Snow Ready & Sleek: 2024 Kia Sportage Navigates Chilly Conditions W/Unbeatable Comfort

The official arrival of the 2024 models here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis always makes this time of year so special: after all the amazing food, décor, and family of the season, we get to closely observe torque and horsepower specs along with new features we all love. The 2024 Kia Sportage saw upgrades that were fiercely stanced as a hockey team on the winter ice staring down their opponent. The Toyota RAV4 is going to be quaking in its snow boots heavily, as this crossover is well-equipped for busy students, families, and entrepreneurs. 

There are now brand-new LED projector headlights and a second row of seat-mounted airbags to improve safety, with the power source as the 2.5-liter gas direct injection inline 4-cylinder. Hybrid models come with a 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine that cranks out 177 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 44-kW electric motor unit. The combined total system power output is 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, boasting an estimated 34 miles of all-electric driving range with the battery at full capacity. 

The available 12.3-inch dual panoramic displays with navigation offer over 24 inches combined display for everything from a spur-of-the-moment old-school Mario Kart session to navigation features and other vital details. The Autoblog staff were greatly impressed with its radical redesign that included much bigger dimensions, multiple hybrids, and top-notch technology, concluding that it’s a valiant and well-deserved segment leader. A detailed comparison test between it and the newly redesigned Honda CR-V hybrid deemed the Sportage as the smart choice, thanks to its distinctive style and excellent safety technology. 

Best-in-class cargo space is an asset that any busy family is going to hold quite near and dear on their “essentials” list, along with a vast back seat that is ready for the “delightful brick-and-mortar hauls of spring.” The current market has dictated the all-important price point as one of the most important features of any car, and this is where the Sportage has a viable upper hand. The interior offers up a sense of cool that the competing RAV4 or Forester can’t offer, with a choice of navy, red, and sage green interior.

The EX Hybrid also is eligible for the “New Year’s resolution” friendly upgrade of misty Gray or Triton Navy color combos, ranking Kia as a reigning champion when it comes to generous content on lower trim levels. Every powertrain option is eligible for the cabin’s swooping main attraction of a giant curved panel housing twin 12.3-inch displays that are politely shared by the enthralling and unique EV6. Also stuffed in the holiday stocking courtesy of the EV6 is the new row of touch-capacitive buttons offering accessible shortcuts for the infotainment menu and climate control.

This new interior is quite different from Kia’s usual look which comes off initially as even cleaner, with reviewers stating that they look better than eager models coming out of the gate from numerous competitors. The X-Pro trim adds a compelling step up in a major way with BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, 17-inch matte black wheels, and recalibrated drive mode settings for challenging reduced traction conditions. A few of our favorite extra available features include navigation, wireless device charging, a panoramic moonroof, synthetic leather upholstery, a Harman Kardon stereo, and the ingenious convenience of a hands-free power lift gate.

Future-Ready & Reliable: Kia Clinches 3 Top Honors in the 2024 Consumer Guide Best Buy Awards

As many awesome gifts are poised under the tree and New Year’s resolutions begin making their way through day planners, we are always thrilled with the sense of festivity in December! Kia America enjoyed the seasonal honors of taking home 3 2024 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy awards this month, solidifying our longstanding promise for segment-leading quality. The EV6, Telluride, and Soul models all took home this solid stamp of approval that dominates their respective segments. 

From very capable SUVs and EVs to the ever popular compact crossovers, the Jim Butler Kia lineup offers the quality and technology that the savvy customer is after. There has been much to enjoy about how successful the last decade has been, but Kia is now undergoing an even more intense transformation, and this recognition by the consumer guide automotive Best Buy awards is an excellent step towards authoritative leadership in mobility. The Kia Soul was recognized for its excellent amount of passenger room and sporty dynamics, while the EV6 your appreciation for its high performance blended with a sense of practicality.

The Kia Telluride took honors for its appealing existence as a very sporty yet practical mid-size SUV with an abundance of trim selections and extra option packages. The award-winning Consumer Guide Automotive’s editorial team has been cranking out this very valuable information since 1967, using a very rigorous evaluation process to single out the vehicles worthy of consumers’ hard-earned dollars. Editors closely scrutinized objectives such as features, price, overall performance, accommodations, fuel economy, long-term reliability, and resale value to provide their assessments.

Making the high-end of the final cut during these annual Best Buy Awards means excelling at every vehicle aspect. This results in the consumer being certain that they are going to have a memorable real-world driving experience, and builds the authority that consumers trust before making their decision. This year’s findings allow Kia’s product lineup to claim a viable option for nearly every consumer while staying very relevant in the most popular segments. 

The 2023 Kia EV6 was also praised by Autoblog for its “great range and rapid charging”, along with excellent technology features. It is a vehicle that certainly turns heads within an instant while delivering a dose of much-needed substance. The addition of the EV6 GT offers a thrilling 576-horsepower experience, effectively blasting up to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. From the very colorful lighting and futuristic dual displays, there’s nothing else that looks quite like this out there.

The 2023 Kia Soul redefines “fun to drive”, as it fulfills hatchback as well as compact SUV duties with a well-rounded touch. There’s over 62 feet of cargo space inside, along with the choice of four trims beginning with the LX and moving through the high-end and feature-rich EX. Navigation is also available, in this model comes standard with a 10.25-inch touchscreen. Uniquely entertaining and confident, the Soul keeps a watchful eye on its occupants with Kia Drive Wise’s advanced driver-assistance technologies.

The 2023 Kia Telluride is now one of Kia’s most popular and alluring models. It became Motor Trend’s SUV of the year for 2020 and received a significant update this year. There are brand-new rugged trim levels, more technology, and both an interior and exterior refresh to add to the SUV’s appeal. There are new wheel designs for every trim level, along with a restyled steering wheel and dash trim panels. It’s a vehicle that “feels every inch a premium product, with one of the most handsomely styled exteriors on the market. The X-Line trim offers increased ground clearance, along with off-road-ready improved approach and departure angles.

2024 Kia Telluride & EV9 Shine Bright on Car and Driver's 10Best Trucks List

It took nearly a hundred years for the internal combustion engine to change into the very spacious minivans of the 1980s! Passengers were happy here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis with the sense that they could now officially sprawl out and bring just a few monumental comforts of home such as books and study projects along. In barely ten years, EVS have become excellent at offering a space that is not just a means of accomplishing A to B. The EV9 is a 3-row SUV that is underpinned by the E-GMP platform, which is shared by the close sibling in the form of the Hyundai Ioniq 6. 

This meant that our hard-working engineers didn’t have to package the EV9 around the pressing need to make room for a combustion engine up front. It also allowed for the wheels to be pushed much further out, and the EV9’s characteristically out-front styling language has fantastically shown just how amazing and eye-catching the EVs of the future will be. An onboard 800-volt electrical architecture is the foundation for the modern miracle of ultra-fast DC charging, with the 99.8-kWh being the larger of the two battery pack choices.

The EV9 offers the option of all-wheel or rear-wheel drive, which we must admit that the “coming of the minivan” couldn’t even offer until its long-awaited second generation. The Car and Driver review staff were impressed with the 12.3-inch touchscreen’s easy-to-read and simple-to-operate demeanor, and space is incredibly generous for those counting the mile markers in the second row. The base-level rear-wheel drive EV9 Light cranks out 215 horsepower, with the all-wheel drive powertrain boasting the larger battery as standard. 

This setup allows for 370 horsepower, and up to 516 lb-ft of torque. Driving at a consistent 75-mph speed is quite telling when it comes to how range holds up, and the GT-line trim nailed down a satisfying 240 miles during this crew’s rigorous test. A 350kW DC fast-charger is where “something to write home about” truly originates regarding the future of efficiency. This allows for a battery to go from 10 to 90 percent in just 37 minutes, which equates to a much-needed lunch or extended stretch break.

The GT-Line crushes the 60-mph benchmark in just 4.5 seconds, with the EV9’s very compliant suspension rallying for the win over the 10Best testing loop’s most challenging intervals. Drivers concerned with the everyday task of shuttling to and from will most definitely find exhilaration in the EV9’s pioneering spirit. Thrilled to state that “The EV9’s moment is now”, the Car and Driver team agreed that this is an appealing choice for families ready to transition to electric, without having to compromise on a single crucial element. 

The 2024 Kia Telluride also made an appearance on the 10Best collection of well-performing royalty and was praised for being “gracefully and smartly designed.” Its naturally aspirated V6 and 8-speed automatic are so great together that you hardly notice them going about their day during a perfect pairing. Multiple Car and Driver writers and editors have chosen the Telluride to be the primary resident in their garage, which is as luxurious inside as many premium-priced competitors. Dutifully checking all the necessary boxes and alleviating any need for lofty claims or gimmicks, the Telluride stands apart this holiday season as a shining holiday star in a sea of unintentionally mundane!

Kia's EV9 Captures Tech-Savvy Attention and Reservations Nationwide

 

We were thrilled to watch our latest 3-wheel SUV gain numerous different types of positive attention over the past year here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis. The brand-new and incredibly efficient EV9 has now officially already received full deposits from customers in each state. Kia’s website provides the space to reserve the EV9, where a holiday-ready gift packet is included, featuring the standout 3-year Kia maintenance plan, one-year subscription to digital services, and a portable charger.

As this news becomes public, we have another thrilling holiday milestone to celebrate along with the sights and sounds of the season: this was Kia's best November sales month with 16 consecutive years of steady growth. The groundbreaking and very high-tech EV9 will arrive shortly in showrooms, with a phenomenal growth strength expected well into the New Year. For pricing in general, the EV9’s strategy is a wakeup call to the industry as it provides a feasible and attractive option in the three-row electric SUV category.

The EV9’s AWD trim includes up to 280 miles of range and can be leased at reasonable & attainable monthly rates. At 197” long, the EV9 is slightly bigger than the heavily awarded and much-loved Telluride and includes some of the industry’s segment-leading SUV capabilities. You’ll be heartily showing up for work or play with over 5,000 lbs of towing, over 81 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row, and 7.8” of ground clearance. Inside resides Kia’s awesome next-gen ccNC infotainment system, with dual 12.3” screens and a 5” HVAC screen for all the pertinent operational details. 

The Electrek review crew claimed that this great new SUV has premium potential to be a full-on winter weather conqueror in every way for our brand, with a price that reasonably undercuts the fierce competition. The EV9 boasts a lower price than the Volvo EX90, Rivian R1s, and BMW iX. A few other well-known forums online praised the EV9 for its very upscale interior and lightning-fast charging capabilities. Head-turning style, very smart technology, and each last gift-wrapped detail a 3-row shopper would require are all traits that will allow it to bypass the vast entries in the rival club. 

Since you need to downsize to a smaller vehicle or spend much more on the alternatives currently on the market, the EV9 is one of the only choices out there, and thankfully it’s a spectacular one! It drives like a much smaller and lighter vehicle than it is, with a snugly tight turning circle that makes things a snap to maneuver and park. The Kia EV Forums crew tested the GT-line, which provided robust and very confident acceleration. Full one-pedal driving is available, and drivers can specifically adjust how much regenerative braking is adequate with the paddles directly behind the steering wheel. 

Combining the best aspects of the EV6 and the 3-row telluride, the 2024 EV9 is comfortable, spacious, and packed to the brim with great features. Its 800-volt architecture can charge from 10% to 80% in less than 25 minutes, making a great model to “soon populate the nation’s many busy school drop-off zones.” The midrange EV9 Wind trim is the first to offer all-wheel drive, and it provides quicker acceleration along with 270 miles of driving range on a full charge. The Land, Wind, and GT-Line trims are all equipped with a 99.8-kWh battery, along with two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The battery pack is covered with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, ensuring that your new ownership experience will be memorable, capable, and trustworthy.