2024 Kia EV6 GT Offers “Scorching, Spacious, and Eco-Friendly-Sourced” Thrills

The Nasdaq experts officially published a stat last week that had our eyes peeled here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as exhilarating vehicles such as the 2024 Kia EV6 have been winning over customers left and right! Through 2028, the EV market is expected to grow at an annual rate of about 10%, seeing it retain its status as one of the fastest-growing technology areas. The Car and Driver crew claimed that the EV6 makes things much less of a “scientific experiment” as far as being reliable for a pleasant ride, and great daily performance.

The style is current and savvy enough to be outright distracting, and many dedicated engineering hours were spent attempting to create something truly special and unique. The GT performance version makes good on 576 horsepower, and a peak DC-fast charging rate of about 225 kW offers segment-leading efficiency. With this quick recharging ability long distances are not an issue, while holding onto bragging rights to boasting an excellent advantage over the competition. For EV buyers who prioritize driving range over athletic speed, the Wind trim’s dual motors generate a combined 320 horsepower.

The EV6 is available with a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle for rear-wheel drive or with electric motors on both front and rear enabling all-wheel drive. For good old-fashioned (via NEW means) straight-line performance, the 576-horsepower GT rushes to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, proudly sitting at the top of the lineup. Enhancements such as firmer chassis tuning, an adaptive suspension, more powerful brakes, and an electronic limited slip differential offer the raw yet refined driving characteristics that breathe a healthy amount of memorable life into this compelling EV.

The 2023 EV6 GT was included in an exclusive 0-150 speed test last year as well, where its stopping time also created positive waves among review staff: it returned to a stop from 150 in just 31.2 seconds, which was just a tenth slower than a Toyota Supra. Another very important claim was also confirmed by these automotive experts, as the EV6’s 350-kW fast charger adds 70 miles in less than 5 minutes. A godsend for any harried commuter, these stats provide a promising look at our esteemed brand’s future. 

There are 28 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat and 54 cubes total with the rear seats folded flat. The infotainment system works its magic on a 12.0-inch touchscreen that’s an extension of the EV6’s modern 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster. Every drive in the EV6 is guaranteed to be spirited and adventurous, and the upgrade to a 14-speaker Meridian unit renders the audible bits even more engrossing. The U.S News & World Report team praised the EV6 for “standing out from the pack with sleep styling, excellent efficiency, sharp handling, and abundant standard features.”

Satisfied owners here at Jim Butler have told us that the EV6’s impressive driving range, confidence-inspiring handling, and excellent fuel efficiency allow it to stand out in a crowded segment. Its robust selection of both punchy and efficient powertrains offer a large variety for everyone looking to enjoy the benefits of modern EV ownership. For 2024, the Light trim was reintroduced after a one-year hiatus, and the EV6’s infotainment arrangement is now “more intuitive than the Tesla’s.” A few other of our favorite other available features are a sunroof, universal garage door opener, and ambient LED lighting.

Scoreboard & Screens: The 2024 Kia Sorento Takes Center Stage in the 3-Row SUV Class!

As football scoreboards become the center of attention nationwide and here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we are “bowled over” with the features and functionality of new vehicles arriving each day! The 2024 Kia Sorento is an excellent utility player and 3-row choice, and it now comes with four powertrains. The base trim comes with a non-turbo 4-cylinder and front-wheel drive if you’re on a budget, or there’s the option of the off-road-ready and luxurious turbocharged X-Pro model if you’re looking for extra fun. 

The Plug-In Hybrid model can provide an estimated 32 miles on all-electric driving before the gas engine kicks in, with the regular hybrid providing an extra boost of acceleration and great fuel economy as well. All the non-hybrid trims received a mid-cycle refresh for 2024 that spruces things up with a fresh front grill and revised tail lights, along with freshly updated wheel designs. The infotainment system and dashboard are also updated, with the X-Pro and X-Line trims adding a rugged element of appeal. 

The Car and Driver review crew was impressed with the EX-Hybrid, which comes standard with a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder hybrid powertrain that packs a bit of appealing extra muscle. The EX also includes the comfort of heated front seats, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and remote start. The 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder cranks out 191 horsepower as standard, with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder above it delivering 281 eager horses. These excited test drivers embarked out on the town with the SX trim and enjoyed its incredibly firm brake feedback, and poised handling. 

The exploration-prepped X-Pro trim comes equipped with a center locking differential, all-terrain tires, and 17-inch wheels. The maximum towing capacity for the Sorento is 4000 pounds, which is still adequate for the weekender’s water toys or other recreational items. The 2024 Sorento Hybrid front-wheel-drive models get 39 mpg city and 35 mpg highway, while all-wheel-drive models achieve 36 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. A 4.3-inch digital gauge display and a separate 12.3-inch infotainment screen are standard, with higher-level trims changing things up with a 12.3-inch reconfigurable gauge display. 

The rear-seat entertainment system has been one of the features most appreciated by busy parents; letting the miles pass by with younger ones whose attention is captivated makes a huge difference! The Sorento also features an optional wireless charging pad and immersive 12-speaker Bose stereo. The KBB review staff were impressed by the Sorento’s affordability and efficiency, while also ranking Kia’s stellar warranty coverage as the best in its class. This team of enthusiasts loved the quicker acceleration of the more powerful engine, along with the greater towing capacity. 

For buyers who don’t travel often with more than five people and perhaps spend a good deal of time navigating tight parking lots, the Sorento is a very attractive and adventuresome means of moving through your week! With the 3rd row folded down, you get a generous cargo hold with 38.5 cubic feet of space, with 12.6 cubic feet of cargo space directly behind the 3rd row. The standard Kia Drive Wise safety suite included with every Sorento provides lane keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, and automatic emergency braking. EX trims and up feature the Smart Power Tailgate, which accommodates hands-free opening and closing. 

New Details On the 4-Door Scene: A Closer Look at the 2024 Kia Sedan Lineup

2023 ended on an exhilarating note, with the promise of new models to come to the lot here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis! This past year, Kia recorded its highest-ever sales, with a 13% increase over 2022. Captivating exterior designs, interiors with all the latest features, and world-class warranty coverage have won over fans such as the writers at TopSpeed.com. 

Today, we are going to offer a closer look at the 2024 Kia Sedan Lineup: crossovers have long been king, but these models provide a more driver-focused connection to the ever-inviting road.

The 2024 Kia Forte comes ready for daily drive duty in LX, LXS, GT-Line, and GT trims. As you ascend the trim levels, it becomes sportier and more aggressive. Drivers have lately demanded larger screens, as enjoying the best in tech features on the go has become essential. The Forte’s base LS trim now features an 8-inch infotainment screen as standard, along with the LXS variant. The GT-Line and GT both have the larger 10.3-inch display with Sirius XM and in-dash navigation. 

Hardcore purists will appreciate the opportunity to score a manual transmission, along with the GT-Line’s turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four cylinder that cranks out 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The interior is so well-designed that it rivals much pricier competition, and it’s a sedan that the Edmunds.com review crew praised for being “grown-up yet small, and a fantastic value for the money.”

The 2024 Kia K5 is known for bold and boisterous styling, along with a roofline that screams “fast enough and sleek enough” for rightfully power-hungry times. The K5 comes to the table with a very well-organized interior and is a prideful benchmark of where the good stuff starts regarding upscale materials. Refined wood trim and ambient interior lighting are a few extras that have done so remarkably well at helping Kia stand out from other dreadfully ordinary options.

The top-of-the-line GT variant features a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that puts out 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. It is highly recommended for anyone looking to escape the confines of cars that don’t strive to be special. Stake your claim on the streets with bigger brakes, XL 19-inch rims with wide tires, and an automatic 8-speed transmission. Car and Driver deemed the K5 “One handsome devil, and full of unnecessary fun”, while also praising it for sophisticated and straightforward looks. 

The 2023 Kia Stinger was unquestionably the most powerful sedan in the Kia lineup, with last year’s model seeing its final run. Graced with meaningful dark chrome and dual twin-exit exhausts, the Stinger existed as a symbol of everything fantastic that could be injected into a modern vehicle. A 9-speaker audio system comes as standard, with the option of upgrading to the placidly clear and exorbitant 15-speaker Harmon/Kardon audio system. 

The Stinger’s full and g-force-inducing potential Is unleashed courtesy of the 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6, which cranks out 368 horsepower and 376 lb-ft of torque. Here a haven of sorts for performance enthusiasts was born, along with very firm competition to revolt against the Audi A5 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Going out with a well-seasoned bang was made possible with the Apex Special Edition, which adds upgraded Brembo brakes, black fender trim, black mirror housing, and carbon-fiber-look interior trim. 

If you’re looking for a sedan, we can help! Head to Jim Butler Kia and we’ll help you upgrade to your perfect new Kia.

Future-Forward Phenomenon: Kia's All-Electric EV9 is 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year!

Last Thursday as the long winter months became a true reality to us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, we received a very positive reinforcement to celebrate! It’s not just snow shovels and low temperatures that we must contend with, as the start of the year provides its fair share of industry awards. The Kia EV9 won the 2024 North American Utility of the Year Award, as officially announced during a meeting of the Automotive Press Association in Detroit. 

During this event, 50 automotive journalists from the US and Canada tested and rated the vehicles based on how innovative they were at setting new benchmarks in their respective segments. This is the third time in five years that the NACTOY jury has named a Kia vehicle as the top choice, and the second win overall for an innovative Kia EV. During the design and testing process, all the brilliant minds involved were certain that the EV9 was on its way to becoming a very “future-forward” and trend-setting icon. 

Print, online, radio, and broadcast media experts were on hand to test vehicles ranging from sporty coupes to hard-working pickups, with meticulously assessed criteria. Automotive innovation, design, safety features, performance, technology, driver satisfaction, and user experience are the traits that are examined to produce true industry champions. The Kia EV6 was able to claim this prestigious honor last year, as the EV9 steps out proudly as the first mass-market 3-row SUV in the U.S. After probing consumers for years about their needs, Kia made it a point to create a “true SUV”, with 7.8 useful inches of ground clearance.

Praise for the EV9 has been widespread, with the Edmunds.com review crew claiming they were quite impressed with its “luxuriously quiet drive and high-quality features that elevate any commute or jaunt alike.” Many consumers are now feeling ready to embrace the transition into the electric realm, and offerings such as the EV9 allow for little to no compromise on authenticity. Even the 3rd row offers a fair amount of space, and the EV9 has become quite popular for the number of features it provides at its price point. Easing anxiety across the board with its quick charging capability, the EV9 makes long-distance trips easier and worry-free.

The EV9 GT-Line traveled 306 miles on a single charge during official range testing, while charging from 10% to 80% in just 24 minutes even at public fast-charging stations. The EV9’s towing capacity has also yielded a great deal of attention, residing at an admirable 5,000 lbs. When pitted up against the competition in the form of the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X, Kia’s driver-assist features and ample space chisel it a much-appreciated niche for itself. The GT-Line accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, which is segment-leading for an SUV this size.

During more relaxed driving, the V9 offers smooth acceleration along with regenerative braking for efficient one-pedal driving. The fully loaded GT-Line comes equipped with the upgraded second row captain’s chairs which offer nearly the same luxurious amount of comfort as the seats in the front row. The optional 360-degree camera system is a huge help in tight parking situations, and the driver’s view of the climate control screen is ideally situated for constant monitoring. A few of the impressive range of standard driver-assist features are adaptive cruise control, driver attention monitor, and rear occupant detection.

Fashion Forward, Wallet Friendly: The 2024 Kia Seltos Rocks the Ball-Drop + Release Runway!

2023 was a groundbreaking and very successful year here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis: we had the pleasure of raking in esteemed rewards, listening to testimonials from our satisfied customers, and offering test drives of the finest vehicles around! The 2024 Kia Seltos is situated in a category that is ripe with firm competition, and an underlying need to always be relevant and satisfying. The new model offers an assortment of changes and upgrades, with the turbocharged four-cylinder commanding center stage as the life of the party. 

The Dayton Daily News’ auto writing team was enjoying a blustery and cold day and prepping for their own test drive, when they noticed they were going to be sampling the turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. This model cranks out 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque and offers a very athletic sprint while remaining cordial for daily driving duty. Here it is well-stated that there are many crossovers in this segment that feel a bit sluggish, and the optional 8-speed automatic transmission stepping in as a drastic improvement over the prior year’s CVT. 

This warrants a crossover that is begging for attention beyond the typical errand list. The Seltos is held in high regard here for not falling into the “safe and frilly” design trap that characterizes so many other vehicles in the segment. Some long standing Kia fans have found the Seltos a bit too youthful for their taste, and the new model’s use of higher-quality materials inside allows for the finished package to rise quite nicely above ordinary. One vital and creature-comfort friendly stat that those on a winter’s long excursion are concerned with is headroom, which the Seltos also chalks up segment-leading results in. 

The Kia infotainment system has long been a favorite among industry experts, as the Digital Trend contributors agree that it is now setting a high bar for how all these systems should work. It is like what a smartphone offers as a blueprint for access, and after swiping right there’s a functional and straightforward layout of maps and vital settings. The processing power under the hood allows for a very responsive operation style, as encountering an in-demand situation on the road calls for prompt reaction time. 

The 8-inch touchscreen doesn’t completely overtake the dashboard, but still offers up all the great features desired along with the vital smartphone integration. USB ports are a commodity that is always appreciated, as the premise of transferring data or communicating with another device is that much easier. Many families and businesses on the rise are thrilled with the 26.6 cubic feet of cargo room behind the second row, and if you don’t have any passengers in tow, can boost things to 62.8 cubic feet. EPA ratings for the Seltos are currently situated at 25 mpg/city and 27 mpg/highway, with the average test drive yielding just over 25 mpg. 

The Edmunds.com review crew praised the 2024 Seltos for being “stylish, roomy, and available with plenty of the latest technology and safety features.” The top-of-the-line Seltos SX gets up to 60 mph in just 8.1 seconds, with very responsive steering and excellent suspension rendering it great for time spent on the twisty two-lane that you’ve been neglecting. Finishing strong as a renowned finalist for U.S News & World Report’s 2023 Best Subcompact SUV for the Money award, the Seltos is an excellent example of what a budget-friendly model can do when it sets out to eloquently exceed expectations!