Where Comfort Meets Luxury: Show Some Love for the Kia Carnival

We would have to agree with the staff of Autoguide here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis when they claimed over the week that minivans have had to endure a bit too much disrespect. There is no other 4-wheeled solution in existence that is better for carrying many passengers over long distances, even though only a few solid examples remain on the market. The 2023 Kia Carnival comes to the holiday-prepped table with its usual three-row configuration, dual sliding doors, and a heaping side of convenience just as good as grandma’s holiday green bean casserole!

There are many reasons why even the slick-sedan-loving driver should take notice of the Carnival, and perhaps give it a chance! Much like having a favorite slice of pumpkin pie and being willing to tempt the taste buds with a sampling of pecan, here are a few reasons why you may want to give this wonderland-conquering warrior a chance.

Swinging Open to Sensible Style:

Sliding doors make it so much easier to get in and out of the vehicle for the passengers situated in the rear. Without a swing-out door, foot navigation in tight parking spots is much easier. Working with a very large and unobstructed opening gives the busy commuter or after-school sports shuttler much-needed peace of mind. If sports cars, trucks, and SUVs had sliding doors like this, many drivers would be appreciative!

From Curb to Core Comfort: Accessible Ground Clearance:

By not trying to mimic the handling of an SUV, minivans can effectively sit lower to the ground. The lower-slung floor makes it easier for passengers to climb in and out. SUVs and pickups are incredibly fun and productive, but they can be a bit trickier to climb up into. When life throws you a very typical day and you feel pressure to get there quickly, a lower-riding physique makes things that much easier. 

Keeping the Peace in the Back: Second-Row Sensibility

During the early days when minivans graced lots nationwide, the second-row seats were much like a summer camp’s dining room accommodations! Very static and flat, they simply didn't offer much in the way of comfort for the long holiday haul. Vehicles now are equipped with power seats in the second row that recline, while offering comfortable heating and cooling. The 2023 Carnival even has a powered pop-up footrest, doing its best to quell the “Are we there yet?” blues.

Minutes Matter: Third-Row Seating for the Efficiency Bonus

Many SUVs out there aren’t very accommodating for any passengers past their teen years. The Carnival bucks that trend by offering excellent head and legroom for all adults on board. Daily commuters, soccer team or boy scout club members, or the impromptu backpacking or playground gang will encounter enough room and comfort in the third row. Once all the bags (and holiday gifts!) are packed, you can prepare to count the miles at your leisure!

Plush and Painless: The Caravan’s Ride Comfort

As drivers became obsessed with tech and the EV revolution began, the crossover rose drastically in popularity. However, it has long been a well-kept secret that minivans ride a bit smoother than their SUV relatives. As soon as you get everyone on board the Carnival and embark on the journey, they will notice the welcoming similarities to a sedan. Loading everyone up into the Caravan this holiday season is bound to “up the valuable bonding” and see your troupe arriving fully refreshed and ready to jingle for the occasion.

The Future of Family Adventure: KIA's 3-Row EV9 is Ready and Waiting

The fall months here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis are always crisp, promising, and full of potential: while we are busy offering test drives and awesome incentives for the vehicles on the lot, we are also revving with excitement on new vehicles now available to order! One sensational and eco-friendly model that is poised and ready is the Kia EV9, which delivers many sought-after features packed effectively into one amazingly high-functioning SUV.

Drivers will love the 5,000-lb towing capacity, seating room for 7, and 7.8 inches of ground clearance ready for light-duty off-asphalt pursuits. The EV9 makes good on the numerous features that EVs of today need to draw in the masses, and Kia’s new design language is evident all over the EV9. The trademark “Digital Tiger Face” that our brand is notorious for now has LED headlights that have slimmed down a bit. When the premise of electrification was first brought to the table, many car aficionados were doubtful that an EV could ever look strong or rugged in the least. 

As EVs have developed their exterior features and carmakers worldwide have advanced leaps and bounds, the EV9 has drawn a bit of influence from its close relative in the form of the Telluride, yet still has its own unique flair. Inside, one of the first features the Electrek blog editors appreciated was the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit system, making things a snap to navigate. The elliptical-shaped dash bears a refreshing form of simplicity with its single display screen, which shows a 12.3-inch infotainment and driver display. 

With physical buttons in place for volume, temperature, and fan speed, the coming EV9 has taken a step back a bit in design language without overloading the retro factor, and there are other switches for various infotainment features situated just underneath the screen. The Car and Driver review crew claimed that the 2024 EV9 is “one of the first true family-friendly EV options, and it’s looking like an extreme slam dunk!” The standard RWD EV9 will have a 76.1-kWh battery that will deliver 300 miles of range, boasting the single-motor setup.

The mid-range Wind trim is situated in a position to offer the most value, gearing up with the higher-powered all-wheel drive powertrain to crank out 379 horsepower. Here you’ll also graduate to some pretty cool features such as a heat pump for the climate control system, heated front seats and steering wheel, and second-row captain’s chairs. An available Boost mode offers up quicker acceleration on the spot, while also lighting its special breed of fire to increase the peak torque output. The EPA hasn’t yet released an official fuel-economy stat for the EV9, but the current estimate is at around 117 MPGe combined.

When the Motor Trend team put the EV9 AWD GT-Line to the test, they were excitedly looking at 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. If you’re away from the convenience of a home charger, you can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 24 minutes while using a public fast charger. A few editors from this team commented that the EV9 GT-Line evokes the vibe of futuristic and user-friendly fantastically well, while going on to claim that it is quicker, quieter, and more efficient than any other large SUV on the market. We would heartily agree that the EV9 gets two shining gold stars: one for showing up, and a second for executing at a flawless caliber!

Kia's EV3 and EV4 Shape the Future of Mobility with Futuristic Design

We have wholeheartedly been influenced by the opportunities of the future here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as tech features become better, electrification becomes more accessible, and customer satisfaction levels continue to climb. The innovative K3 and K4 concepts were just unveiled during Kia’s EV Day event in South Korea, where a thriving culture that has long embraced sustainability and innovation saw an assortment of incredibly promising concepts firsthand.

This appealing pair is so much more than just eye-catching, as they are destined to set the future precedent for our entire production EV lineup. While consistently keeping our eyes on the challenge of reaching one million annual global EV sales by 26 and 1.6 million by 2030, the future of electrification has become our front-running priority. The EV4 immediately struck onlookers as “compact yet adorable” and offers the benefits of an electric vehicle at an attractively low price point. This is frequently one of the smartest moves to make to stay aligned with current times, as inflation has ticked up in all sectors over the last quarter.

One of the first very cool features any futurist would notice is the very unique slide-out panel for climate controls, and the potential for an interior vehicle-to-load outlet, offering a means of charging e-bikes for commuters on the go. The EV4 heaps more appealing layers of charm infused with a fresh approach to traditional sedan design, adding coupe and wagon elements along with new concepts for lighting adjustment and ventilation. A close look allows the consumer to take notice that these ideas are an integral part of Kia’s journey to make electric vehicles appealing to a wide variety of demographics. 

During this spectacular and eye-opening event, Kia unveiled the K3 and K4, doubling down on new premises and a different, very forward-leaning aesthetic. The TopSpeed.com auto review team claimed that even though Kia has dropped many hints alluding to a plan for all-out worldwide domination, there’s something unique and special about this particular drop. They feel as if they could aptly and aggressively rival industry giant Tesla and provide an unparalleled time to shine. It currently seems as if 2026 could be a viable target release date, with an entry-level price point lower than what Tesla models are situated at. 

Alongside the EV6 and EV9, we recognize that releasing so many EVs at once could be a bit of a rescue move and lead to a bit of an oversaturation effect. Risks can frequently pay off with the most extreme form of reward, and we are confident that these two releases will assist dynamically and appeal to many who were once on the fence about the coming of electrification. Both of these new models savvily build on natural fiber structures, which enables very lightweight seat design and color tones with an organically natural touch. The EV4 and EV4 also use Mycelium, which is derived from mushroom roots and acts as a leather replacement. 

The EV3 is the up-and-coming visionary providing full representation of our plan for an electric compact CUV, which will be situated into a package that is just a bit larger than the Kona. The EV4 is bound to appeal to sedan lovers with its sleek, low nose and distinctly elongated tail. Much thought has been given by the design team to the interior spaces, which sport bold colors and unique textiles that instantly enhance the experience inside. As St Louis neighborhoods are decked out in spooky seasonal décor and the holidays are just around the corner, our plan for carbon neutrality is ready, willing, and enthusiastically able!

Kia America's Sales Continue to Climb: Best-Ever Third-Quarter Numbers

There’s never a shortage of good news here during the fall at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. Last week, Kia announced its best-ever third-quarter sales total of 210,341 units. This thrilling achievement now marks the third time in our company’s history that quarterly sales have exceeded the 210,000-unit mark. 

The month of September saw Kia posting its best-ever sales number of 67,264 units, which marks the 14th month in a row of year-over-year sales increases. Battery-electric vehicles were up 127 percent over the previous record set in September of 2022, and the retail-only performance of 62,661 units showed a 14-percent growth over the same period last year. This news solidly positions Kia as ahead of the curve, and always on point to offer the vehicles that customers are after.

As the battle for market share heats up excessively, we are now confident that our world-class and feature-rich models will keep customers loyal and engaged. The Niro, Carnival, EV6, Rio, Forte, Seltos, K5, Sorento, Telluride, and Soul all were others that saw year-over-year sales increases. The Carnival, EV6, and K5 were three other models that set best-ever September sales records. 

The 2023 Kia Niro has been completely redesigned and remains very competitive and domineering in the rapidly growing hybrid SUV segment. The U.S. News auto review crew was thrilled with its superb fuel economy, great interior design, and two rows of roomy seating. It features a very sleek widescreen infotainment system, ample seating in the front and rear, and excellent cargo room. The Niro’s fuel economy is stellar at more than 50 mpg and is excellent value in a sea of ordinary. 

The 2023 Kia EV6 snagged incredibly high marks for futuristic exterior design, quick recharging capability, and the exhilarating performance of the new GT model. It’s a crossover that wears futuristic styling that doesn’t truly appear like any other model out there, with a space-age cabin and a pleasurably surreal appearance. Very athletic driving dynamics were considered a very high priority for the EV6, and it moves with an excellent sense of precision on twisty roads. Higher-end trims step things up sufficiently with a surround-view camera system and an amazing Meridian premium audio system. 

The 2023 Kia Sorento is a very efficient and appealing 7-seat, all-wheel drive SUV that comes with a choice of powertrains. Just slightly smaller and a bit more affordable than minivan alternatives such as the Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot, the Sorento’s infotainment tech features and unique style have made it a top pick for consumers from many backgrounds. The AWD models come with the very cool rugged X-Line appearance package and offer excellent all-weather traction and a handy extra inch of ground clearance. Since it has a smaller footprint than bigger 3-row SUVs that share its segment, and many drivers have praised its quite agile sense of handling.

The 2023 Kia K5 rolled onto the scene with what car experts worldwide claimed was a “knockout exterior design”, along with segment-leading feature content. This year’s model added laminated windows, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic moonroof. With its Z-shaped running lights and full-width taillight, the K5 is hard to miss in a sea of very ordinary offerings. It has a very aggressive front end and a sleek roofline, with a cabin that is functional, stylish, and spacious. Standard equipment across all K5 models includes LED headlights and daytime running lights, dual-zone automatic climate control, AM/FM/HD stereo with six speakers, Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-inch touchscreen, cruise control, and 4 USB ports.

The 2024 Kia Niro EV Excels at Everyday Electric Efficiency

 

We have been incredibly impressed with how well drivers are taking to the EV6 here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as review staff and experts alike have claimed it is one of the best values on the market today. It has been just a little under two years since the latest-generation Niro was introduced in combustion, hybrid, and all-electric variants, with the newer model appearing on the scene with the traits everyone loves from the EV6 laced with a more traditional and compact SUV.

The Carscoops.com review team was excited to try the Niro out for an entire week and concluded that it’s a very well-put-together EV with its own sense of distinct charm and candor. Their test model was the EV GT-Line, which derives power from an electric motor cranking out 201 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque through the front wheels. You’ll zip rapidly up to 60 mph in just 7.8 seconds, and enjoy an interior that is like the EV6’s. One of the telltale and most distinctive features is the two-spoke steering wheel with integrated paddle shifters, on board to control the regenerative braking system. 

Lovers of tech will appreciate the pair of 10.25-inch screens, offering an easy means of operation and a simple platform. There’s a small bar below the screen that hosts the controls for the climate system and multimedia functions, which is a much better layout than the now quite common stuffing of all the controls into the central information display. These particular auto aficionados were very fond of the rotary shifter that crossed over from the EV6 and also felt that the front row had an abundance of useful space. 

USB-C ports are located on the rear of the front seats, along with a 2.6 kW power socket directly under the rear seats that usefully supports all vehicle-to-load duties. Any daily drive or falling leaves-inspired holiday excursion will fare as “good to go” with alloy sport pedals, customizable ambient lighting, an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon audio system, and a 10-inch head-up display. The Carscoops team was very satisfied with how efficient the Niro was on their first 36-mile drive, and over the week proved to average 13.5 kWh/100 km on a mix of suburban highways and roads. 

This solidified the range claim that the car can travel 286 miles on the WLTP cycle, which is improved even further with the brake regen situated in the highest setting. This is the type of vehicle that is very easy to get accustomed to, regardless of if you have experience with EVs or not, and consistently acts as light on its feet. Even though the Niro weighs in at 3,807 lbs, every turn and off-the-line acceleration is spry, calculated, and nimble. The brake regeneration performs at just as top rate a quality in the Niro EV as it does in the EV6, and it is tough to discern just when the regen transitions to mechanical braking.

You’ll notice a very pleasant, hushed character when cruising at highway speeds, also blocking out pesky wind and tire noise. The Edmunds.com review team loved the Niro’s penchant for “granting you some of the space you want out of an SUV that comes nicely wrapped up in a smaller footprint.” This is an excellent option for anyone searching for a great-looking vehicle that can still effectively nail down an EPA-estimated 49 mpg, while getting you around with a sense of efficiency. One delighted reviewer hailing from the St Louis metro claimed that her high marks for her recent purchase went to the amazingly comfortable seats, which made her life easier by remembering her favorite and most ergonomically sound settings.