Kia EV6 Enjoys New Year’s Glow of Achievement With “Best EV of 2022” Title from The Drive

The incoming EV6 has been drawing a massive amount of attention here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, and has recently enjoyed yet another addition to its achievements with “Best EV of 2022” from The Drive. The auto review team from The Drive was amazed by the combination of the EV6’s satisfying dynamics, occupant comfort, and all-electric range that allows it to stand out in its segment. 

What began as an unsteady blip on the market’s radar, turned into a constantly evolving reality as the promising future of electrified cars. The all-electric EV6 delivers on the traits that see an EV rising exponentially to the top of the class. Attractive price and an EPA-estimated range of 310 miles are two ideal starting points for an EV. As the EV6 was picked from among the top-ranked electric vehicles during an entire year of thorough evaluation. 

The amount of preparation and planning that went into the crafting of an affordable vehicle is obvious at every turn, and its excellent suite of advanced driver assistance features makes the EV6 not just another average offering. To have all the amazing qualities it does and be backed up by an exceptional factory limited warranty make for a model that will be compelling enough to sway individuals to make the switch. More than 19,000 EV6 models have been sold at Kia retailers, and the EV6’s onboard power generator along with ultra-fast DC charging capability render it an extraordinary choice. 

The EV6 is a pivotal component of the “Plan S” strategy to successfully provide at least two BEVs per year, and build a full line-up of 14 BEVs within the next 5 years. Car and Driver rendered the EV6 “very lively and easy to live with”, and the GT model comes complete with 576 horsepower and the primo perk of an adaptive suspension. For the true car-lover’s built-in feature that will appeal to anyone a bit reluctant to let go of gas-engine prowess, there’s a green button on the steering wheel that adamantly unlocks the propulsion system’s maximum ability. 

The GT’s cabin also now includes sport seats and neon green trim, with the Wind trim level providing the most affordable way to get all-weather traction and more viable horsepower output than the single motor’s capability. Power is derived from a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle that provides rear-wheel drive or with electric motors on both front and rear. Choosing the larger battery boosts the rear-drive EV6’s total system output to 225 horsepower up from 167, which the Car and Driver gang had a blast with tossing around the backroads in the UK. 

The 320-horsepower GT Line model managed a quick 4.5-second zero-to-60 mph time, with the more boisterous 576-horsepower GT presiding at the top of the lineup. Here you enjoy performance-enhancing features such as an electronic limited-slip differential, firmer chassis, tuning, adaptive suspension, and upgraded brakes. We can heartily also vouch for the supreme abilities and convenience of the 350-kW fast charger, revitalizing the EV6 from 10 to 80 percent in just under 18 minutes: this will soon be the desired method of choice for EV owners constantly on the go.

2023 Kia Sportage Successfully Gets a Jumpstart on Season’s New Beginnings By Claiming Victory in Motor1.com 2022 Star Awards

Taking top honors in “best of” lineups is an accomplishment for any spectacular car or SUV to thoroughly enjoy over the holidays, as many buyers here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis will make the important choice regarding what model they want! The 2023 Kia Sportage claimed top honors in the “Best SUV” category in the Motor1.com 2022 Star Awards, thanks to its improvements in performance, roominess, and design over the outgoing model. 

The hybrid version is a key and very practical daily driver’s component when it comes to electrification, and the ongoing plans to embrace alternative fuel offerings are clearly laid out by Kia’s “Plan S” global strategy. This was a well-recognized effort on behalf of Motor1.com which was built upon the Sportage’s excellent driving dynamics, superior design, and an excellent array of technology offerings. Boasting a top-notch hybrid not only adds clout to the Sportage lineup, but a unique luster and massive appeal to Kia’s entire portfolio.

This highly regulated and coveted race to the top considers all new vehicles that have been rated by a team of season editors, and then endure a week of facing off with each other on a variety of different terrain tests. Then after a very close look at performance, safety, cutting-edge designs, and comfort, pros and cons are debated, and final winners are selected. As competition gets tighter across segments, this decision becomes tougher for judges each year. 

The Kia Sportage hybrid boasted the features and appealing refinement to render it the best for the many scenarios one encounters during every season after embarking on the road. Significantly larger than the outgoing model, the new Sportage boasts some of the most fascinating latest advancements in technology, such as an expanded list of ADAS features and awesome available dual panoramic display screens. The hybrid powertrain employs the winning combination of a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a 44-kW motor. 

The EPA mileage rating holds strongly at 42/44/43 mpg city/highway/combined, and this winning engine combo cranks out 227 horsepower to the choice of either front-wheel drive or active all-wheel drive system. The Motor Trend review team excitedly claimed that “this is a bumper-to-bumper triumph with a wealth of changes to attract diverse buyers.” Their test drive allowed for them to finalize their opinion that this is one of the most spacious compact SUVs out there on the market, and the inclusion of a 12.3-inch touchscreen is a wise move after taking note of what consumers are deeming as sought-after most. 

As the season for longer trips is now upon us, everyone on board will love the USB outlets placed just above the floor, and the latches in the cargo area that make folding down the rear seat that much easier. The hybrid also cuts an entire two seconds off of the base model’s 0-60 time, and cuts down on pesky cabin noise to boot. There are so many instances where drivers ask us just what we would recommend shopping for, and as the post-holiday lists populate with productivity and recreation needs, we’d have to render the Sportage as one of our front-running and most eco-friendly picks! 

2023 Kia Sorento 3-Row SUV Brings Charm, Eco-Conscious Sensibility

The 2022 holiday season here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis has brought about opportunities to share time with loved ones and take in amazing displays such as the 10th year of Garden Glow and the lights at Anheuser-Busch. As the crossover SUV continues its dominance of the American auto market, the mid-size Sorento was well deserving of the spotlight from the Topspeed.com blog this past week. The 2024 model comes loaded to the gills with holiday goodies such as its turbo engine combined with a sensible hybrid system.

The standard engine is the 1.6-liter turbocharged model with a full hybrid system, which cranks out 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the pairing with a conventional CVT transmission that makes the overall driving experience a bit elastic and unpredictable, the Sorento sets you up with a conventional 6-speed model. The Car and Driver auto testing team was able to get the new model up to 60 MPH in just 7.6 seconds, with the momentum not wearing thin as speed builds. 

The addition of the turbo is a massive help with acceleration, as the 6-speed automatic delivers a stepped-up and well-chiseled shifting process. The 2023 Sorento’s performance feels optimized like a traditional gas-powered car, and not a hybrid. As the industry begins the shift to electric power, this type of sensation will be even further behind, even as the advent of clean-sourced juice provides a unique breed of application. FWD comes standard on the X model and all-wheel drive is optional, with the all-wheel drive system using the well-honed torque vectoring setup.

The inclusion of Torque Vectoring allows for all the wheels to grip the road much better for handling and launch and is one of the extras that puts all Kia vehicles in a class of their own whether your drive is across town or across the country. Inside, satin aluminum and chrome accents add a nice modern touch to the interior. One of the options that we would have to recommend is a panoramic moonroof, allowing you to enjoy the sights outside to their fullest no matter the season.

The Sorento comfortably seats 6, and there are enough USB ports and drink holders to leave everyone feeling adequately situated for the drive. The second-row seats also slide and adjust to offer a greater amount of utility, and third-row passengers get to enjoy comfy recliners and USB ports as well. The NHTSA ranked the Sorento as a 4/5 for crashworthiness, and last year's model earned itself an IIHS top safety pick. The final verdict from the Top Speed crew was that the Sorento offers an ideal balance for any driver, along with class-leading warranty coverage and signature holiday stance!

2023 Kia EV6 Boasts A-List Performance, Displays Leadership as “Agent of Future-Embracing Change”

Car and Driver last week described Kia as “a brand best known for low prices, long warranties, and liberal financing” that now has carefully created a machine with high-quality performance that can rival the best of the foreign competition. The amazing EV6 GT model is proof that engineering models that adapt to the electric revolution yet provide stellar daily driving performance is possible!

The GT model offers up to 576 horsepower with its futuristic muscles fully flexed! The GT mode opens the door to tons of possibilities, with an Eco mode that will dial things back a notch if needed. During the Car and Driver team’s testing sessions, the 320-horsepower EV5 GT-line hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, with the GT arriving there in just 3.2 seconds. 

The quarter-mile was tackled in 11.6 seconds at 119 mph, with a top speed clocking in at 161 mph. The EV6 also boasts three different audio themes that customize the volume and pitch for your favorite signature sound. We’d recommend the Dynamic mode, which is akin to a spaceship heading toward a faraway out-of-this-world destination.

Just a few trips out will leave you impressed with the quicker steering and tuned suspension with a firmer response, ushered into pavement-prone perfection with adaptive dampers. These also provide modes that intricately adjust the steering effort, accelerator response, damper tuning, and eLSD. This lucky crew was riding on Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 3 SUV tires, clinging fearlessly to the skidpad with .92 g of well-seasoned stick. 

The Drift Mode will surely become a TikTok star, bringing about its spinning ability that emulates the best of pony car classics and pleasing many who questioned electrification’s ability to produce its own excitement. During the 75-mph highway range test, the GT commandeered 190 miles, with a DC fast charger replenishing the juice from 10 to 90 percent in just 26 minutes. Sleek and boasting all of the best elements that forward-leaning scientific development offers, we are thrilled to see the EV6’s undeniable appeal shine through the constantly-changing presence of the unexpected.