Kia Sends Six Star-Studded Vehicles to Car and Driver 2022 Editor’s Choice Awards

Over the past month, six of our vehicles were named Car and Driver’s 2022 Editor’s Choice award winners, representing the publication’s annual benchmark of high automotive excellence! The Telluride, Sorento, Carnival, K5, Soul, and Rio were selected from nearly 400 vehicles that the editors spent time testing, rating, and ranking across segments ranging from crossover SUVs to sedans to electric vehicles.

This latest and greatest honor comes just after the Kia Telluride was named to the Car and Driver’s 10Best List, which gives props to the best cars, trucks, and SUVS that are available on the market this year. 

The 2022 Kia Telluride is great at hauling families in comfort and style, and is packed with desirable features along with an overwhelming sense of practicality. It is completely separate from bland offerings of three-row mid-size crossovers with its ideally rugged exterior and rich interior, along with an amazing selection of standard active safety features. The top trim offers perks such as ventilated rear seats, and it fulfills all the gold standard demands of its segment.

The 2022 Kia Sorento now has two available powertrain options: a naturally aspirated inline-4 and a turbo-4. The turbo-equipped model is quick on its feet and has the agile handling needed to match a vehicle this size. The eight-speed automatic does a good job of giving the Sorento a more engaging driving feel without having to sacrifice any efficiency or ride comfort. Turbocharged models receive second-row captain’s chairs, and you’ll also be enjoying open-pore wood interior trim, embossed diamond-quilted leather seats, and very plush bright satin finish inside.

The 2022 Kia K5 boasts a snazzy interior and exterior and the refreshing quickness of the 290-horsepower GT model. This stylish and modern family sedan was also named to the Car and Driver 2022 Editor’s Choice list, with every new model featuring Kia’s awesome new logo! The GT-Line and higher trims now come standard with a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and wireless smartphone charger on the center console. The EX and GT both also receive a brand-new 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors, and power-folding exterior mirrors. 

The 2022 Kia Rio has been recognized for its fuel efficiency, comfort for its size, and availability as a sedan or hatchback. The ideal model for a young driver on the hunt for their first car, it is comfortable, reliable, and has some great features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The standard 8-inch infotainment system will make you feel as if you are in a much pricier car, and the front seats offer plenty of support and comfort for tall drivers. Be sure to check out the S Technology Package for alloy wheels, chrome door handles, and LED headlights for a more premium look!

Kia Ranks As Top Contender Among Every Auto Brand in J.D. Power 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study

The J.D. Power 2022 Vehicle Dependability Study now ranks Kia as the overall leader among each mainstream and luxury brand, with the Sorento we are so excited about here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis snagging the top spot in the Upper Midsize SUV category. This study examines numerous problems experienced during the past 12 months by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles and determines their feasibility and rank by the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles. Here a lower score means higher quality, and this is a back-to-back achievement we enjoyed on top of 2021’s winning placement. 

This is just one more benchmark that solidifies Kia’s constant commitment to the durability, quality, and finished craftsmanship of our award-winning vehicle line, and speaks volumes regarding the world-class ownership experience every customer can now expect. 29,487 surveys were completed to regulate and distribute this important data, and the areas in question were component replacement, software updates, vehicle appeal, and deterioration. 

There are so many reasons why the 2022 Sorento dominated the market and review scores like this: it looks classy and rugged inside and out, is pleasant and a blast to drive, and always comfortable to ride in under any road conditions. A plug-in model joins the Sorento lineup for the 2022 model year, and combines a turbocharged 4-cylinder and 6-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor for a total system output reaching 261 horsepower. 

You’ll be enjoying all-wheel drive as standard, and the EX trim level is where the Car and Driver staff found their immediate sweet spot. Here you encounter the nicer amenities such as leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, remote start, and 18-wheels along with black exterior accents. The EX trim also now comes with the very unique X-Line appearance package that included a 1.0-inch higher ride height, 20-inch wheels, a bridge-style roof frack, and other exclusive details. 

The engine choices for the Sorento begin with a 191-hp 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, and a 281-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter 4 cylinder as its entry-level partner. When equipped with the towing package, the Sorento can pull up to 3500 pounds, and the base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder is estimated to nail down around 29 mpg on the highway. The dashboard can be outfitted with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, paired with the 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and we’d have to recommend the 12-speaker Bose sound system for those who are looking for the ultimate in ear-pleasing rich audio during the drive.

Driver-assistance technology that is wholeheartedly leading the segment has been one of Kia’s strengths during the past two uncertain years, and the Sorento provides a selection of features that provide a watchful eye with current technology’s helping hand. The 2022 Sorento’s key safety features include standard forward-collision warning and automated emergency braking, standard lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist, and available blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. 

2022 Kia Rio Praised by Car and Driver for Luxury Handling, A-Grade Hatchback Practicality

At Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis, we have always been focused on providing budget car options for our loyal customers. Fuel efficient and affordable yet arriving onto the lot with a pleasing amount of driving sophistication and features for the price, this subcompact is available as a sedan or hatchback!

Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard equipment, and the Rio’s character and many sensible features were enough to earn it a spot on the Car and Driver 2022 Editor’s Choice list. Upgrading to the S model provides a center armrest, cruise control, useful rear USB outlet, split-folding rear seat with adjustable headrests, and keyless entry. The S also offers forward-collision warning with automated emergency braking, SiriusXM satellite radio, LED headlights, and more cargo space.

The 2021 Hatchback model that was ready for testing got up to 60 mph in just 8.6 seconds which is directly on par with many subcompact crossovers. The Rio does well with the road’s nastier bumps, thanks to its solid structure and suspension with Kia’s well-known fine tuning. Body roll in corners is well under control and the steering rings are nicely weighted and very precise. The EPA has rated the Rio sedan and hatchback with 33 mpg city and 41 highway stats.

Even with a high dose of simplicity as the predominant theme for the Rio, it offers up a clean, very easy-to-use dashboard with climate and audio controls. It also superior textures and a sophisticated vibe for a compact. The Rio now comes standard with an 8.0-inch touchscreen that offers the latest wireless smartphone-mirroring options for both Android and Apple phones. There’s also the option to upgrade on the S trim level that provides the addition of Kia’s UVO telematics system and the diverse entertainment of SiriusXM satellite radio. 

While on the road in style, you’ll be protected with the help of forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist, and automated emergency braking. Powertrain warranty at Jim Butler provides limited warranty coverage for five years or 60,000 miles, and powertrain warranty for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Come visit us during this fun and celebratory Super Bowl week and check out the Kia Rio and our large selection of vehicles that we know you will fall in love with! 

Kia EV6 Leads Plan S Strategy With A-List Supreme Comfort, Safety, and Style

The staff on duty at the Engadget blog got their first look at the EV6 during a day-long press event in Northern California and experience for themselves this first vehicle that will lead the way for the new Plan S electrification strategy! Going to soon be joined by nearly a dozen other EVs by 2026, the EV6 EV6 will arrive on lots nationwide later this spring to go up against the Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Volkswagen ID.4, and the very popular Tesla Model Y.

The three available trim levels are Light, Wind, and GT-line, with the Light offering an EPA-rated range of 232 miles, MacPherson struts up front, and a multi-link suspension in the rear. A full charge off a 50W DC fast charger takes just over an hour, and a quick 18 minutes to snag a 350 W station. At home, a 240V/48A connection will take under 6 hours for a full charge with the Wind and GT units offering larger 77.4 kWh packs as well as the option of having both front and rear motors. The Wind trim provides 310 miles of range with a 7.2-second 0-60, and a top speed of 117 MPH. 

The Wind and GT will require 73 minutes for a full charge with the powerful 50W DC connection and 7 hours on a 240V plug. The interior was ranked as “incredibly comfortable” right away with enough head and leg space whether you’re sitting in the front or back. It also offers multiple USB and USB-C ports throughout the front and rear seating areas that allow for you to not stretch too far to plug in.

Immediately when you engage the turn signal, you can use a live rear-facing video feed from the side mirror and the useful arsenal of 21 different driver-assist features. This includes lane-keeping assist, lane departure warnings, automatic high beams, and forward collision avoidance. This testing crew was very impressed with the EV6’s Highway Driving Assist 2 which allows you to click the appropriate button on the steering wheel. This allows you to remain completely centered, keeping at the same speed and on course even during turns. 

You’ll also be enjoying a 12.3-inch color TFT touchscreen navigation display unit in the center console. This provides AM/FM/Sirius radio running through a Meridian sound system, a WiFi hotspot, and Android Auto/Apple Carplay. It also comes with a secondary touchscreen that toggles between the various navigation, media, and climate menus. Other great features that stick out with the EV6 are its speed and streamlined layout. We know full well here at Jim Butler Kia that those incoming forms of massive eco-friendly models will be changing their face, speed, and stance every year from now on!