have changed drastically, environmental concern has risen. Last week in Washington DC, car entries from Kia, Chevy, Mini, Mazda, and Volvo all did their best to show the masses their most Eco-friendly traits.

Recognizing environmental achievement in the auto industry, the Kia Niro was named Green Car Journal's 2018 Green SUV of the Year. From the moment the Niro was introduced to the masses last year, it has been wildly popular among those who are seeking a hybrid with stellar looks, as well as practical crossover utility. Kia vice president of planning and strategy Orth Hedrick commented that “we're thrilled to have received this special distinction”. This award truly represents the payoff for years of hard work by Kia to engineer a hybrid that promotes fun, is versatile, and economically feasible for today's driver.

There are many buyers out there who want to find something to drive with a smaller environmental footprint, shying away from huge trucks and gas-guzzling SUV's. The Touring model now comes standard with HID headlights, Autonomous Emergency Braking, a Forward Collision Warning system, and a Lane Keep Assist system. You'll also enjoy the benefits of a wireless phone charger, as well as adaptive cruise control. Powered by a hybrid powertrain made up of a 104-hp, 109 lb-ft of torque 1.6-liter engine, the pairing for the transmission is a six-speed dual-clutch automatic.

Motortrend remarked that the Niro is composed of “a seamless shift between EV and Hybrid modes”, and had high levels of praise for the multiple driver assist safety features. Quick acceleration, ample interior space, and a uniquely comfortable ride are characteristics that will leave buyers overly satisfied, and is perfect for St Louis residents who have large amounts of urban travel built into their schedule. When you check out this award-winning and family-friendly vehicle, see how the 7.0-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility will boost your productivity and media needs! Additional features such as 16-inch wheels, automatic headlights, rear spoiler, matte black front grille, woven and knit cloth seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control benefit you if selecting the Niro FE model!