Car and Driver Hails 2019 Kia Niro EV as Perfect Alternative to the Tesla Model 3

Dave VanderWerp of Car and Driver was definitely on to something when he said that in his opinion, our esteemed Niro EV came out with perhaps not near as much anticipation as the Chevy Bolt and without the illustrious star appeal of “anything Tesla.” It's our addition to the lineup that is an electric-only crossover, and Dave also states here that it is a thoroughly impressive engineering effort that is painting Kia as the daunting dark horse in electric-vehicle prowess.

With the EPA mile rating situated at a very substantial 239 miles, it also offers up more back-seat room and nearly 25 percent more cargo space than the Model 3. Whenever customers come to talk to us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis about the potential of buying an all-electric car, they are usually very savvy individuals who are great at the all-important task of stretching their valuable dollar. The Niro's price tag is situated at an attractive $10,000 less than that of the small Tesla sedan, one reason why Dave claims it is an “EV that the masses should be lined up to buy.”

The Niro comes in two feature-heavy trim levels: the EX and EX Premium. Among included standard features are passive entry with push-button start, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality, automatic climate control, and a slew of driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering assist, and blind-spot warning. Stepping up to the Premium trim adds LED head and taillights, a sunroof, leather front seats that are heated and ventilated, an 8.0-inch center touchscreen instead of the standard 7.0-inch model, and the eccentrically excellent sounds of the Harmon/Kardon stereo.

After a lengthy test drive, Dave ranked the driving experience as “serene,” and great at quelling the wind noise that is hard to avoid during the winter. The electrical hardware provided minimal whine, and everything inside feels solid and built with longstanding expertise. The Niro is tuned to be more comfortable and have a bit less sporty of a stance, and the brakes possess the quick and protective response expected from any current offering. After comparing it in detail to the Tesla Model 3, the final verdict from the Car And Driver troupe was that the powertrain has a mature tone that “brings on the power in a more progressive manner,” and the group was happy to see range estimates peaking out at a bit higher than the 239-mile stated figure, which may have been helped along by a very optimal 60-degree temperature outside.

Ask us about the optional cold-weather package, which includes heated steering wheel plus battery heater and heat pump to further comfort the cabin. Also of great interest is the standard 100-kW DC fast-charging capability, quicker than both the Nissan Leaf and the Bolt EV. If hooked up to a 100 kW onboard charger, you can get your pack up to 80 percent in just an hour. As the future of automobiles appears to be embracing electrification with no slowdown in sight, 2019 may be the perfect year for your family or business to verify what volt-powered victory over fuel consumption feels like!

Straight From The Kia Pressroom: 2020 Kia Soul's All-new Platform Highlights

An iconic shape and profile are two of the reasons why new buyers are going crazy about the next-generation Soul, and the Kia Pressroom website had a great feature getting close-up and personal with the new Soul this past week that you can check out here. One of the elements that it highlights is how much a technologically advanced cockpit can highlight the driving experience, as well as the new 2.0-liter engine and available IVT transmission combination. Feeling completely all-new and refreshed, the 2020 Soul is a revamped version of our well-esteemed and award-snagging urban drive-about.

This 2020 model encompasses the exciting result of everything that helped this styled and diverse subcompact turn heads in the first place: there is literally “more soul” injected into the entire vehicle, whose end result is an unmatched style, aggressive performance, and example of what is needed for anyone who is navigating the trenches of daily A to B within the metro. Even with an entirely new generation of competitors now present in the marketplace, the options to customize, technology offerings, and flavorful style have made the Soul quite a tough contender.

The five available trim levels are LX, S, X-Line, GT-Line, and EX, in addition to the completely all-new Soul EV vehicle. The 2020 version stays true to its design heritage with boxy silhouette and aggressive stance, fresh close-up details, new lighting elements, and design lines that catch the eye immediately. There is now a new high-tech front headlight configuration with a connecting trim piece that clearly accentuates width, as well as slim-design daytime running lights and turn signal indicators. One of our favorite features here at Jim Butler is the larger front grille with new two-tone treatment, and the new mounting points on the roof rack.

The ability to enjoy and express the emotion that great music gives us has long been a theme for the Soul since its original release, and this time around the same sentiment presides. Drawing much inspiration from the emotional visualization of sound, the Soul's space inside is checked with shapes and textures that reflect elements inspired by acoustics, with the goal of creating a full sensory experience. There is now sound mood lighting that emits super-cool soft light from the center door panels, and a 3D pattern surface on the upper door panels that synchronized the beat playing through the audio system.

Next year's Soul is made of a structure that has increased use of Advanced High Strength Steel, structural adhesive, and stamped components. We absolutely expect it to receive the highest safety ratings in existence from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration. As excited as customers get regarding tech features, we are proud of the fact that the Soul offers the 10.25-inch HD color touchscreen with split function, as well as rear-view monitor parking guidance. The GT line is where things get really sporty and flexible: with this addition, you get 18-inch alloy wheels, unique side sills and front fascia with red accents, integrated fog lights on the front grille, special “GT-Line” badging, larger disc brakes, and customized sport-tuned suspension.

2019 Forte Crowned “Best Small Car” Honors by Motorweek

Compact cars are sought after by those who are looking for excellent value, easy daily drive factor, and longstanding reliability. One element that we have really tried to stay focused on during the auto development process value: over the last decade, we have seen consumers say that the entry-level pricing point is most important to them, and that the available features in tech with low trim levels make all the difference in the world. This week we had an added dose of reassurance and bragging rights: the 2019 Forte has snagged up the honors from the MotorWeek Driver's Choice Award for “Best Small Car.”

With the Forte, we completed the task of taking an already excellent small car approach, and then added more space, technology, and styling to pull off the end result. This is a great looking and highly affordable car, that we just happen to fully believe is the most fun daily driver in its size class. The editors of MotorWeek conduct more than 150 car and truck reviews every year, evaluating vehicles regarding their features, pricing, performance, accommodations, fuel economy, reliability, and resale. The Forte was all-new for 2019, and it was built with the goal of it becoming the best in its class. The efforts of the entire team really stand out when a body of respected experts like this dole out the very top rating.

The Drivers' Choice Award winners are showcased on Motorweek.org, and will appear on a special episode scheduled to be aired on public television stations beginning February 9, and on cable's Motor Trend Network starting February 19. Edmunds.com is another online source that many turn to frequently for goods and information regarding the driving experience of new models, and when it came to the Forte, they had plenty good to say. Plenty of features for the money, strong fuel economy estimates, and our generous Kia warranty coverage were at the top of the list for what they enjoyed while taking a close-up look. 

You'll love the way in which the long hood and fastback-style sloping roofline is a bit reminiscent of what you see on the souped-up and aggressive Stinger sedan. The base trim level includes dual-zone air conditioning, an 8-inch touchscreen tech interface, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and top-notch safety aids like automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assist. You'll want to be sure to investigate the EX trim: this is where you get premium touches on the Forte such as faux leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a hands-free trunk.

The EX Launch Edition package adds 17-inch wheels, a sunroof, a rear decklid spoiler, LED headlights, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a larger gauge cluster display, and an amazing 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with HD radio. The Edmunds staff claimed that after a test drive, the seats are “soft and cushioned in all the right places with strong lateral support,” and the climate controls pleasantly mirror the pricier Stinger's design. We are excited to receive another award for excellence scooped up by the Forte, and look forward to a year full of surprises, achievements, and fulfilling the dreams of many customers on the search for their perfect new ride!

2019 Kia Sorento Billed By Cars.com as “Versatile as it Gets”

It can be said without a doubt that SUV's definitely have to be well-rounded to keep their stately perch after they earn one in today's market. Some may mistakenly think that since the genre is so popular, that any thrown-together and beta-tested finished product can fare well in the marketplace. But we agree as the review staff from Cars.com said in a recent article, “myriad strengths” need to let a model stand out from the competition. Safety features, comfort, and technology were the areas that the Sorento really won them over with.

One of the biggest changes for 2019 is a third row that is now standard on all trim levels, along with some styling update on the exterior, small tweaks to the interior, and a new eight-speed automatic transmission paired with the optional V-6. Trims to select from are L, LX, EX, SX, and SX Limited. The class that it is designed to do battle in included the Honda Pilot, Chevy Traverse, and the Cars.com Best of 2018 award winner, the Volkswagen Atlas. If you ask all of us here on staff at Jim Butler what some of our favorite features on the Sorento are, we will tell you the grille: it's always prominent and very characteristic when one is rolling up!

The testing team got to make use of an SX Limited, by way of the larger of the two available engines. This is the 3.3-liter V6 that cranks out 290 horsepower, and 252 lb-ft of torque. It is the standard engine on the EX and SX trims, and optional on the LX. The lower engine option is a 2.4- Liter inline four that generates 185 horsepower, and is still going to get you through the daily drive with plenty of spunk and vigor. The dedicated drive squad also said that the V-6 definitely “pours on power easily,” avoids the over-assisted feeling you get from other electric power steering setups. It gels well with the suspension, and gives the Sorento a ride that is comfortable as well as a very-well planted driving experience.

After you experience a test drive for yourself, you will notice how surprisingly quiet the cabin is: wind, tire, and road noise simply are not an issue during the drive. Fuel economy ratings have gone up for this year, as the new 8-speed transmission helps to add 2 mpg combined over last year's V-6. It is now EPA-rated at 19/26/22 mpg city/highway/combined with FWD, and 19/24/21 mpg with AWD in action. The Sorento boasts a multimedia system that has standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and the menus and controls have a very straightforward feel and presentation. Ask us how value is one really amazing trait that shines through after closely examining the features of the Sorento: all competing vehicles in this category are undercut by nearly $4,000, and this vehicle rides with a luxurious enough stance that it stacks up easily against the top trims of its opponents!

Jim Butler Kia Proudly Receives Dealer Rater's Consumer Satisfaction Award For 2019

Shopping for a new vehicle is quite an experience: it is easy to feel a bit bombarded with choices, overwhelmed by features, and always concerned with the bottom line. Excellent websites out there such as DealerRater provide sources for those not only on the hunt for a new car, but ultimately on the hunt for the perfect dealer to complete their transaction with. Based on a mantra that involves “Real people writing real reviews,” one of the best things about their website is the ability to see how dealers work with their valued consumers regarding issues like trade-ins and routine maintenance.

As we have looked over their website before receiving the Consumer Satisfaction Awards for the year from them, we were impressed by their filters and proxy for content: every single review is filtered through a multi-step automated screening process, and trained content moderators read every review and investigate suspicious postings. Only the reviews that have passed both automated and human moderation will remain posted, giving consumers the most trusted and plausible reviews out there. Just a decade or so ago, it was easier for dealers to be unreliable in general, and practice bad ethics without the power of the internet to keep business in moral check.

All of us here at Jim Butler Kia stand proudly by our warranties, which have always been known to be the best in the business. Whether you are purchasing a new sedan such as our Rio, or a loaded-and-luxurious SUV like the Sportage, it always takes the anxiety out of the equation to know that if something goes wrong, you can bring it to the dealer and have it expertly covered. For a vehicle like the Sportage, ask us about all-encompassing coverage such as the 5 yr/60,000 mile basic, 10 yr/100,000 mile powertrain.

Receiving satisfaction awards such as this solidifies our connection to the community, as we want every customer that walks through the door to be able to trust us with one of the biggest steps they can take in their business or personal development! Driving off the lot with a vehicle that is fully-loaded with the best in tech and safety features is that much more satisfying when you are convinced that your source is not just among the best, but #1 in the region.

Many St Louis residents have purchased 3 or more cars from us, and are thrilled about the solid relationship they have built with us along the way. We are known for not pushing the most expensive cars within our inventory, and we know that if we help you make your target budget with success, then we have won a friend AND customer for life. 2019 promises to be very exciting in the auto business, and we thank you all wholeheartedly for giving us yet another boost in longevity and acknowledgment for a job well done!