Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Kia EV6 Provides a Look Into Future For Electric Cars


Futuristic cars have long been featured in sci-fi films and action movies. The EV6 will have all of the sci-fi-inspired bits that count, but still fit in on an everyday run down the street. 

Based on Kia's E-GMP platform, the EV6 will be available in either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel drive, and will come equipped with a 114.2-inch wheelbase that is as long as the Kia Telluride SUV. The 576-horsepower GT version will enjoy Kia's increased charging speeds.

On an ultra-fast 350-kilowatt charger, the EV6 can charge its 77.4 kWh battery pack from 10 to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, gaining nearly 210 miles. The maximum range target for the EV6 is 300 miles. The interior of the EV6 is bathed in uniquely-colored lighting and two large screens, with the center command console positioned between the two front seats at the perfect angle. 

The available safety features on the EV6 include blind spot avoidance assist, which can detect vehicles in the next lane. Automatic emergency braking brake in an attempt to avoid a crash.

Rear-facing radar makes sure other vehicles aren't coming up on the EV6 from behind when it is parked. It can also lock the doors and prevent kids or parents from opening the rear doors when another vehicle is passing on that side. Dressed like a spaceship made for the pavement, the EV6 is bringing an out-of-this-world driving experience!


Thursday, July 22, 2021

2022 Kia Carnival Praised For “Smooth and Quiet Ride," High-End Luxury


Multi-purpose vehicles are excellent for getting a large family around and having a blast while doing so! The Providence Journal thought after a test drive that the Carnival was “the most useful passenger vehicle on the planet.”

The Carnival is offering amenities such as second-row recliner seats, amazingly clear built-in entertainment screens, comfortable third-row seats, and exactly what nearly anyone would expect upon purchase: tons of cargo space. There are 168 cubic feet of space for passengers and 40 cubic feet for cargo behind the third row, which can expand to 87 cubic feet with the third row folded. The Providence Journal team rated the suspension and tires as “incredibly smooth,” and the handling provides an excellent balance with precise steering.



A 290-horsepower V6 with gasoline direct injection that cranks out 262 lb-ft of torque powers the front wheels by means of an 8-speed automatic transmission. This vehicle is ready for Six-Flags Amusement Park or a pontoon trip on the lake and can tow up to 3,500 pounds while reaching 60 miles per hour in just seven seconds. The all-important EPA ratings for the Carnival are 19 city/26 highway/22 miles combined.

Visibility was a clear priority for the Carnival, with a panoramic sunroof and driver-assist technology such as Safe Exit Assist, which sounds a warning and locks a rear door if the system detects a vehicle rapidly coming up behind you. Other features include forward collision avoidance, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, lane-keeping and lane-following assist, and adaptive cruise control with stop and go. 

The EX trim lives in the sweet spot between high luxury and practicality, with a power-operated rear liftgate, an in-cabin intercom, and a voice-control system that allows passengers in the rear to control the all-inclusive entertainment system. One of the best optional features is the dual 12.3-inch displays that now stretch neatly across the van's dashboard: one serves as an in-depth digital gauge display while the other takes care of infotainment duties. You'll enjoy staying fully charged with nine USB ports on board and fully entertained with first-rate audio courtesy of a 12-speaker Bose stereo!

Tuesday, July 13, 2021

2021 Kia K5 GT Deemed “Swanky Inside And Out” With A Mountain of Torque

The 2021 Kia K5 GT is so stylish and possesses such a capable driving characteristic that you won't want to stop when you reach a sparsely-populated winding strip of the road! The Roadshow staff ranked it head and shoulders above the midsize-sedan crowd, topping the segment in nearly every category. 

More fresh and spunky than the late-aged Honda Accord, more interesting than the Subaru Legacy, and boasting more luxury elements inside than the Toyota Camry, the K5 has the well-rounded appeal needed to sway many young professionals and 2nd-time buyers to the exciting sedan side of the fence. The signature tiger-nose grille that everyone always gets excited to see coming has been redesigned, and the example shown here sports an awesome shade of Sapphire Blue paint. From the side, you can pick up slightly on a Volkswagen or new Audi A7 vibe, with a nicely curving roofline that makes for an entirely unique rear stature. 

Once inside, the first thing easily noticed about the dashboard is that it has a very deep sculpture, and all of the materials are constructed with excellent quality. The entire center stack is angled nicely toward the driver, so the infotainment screen and climate controls are simple to reach. The gear shifter is surprisingly in the traditional spot and is satisfying to the touch without looking dated in the least. Two infotainment systems are available: one has an 8-inch display and the other has the uplevel-placed 10.3-inch touchscreen. 

Both options are not only very user-friendly, but they look awesome, have unique purple neon signs for the home screen, and the radio tuner is displayed as a series of funky and retro-looking tubes. The GT model features a burly 2.5-liter turbocharged engine, which is a fantastic 4-cylinder option cranking out 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. Making the absolute most out of the available torque is the 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, aiding in the respectable 0-60 mph time of just 5.8 seconds. At the pump, 24 mpg around town and 32 mpg on the highway are where you'll see averages, with 27 mpg combined. 

Multiple test drives by the Roadshow team allowed them to finish their journey by claiming that the sedan drives “magically”, and has startlingly amazing chassis performance chops. Once you get to enjoy the stark and pure driving pleasure of straight asphalt, the lane-centering feature works like a charm, enabling you to properly embellish the joy of acceleration. Badging the K5 GT with a score of “9” in all four categories, this is one action-packed and still new-family friendly sedan that will add a taught and punchy touch to the long sprawling days of late summer! 

Friday, July 9, 2021

Kia America Ushers in Age Of Excellence With Best-Ever Month and Half-Year Stats

Everyone here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis knew that this year would be amazing, but it is sometimes difficult to gauge just how great the future will be! We were proud to announce just 6 days ago that we have had the pleasure of enjoying our highest-ever first-half yearly sales, after posting three consecutive monthly sales records in March, April, and May. The Forte, Sportage, Seltos, and Telluride all had their best-ever first-half sales performance for the first half of the year. 

The 2021 Seltos saw a dynamic sales uptick of 128.6 percent, as consumers took to its abundant cargo space, upscale interior materials and design, and very distinct styling. Its available two-tone roof and stacked headlight design allow it to stand out from other SUVs that are on the smaller side, and folding down the rear seats provides 68.2 cubic feet of space. More than comfortable enough for your daily routine and spontaneous road trips, you'll be absorbing bumps in the road without much trouble, while enjoying its practical and roomy interior. With an estimated 31 MPG combined as an EPA rating, the front-wheel-drive model takes the cake. 



The 2021 Sportage roars gracefully onto the scene this summer with an upscale cabin, quick turbocharged model, refined ride, and superb handling. Situated just between the Sorento and Seltos, it competes in a crowded market segment that includes notable competitors such as the Mazda CX-5 and Honda CR-V. With its handsome interior and abundant passenger space, the top-of-the-line model is where you'll get to enjoy the much feistier turbocharged engine. Every model includes heated front seats, passive entry, power-operated liftgate, and dual-zone climate control. 


The 2021 Telluride has been at the forefront of the market for many auto connoisseurs and experts since its release last year. It's not only the biggest SUV in the lineup, but it also does things just a bit better than the rest in every vital category. The very comfortable 3rd row can easily fit adults, and has steering that immediately feels natural and stable around turns. Snagging a 9.0 for the comfort factor from Edmunds.com, the seats are consistently supportive and well-contoured, and the headrests seem as accommodating as pillows! USB ports are located in all three rows, and the optional wider infotainment screen offers segment-leading navigation and other useful features. 


We are proud to be increasing sales of fuel-efficient and everyday useful sedans, and laying claim to awards such as the Best Certified Pre-Owned Non-Luxury Program of 2021 by Autotrader. CNET also named the Telluride as one of the “Best SUVs of 2021”, as well as including it in the list of “10 Best SUVs with Self-Driving Features”.