2020 Kia Telluride Billed by Extreme Tech as “Smooth, Gifted, and Simply Amazing”

The Kia Telluride has seen widespread acclaim and great reviews over the past few months, and the latest scoop from Extreme Tech was heavy on the praise element. Features writer Bill Howard claims after a drive that it's “completely amazing, and gifted with a smooth ride as well as the ability to tow a 5,000 lb trailer”. He was massively impressed that the lowest trim level has every necessary safety tool and driver assist, on the front-drive LX model. 

Among these safety features are blind-spot detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, forward collision warning, rear parking sonar, drowsy driver warning, and rear occupant alert. Rear occupant alert is a true lifesaver: it warns you if you leave pets or kids in the car while unintentionally in a rush. That is all in addition to the usual stability control and rear backup camera. For his test drive, Bill had his hands on the wheel of the top of the line SX trim, where he felt it was at its best on the highway. It proved to be quiet, roomy and offered a very comfortable ride. 

He deemed the brakes excellent after putting the Telluride through a few “panic stops”, and he also put the Highway Driving Assist to the full test. This is Kia's Level 2 implementation of self-driving, which places the Telluride on the pre-set cruise control speed, and keeps the car centered. The driver has to have their hands on the wheel often enough that the car senses them still there, and paying close attention. All Telluride models come with another way to have a sort of self-driving: you can engage adaptive cruise control followed by lane center assist, keep your hands mostly on the wheel, and the vehicle follows the road ahead including gentle turns. 

All 4 trim models come with the 3.8-liter 291 hp V6 engine with 8-speed automatic and have a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. There are five USB jacks, your choice of 8-inch or 10.25-inch center stack display, and the option for remote start via smartphone. All of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis would recommend the SX trim level for those who simply need everything in a vehicle: it has the Blind-Spot View Monitor, surround view cameras, LED headlamps and fog lamps, dual sunroofs, 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and black 20-inch alloys. This review stated that the “Telluride is simply so good that Kia should raise the price”, and we promised to continue giving you the great value, standout safety features, and world-class warranty that we always have! 

Carbuzz.com Leaks Multiple Kia Telluride Future Updates

Earlier in the week, the staff on duty at Carbuzz.com cranked out the report that Kia may be hard at work on a more rugged trim level of the Telluride, complete with unique skid plates, tires, and a few other new extras. An anonymous Kia employee had supposedly contacted Motor1 recently and had claimed that we were deciding whether to offer up an “X-line” appearance package that brandished unique skid plates. This anonymous employee also supposedly possessed evidence that there was an internal survey underway that will assess what the take rate might be for each unique trim.

This “X-line” package does differ a bit from the off-road package that was originally rumored to be in the development stages. At first, it was hinted heavily that a Telluride with very knobby tires and a brush guard was a possibility, which could offer up some exceptional overlanding capability. It seems that the package being considered is a bit more everyday-driver-focused, with high-gloss black skid plates in the front and rear, a satin black grille, body-color door handles, window trim, lower door trim, body emblems, and front bumper side air duct trim.

On top of it all, the X-Line could see 20-inch black alloy wheels along for the ride, and not offer as much of an off-road-ready contender as much as it provides an upper-end cosmetic touch and urban flair. Even though it has not been on the market for long, the Telluride has already won over many excited members of the automotive press, racking up honors such as the North American Utility Vehicle of the year award. Also snagging up the Motor Trend's 2020 SUV of the Year, this is the premier vehicle that is truly packed with what you need for life's adventures.

You'll enjoy the 10.25” touchscreen display on board, as well as features that allow you to amplify your voice to rear passengers and reclining dual captain's chairs. Rear passengers can enjoy available double sunroofs, and standard USB ports, and the available voice-command navigation system engages the real-time highway traffic app to help you locate the most efficient route for your journey.

Ask us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis just how Kia’s UVO Link services allow you to connect to certain features remotely through the Key Access with the online portal at Owners.Kia.com. The SX trim is our most favored option, offering LED headlights and front fog lamps, dual sunroofs, 20-inch black sport alloy wheels, premium 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio, and blind-spot view monitor!

Cars.com Praises 2021 Kia Seltos For Stellar Fuel Economy Ratings

Many of the customers we love to help every day here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis have been asking us about upcoming news regarding the 2021 Kia Seltos. Thanks to publications such as Cars.com, that news is now trickling on down the wire, and the base powertrain is slated to be a 146-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. That configuration is the most fuel-efficient setup you can get on the Seltos, offering up an estimated 29/34/31 mpg city/highway/combined.

Concerning the base engine and AWD that comes standard on EX and LX models, the numbers go down to 27/31/29 mpg. Taking a close look at the S and standard on the SX, is a 175-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that is the most engaging, but understandably weighs in at an estimated 25/30/27 mpg. Many of the Seltos' prime competitors are typically on the larger side, such as the Hyundai Venue, Mazda CX-30, and Nissan Rogue Sport. These for the most part, when matched up in the MPG category, are just a bit less favorable than the Seltos.

In terms of AWD competitors, the Subaru Crosstrek nails down 30 mpg combined, the CX-30 boasts 27 mpg, and the Rogue Sport rings in at 27 mpg. As far as the other competition out there such as the Hyundai Kona and Jeep Renegade, the Seltos is pretty much tied. Its 27 mpg combined ties the AWD Kona and beats the AWD Renegade by 1 mpg, but it should be noted that the Seltos sports a longer wheelbase, and is 8 inches longer than the Kona, as well as 5.4 inches longer than the Renegade. We are confident that you'll enjoy the spacious interior, optional 10.3-infotainment screen, and very nimble handling on the road.

The infotainment system offers navigation as well as the capability to split the screen, so you can view directions at the same times as tuning the radio. Depending on which model you choose, the Seltos can be equipped with up to three USB ports, a wireless smartphone charging pad, and even an 8-speaker Bose audio system featuring fractal-textured speaker grilles.

Key safety features on the Seltos include available automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist. We are also so very proud of our warranty coverage that is consistently hailed as the best in the industry: ask us right here at Jim Butler about the limited warranty covering 5 years or 60,000 miles, and the powertrain warranty that covers 10 years or 10,000 miles!

Car and Driver Confirms 2021 Kia Optima Addition of Two Turbo Engines, AWD

There have been rumors lately that the alluring new Kia Optima, which is still named the K5 in the Korean market, will soon just bear one name. Although that cannot yet be 100 percent confirmed, what can be is that the redesigned mid-size sedan will now offer two different turbocharged engines right here in the States, and very likely now brandish all-wheel drive. The entry-level Optima is powered by a new turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four that is also present in the Hyundai Sonata.

This engine cranks out 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, and also uses Kia's new continuously variable valve duration (CVVD) technology. Putting this to use can result in 4 to 5 percent better efficiency, along with a 12 percent improvement in tailpipe emissions. A variable duration adjuster moves up and down, and actually shifts the contact point of the cam lobe. When the duration adjuster is moved determine the duration of time a valve is open. The predominant benefit is that a long valve duration takes place during low engine speeds, allowing more time for the air to sufficiently enter the cylinder.

As Car and Driver reports on the blog this week, the top of the group GT variant makes 286 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, with much of the credit going to the turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four. Speed tests have proven it to go from 0 to 60 in around 6.6 seconds, and there is talk of a hybrid powertrain in the works as well. There is also a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, a higher-output continuously variable valve lift version of the identical 2.0-liter. All of these engines come standard with either a 6 or 8-speed automatic transmission. The updated Optima features front-wheel drive as standard, and all-wheel drive is expected in the United States variant as well.

The seasoned staff on duty at Cnet's Roadshow claimed regarding the 2021 Optima that “if you're staring, you might want to keep staring because this one's deeply attractive”. Everyone here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis is so excited about the “Tiger Nose Evolution” we have seen with our brand line's sedan appearance: you know when one is coming up on you, and the looks are striking as well as modern!

Another very cool element of the 2021 model's design is the band of chrome outlining the side window line, which looks attractive combined with frameless doors and blacked-out roof treatment. We will keep you posted about developments and release dates regarding the Optima here on the blog and are completely geared up to show you after a test drive how fantastic and fundamentally useful a brand-new Kia can be for you this New Year!

Green Car Reports Deems Kia Niro EV Best Car to Buy 2020 Nominee

In some ways, the switch to full-on electric-vehicle presence has not taken place the way it was predicted to a few years back... with mass-market models nailing down incredibly-long range batteries or being able to boast the sheer affordability needed to be always sustainable. While the focus on quality will get better and better for the everyday consumer, there is already one shining star out there in the form of our Kia Niro, which was one of three vehicles to qualify as a nominee to be Green Car Reports' Best Car to Buy 2020.

The folks on staff at Green Car Reports claimed after a few drives that the Niro EV piles the features on: a 7.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is included, as well as a power sunroof, heated and ventilated leather front seats, Harman Kardon Premium audio, adaptive cruise control, active lane assist, and automatic emergency braking. Underneath the passenger floor is where the 64 – kwh battery pack is positioned, making for added capacity under the rear seat, and the entire battery is sealed and liquid-cooled together alongside the power electronics.

The motor that sends power to the front wheels in the Niro EV is permanent-magneted, cranking out 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. The testing team for Green Car Reports enjoyed the simply-laid out interface for the predictable regenerative braking and the range meter that proved to be extremely reliable. The brake regen comes in three steps and an added coast mode, and holding the left paddle during deceleration allows for an eventual complete stop without any touching of the brake. There's even an “Auto” regen mode that puts radar and camera inputs to the task of conserving and recreating energy.

What everyone understandably is most concerned within the long run is how fast charging is, and what it means is they are relying on the car for their very necessary daily driver. Incorporating 100 kw, fast-charging on CCS DC fast charging hardware can yield 100 miles of charge in 30 minutes or finish at 80 percent in around an hour. On a 50 kw charger it just takes 15 minutes more, and if you're on Level 2 standard 240V charging, you can do an overnight stint of just less than 9.5 hours. This writeup also states that among the three finalists for the year, the 2020 Kia Niro EV is the only one that has the capability to find a place in the mass market, and all of us on staff here to serve you for the holidays at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis would have to wholeheartedly agree!