Kia Nabs Fourth Consecutive Year of Highest Ranked Mass Market Brand From J.D. Power

When a customer is reviewing reasons to purchase a vehicle that will be perfect for them and their family in the long run, many people don't realize that the “short run” within the first 90 days of ownership is also so very important! During the first three months that a car is driven, this is when the true initial attachment to the vehicle is made, and longstanding opinions regarding recommending the purchase to others are solidified. Just last week, it was made evident once again that Kia owners reported fewer issues within the first 90 days of ownership than all other non-luxury car and truck brands in the United States.

After ranking the highest in the entire industry in 2016 and 2017, Kia's reported problem levels are still unchanged, deeming us once again as situated in the top mass-market automaker spot. The Sorento SUV and Rio subcompact models were both at the top of their respective segments, and the Optima, Sportage, and Sedona placed second in their respective segments. Every single car that Kia builds is a symbol of world-class quality and craftsmanship, and every employee here at Jim Butler Kia is proud of the progression and focus on performance the brand has displayed as of late.

The report came to its conclusion by analyzing responses from 75,712 respondents,  using 240 different vehicle models across 26 segments. Qualities evaluated were driving experience, the performance of transmission and engine, and a large range of various quality issues as they were reported by knowledgeable vehicle owners. There is nothing quite as frustrating as signing a lease or outright purchase, getting used to the daily drive in a new vehicle, and all of a sudden encountering car trouble. Knowing this full well, our brand takes great pride in being the top contender for the quality study, a measure of how much true satisfaction can stem from Kia ownership.

We invite you to heat things up this summer with a visit to us to check out great vehicles such as the Rio: testers from Car and Driver were greatly pleased with its performance on the brick-paved streets of Baltimore's Fells Point neighborhood, and very quiet performance during highway travel. Customer after customer has been won over by the budget-minded output of Kia in general: we are known to be a brand that takes into consideration the economics of the time, and offering the absolute best in auto quality for a sensible price. 

Cars.com heaped on the praise for our beloved Kia Sportage, claiming heaps of love for its performance with turbocharged engine, accurate steering, and incredibly comfortable backseat. Ergonomics, safety, and reliability are great reasons to fall in love with a car, and Kia is happy to once again roll off the lot with killer qualities highlighted in each and every single model!

2018 Kia Niro Boasts Top Safety Pick+ Award From Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Many of our satisfied customers here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis have told us constantly that high safety rankings are one of the top reasons they pick our brand. Every time you pull out of the driveway on a new journey, the knowledge that you are behind the wheel of a car that ranks among the best in the world can bring about an amazing sense of peace, no matter how demanding your itinerary. The 2018 Kia Niro recently snagged the honors for the highest award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Introduced for the 2017 model year, the Niro has earned stellar marks across the board, with the latest success being the passenger-side small overlap front test.

The Niro Plug-in Hybrid is also included in these new crashworthiness ratings, and the entire system avoided collisions in 12 mph and 25 mph IIHS track tests. The included forward collision warning component meets National Highway Traffic Safety Administration criteria, further solidifying it as a great choice for any growing family or professional with a four-laned and frantic daily jaunt. In order to qualify successfully as a Top Safety Pick+ award-winner, a vehicle needs to have “good” ratings in the driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength, and head restraint tests, on top of an acceptable or good rating in the passenger-side small overlap front test.

The current Niro is known as a model that is a family-friendly 4-door hatchback, with the bragging rights to outstanding fuel economy. One of the absolute most efficient in its class, it has a combined city/highway fuel-economy rating of 50 mpg, and can drive for 26 miles total on electricity alone. Kia has really listened closely to the needs of hybrid shoppers as of late, who will love the hatchback versatility, and attention to detail taken while crafting a very modern and eye-catching design. This year, the Kia added the Plug-in Hybrid model to the Niro lineup, and Lane Keep Assist was included on board to replace Kia's Lane Departure Warning system.

Come down and spend time with us for a test drive at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, and check out the top-of-the-line Niro Touring trim level: the Advanced Tech Package is now included with all of these models. EX models receive a new Electromatic rearview mirror, that keeps glare down for you when you need a quick look at what's going on in lanes behind you. As the reviewers at Kelley Blue Book stated, the Niro is “Athletic and feels light on its feet, with a welcome agility”. Don't forget to check out Sport Mode: this is where you get to enjoy much better throttle response, tightened steering, and the 6-speed automatic transmission offers up quicker action. With a techie yet slightly more rugged appearance than the Prius, the Niro is slated to win over St Louis drivers with outstanding efficiency, and its ability to nail down 43 miles per gallon!

Kia Niro EV Specifics Made Public During Korean Auto Show

This week in South Korea, The Busan International Motor Show was a bustling hive of various high-tech activity and product demonstrations. Here the very latest in passenger cars, motorcycles, automobile parts, and commercial cars are all on display for consumers and business owners to eagerly see what trends and modifications are on tap for the coming year. The Kia Niro EV made its first appearance here, this week, and it was officially confirmed that the car will offer a battery with up to 236 miles of range. In January, a concept version of the car was shown at the Consumer Electronics Show, detailing tail light and trim details. It then appeared in Korea during an electric vehicle expo, touting two new battery options including a larger 64-kWh pack, currently expected to be the only one sold in the United States.

It will offer 100-kw DC fast charging, which can rejuvenate the battery's level all of the way to 80 percent in less than one hour. In other markets, the Niro EV is slated to offer a 39.2 kwh battery pack, rated at an overall finishing distance of 150 miles. A 201-horsepower electric motor will have the duty of driving the front wheels, and allows for a 0-62 mph trot in 7.8 seconds. The 7.0-inch touchscreen has the benefit of specific pages that monitor overall range, driving efficiency, charging opportunities, and control the climate.

The first thing that many will notice right when you enter the efficient and Eco-friendly Niro is the all-digital instrument cluster: it is unique to the Niro EV. You'll have the option to add equipment such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, and active lane control. The characteristic blue accents and rotary shifter are all found in the electric version of the Niro only as well, and the car is set to go on sale in Korea late this year. Some of the big news for the 2018 Niro was that the touring model now comes standard with HID headlights, forward collision warning system, a lane keep assist system, autonomous emergency braking, and the ever-useful wireless phone charger.

Two years ago, Motortrend said of that Niro model that they praised it for its “non- hybrid looks, smooth-shifting six-speed dual clutch, and flat-folding rear seats”. Also giving the Niro high marks for above-average regenerative braking, the Niro has always been a good choice for anyone driving Uber or Lyft as an income opportunity. We are witnessing a very dramatic shift towards sustainability in the power category, and are amazed at the progression that has taken place from hybrid vehicles to a future of purely-battery generated power. We invite you to come down to Jim Butler Kia of St Louis with any questions you may have: the Niro EV is slated for release here during the latest quarter of the year.

AMCI Global Ranks Kia As One of 2018's Most Trusted Brands

As the warmer days of summer are upon St Louis residents, there is an abundance of events to attend, after loading up your new Kia with friends or family to experience all of the fun. As the temperatures begin to reach the point when heavy air conditioning is the name of the game, the St Louis Art Museum is one destination that will “Up the cool factor” in a major way as far as temps are concerned. The Saint Louis Art Museum will be the first North American art museum to tell the amazing story of one of the greatest finds in the history of underwater archaeology. Two lost cities of ancient Egypt were submerged underwater, and were not uncovered for over a thousand years. More than 200 authentic artifacts including sculptures of a pharaoh, a queen, and ancient Gods will be on hand for viewing and a super awesome Summer's educational treat!

While you are on the way to your destination in one of our fine vehicles, you'll have  the satisfaction of knowing that the brand has been acknowledged for the second year in a row as one of the most trusted non-luxury automotive brands in the yearly Trust Automotive Brands Study, conducted by AMCI Global. Trust is the highest-ranked factor that leads to building brand loyalty inside and out, as well as the property of a car that affects a customer's decision to purchase one more than once. This study detailed this year how trust accounts for more than 50 percent of a consumer's decision to recommend, or repurchase a car down the road.

Meaningful perks such as an industry-leading warranty, and a dealer network that has long been devoted to customer service are a few of the reasons why customers keep coming back to Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, and we are happy to provide many with the optimum vehicle for their lifestyle. During January of this year, AMCI conducted its second annual TAB Study, with a collective sample of 2,500 owners across 34 brands participating. The study is executed in collaboration with C Space, a global consumer agency. AMCI is a leading global automotive marketing agency that has long been committed to serving every part of this vibrant industry, and creating new advocates for longstanding as well as newer automotive brands.

Founded in 1984, AMCI has now grown to provide three distinct services. AMCI Live  Is dedicated to consumer and industry product activations and events, AMCI Testing uses technology to compare every single aspect of automotive products, and AMCI Inside works with dealerships to make sure the best customer experience is had during every transaction. It's easy to see why so many drivers are putting their hard-earned trust in Kia: our 10-year/ 100,000-mile warranty program is one of the top leaders in the industry, and leading models such as the Niro, Soul, and Sorento are purchased frequently for their performance and reliability.