2023 Kia Niro Poised for Spring Adventure w/ Segment-Leading Value, New Interior Design

 

There have been numerous models to get excited about this spring here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis, as the power style of the EV6 grabs digital headlines daily. Kia has always been known for offering amazing options for drivers of all types, and the 2023 Niro EV is gaining plenty of attention courtesy of its bold new styling. The Niro’s long list of standard features is very appealing, and it has an excellent charging time and range that rivals the EV6.

One unique feature that will appeal to many is the unique front-axle motor that adds a bit of “spring in the step” for an otherwise familiar driving experience, which will convince many who still are a bit on edge regarding a full-on switch to electrification. Inside, the front door panel armrests find their way down from the angular dashboard, and the Inside EVs blogging staff claimed that the materials are better than what is found in the competition from the Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf.

Consumers have all expressed that on top of performance and affordability, they are seeking a ride that is simply an ideal place to spend time during the commute. The Niro’s quiet cabin and segment-leading ride comfort make it a top-notch place to spend the miles accumulated while waiting to clock in. We recognize how important playtime is too, and when your friends come along for the ride, they'll be pleased with the wider cabin that doesn't evoke the same tight confines of the Chevy Bolt.

Don’t forget to check out the Preserve Package, which includes a heat pump and heated rear seats to improve efficiency during the chillier seasons. With the seats down, you’ll enjoy an excellent amount of cargo space, along with a nearly flat-folding seat that makes more room for longer items. Both the base wind trim and top-spec Wave models come with a standard 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and matching infotainment touchscreen, with the two top trims offering a V2L power generator with a 120-volt outlet conveniently located in the rear seat.

The Kia Niro EV derives power from the same 64.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery inside the Hyundai Kona Electric, with the single front motor making an identical 201 horsepower. The regenerative braking system has four settings that range from entirely freewheel coasting to simple one-pedal driving. Among the standard safety features are automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors. The Wave model offers active blind spot and left-turn collision prevention, along with enhanced Highway Driving Assist 2 and automatic emergency braking.

While plugged into a typical Level 2 charger, the Niro EV will charge from completely empty to 100 percent in six hours, with DC fast charging providing you 80 percent in a lightning-quick 45 minutes. Smartly splitting the difference between a hatchback and an SUV, we are confident that drivers will enjoy its very modern looks and exceptional fuel economy rating of 49 mpg combined. Small yet spacious, the Kia Niro is poised and easygoing, while featuring 22.8 cubic feet of cargo area. Our 10-year 100,000-mile powertrain warranty remains one of the best in the industry, assuring you know you are protected and guaranteed to enjoy every single mile!

Kia EV9’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit Offers Next-Level Speed, Updates, & Functionality

 

After all the releases, awards, test drives, and satisfied customers here each spring at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we have also become used to the various terms that surround new releases and upgrades. When a “flagship” model is released, we know that it needs to be segment-leading, representative of amazing things to come, and downright sensational. The new 2024 EV9 is a flagship of an altogether different kind, capable of fast charging its battery up to 70% in under 30 minutes.

We have carefully and expertly made our way up the ladder as a brand that became focused on the future of electrification, and a very sustainable and memorable global impact. During the 2023 New York International Auto Show last week, the new Connected Car Navigation Cockpit was met with adoration and excitement. Taking Kia’s software game up to a distinguished and much-appreciated notch, it boasts infotainment updates, wireless upgrades for bug fixes, new feature releases, and better battery optimization.

OTA updates are guaranteed to become a very crucial technology for new cars in the coming years, offering customers innovative extras such as autopilot upgrades, and as amusingly distracting as holiday light shows. Now that consumer behavior has emerged into a pattern of ownership that can last ten years or more, they can keep things always appealing even if brand new purchases aren’t as frequent. This new system has already received praise for its excellent processing power, which allows for lightning-fast scrolling speeds, more shortcuts to key functions, and revised graphics.

Even as the future offers so many opportunities to improve ownership experience, some old habits may be traditionally tough to break. Kia does not have intentions to do away with Apple CarPlay integration or Android Auto, and those two very popular features will simply need a wired connection. These exciting new OTA updates will also open many ways to personalize your car, which provides many opportunities for drivers to display a unique reflection of their taste.

One of the CCNC system’s other first amazing appearances was in the 2024 Hyundai Kona, which is expected to go on sale alongside the EV9 during the fourth quarter of this year. One of the first reactions from auto experts on the scene regarding the EV9 is that the cabin is very clean-looking and airy, and the placement of switches close to the driver was appreciated. The staff on duty at the Electrifying.com blog rated the EV9 as “sure to steal sales from prestige brands such as Land Rover”, and the ability to swivel the middle row of seats to face the back row was a surefire head-turner.

The front end still possesses Kia’s signature “Tiger-nose” graphic, along with a very awesome optical illusion with the vertical headlamps allowing for a visually wider stance. At the very heart of the interior is where there’s a long, slightly curved screen, with a sightline that is ideal for the driver’s gaze. As far as the recent move towards environmentally friendly engineering, the EV9 goes proudly without leather and boasts interior plastics built from recycled materials. The range is estimated to be around 336 miles, and with the Kia Connect Store, customers will be able to tap into their entrepreneurial spirit and sell electricity right back to the grid.

Kia Sportage Embodies “Movement That Inspires”, Tops Autotrader’s “Best Cars of 2023” List

 

The 2023 Kia Sportage commands a large amount of consumer attention and test drive requests here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, and each new day seems to bring about new sources of achievement! This model was recently named among Autotrader’s “Best New Cars of 2023” list, confirming to eager drivers nationwide just how appealing its fifth-generation release is. It was honored alongside 10 other top vehicles and is now available with an internal combustion engine, hybrid electric vehicle, and plug-in hybrid powertrains.

The redesigned Sportage continues to fully impress lovers of exploration and high-tech features alike, with its versatility and wide appeal. This Best New Cars of 2023 list consists of 11 vehicles selected by a team of experienced editors who have tested and scored new models using a wide range of criteria. With a high level of consideration given to vehicles that display the industry’s best value, only models available for purchase over the next nine months were considered. Base models of vehicles needed to start below $110,000 to be in the running.

What began as a capable and attractive option in the compact SUV category has now been reworked as a very stylish, tech-rich, and leading addition to the competitive and demanding segment. The “Movement that inspires” global brand transformation has very carefully taken into consideration what a savvy and conscious customer need for their ideal vehicle, and this resulted in the rugged X-Pro trim level as well as Sportage HEV and Sportage PHEV powertrains. Another incredibly glowing review from the Edmunds.com auto review team praised the Sportage for its “comfortable ride quality, spacious seating, and massive rear cargo area.”

Also praised highly by the Edmunds crew for its class-leading packing at a competitive price, they also chose to rank the Sportage as their Top-Rated SUV for three years in a row. Eyeballing the competition in the form of the Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, and Toyota RAV4, the Sportage has fared amazingly well at the task of remaining more than relevant in the shuffle of current offerings. With incredibly accurate steering and smooth and responsive brakes, the Sportage has you fully covered in the comfort category.

The look and design of the interior are leveled up nicely and don’t leave behind the premise of everyday functionality. Another fantastic and useful addition to the Prestige trim is the excellent surround-view camera system. The touchscreen inputs lockout when you’re on the move, and the Sportage is available with top-notch driver aids such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, a surround-view monitor, and parking assist. The adaptive cruise control is excellent at maintaining sensible gaps without the constant need to tap on the brakes.

With 39.6 feet of cargo space behind the second row and 74.1 cubic feet folded down, the Sportage ranks as one of the most spacious vehicles in its class. The rear seats have very useful anchors that are simple to find in a pinch, and the center console also features a bin that houses USB ports and a wireless pad, with cupholders that retract smartly into the walls for more space when needed. For the long-awaited weekend escape at hand, the Sportage can tow up to 2,000 pounds when properly equipped, which is enough for a small trailer or boat.

Three-Row Midsize Pre-Easter’s Melee: 2023 Kia Sorento Takes on the Toyota Highlander

As spring is finally showing its telltale and very sensory signs here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis, many families are adamantly on the hunt for their ideal three-row SUV. One of their first questions is if they need a large full-sized model that might not have the greatest fuel economy, which is not always the case. There are several well-built midsize SUVs that are equipped with the third row, unable to quickly get extra players to practice and offer a brand of flexibility that A2 row simply can’t.

The 2023 Kia Sorento offers an excellent family value as it boasts good fuel economy numbers, a lower starting price than many rivals, and safety scores nestled way above average. It is smaller than most three-row SUVs, and easier to handle in tight situations. It can seat six or seven depending on configuration, and its third row does give second-row passengers more legroom than the larger competition in the form of the Toyota Highlander.

People are rightfully concerned with price right now, and the Sorento’s base price is more than $6,000 under that of the Highlander. The Sorento’s base model includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, charging ports in all three rows, heated mirrors, rear a/c vents, and more. Kia’s 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty gives you a decade worry-free of any repair bill instances, which Toyota simply can’t match. We recognize that the Toyota Highlander has a class-leading resale value, a fair array of features, and seating for seven or eight.

Both SUVs derive power from four-cylinder engines, and Kia’s engine beats out the Toyota’s horsepower level in the SX, SX Prestige AWD, and X-Line SX Prestige AWD models. The Sorento also received a four-star rating in crash testing. The Toyota provides a top-notch audio system for the two most expensive trim levels, but the KBB.com auto editing staff preferred the Bose system that takes up residence in the higher-trim Sorento models.

Each of these two models has three rows of seating and are either front or all-wheel drive. Each is also available with a hybrid powertrain, with the Sorento absolutely providing a bit more along the lines of tangible value. The Toyota has a high resale value, fair-base engine, and crash-test scores, but the Sorento can nail all the boxes to check on a priority list with the highest quality. The Motor Trend review team loved the Sorento for its interior build quality, affordable three-row clout, and a great number of standard features.

New for 2023, there is now standard blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring, and an exit warning system for Sorento LX. There is a standard wireless smartphone charger for the Sorento S, along with standard 12.3-inch gauge cluster display, power-folding side mirrors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers for the Sorento SX. Extreme lovers of the best in-tech features will be thrilled with a standard 12.3-inch gauge cluster display, power-folding side mirrors, and rain-sensing windshield wipers for the Sorento SX.

There are also the daily-driving benefits of standard AWD, 115-volt power inverter, Homelink, gloss black exterior accents, retractable rear door shades, and revised bumpers for Sorento SX Prestige. The Drive Wise active safety feature suite includes a lane-keeping system, automatic high beams, and blind-spot and rear cross-traffic monitoring. Higher trim levels offer up the premiere protective goods such as automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a 360-degree view camera system.