2023 Kia Forte Storms the Stage Loaded With Features

We are always excited when a new vehicle “storms the stage” here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. With the industry’s best warranty coverage, models loaded with standout features of today get to frequently strut their stuff. The 2023 Kia Forte will see availability in the LX, LXS, GT-Line, and GT trim lines, and will please many drivers feeling the current inflationary pinch in their pocketbooks with its budget-minded boast of a 41 mpg EPA rating. 

Features to keep drivers impeccably safe have gradually made their way into brands worldwide with their usefulness and technology as other priorities. Standard on all 2023 Forte trims are forward collision avoidance assist, highway driving assist, and lane following assist. Safe exit warning is available on the STD GT-Line, GT, and optional on the LXS: this is an excellent feature to have in large metros such as St. Louis where a biker or pedestrian may be in your blind spot when you're preparing to exit quickly. 

The Edmunds.com car review team had much appreciation for this new smaller side model with design accents suave enough to compete with the automotive elites. Many current car buyers who are looking for an ideal match for their daily driving with a few great extras will love the LXS trim! Here you get to enjoy the addition of 16-inch alloy wheels, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and very sleek upgraded interior trim. 

The GT-Line brings a sizable extra dose of flavor to the middle of the lineup with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, LED running lights and taillights, heated exterior mirrors, dual zone climate control, and cloth sport seats with faux leather inserts. This is also the trim level where you see the upgrade to a 10.25-inch infotainment display, and a fully equipped Navigation system. Another additive that we know diehard auto fans will enjoy is the manual transmission-equipped GT, as this is a truly “dying breed” of best-in-show and a very sentimental way to entirely get every pure ounce of excitement out of the pavement. 

With its characteristic and very modern aesthetics, roomy trunk, and styling, the Forte proves you don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount to still turn heads during daily errands or blowing off steam on the weekend. While today’s consumer understands that there are some features you just may not be able to access if you are looking for a low-budget entry point, the Forte has illustriously proven that the space you spend an abundance of time in can still tip the satisfaction scale and totally rock!

Kia EV6 GT Prepares to Make History as Kia’s Most Powerful Production Vehicle Ever During Monterey Car Week

Last week in beautiful Monterey, California, Kia gave North American auto enthusiasts their first look at the 576-horsepower EV6 GT performance crossover during “the Quail” official Motorsports Gathering. This officially presented the incoming model alongside true supercars from other locations all over the globe, and marks the thrilling beginning of the Plan S electrification phase for us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. 

Kia Executive Vice President Steven Center exclaimed last week that “This release will elevate the EV6’s standout performance and effortless drivability beyond expectations while moving toward our tailpipe 0 emissions goals.” Riding on the award-winning E-GMP modular platform, the EV6 GT offers a fine-tuned preview of the future of electric performance vehicles. The EV6 joins (and leads!) the scene of the current electric vehicle formal ballroom with its dual-motor AWD powertrain, and 77.4 kWh Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese battery back, together busting out a combined power output of 430 kilowatts and 546 lb-ft of torque. 

Aligned with the gritty sentiment and pavement-ready thrills of previous top models, the EV6 GT now completes the zero to 60 mph dash in just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 161 mph. AMCI is one of the world's leading experts regarding automotive independent testing, and during the EV6 GT’s engrossing test drives with them, it sprinted off the line faster than a Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder. The dedicated sport suspension’s electronically controlled dampers and front suspension performance components assist with the sensational handling and very balanced ride. 

Stability and traction are massively improved with an electronic limited-slip differential during cornering, which efficiently sends needed torque to the wheels. The EV6 GT’s driving modes all offer a completely different and excitement-prone driving approach: GT Drive Mode, My Drive Mode, and Drift Mode on top of the standard Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes provide ways to rapidly tweak the motor, steering, braking, and suspension to your situational liking. There are also Active Sound Designs integrated as well: additions such as this preserve the exhilaration and outright thrill that was one finer point of the cars that will soon become less common!

Another trait that we feel will see the EV6 GT defining itself as an unquestionable class leader is its ability to recharge at a rate that is as noteworthy as its memorable acceleration. With 800 Volt fast charging capabilities, you can regenerate 80% of the battery’s capacity amazingly in under 18 minutes with a 350-kW charger. Undergoing design and in-depth testing at well-equipped studios in Frankfurt, Irvine, and Seoul, the finished product of the EV6 GT incorporated the “Opposites United” theme that sources inspirational bits from the patterns seen in the ever-evolving Earth’s nature. 

When the EV6 GT officially goes on sale in the fourth quarter of this year, every buyer will substantially benefit from a charging credit of 1,000 kWh that they can use over three years at any Electrify America station.

Kia Sorento’s 2024 Restyling Elements Depicted with Motor1.com Rendering

The Sorento came on the scene here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis two years ago.Immediately it was appreciated for its sensible approach to a daily driver still loaded with tech and thrilling surprises! It earned the honor of the 2021 “Parents List of Best Family Cars Award”, along with top-of-the-list bragging rights for Autotrader’s “Best New Car for 2021”. The Motor1.com team knew that many customers would be wondering what the model coming soon for 2024 would look like and offered up a rendering here that gives a visual idea of what to expect.

The most drastic changes took place in the upper grille with the running lamps blending directly into the main part of the headlights. The lower fascia now has a set of vertical lights, and the upper and lower grille are no longer two distinctly separate areas. Their Sorento also appears to have different tail lights and a slightly differently shaped bumper. Among the available engines are the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that cranks out 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque, and the turbocharged 2.5-liter 4 cylinder offering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. 

The plug-in hybrid model with the turbo 1.6-liter and a 13.8 kWh battery also can generate a very earth friendly and quick 261 horsepower. A new trademark filing was just discovered recently that depicts the intention to launch a X pro variant of both the Telluride and Sorento, which both also pulled down stellar reviews from KBB.com for handling overall value. The current-model Sorento was praised for its excellent fuel economy, lively performance, above-average standard features, and class-leading interior quality. 

The fiercest competition is from the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Toyota Venza, neither of which have a third row of seats. The combined highway and city EPA fuel rating for the 2023 model is around 37 mpg, and the Sorento is so amazingly quiet and smooth that many test drivers have completely forgotten they are behind the wheel of a hybrid. Captain’s chairs make the second row more comfortable, and the third row much simpler to access. Standard features on the base S trim of the Kia Sorento include faux leather seats, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights, and eight very handy USB ports.

Standard Kia Drive Wise safety tech features include the modern security blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, safe exit assist, rear occupant alert, rear parking sensors, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Upgrading to the EX trim provides you with premium features such as LED fog lights, a wireless charging pad, a hands-free power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, and intersection turning assist.

Cnet.com Hails 2023 Kia Sportage for Hybrid Version, Coming-Soon PHEV

We would have to agree with the Cnet.com auto review staff here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis when we take a close look at the incoming Sportage SUV: it does “look of a completely different lineage” sitting next to the SUV it replaces. In addition, it offers new hybrid powertrain, much improved cabin technology, and the latest driver assistance features. The new Sportage measures in at 183.5 inches from front to back, 7.1 inches longer than the current model. 

At just .4 inches wider than the 2022 Sportage, the new look carries with it a proportional balance, and charming and modern good looks bound to turn heads immediately. After this massive growth spurt, the interior is more spacious, allowing for more legroom than the competing Toyota Rav 4 hybrid, especially in the second row where it gained 3.5 inches. One of the first things the Cnet.com testing crew noticed was the premium look of the exterior finish, contrasting well with glossy black trim around the body and wheel arches. 

The power source for this coming-soon hybrid is a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 paired to a 44-kilowatt electric motor, along with a 15-kilowatt-hour lithium-polymer battery. Together they generate 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission to either the front wheels or optional AWD. The comfort-tuned SUV that was delivered to the Cnet crew,  came with the Normal, Eco, and Sport user-selectable drive modes, with the Sport option being our personal favorite. 

After dialing it in, you’ll enjoy an increased throttle response, tightened steering sensation, and raised transmission shifting interval. The hybrid is the most powerful available Sportage variant, and proved to be valuable with its smooth acceleration and segment-leading highway passing ability. The front-drive Sportage Hybrid averages 42 mpg in the city, 48 mpg highway, and 43 mpg combined, with the all-wheel drive yielding 38 mpg. 

Those who are rightfully impressed by the Sportage Hybrid’s performance could see the upcoming plug-in hybrid model’s official launch later this year, with a 7.2-kWh battery pack that can be recharged at an outlet or station for up to 32 miles of electric range. Inside you’ll also find the dual-display system that boasts two infotainment screens on the dashboard, with the EV menus seen in the EV6 exchanged for hybrid screens. On the left is the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and information display, and on the right is where you’ll find KIA’s high-ranked UVO touchscreen infotainment system. 

Each trim level comes standard with the amazing and very useful addition of the Drivewise driver aid suite, bringing along forward-collision avoidance with braking assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. We would also have to steer anyone loving the extra things in life toward the Prestige trim, sporting the added luxury touches of premium synthetic seats, rain-sensing wipers, a backup camera, panoramic roof, and leather steering wheel.

The Results Are In: Kia is Most Awarded Brand in J.D. Power 2022 APEAL Study

There are so many different sources and teams of experts that are poised to put new vehicles to the test, and the team at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis is extremely proud of how well the Kia lineup has performed in every test drive, review or study thrown its way. The J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Awards closely followed Kia’s arsenal of models during this year’s study and recognized three of our brightly shining stars on wheels for their superior performance and appeal.

The brand-new EV6 took the top spot in the Compact SUV segment, while the K5 and Carnival MPV each took first in their respective categories. These three APEAL awards strongly reinforce how our brand has changed to be a prominent leader in not just the automotive industry, but also in mobility and electrification after taking note of the very high marks the EV6 has received since its arrival on the scene. The APEAL study is taken from vehicle owners that are asked to consider 40 various traits separated into 10 different experience groups. 

J.D. Power then analyzes the different responses to generate an overall APEAL score gleaned from a range of a 1,000-point scale. Here are some more fine details this tremendous trio won everyone over with:

The Brand-New EV6 boasts an Electric-Global Modular Platform that underpins the all-new model in RWD or Dual-Motor AWD, and derives power from a state-of-the-art 77.4kWh high-density lithium-ion battery. You’ll thoroughly enjoy an EPA-rated 310-mile range for road trips and excursions, along with ultra-fast DC charging capability from 10-80 percent charge in under 18 minutes. It’s quite luxurious stretching out in 102 cu-ft. of passenger room, also offering 50.2 cu-ft. of space with the second-row seats folded down. Another very awesome feature of the EV6 is its Augmented Reality Head-Up Display system, which projects incredibly realistic 3-D images directly on the windshield! 

The 2022 Kia Carnival MPV offers up dynamic and very practical performance with its new more-powerful 3.5-liter V6, which delivers best-in-class 290 horsepower and 3,500 lbs. of towing capacity. The longer journeys will be very luxurious and just what the “getting away from the cubicle” plan outlined with the side-flex 2nd-row seating and VIP Lounge Seating options. Traveling with all your most loved ones in tow will be amazing courtesy of 12 standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, which is the most available of any model in the segment. Disrupting a category that had not been shaken or stirred for decades, the Carnival truly proves in the flesh what is possible when stereotypes and conventional thinking are challenged. 

The Kia K5 features a very lively interior and exterior, and a delightfully quick and sporty 290-hp GT model. It’s classified as a family sedan, but its exciting design succeeds perfectly at the task of rivaling competing crosstown models such as the Honda Accord, with a consumer-friendly price for 2022 and pleasantly edgy manners. Named to the Car and Driver Editor’s Choice list and providing many great safety standard features and infotainment technology, the front-drive LXS now also has rear-seat USB charge ports. Every GT-Line comes equipped with 18-inch wheels, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and wireless smartphone charging.