2022 Kia Carnival Boasts Impressive New Interior Transformation, Segment-Leading Luxury Elements

 

This time of year here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we know that as you take your lunch break and scroll through your newsfeed, the three-row crossover segment is dominating the news! The few minivans that are left in the game are offering features that are completely at the TOP of their game, with handling as good as the SUV class and luxury rich features. The new 2022 Kia Carnival marks the very notable junction in time when Kia stakes their claim in the very competitive Minivan arena. 

With a fresh and modern new design, people are in love with the characteristically boxy shape, and the luxurious interior makes it the perfect vehicle for a relaxing ride around town. The Car and Driver testing crew's model came in the SX trim, sporting the visually appealing Tuscan Umber brown leather upholstery. The SX trim level also offers up the recliner-style VIP Lounge second-row captain's chairs, that provide heating and cooling and an ottoman that is extra comfy on the feet during long journeys. 

For third-row space and comfort, you won't find a 3-row crossover anywhere that accommodates adults in the back. The steering is perfectly weighted, and the suspension tuning strikes just the right ride balance without feeling too firm. The brake pedal's response ranks as better than what is found in the form of the Sienna for competition, and under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6 good for 290 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque. 

The Carnival gets to 60 mph in just 7.0 seconds, quicker than all-wheel-drive versions of both the Pacifica and Sienna. The 8-speed transmission is ready and on point with prompt downshifts, making the Carnival feel over-the-top responsive when passing or merging on the highway. As the minivan wars continue to rage valiantly on throughout the entire auto market, the Carnival is the most worthy competitor to consider, allowing for a worry-free haul that the entire family feels comfortable in. 

The SX trim is where the surround-view camera system and Bose audio options are available, with all 8 potential passengers feeling safe and amply rockin' out to music or podcasts. Featuring an interior that is handsomely laid out and organized much like the Telluride's, all Carnivals come equipped with automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control. Moving up the trim level offerings provide safety features in the form of adaptive cruise control and a surround-view camera.

2022 Kia Forte Eyes Powerful Updates on The Horizon, Potential Name Change to K3

 

Our favorite compact sedan here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis is about to get an entirely fresh perspective on life, and potentially a thrilling new title to boot! The Korean-market K3 was revealed earlier this year with updated interior and exterior styling, and it is heavily rumored that the Forte will take its global name as its larger brother did when the Optima was billed the K5. Multiple clues from online blogs and publications led to the discovery of a trademark filed by Kia for the K3 namesake in the States, even without the backing of official comment. 

The refreshed 2022 Kia K3/Forte begins with attractive new headlights, a brand-new wheel design, and different tail lights as well as Kia's new logo displayed on board. As soon as you climb inside and put this gorgeous sedan into gear you'll also notice a larger 10.25-inch  system and digital gauge cluster. At this point, the K3/Forte is expected to still use its 2.0-liter inline-four as its base powertrain, although it may scrap the base model's manual transmission and offer only a CVT automatic. 

Those interested in a higher-performing and more aggressively-stanced GT model will continue coming with its more powerful turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four, and many diehard auto purists are crossing their fingers while hoping that it will still provide availability of a six-speed manual shift. This model should go on sale here in the States by the end of this year, and the redesigned LED daytime running lights and the slightly-tweaked trademark tiger-nose grill should win buyers excited for fall's new offerings without even breaking a sweat.

As the esteemed editor of Motor1.com pointed out last week, he was disappointed that it seems “all people talk about is SUVs and Evs these days”, and his first glance of the K3 had him immediately noting its sleek profile from the side. It's also likely that the hatchback version will not be too far behind after the sedan release, and you can check out photos here that offer up a clear portrayal of what it will appear like in its reborn form. Boasting class-leading styling, generous features, and an affordable price, the current-level Forte here at Jim Butler is also an excellent choice for a new family business or model purchase. 

Undercutting its rivals by literally thousands of dollars, the Forte also is gently urging drivers to be reminded of our fast-and-furious Kia Stinger Sedan, with an added focus on value. Doing fierce battle with the Toyota Corolla, Mazda 3, and Honda Civic, and prides itself on delivering similar features, excellent fuel economy, and plenty of style with current—trending appeal. The GT model is also loaded with luxury and convenience items such as 18-inch wheels, sport seats, a wireless charging pad, and ambient interior lighting.

2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid's Thorough Re-Vamp Offers Larger Screens, Intuitive Interface, Cues From Class-Leading Telluride

Kia has fully revamped the Sorento for the 2021 model year, and the staff hard at work on duty at Newatlas.com gave a thorough review of its performance. Customers thrilled for the coming of warmer weather here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis have been asking about hybrid options, and we're proud to present them with the all-new Sorento Hybrid. Just for starters, it offers a significant boost in fuel economy. This complete revamp also moved the Sorento a bit more to the midsize category, as it's one of the few options out there with 3 rows of seating.

The testing team reporting for duty drove both the brand-new 2021 Sorento in gasoline format as well as the Hybrid and felt that the hybrid model possesses much better balance, and great manners on the road even minus the all-wheel-drive option. Taking noticeable design cues from the larger Telluride and the newly-renamed K5 sedan, the interior becomes significantly more upscale. These are all qualities that today's car buyers are looking for, and to top it all off there is also an 8-inch touchscreen at the base which grows 2.25 inches as you move up in trim level.

The all-new Sorento's screens (of all sizes) possess a rapidly responding interface that offers up blind spot cameras along with other practical features. The child safety latches in the third row are easier to access as well. Plus, with the third row folded down you will have more than enough room for large family grocery store runs or sporting event cargo.

Like many new Kias, even the base level Sorento Hybrid S is very well-equipped. As standard features, you'll enjoy 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, tinted rear windows, roof rails, keyless entry with push-button start, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, power-adjustable driver's seat, and a six-speaker audio system. Stepping up to the EX model offers black exterior trim, panoramic sunroof, wireless phone charger, adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, and enhanced forward collision mitigation.

Power for the hybrid is derived from a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and onboard electric motor that together cranks out 227 horsepower. Both the gasoline and hybrid models proved to be quiet on the road, easy to operate and offer refined drives when up against the competition. As many say it does, the Sorento feels much more premium a vehicle than the price tag lets on, and the move into full electrification will continue with the coming of the PHEV model soon to be announced. The Edmunds.com review team also reflected that the competition like the Ford Escape, Hybrid Honda CR-V, and Toyota Venza cannot match the luxury and fuel economy numbers it boasts.

If you like what you hear and you're ready to take a test drive of the all-new 2021 Kia Sorento Hybrid, give us a call! We'll help you lease or purchase this all-new hybrid SUV.

New Kia EV6 Is Stronghold Symbol of Kia's “New Brand”, Exploring Uncharted Horizons Via Zero Emissions Power

The new Kia EV6 is going to make major waves and headlines as spring eventually gives way to the balmy and adventure-prone days of summer! Everyone here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis has been star struck by its very long-range zero-emissions power, 800V ultra-fast charging, and distinctive styling that will make a huge impact in the current crossover SUV market. This is the first car in the Kia lineup that will be based on the entirely dedicated new platform for battery electric vehicles, putting the planet as a priority while offering an awesome vehicle choice. 

This is an amazing modern marvel that utilizes 800V charging capability to go from 10 to 80 percent battery charge in just 18 minutes, while the GT version is a super-charged example of the new brand slogan “Movement that inspires”. The first in a series of releases designed to achieve the goal of having 40 percent of the entire Kia fleet boast electric power by 2030, the EV6 is a trend-setting trailblazer. By 2026, the brand we proudly represent here every day plan to have 11 brand-new BEV models: 7 built using E-GMP architecture, and four derivative EV's similar to current models. 

Designed with inspiration taken from the contrasts found in nature and other aspects of humanity, sharp style elements and visually attractive shapes make up an entirely new breed of exterior appearance. The use of very high-tech features with rich volume while providing a dedicated EV that will play a role in drastically shaping the future, and offer a level of performance that will make a lasting impression. The side profile displays a very modern and sleek first look, and the rear displays a sloping C-pillar with a black glossy insert. 

The E-GMP platform makes for a cabin space that is similar to what many current mid-size SUVs offer, and the interior design elements ultimately inspire the passengers by boosting unique and abundant creativity. There's a handy front trunk for extra storage space, and the curved infotainment screen creates a very open feel. The choice of fully-electric, zero-emission  powertrain configurations includes the long-rang 77.4kWh and standard-range 58 kWh high-voltage battery packs. The EV6 GT-line offers both battery packs, and the EV6 GT features the long-range option only. This is an industry first for Kia in terms of drive options: you have the choice of 2WD or 4WD to suit your preference. 

This new dedicated E-GMP uses modularization to simplify operations, with an overall ride and handling that is ideal for all weather conditions. The GT version of the EV6 is where you want to set your sights if high-speed charging and acceleration are what you're after, with a stunningly quick 80-percent charge in just 18 minutes. Both of the 800V and 400V adapters offer charging without any additional adapters or components needed, offering a more viable system overall than BEVs from past generations. There's also the addition of an augmented reality head-up display system, and the all-new “Kia Connect” application, featuring an assortment of over-the-air updates and real-time services.