Kia Niro Displays Satisfaction-Gleaning Domination in J.D. Power Electric Vehicle Ownership Study for 2nd Year Running

Here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis as the spring approaches and all our customers are ready for news regarding new models, the oncoming changes regarding innovations in electrification have provided even more exciting things to report on for the season! Our Kia Niro EV has now taken top honors in the J.D. Power 2022 Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study mass-market category for the second year in a row. J.D. Power surveyed more than 8,000 electric vehicle owners on critical factors that include battery range, cost-of-ownership, service experience, styling and driving enjoyment to gauge satisfaction.

We have always prided ourselves on offering a diverse line of vehicles with convenient services that always provided an A+ ownership experience. We have now enjoyed consecutive wins in the EVX Ownership Study that reinforces our leadership as we now prepare to introduce additional electric passenger vehicles, MPVs, and SUVs across several areas by 2027. The highly-publicized “Plan S” strategy promises to deliver 14 new EVs globally across multiple categories by 2027. The Niro EV will now open many various possibilities for drivers who already love our assortment of popular crossovers, but are also seeking the benefits of electric energy.

Now that the Niro has dominated for two years in a row for highest ownership satisfaction, the stage is set to fully exceed EV owner expectations, and we now know that we will consistently and confidently claim to give EV owners the best experience in current existence. Boasting a look that is so much better than more bland EV box shapes, a strong roster of standard equipment, and an all-electric range of around 239 miles, it also added a 10.3-inch touchscreen to replace the previous 8.0-inch base unit.

Also now coming with built-in navigation, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and SiriusXM satellite radio, the onboard electric motor produces 201 horsepower, which is sent through the front wheels by a one-speed direct-drive transmission. The Niro EV gets to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds and can be driven with just one pedal thanks to regenerative braking. There are four different levels of regeneration that can be toggled between using the steering-wheel-mounted paddles. 

The 240-volt connection is said to fully charge the battery in about 9 hours, and the standard DC fast-charge capability can provide an 80 percent charge in just one hour with a 100-kW connection. Upgrading to the EX Premium trim adds on features such as ventilated front seats, a power sunroof, and wireless charging. The Car and Driver staff were able to fit 18 carry-ons behind the front seats, and enjoyed the massive selling point of the 10-year/100,000 – mile powertrain warranty.

Kia Telluride Claims Best 3-Row SUV for Families for 3rd Straight Year

The 2022 Kia Telluride was recently named the Best 3-Row SUV for Families by U.S. News & World Report, marking the third consecutive year that this vehicle earned the title. An SUV that is perfectly fit for the urban daily drive, it easily won the title with its array of advanced safety features, outstanding interior capacity, and world-class stunning design. 

U.S. News evaluated 96 vehicles based on automotive reviews, safety and reliability ratings, seating and cargo volume, and features that cater perfectly to family-friendly values. With 90 percent of Tellurides purchased by families, the well-equipped 3-row SUV continues to be popular with those looking for room for up to 8 passengers and a sophisticated ride. 

Offering top-tier safety features, comfortable seating, and a large cargo hold, its impressive powertrain warranty provides assurance for the long haul. The Telluride won other awards, including the 2021 Best Buy and Best 3-Row Midsize SUV from Kelley Blue Book. The seats are class-leading and comfortable, Driver Talk becomes standard this year, and Quiet Mode shuts off the rear speakers while still allowing everyone up front to listen to their music or podcasts at a low volume.

The LX and EX models come with 18-inch alloy wheels, the S and SX trims have 20-inch wheels optional on the EX. The Nightfall Edition exterior cosmetics package is offered with all-wheel-drive versions of the EX and SX – adding a black finish to the grille, wheels, light bezels, roof rails, and badges. The Blind Spot View Monitor employs side cameras and displays their images in the instrument cluster, giving the driver a much greater degree of outward vision. 

The Rear-Seat Alert feature notifies the driver if anyone is still situated in the rear at the end of a drive, and we guarantee that you’ll love the superior power of the 3.8-liter V6 which propels all 2022 Telluride models with an ideally-placed 291 horsepower. Each trim level boasts a 5,000-lb towing capacity, and one very satisfied reviewer from KBB.com proclaimed that “this car is so good looking and the ride is so smooth that it is the best model I have ever owned.”

2022 Kia Forte GT Possesses “Throttle That Begs to be Gunned,” Sharp Handling, and All-Season Skill

The average price of a new car has been rising fast during recent years, and finding yourself in a brand-new car that is also a blast to drive is a more difficult task than in years past. Motortrend.com recognized Kia for bucking this high-priced trend, and models such as the Forte GT provide top-notch performance with an affordable price tag.

The Forte GT arrives with a turbocharged 1.6- 4-cylinder engine producing 195 lb-ft of torque, 18-inch alloy wheels, a stiff sport suspension, and an excellent-sounding sport exhaust. It sings a unique note after a cold start, which will undoubtedly draw buyers that are looking for the type of high-octane performance. 

The Forte GT hits 60 mph in just 6.4 seconds. The transmission offers clean and smooth shifting and allows for playful acceleration. If you are willing to fully engage while taking corners, the Forte GT is more than willing to play along, and the Comfort, Sport, and Smart drive modes all provide different characteristics to help customize the fun and adaption the vehicle will provide for the constantly changing road ahead. 

This team’s GT2-equipped test car features a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, an electric parking brake, auto-hold brakes, heated and ventilated front seats, LED interior lighting, rear parking sensors, a power sunroof, a premium Harman Kardon eight-speaker audio system, highway driving assist, and forward collision-avoidance assist with cyclist detection. Each Forte GT boasts a 10.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, keyless entry and push-button ignition, dual climate control, and full LED exterior lighting. 

With a consistently affordable base price, great fuel economy, large trunk, roomy cabin, and brand-new exterior style refresh, the 2022 Kia Forte GT is breathing life into the sports sedan. The Forte will be right here at Jim Butler Kia waiting for you to come give it a drive!

Reworking the Ordinary with Automotive Magic: Kia Carnival Wins Autotrader “Best New Car” Award

This season has brought many positives for Kia, and the Kia Carnival MPV has now been named among the “Best New Cars for 2022” by Autotrader. This is proof that the Carnival absolutely provides every detail core to the Kia experience, including excellent value, long-lasting refinement, and design quality. 

The Carnival has successfully challenged current consumer expectations while delivering on what today’s family will demand with its size and purpose. It’s a glowing example of how Kia has stepped up and offered an amazing amount of luxury as of late, and how the brand has taken the best elements of a family car and combined them with the utility, look, and wide-reaching appeal that you would find in a high-end SUV.

The Carnival reached a 9.3% share of the MPV segment during 2021, and during its first year at retail, the Carnival MPV totaled higher sales than the Sedona had over the last decade. This award from the experts at Autotrader is presented after ranking and testing vehicles using a broad range of criteria. This time the editors were focused on models that would be available for purchase over the next nine months and included vehicles that they think offer significant value or are above par in several categories. 

The Carnival offers an abundance of technology and convenience features for the price, an awesome 290-horsepower V6, and styling that goes toe-to-toe with any other vehicle in the segment. Additionally, an abundance of parking cameras erase all the hard-to-see guesswork when you back into a spot!

The Edmunds review team recommends the amenities and mid-spectrum additives of the EX trim, which adds 19-inch wheels, the hand-free power tailgate, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, eight-speaker stereo, three-zone automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging station, rear cabin intercom, rear camera monitoring system, and adaptive cruise control. For a minivan, the styling is a knockout, and this is just the vehicle we envisioned for the family on the go.

2023 Kia Sportage Lineup Wins on New Design Philosophy, Bonus of Industrious Inline 4-cylinder

Like all our other models available here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, the completely redesigned 2023 Kia Sportage continues on with our savvy technology offerings, class-leading warranty coverage, and an awesome off-road appearance package that comes standard with all-wheel drive. All Sportages now come with a naturally aspirated 187-hp 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder, and all-wheel drive as an option on the LX, EX, and SX. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid models are set to follow soon, and the Sportage X-Pro features all-terrain tires and the ability to jump right off road and handle business!

You can always find the current-model Sportage here at Jim Butler, with one of the nicest cabins in its class, turbo engine, and ideally flashy appearance. One of the rivals consistently spotted within the periscope is the Mazda CX-5, as the Sportage continues to offer up a very entertaining drive while brandishing the new Nightfall Edition package replacing the S trim level, which adds dark 18-inch wheels, passive keyless entry, heated front seats, and push-button start. 

Each Sportage EX now comes with a panoramic sunroof, and the SX Turbo models both add 10 years of complimentary map updates within the useful onboard data set. Every Sportage trim level comes with the benefits of dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, passive entry, and a very useful power-operated liftgate. The EX-Technology package is recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy all the extra time spent inside, even if it is in a downright traffic standstill: it adds adaptive cruise control, leather surfaces, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, an upgraded audio system, and wireless charging. 

The front-drive, base-engine Sportage can easily nail down 23 MPG city and 30 highway, with the front-drive turbo model offering up 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. Another comparison that means we know things are being done right is courtesy of the tried-and-true Car and Driver team, who compared the Sportage’s interior to those of Audi’s stature, with a well-executed cabin and a great mix of quality materials to tastefully bring the vibe up a notch. 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 with rear cross-traffic alert. 

Boasting easy-to-use controls, a great value, and refinement in terms of performance, the Sportage enjoys great performance around town, with its smooth braking and ideally-placed low-end torque. The ride is sporty, the suspension is ample, and every seating position up front offers a good range of motion. The current year’s Sportage was ranked by Edmunds.com as having a distinct advantage over the competition with its five-year/ 60,000-mile basic warranty and shining performance as a daily commuter for those who need a practical and sound vehicle most!