Whatcar.com Blog Presents Kia Niro Face-Off with Hyundai Kona Electric

Two months ago, the folks on staff at the Whatcar.com blog named the Hyundai Kona Electric the best car of its kind. This past week, they ran a feature regarding our Niro, and seeing if they thought we make better use of the very same battery and motor in our endeavor. Before they even get into the nuts and bolts of driving details, they claimed off the bat that the Niro's package is more practical, appealing to those who are looking for a daily driver with functionality and common sense.

This feature does a great job of stepping back in time all the way to 1885, when the first patent Motorwagen auto roared precariously to life. Even though so much has changed since then, it is true that the overall popularity of the internal combustion engine has remained constant. Even though electric power has offered up a quieter and cleaner alternative for this entire 133-year period, it has always taken a back seat due to expense concerns, and questions about range. After Tesla had killed off some of the concern regarding battery capacity worries, the technology just had to wait to filter down into a package that cost less. With the Hyundai Kona Electric, that was offered up in a car that literally was on a mission to save the Earth.

This Kona instantly was the favored electric car of this publication, but they now feel that its domination may be short-lived, due to the arrival of our family-friendly and high-performing e-Niro. The testing team really highlights the fact that any driver will be very surprised at how much punch these cars have, whether you are already in motion, or trying to go fast right off the line. After intense driving and taking notes, the team agreed that the steering on the Niro is more accurate, leaving you with a sense that the handling has a tidiness and pleasantly grippy property. In the very crucial braking category, the e-Niro has the ability to stop from both 30 and 70 mph, and the brake pedal feels more consistent, which enables smoother stops.

You are able to adjust the level of regenerative braking in both cars, which controls the amount of electricity harvested by the car as you slow down, from noticeable to so strong that you can drive without hardly using the brake pedal at all. As far as the all-important range question, the Kona boasted a total of 259 miles to the e-Niro's 253, which is most definitely a close matchup. Regardless of speed, the review concluded that the “miles will certainly pass more pleasantly in the e-Niro,” where you'll notice much less road and wind noise during the trip.

Finally, the experienced folks from the blog felt the materials in the e-Niro's interior were of higher quality, and that superiority was evident in layout as well as comfort. Come down to see us at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis this January, and check out the electric options that are becoming more abundant as the future collides with the present. The way in which cleaner energy sources will change that future for the better are plenty, and we are proud of just how frequently our vehicles have been praised by some of the most-read blogs and news sources out there!

Autoblog.com Provides Closeup on the “Upscale and Off-Road Capable” 2020 Kia Telluride

Designed and built right here in the USA, we are very proud of the addition of the Telluride as our new flagship and large-sized SUV contender! This concept was first shown in Detroit three years ago, and the vehicle that seats 8 while offering an upscale vibe and A+ safety features was looked at close up by the folks at Autoblog this past week. Going head to head and straight to the throngs of battle with vehicles like the Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Telluride was designed at the Kia studio in sunny Southern California. At first glance, the telltale and signature Kia nameplates are present on the hood's leading edge, on top of the grille, and on the liftgate.

The sculpted rear skid plate with integrated twin exhaust tips is super cool and foreboding, with power being derived from a 3.8-liter direct-injection V6 making 291 horsepower, and 262 lb-ft of torque. All these goodies are mated to an 8-speed automatic, along with 4-wheel independent suspension and a body structure derived from very high-strength steel monocoque shell. Making use of an amazingly modern technique, the rear suspension of the Telluride is self-leveling, as the ride height is calibrated depending on the load to preserve stability and precise control.

On top of the Smart, Eco, Sport, and Comfort driving modes, Snow and AWD lock settings are on deck to get you through weather situations that are less-than-favorable. We are very excited about the on-demand all-wheel drive that will be an option: it tackles the job of distributing torque between the front and rear wheels with input from the driver, as well as road conditions gleaned from onboard tech. Based on AWD coupling and constantly redistributing power between the front and rear wheels, in an attempt to smooth the ride.

Inside, the pleasantly wide console sports the large 10.25-inch color touchscreen, and the interior hooks to hang bags and packs, ceiling-mounted climate control in the second row, as well as reclining third-row seats are a few more qualities that make the Telluride stand out from the competition. No car wants to be left without Apple CarPlay or Android Auto now, and this is another area where the Telluride thoroughly delivers. The Kia Driver-wise assist system now has features that are firsts for a Kia Suv, including a heads-up display, and blind spot collision avoidance assist rear.

The folks on duty delivering the daily scoop at Car and Driver wholeheartedly appreciated the body-on-frame approach, citing that an old-school vibe like the Tahoe or Yukon's presence is noticed. Built at the Georgia plant alongside the Sorento, the Telluride is slated to go on sale by May of 2019. The stakes are quite high within the SUV game, and this vehicle named after a Colorado Film buff's dream location come true is burgeoning and constantly ready to deliver the goods!

Kia Stinger Presented By Wheels 24.CA Blog as “Nothing Short of Marvelous”

One of the most exciting changes of the year for us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis was the way in which the Stinger GT has given the brand a completely exciting new sense of direction. We have always been proud of the fact that we were known as a company that was putting hard work and dedication into creating vehicles that were for the savvy, sensible driver on a budget. We fully admit that during the beginning of our brand's lifespan, the type of consumer who favored “that luxury brand beginning with the letter 'B' “ among other members of the high-performing and pricier club may not have paid us much attention.

The staff on duty at the Wheels24.CA blog produced a video and posted it here regarding their road test of the Stinger GT, and highlighting their high level of satisfaction as well. The 3.3-Liter turbocharged V-6 was taken to fondly right away, and car tester Mathis Kurrat lamented that the first versions of Gran Turismo cars were amazing to look at with their elongated hoods and their perfect proportions that called out “Get in, and we'll get right down to business!” During his drive on camera, Mathis claimed that Kia has come up with a model that makes those 1950s versions look downright old-fashioned, and loves the trademark tiger nose grille at the front, with large air intakes as a trademark feature.

The video does a good job of showing the Stinger GT's side profile, and the standard divided taillights with LED design which come as standard. This is Kia's quickest and most powerful series production model, and the black diffuser along with dual-twin exhaust are telltale signs of the fact that this is an entirely new breed and dimension of sportiness altogether for Kia. The sports steering wheel comes equipped with integrated paddle shifters, complemented perfectly with aluminum interior accents. Before he had even activated Sport Plus mode, Mathis was loving the way the car glided nicely through curves, thanks to all-wheel drive even during the wet weather conditions he was experiencing that day.

As many seasoned car engineers can tell you, when you are in a situation where you are going faster than average speed in a vehicle (which is bound to happen in the Stinger GT) the suspension “simply needs to play along.” In this case, it does, and even though some are under the cautious spell of wondering “Who needs this huge of a V6,” one only needs to take a quick look around to see the hefty horsepower amounts doled out by the likes of the Dodge Challenger, and the unearthly act of dropping the brand-new 707-horsepower capable engine into the new Jeep Cherokee Trackhawk.

As the experts at Car and Driver have themselves admitted, the Stinger is a “Self-professed BMW 3-series fighter,” and the GT variant is where the grunty and gallant V6 comes into play. A testament to the great things that happen when a dedicated team of engineers and conceptual thinkers put their heads together to reach for the skies, the Stinger GT is our sleek and stealth contender for tech-loving and track-hungry car buyers who are tapping their feet while waiting to step up their driving game!

The Record Herald.com Kia Rio S Test Drive: Sheer Domination for Style, Handling, Spacious Cabin

Just introduced last year, the sporty subcompact that is an all-new generation model is known for delivering incredibly solid transportation while having a great-looking body style, and consumers everywhere are loving the Kia Rio S. Riding the exciting heels of our victory in achieving the Motor Trend Magazine 2019 “Car of the Year” award for the Genesis G70, the all-new luxury sport compact which was also the IIHS Top Safety Pick for 2019. Greg Zyla of The Record Herald gave excellent reviews for the G80 as well as G90 models he had driven, and this past week took on our new Rio S as his latest review topic.

Now available in either 4-door sedan or five-door hatchback models, the major change for 2019 is the offering of one instead of three trims. Last year the entry-level LX trim did not offer enhanced safety features, and still was using crank windows. This year the sole S model offers everything power as standard, and has upped the ante quite a bit regarding safety features. The drivetrain is exactly the same, and the manual transmission that came with the outgoing LX has disappeared. All Rios now come with six-speed automatics, and a strengthened dose of improved interior features. As standard fare you now get to enjoy Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth Hands-free, and other tools that help you operate the Rio on a daily basis with the high-tech essence that most 2019 consumers demand.

Power for the Rio is derived from a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that cranks out 130 horsepower and 119 lb-ft of torque, and while that is not in the same powerhouse category as some other heftier choices, provided tons of pep and strength during Greg's test drive. EPA estimates are at a solid 28 mpg for city, and 37 highway, which both measure in at better than the outgoing model. He heartily recommends the addition of the Technology Package to get the most out of your Rio: it adds LED headlights, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assistance, Forward Collision Warning, LED Positioning lights, UVO e-Series with 7-inch Touchscreen display, Sirius XM Satellite, as well as a 3.5-inch display Supervision Meter Cluster.

Even though it's a bit smaller in actual wheelbase length, once you settle in behind the wheel and get to business, anyone will be surprised at how spacious the cabin feels, and Greg agreed that it sits at the absolute top of the subcompact segment as far as success in design. The cabin features very comfortable stitched dark cloth seating, nice gauges and dashboard, USB charging ports, power windows, keyless entry, and outside mirrors. Another great feature that makes a huge difference in comfort factor during the drive is the upgraded strut front with gas shocks and stabilizer bar mated to a rear torsion beam apparatus. As the month of January continues to fly by and your resolution of having a new vehicle is a constant reminder, this is when Kia offers incentives on both new and leftover models: make sure to come by and ask us how you can best get off to a fresh start by utilizing the best bargain!

2020 Kia Forte GT Highly Noted by Topspeed.com For “Strong Powertrain, Stunning Looks”

The smarter and more powerful twin of the Forte carries on the car's solid tradition of good looks, but adds an even more aggressive stance and vibe to the standard version. Expected to make its debut at the Detroit Motor Show early next year, the folks on staff at Topspeed.com offered up a feature about the car's finer points this past week, and the various reasons there are to be wowed over this awesome display of prime engineering and development.

Next year's model comes equipped with a new black grill sporting red accents, gloss-black mirrors, brand-new side skirts, and new rear spoiler. Ask us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis about adding the 18-inch Michelin Sport summer tires: they give a ferocious visual boost to the car's proportion, and provide the means for easily traversing through the winding roads of the blissful warm season. Inside, the Forte GT gets a leather-wrapped steering wheel, seats with extra bolstering, and brand-new and responsive floor pedals.

There are two trims slated for availability: the GT1 and GT2. The latter is decked out with ambient lighting and a sunroof, a definite step up and luxurious higher-end choice. The GT will be equipped with features like a rearview camera, heated front seats, automatic climate control, and Kia's UVO Infotainment system supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Once seated, the experienced staff at Topspeed.com all agreed that it was incredibly cozy, and the all-important NVH levels are very well-controlled.

For 2020, the Forte GT replaces the 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated 4-cylinder with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine producing 201 horsepower, and 195 lb-ft of torque. This is the same setup that you'll find on the Hyundai Elantra Sport, as well as the GT Sport. You'll have a choice of six-speed manual transmission, or a 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. We are more than excited about the manual: far too many current models are passing up this awesome and not entirely old-school means of shifting that really glues together the aspirating and thrilling connection between driver and road.

When you come to visit us for a post-holiday test drive, check out the sports-tuned dual exhaust system: some cars just don't possess the note that the Forte does: there is nothing quite like hearing the raw power idle that you are getting ready to dig in and take a bite out of, while the open road of challenges awaits! Top-notch safety features, the best tech offerings industry-wide, and the promise of an exciting daily driver are all features the Forte possesses, an excellent selection for your next sedan-in-the-making!