Kia Telluride Speaks Ranks Tops for Daily Usability After Claim To “Best 3-Row SUV For Families”

For the second year in a row, the Kia Telluride was named “Best 3-Row SUV For Families” by U.S. News and World Report! Using criteria such as automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, and keeping occupants entertained and connected, vehicles with the highest composite score in their class claimed the title of Best Car for Families for their specific category. For all of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis, this just solidifies the Telluride's status as one of the best SUVs on the market.

Another area where all of these front-running winners needed to excel was family-friendly technology offerings. Providing features such as teen driver controls, automatic braking, surround-view parking camera systems and hands-free cargo doors helped Telluride outrank the stiff competition. Customers that are looking for the vehicle to make their daily lives easier thrive on technology offerings that do the busy work for you, making features such as front automatic braking a hard-earned plus. Tri-zone climate control is a massive benefit during trips of any length, and teen driver features are the all-inclusive way to monitor exactly what the newest drivers in your family are doing and when.

An immaculately comfortable ride, well-shaped seats that offer premium comfort during the entire trip, and a spacious interior for large families on the move are traits that the Telluride has impressed all of us with since its debut. During Edmunds.com's thorough 20,000-mile test of the Telluride, they deemed it luxurious while practical enough to make the move away from prestigious numbers such as Land Rovers to arrive back down to Earth in a sensible family-oriented choice.

After driving the Telluride for just three weeks, this testing team claimed that they would immediately allow it to take the spot of their previous personal favorite. At a lanky 6'1”, one auto reviewer claimed that he had absolutely no trouble with stretching out behind the front row and that he was firmly supported no matter the position. Going as far as to state that there is “no other mainstream three-row crossover that pulls this off like Kia”, the ability to combat many types of fatigue during the trip is right at your fingertips.

The Telluride's interior provides a lighter visual essence that offers a great deal of contrast as well as open space. There's a convenient button right on top of the second-row seats that allow the seat-back to fold and the entire seat then slides forward for easy access. A scenic and adventuresome drive through Yosemite Valley offered this particular crew an excellent chance to enjoy the sunroof, allowing them to see pristine sights they may have otherwise missed. This is a cabin that is exceptionally quiet even at freeway speeds, and the seats provide the best in comfort when the miles really begin to roll repetitively by!

2022 Kia Stinger Sprouts in Time For Spring By Half a Liter, Netting 45 Horsepower Gain

When the Kia Stinger was released in all of its driver-focused and high-powered glory, there were so many things to love. It began stacking up awards and top-level achievements immediately. Thanks to the staff on duty at The Drive, we were given an official heads-up here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis regarding what the incoming Stinger will look (and drive) like. The photos and info on their page have provided us valuable info about the new Kia logos, new LED lights front and rear, presence of quad exhausts, and new wheels. 

Under the hood, there is much to rave about as well: the base Stinger will now feature a 2.5-liter Turbo-four good for 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. This is a 45 horsepower increase with no negative numbers in fuel economy and aids in the achievement of a 60 mph speed in just 5.2 seconds. The GT model is where your sights should ultimately be focused for the gain of aggressive power and style, and its very capable twin-turbo V6 now makes 368 horsepower, allowing it to complete its very own rapid ascent to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds. 

The cabin sees some new chrome and black trim, new stitching on the door cards, enhanced ambient lighting to properly evoke the nighttime party mood, and a brand-new leather seat design. There's a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen that can run Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a very useful connection to multiple Bluetooth devices. Special editions are some of the most exciting events that happen in the new-model auto world: a chance to add the driver's own personal touch Is always appreciated and admired every time you pull up on the scene. 

The 2022 Stinger is going to offer a very unique “Scorpion model” boasting exclusive black, white, and silver paint options with a rear spoiler. Many customers who are interested primarily in the crossover SUV category gravitate towards a safe-and-sound commuter vehicle that has an abundance of modern tech and safety features. Where cars such as the 2022 Stinger really shine is bringing back the admirable element of danger and unpredictability to driving that can find itself cast to the side once one encounters a certain amount of mandatory responsibility. 

One of the premier examples out there of a car you can drive responsibly that still offers up plenty of unique charm and appeal for anyone wanting to enjoy every turn of the drive, the Scorpion model will also have black fender garnishes, black mirror caps, darker exhaust tips, black wheels, and carbon-fiber interior trim. There's a brand new Ascot Green exterior color choice for 2022, and the offering of more safety features as standard after listening carefully to what customers want most. Lane keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and auto emergency braking are all included with every Stinger trim level. 

Kia Sorento and K5's Head-Turning Designs Achieve Top 10 in 2021 World Car Of The Year Awards

Last year we all were able to revel in the excitement here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis when the Telluride was named “World Car of the Year” and the Soul EV “World Urban Car”. This year we are honored to again be considered for World Car of the Year as the Kia Sorento and K5 have both been selected to the Top 10 for the WCOTY Awards. Now enjoying their 17^th year, the World Car Awards were inaugurated to reflect the trends and reality of the global marketplace and to recognize products that display timely innovation. 

The final winners of the World Car Awards will be announced April 20 and are judged by an independent international jury of 93 acclaimed automotive journalists from 28 different countries around the world. The 2021 Sorento is where minivan personality graduates proudly to a sophisticated appearance, with this completely re-imagined version of the mid-size crossover. Sporting exterior details that are much more attention-grabbing and current, it has made many families nationwide look forward to every single errand and school-shuttle duty on the road! 

The Sorento's cabin design sees a major improvement as well, with slick digital interfaces and upgraded styling as well as comfort. The hybrid model can nail down 39 mpg in the city, and earned an Editors' Choice award from the esteemed writing crew on duty at Car and Driver. A 191-hp 2.5-liter inline-four cylinder engine is standard, and both this and a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder are available. The Eco-Conscious Sorento Hybrid uses the combination of a turbo 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and a 44 kW electric motor, with a towing rating of up to 3500 pounds just in time for the days of summer. 

The 2021 Kia K5 has attracted much positive attention due to it's very comfortable ride, practical controls, GT-Line's sporty details, and high interior quality. One very happy reviewer on Cars.com was thrilled with how the K5 “Exceeded her expectations of any Kia vehicle”. Hailing from Queens, NY, she also loved the elements that were sportier than the Optima, along with the better gas mileage and peppier engine. The all-turbo power lineup, available all-wheel drive, and great looks easy to spot right away are going to immediately situate any sedan-lover in heaven during a test drive. 

The 2.5-liter engine was the favorite among many of the most experienced car writers, and it's no surprise that the GT model offered up great handling in numerous figure-8 tests. The top-of-the-line K5 EX comes with heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and panoramic sunroof to aid in enjoying every minute of the ride. With a driver-oriented console providing all the essentials just within reach, this clean layout and conservatively-daring appearance make this a stunning and compelling sedan choice for 2021! 

Kia's Award-Winning 2021 Niro Hybrid and PHEV Coast Into New Year with Charming Customer Convenience

The Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid crossovers are going to coast triumphantly into the new year here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis with an enhanced and confident sense of customer convenience! The Niro Hybrid LX arrives into the new model year with its 50-mph EPA rating as well as a gigantic amount of savings in fuel costs for five years compared to an average vehicle. The 2021 PHEV is eligible for a substantial federal tax credit, offering assistance during a year when many drivers need it most.

Standard Rear Occupant Alert is a new addition, and 8-inch display-equipped vehicles now come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. Smart Key-equipped vehicles now feature the very useful Remote Engine Start, a fitting way to assure you get out on time when the telltale too-busy morning strikes! The Niro also expanded its DriveWise Advanced Driver Assistance System to now feature Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control and Curve on all vehicles that currently have Smart Cruise Control and Navigation. DriveWise features Forward Collision-Avoidance at the Pedestrian level, with a camera to aid in detection.

Any buyer searching for something a little different than a Toyota Prius should consider the Kia Niro hatchback, with its fuel-efficient sense of practicality and cheerful demeanor. Even with a slightly-smaller size, there is a good amount of space for rear passengers and helping of cargo room when the rear seats are folded. It does not possess an incredibly sporty personality and may not boast the same capabilities as an off-road-ready contender such as the Telluride, but it is one of the best models out there for anyone looking to get to their daily destinations with economic and environmental sensibility.

Making the ride much more enjoyable on the audio end of things is the option for an upgrade to a Harmon Kardon 8-speaker sound system, and many reviewers such as those on duty at The Car Connection claim that the Niro is the superior choice when pitted against the competitor in the form of the Nissan Leaf Plus. Every single benefit of going electric is flaunted directly from the driver's seat, and the electric motor cranks out 201 horsepower and 291 lb-ft of torque. Getting up to 60 mph in 7 seconds is adequate for any hasty city sprint or impromptu errands, and the perky and quiet performance fares as excellent all the way on up to highway speed.

Reasonable and well-proportioned, the Niro's front-wheel-drive is adequate for all-weather capability and remains quick as well as impressive. One of the technologies that have proven to be the most useful and game-changing is the Niro's regenerative braking: the vehicle's momentum is used to “recover” energy that would otherwise be lost to the brake discs in the form of wasteful heat.

Kia Carnival to Provide Superhuman Strength For Busy Families Nationwide Via The 3.5-Liter V6

The latest generation of Kia's minivan is scheduled soon to make its landing in the States and at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. Providing energetic assistance in the form of superhuman strength for parents everywhere juggling soccer practice with the last few items forgot from the store, the 2022 Kia Carnival will be assisting with your to-do list as the first Kia in the nation to bear the brand-new emblem. The Carnival now offers a stylish look, a greater amount of power, additional cargo space, and exciting new features. 

A longer hood and chunky C-pillar give it an appearance a bit more like an SUV, and a slightly boxier body inside allows for a few extra cubic feet of cargo space with the second-row seats removed and third row of seats folded. There is room for 8 passengers as standard, and the second-row bench can fold to become a table ideal for snacking and laptops after sliding closer to the front seats. If you know you're going to be spending lots of time in here on short or long-distance trips, the SX-Prestige trim level will suit you well: there is a unique setup with power-adjustable recliner-style captains chairs with a comfortable ottoman and headrests designed to rejuvenate the weary passenger. 

The power is derived from the 3.5-liter V6 engine that cranks out 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, and the front-wheel-drive setup can capably tow up to 3500 pounds. The interior offers more along the lines of comfort and luxury than the outgoing Sedona, and the available brown leather upholstery and larger 12.3-inch touchscreen provide a slice of the good life that fulfills the demand increasing every day to up the bar for cabin refinement. 

Passengers in the rear will enjoy dual entertainment screens with smartphone mirroring capabilities, and you can request that everyone simmer down or get ready for the next pit stop with a vehicle-wide intercom system. A power tailgate, power sliding doors, and camera that offers a rear view of passengers as well as numerous rear-seat USB ports and power outlets also will assure everyone is kept entertained and adequately charged-up for the road. Kia listened to customers nationwide's requests when they voiced a desire for more driver-assistance features as standard equipment, and blind-spot cameras, adaptive cruise control, and a 360-degree camera are all available as current options. 

Offerings like this provide many reasons for drivers to choose the fully-loaded and luxurious minivan over the many crossover options out there. This was the way that America originally packed everyone in and saw the country, and the added perks of the current variety Kia is bringing to the table with the Carnival should encourage many to fulfill that Grand Canyon, Yosemite, or far-away beach trip once and for all!