Eco-Friendly Ultimate Acceleration: Kia EV9 GT Trim Package Coming Soon

The shift toward all-electric cars here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis has undergone many changes and forks in the road along the journey, and there is one recent development we couldn't be more excited about! We have determined that to be truly competitive in the electric segment, we should probably “reveal the big guns,” and incorporate a high-performance model just like our competitors. The details about the 2024 EV9 GT have been recently made public, and the stats are most definitely impressive enough to render it well worth waiting for.

There have not yet been specific dates indicated as to when this segment-leading and enthralling package will be available, but there are plenty of distinct hints that have been left to give industry experts an idea of an estimate. Industry experts in various car blogs have reported that the EV9 GT will most likely hit dealerships early in 2025. Until that long-awaited time, the standard option is absolutely game-changing for an awesome daily driver within its own rite. Deliveries of the three-row earth-friendly EV9 will begin later this year, with the choice of rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive setup. 

The rear-wheel-drive option cranks out 200 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the all-wheel drive setup resides at 378 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. Many of our faithful customers that have been won over by Kia’s offerings of immersive technology and world-class warranty coverage will opt to wait for the EV9 GT, which looks like it will top out at the staggering 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque. Another addition to the high-octane fund will be a stealth and exciting secret in the form of a button on the steering wheel that unleashes even more acceleration.

The Consumer Reports review team claim that the 2023 EV9 is “a full-size SUV that fills a big gap in the market, thanks to its seating options and a price lower than most luxury EVs.” Fast charging, a long range, and plenty of interior space make the EV9 one of the savviest choices on the market. Taking a few of its design cues from the side profile of the Kia Soul, the height, width, and length are all barely within a fraction of an inch of the Kia Telluride. The EV9 also incorporates lighting as a major component of its stature, as it blends smaller LEDs with a very distinguished light bar crossing the front of the vehicle.

Inside you'll find a very minimalist interior design, which is dominated by a wide panel of touchscreens. Built-in navigation can plan a route for you the includes charging stations when needed, and Kia now prides ourselves on elements such as interior carpeting using recycled materials. The EV9’s E-GMP platform consists of a flat interior floor, which gives the vehicle a roomier interior minus the moguls that other drivetrain configurations see popping up here. A very long center console extends from the first to the second rows, offering convenient storage for the trip.

The addition of comforts such as relaxation mode provides extendable footrest for the midsummer or holiday vacation, with the expected range on tap for these outings at around 300 miles. The EV9 has an 800 Volt architecture that paves the way for faster DC charging than many other current models, allowing for getting the battery from 10% up to 80% in a quite impressive under 20 minutes. You will also be able to add features such as custom lighting patterns and an enhanced remote parking tool from the awesome Kia Connect store, always online to assist and make your experience more enjoyable.

2024 Kia Seltos Boasts Entry-Level Value With Youthful Appeal, Ideal Daily Drive Tact

As drivers here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis seek out the best possible vehicle on a budget, the Kia Seltos shines with segment-leading value and performance. Next year’s model has all the right stuff to boast a youthful appeal, with a modern approach to an efficient and practical daily driver. At first glance, the rear features a different glow, and taillights with an updated look. The new X-Line model is the suave replacement for the Nightfall Editions, which offers a special grille, different wheels, gloss-black trim, and a cool black roof rack. 

The turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder in the X-Line and SX trims is now equipped with a longer stroke than the previous model as well as a larger turbocharger, new injectors, and an adjusted cylinder head that cranks out an increase of 20 horsepower. The transmission is now a more traditional 8-speed model with a torque converter, replacing last year's 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. The Car and Driver crew were impressed during their test drive with the engines’ power, with the smoothed-out performance from the transmission being the slightly unassuming star of the show.

The 2024 model’s suspension remains unchanged, which offers ideal control over body motion, and brake-based torque vectoring offers excellent performance during the unexpected rapid stop. There have been so many modern feats of engineering over the past decade, as some of the new features on crossovers everywhere would have never been imagined just a few short years prior. The 2024 model’s addition of acoustic front glass keeps the cabin quite quiet for a budget crossover, keeping all intrusive noise to a minimum from the front end and side mirrors.

The steering quality of many crossovers out there sometimes becomes so precise that the element of spirited fun can be taken out of the daily drive. If your daily commute has the usual dose of stop-and-go that many St Louis drivers face, the 2024 Seltos’ revised cabin will render the A to B quite a bit more bearable. Every model except the base LX trim comes with an awesome pair of 10.3-inch touchscreens, and both the infotainment and climate controls are still maintained by hand. 

Perfect for constantly changing urban environments, cyclist detection is now included across the lineup as a component of forward collision warning. One of the most evident and eager forms of competition against the Seltos is the Chevy Trax, and the Seltos’ overall stance, standard features, and price point put up a thoroughly rigid fight. The Motor Trend reporting pros were enthusiastic about the jumping power from the turbo engine, excellent cargo capacity, and very stylishly detailed exterior. They also enjoyed a very relaxed ride, light steering, and breaking with a refreshingly natural characteristic. 

Second-row legroom is smartly above average for the segment, and a few exemplary instances of instrumented testing showed the Seltos outperforming the Subaru Crosstrek regarding many of the vital drive stats. Automatic emergency braking and available blind spot monitoring have now been enhanced for greater capability, in a fully programmable speed limiter can also be added on. Other additions that will please the tech-loving crowd are available projection LED headlights, a power liftgate, and ventilated front seats. 

Innovative Answers for Harried Times: 2023 Kia Rio’s Pinnacle of Affordability + Reliability

 

Customers that fill us in constantly on how happy they are with their Kia vehicles frequently bring up reliability, knowing that their vehicle is going to perform well in the long run is a huge factor in their decision. The 2023 Kia Rio is the least expensive in the lineup, and the Motor Biscuit auto team also named it “the best of both worlds” as far as reliability. Ranking third on the list of most affordable cars in the nation, meaning that low price does not have to translate into inferior quality.

Since its powertrain and parts are a bit less complicated, this family-friendly model is less prone to problems overall. The Repairpal team gives the Rio an “excellent” reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5, which is based on severity, frequency, and final cost of any repairs needed. This very affordable sedan undergoes unscheduled repairs at an average of .2 times per year, compared to .4 times for all model types. Less than nine percent of the time, repairs are in the “severe” range.

What consumers must think about annually in terms of repair is always a very important trait, as families nationwide have seen costs rising and are eager to get any break, large or small, at constant costs. Kia has always been very well-known for its generous warranty coverage, and the Rio comes with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty along with a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. The Rio’s fuel efficiency enthusiastically tops the ratings charts at 32 city/41 highway mpg, guaranteeing excellent savings at the pump.

Enjoying its solid stance against the competition such as the Nissan Versa and Mitsubishi Mirage, the refined suspension tuning is an added benefit for anyone encountering unexpected pots and imperfections during the daily drive. The Motor Trend team was impressed with the value the Rio provides regarding tech features, as it comes equipped with a standard 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the very top Rio S trim costing less than $20,000.

The IIHS gave the 2023 Rio the highest possible “Good” safety rating, and the addition of the Technology Package bundles together forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, and lane departure warning. In the hatchback variant, the Rio offers a very spacious 17.4 cubic feet of cargo volume. The Rio S trim adds attractive extras such as a 4.2-inch instrument display, automatic climate control, push-button ignition, and rear disc brakes. The U.S News car review team gave the 2023 Rio the “Best Subcompact Ca for the Money” award, along with a 7.8 out of 10 score after their rigorous testing.

Head and legroom are very spacious in the front seats, and there are two complete sets of LATCH connectors for the Rio’s rear outboard seats along with a tether anchor for the rear middle seat. Even though the interior is populated with hard trim plastic pieces, every surface evokes a form of grained texture, and you can easily flip down the rear seats for access to the large and very handy trunk pass-through. Reviews from satisfied owners also conveyed that one of the Rio’s high points is the very easy-to-use controls and the touchscreen infotainment system that possesses a very straightforward logic and demeanor.

Kia EV9 to Feature E/E Architecture-Based On-Demand Software Via Kia Connect Store

 

The EV9 has already been turning many heads here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis and scooping up praise from auto media outlets worldwide. The Electrifying.com review staff praised it for its thoughtfully designed interior, space and storage, and user-friendly over-the-air updates. This seven-seat electric SUV is capable and spacious enough for a large family and solidifies our brand’s ability to stand out against global luxury premium brands.

We have now officially launched software-defined vehicle technology that offers customers the ability to easily purchase and install new software functions that are tailored to their specific needs. The EV9’s E/E architecture makes these functions much easier, and this is the first Kia model to offer this level of accessibility and convenience. Included among the available features is the Level 3 autonomous genius of Highway Driving Pilot. The Kia Connect store will continuously update its options of extreme value proposition for customers through its trend setting SDV technology.

This form of upgradable software can greatly enhance vehicle functions such as convenience, connectivity, security, and driving performance. Already leading the pack in terms of bringing the future to drivers today, this extra boost of innovation present in the EV9 is bound to heighten an already segment-leading trend of customer satisfaction. It’s not just the vehicle’s core components that can be efficiently updated, as other convenience features can also be customized, allowing for numerous possibilities to assure that the EV9 is an extension of your own diverse tastes.

The integration process has successfully reduced the number of functional control units needed within applications, and this alleviates the need for a separate equipment connection to the vehicle. The cloud server employs a unique form of wireless communication with the EV9, which allows customers to update their software without an inconvenient service center visit. The Connect Store also provides Remote Smart Parking Assist 2, which allows drivers to park and exit remotely.

You can also sizzle things up in the visual department with the Lighting Pattern feature, which offers the choice of five different display modes that appear on the cube lamp clusters up front. Another feature that reviews teams and drivers alike have hailed as a success is the new wheel rim designs, featuring very cool geometric shapes that will be on all-electric models in the future. We love the space inside the interior where the curved infotainment screen is situated, with all the driving-related technology centered around the new steering wheel design.

Making a profound global statement regarding materials and sustainability, future Kia models won't feature leather, and the V9 offers a vegan two-tone interior. The 7-seat EV9 option has a very spacious third row, and the two-center armchair-style seats both swivel at 360 degrees for passengers to easily face the back. There’s also a very handy little shelf that slides out of the movable center console, which is the perfect small table for games, studying, or toys to pass the miles for those riding in the back. The 76.1kWh battery is offered exclusively with the Rear-Wheel-Drive Standard model, with the 99.8 kWh unit fitted in both the All-Wheel Drive and Long-Range variants.

2023 Kia Soul Offers Luxury Touches, Sharpened Styling, and Tremendous Value

Buyers looking for the ideal vehicle here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis have usually done a fair amount of homework and come to us prepared to make the final decision on the model to best fit their needs. As there are a few last items to check out before you make your mind up, price point and daily drivability are two qualities that have guided shoppers towards the 2023 Kia Soul. Making its official debut in 2008, it has now undergone a third-generation refresh and seen some tech and styling tweaks.

The lineup now has four trim levels instead of six, and they all derive power from one turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine. The Motor1.com auto review team tested the GT-Line model just in time for spring and found a very well-evolved ride at an excellent price. The Soul’s interior has gotten more appealing with each generation, and the current model offers a 10.3-inch-high resolution touch screen, a new type of seat inserts and stitching, and the all-digital gauge cluster.

The Neptune Blue color is well-coordinated and appointed with the interior, as the Soul now possesses the design geared towards a more selective buyer. As people are embarking on their daily shuttling or longer weekend trip, the Soul offers a good amount of sound and vibration containment, making for a peaceful drive and an ideal space to quickly check a few important incoming emails or schedule changes. The seats are large and very wide, and rear seat passengers enjoy 38.8 inches of legroom, a considerable improvement over the Nissan Kicks’ 33.4 inches.

Drivers now have high expectations for what their newest selection offers, as some supply chain issues have eased a bit and a sense of some normalcy is present in manufacturing efforts. The Soul excels greatly at offering features that are usually reserved for cars with a higher price tag, boasting heated seats, push-button start, radar-based cruise control, USB A and C ports, and wireless charging. The continuously variable transmission provides very smooth off-the-line acceleration, and braking is perfectly executed by modern-model standards.

The Soul is available with a Level 2 hands-on driver-assist system, that keeps the driver safe by establishing a preset distance from the car in front of you and guiding you gently back inside the lane. It requires the driver to constantly have one hand on the steering wheel and is an excellent form of technology to have as a bonus in a vehicle at this price. Other excellent safety features on board to assure that your destination is reached timely and assuredly are camera-based forward collision avoidance assist, lane departure warning, high beam assist, and rear occupant alert.

It’s always best to know where your firmest competition lies, and the soul faces off with the Chevy Trailblazer, Hyundai Kona, and Mazda CX30. The Edmunds.com driving team remarked that this year’s Soul felt “nice and spry around town”, with natural steering and excellent cornering abilities. The height-adjustable front seat and generous range of steering wheel adjustment provide enough flexibility to accommodate any size driver. One recommendation we would make to render every single trip sizzle with out-of-this-world audio would be the available Harman Kardon Stereo System, one of the finest brands on the globe to enjoy sounds with!