The Kia EV3: A Tech-Powered, AI-Enhanced SUV Redefining Electric Vehicles

As electric vehicles have become more prominent nationwide, your Jim Butler Kia crew is excited about various models that have shown drivers just how efficient and capable the segment is! The Kia EV3 was the latest subject of a thorough test drive on the Tomsguide auto blog, and it was quickly declared to be one of the best electric vehicles the editor had driven to date.

Tom's favorite feature of the EV9 was its' head-turning and very futuristic looks. The EV3 uses the same hard and very angular design lines as its older sibling, just in a more compact size that many drivers are currently after. The EV3 foregoes the third-row seating that the EV9 offers, which provides more room for the trunk. The EV3 also features a dashboard layout identical to what so many review professionals have loved with the EV9, which includes a very wide panorama display and an incredibly crisp Harman Kardon Sound System.

Kia’s ambient lighting designs have gotten even better over the past few years, and the EV3 boasts the weekend-warrior-ready option of customizable colors for all of the lights. Drivers with brand-new purchases have relayed their thoughts back to us at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis and have claimed that they wished touchscreen controls were a bit more straightforward. With the EV3, Kia’s new AI Assistant technology provides the benefit of instant and very accurate voice control. 

It was the most efficient and convenient of its type in any EV that Tom has tested, with tasks such as setting cabin temperature handled in a flash. This will no doubt be excellent when quickly finding entertainment options and navigation support on the go. Another area where the EV3 will continue to stand out is its larger size, along with an estimated range of 300 miles. 

The Tesla Model Y is one of the EV3’s standout and sworn rivals, and we believe that the EV3 will dominate the race strongly due to its great features and low price. Rushed commuters and students alike will love the “Vehicle to Load” features onboard, offering the benefit of powering small appliances such as a hairdryer or coffee maker while you are parked. Juice is sourced from an 81.4-kWh battery, which is up from the typical 77.4-kWh battery found in the EV3’s relatives. 

The EV3 will also be the first production car to use Kia’s new i-Pedal 3.0 tech which allows you to adjust regenerative braking levels during one-pedal driving. The four very cool new available colors will be Aventurine Green, Frost Clue, Shale Grey, and Terracotta. Another high-tech advancement that will allow for a worry-free drive experience is the Electric Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control, which improves traction and stability against elements such as cold weather. The EV3 will be capable of hitting 60 mph in just 7.5 seconds, and maintain a top speed of 105 mph.

Fresh, Fierce, and Roomy: 2025 Kia K5's Turbo Power & GT Appeal

Looking at the many auto publications available online has always allowed us to get a clear idea of what the industry's best-trained “eyes and ears” think of the newest vehicles coming out on lots today. The staff on duty searching for the latest scoops at Motor Trend took a close look at the 2025 Kia K5 last week, which just enjoyed a significant refresh here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis and faces off with rivals such as the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima while holding down the midsize sedan segment.

Just for starters, this crew enjoyed the headlights' distinctive new look, along with the brand-new integrated spoiler for the trunk lid. There are numerous super-cool new wheel designs, and a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-4 is the powertrain replacement for the outgoing 1.6-liter. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, along with an aspiring student's favorite in the form of a wireless charging pad and numerous USB-C ports. The bright green brake calipers are another excellent new addition that is one of the first things onlookers notice upon approach.

Since it now boasts some updated and much more edgy styling cues, the well-versed Motor Trend crew eagerly claimed that it is the most exciting-looking sedan in its segment. The GT model is where the true pavement scorcher's dream comes true, with seriously upgraded performance parts and a genuine swagger. Even the base level trim now screeches onto the scene with modern driver-assist tech, along with a very user-friendly dual-function climate control panel.

Kia’s new and improved operating system is the star of the show on the now-enlarged infotainment touchscreen, and this new package is sure to appeal to anyone who needs stand-out styling and plenty of useful features. The new 2.5-liter inline-four is the new standard powertrain, and it cranks out 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The upgrade to the GT model is the way to go for anyone who is looking to enjoy a true sense of primo asphalt-inspired adventure while equipping you to enjoy the benefits of 290 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque.

Kia has always enjoyed a heavily awarded vehicle lineup, and the K5 is off to a typically accolade-inspiring start! Every year since its introduction in 2021 and onward, the K5 has earned the highest five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. The 2025 model sees some of today’s most popular and life-saving driver assist and active safety features increase, beginning with Lane Keep Assist and automatic high beams. Other new standard additions include front and rear parking sensors, as well as adaptive cruise control.

Higher K5 trim levels are equipped with camera-based blind spot monitoring, which is so incredibly useful on today’s hectic roads: if the sensors detect an oncoming vehicle within a certain proximity, an audible warning and signal appear on the side mirror. The Front Automatic Emergency Braking is carried over to this new model and is now an upgraded system that now includes cyclist detection and intersection collision avoidance.

There’s a brand-new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen now featured in the updated K5, which aligns with the current market’s demands for “bigger and better” each year. We have been so very excited for driving in its purest form to be enjoyed over the days of summer, and the 2025 Kia K5 is an example of the fullest-spirited and two-lane ready sedan to brighten up the open spots in each day’s commute!

Reimagining The MPV: 2025 KIA Carnival's Hybrid Power and Always-Evolving Tech

All of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis had our eyes fixated on the Chicago Auto Show last quarter, where the newly refreshed 2025 Kia Carnival gracefully took the stage. The Carnival now brings with it a very fine-honed edge in the unique space between SUV and hard-working family hauler. It commanded attention strikingly with an SUV-like aesthetic while offering up passenger space such as one would find in a fleet van!

The incoming model now offers an available turbo-hybrid powertrain and is a living and breathing example of our proud next generation of fully connected car technology. After many customer satisfaction surveys, engineering spec examination, and finely tuned direction, the Carnival arrived on the scene boasting very appealing functionality. As Kia has continued to avoid settling for “every day and average”, there have been numerous updates to performance technology and striking design.

There have long been stereotypes cast rigidly against the family vehicle that they tend to allude to the uninspiring, and the Carnival has fared amazingly well at reversing that trend! Characterized by a very large grille, the Carnival enjoys the striking visual appeal of Star Map daytime running lights, and very high-tech cube-shaped headlamps. Around the back, the Carnival boasts cleaner lines and smooth surfaces, with an available contoured skid plate on the lower rear fascia.

The Carnival has available alloy wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches, along with the decadent and daring Carnival Dark Edition. This model drastically tones down the brightness factor with darkened skid plates, roof rails, side and tail door garnishes, and exterior side mirror covers. Once inside, various simple shapes and ambient lighting span the width of the dashboard, while the center fascia houses climate controls with a minimalist design.

Inside is an available 12.3-inch cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment display, with an optional full-color head-up display that projects navigation and cluster info directly onto the windshield. One simple yet very ingenious touch is the built-in lights within the seat belt buckle that illuminate, making it simple to locate them in the dark. The cabin's seven standard USB-C ports will keep everyone in the first three rows properly juiced and connected, and two 115V inverters can provide a viable power source for tailgating or just plain getting by!

As soon as you step in and say, “Hey Kia!” A very cool multi-zone voice recognition feature takes high-tech cues from the speakers in the front and second rows to assert adjusting climate control or opening windows. Suppose you have opted for a Carnival equipped with the optional VIP Lounge Seat package. In that case, second-row passengers are in charge of quickly activating their seat's “take-me-away”-grade relaxation mode, reclining the seatback, or propping the leg extension up with a simple voice command. You'll be commanding the next Six Flags run with 145.1 cubic feet of cargo room behind the first row and the miraculous “Slide-Flex” seating for 8 with multiple configurations.

Fold-in-floor third-row and removable second-row seats are another means of ensuring your sun-drenched activities go smoothly for the day, and one configuration offers a sliding second-row center seat for easy baby or toddler access. Performance comes from the sturdy 3.5-liter V6 GDI engine that cranks out 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with an 8-speed automatic. The 2025 Kia Carnival is now also available with Highway Driving Assist 2, which maintains a well-allocated distance from the vehicle directly in front of you.

Kia's 2025 Monumental Masterplan & Vision: EV6, Sorento, and Next-Gen Sedans Steal the Show

As we have enjoyed watching the warm and sunny days become more frequent here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis, it’s hard to believe that nearly an entire month of later sunsets and kids home from school have already passed! 2025 models are now officially on their way, and the Motor1.com team cranked out a blog about all the awesome facelifts and updates to our models that customers can expect. Before these five exhilarating models arrive on dealer lots over the next few months, here are a few new things to expect with each one.

The 2025 Kia Carnival will enjoy an aggressive redesign with a large rectangular grille, sharp headlights, and cool “Star Map” LED running lights. The back end now has LED taillights, and the interior gets comfier thanks to reclining second-row seats with built-in footrests. There’s a spacious 145.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows removed, and rear passengers will also receive a Connected Car Rear Cockpit entertainment suite with multiple 14.6-inch HD screens to help pass the time. The biggest news is the arrival of a new hybrid powertrain, which combines a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with a 54.0-kilowatt electric motor for a combined output of 242 horsepower and 271 lb-ft of torque. If you opt for the V6, the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter engine offers you 287 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of useful twist.

The 2025 Kia EV6 is getting a facelift which includes brand-new headlight fixtures, an updated bumper treatment, and fresh 19 and 20-inch wheel options on the GT-Line and base model trim. This efficient and eco-friendly model also features a new steering wheel design on top of a savvy fingerprint authentication system, a 12.0-inch head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. There's also a brand-new 84.0-kilowatt-hour battery pack which replaced the outgoing 77.4-kilowatt-hour pack, while also improving a few features that customers have their eyes on most: the range and charging time. The new EV6 recharges from 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes with a 350-kilowatt fast charger.

The 2025 Kia K4 now replaces the Forte in the 2025 lineup, enjoying an all-new design with a very sharp C-pillar and unique vertical lights. The K4 is about 3 inches longer and two inches wider than the outgoing Forte. Trim levels will be LXS, EX, LX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo, the cabin is distinguished with a gigantic 30-inch screen on the dash, which runs wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with prompt over-the-air updates. GT-Line models will now see heated front seats, and you can enjoy your tunes from a premium Harmon Kardon audio system. The power source is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that cranks out 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with a continuously variable transmission. 

The 2025 Kia K5 will receive its mid-cycle refresh for the 2025 year while gaining updated headlights and a brand-new front bumper. This sleek and futuristic sedan went on sale in 2021 to trustily replace the Optima, and it starts the 2025 year off looking much like its outgoing predecessor. The K5’s base engine is the spry and sporty 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which cranks out 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The GT-Line upgrades to all-wheel drive and sweetens the deal considerably with the turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine cranking out 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft that is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. 

The 2025 Kia Sorento Hybrid now features the same sharp redesign as the pure gas model, with LED running lights and headlights that offer a very watery and lucent aesthetic. The powertrain is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and a 1.5-kilowatt-hour battery paired with an electric motor, and good for 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Sorento Hybrid returns 36 miles per gallon combined on the front-wheel drive model and is also available with all-wheel drive. The Motor Trend review crew was all-in with great feedback regarding the X-Pro treatment, as it brings amazing benefits for drivers who are on the hunt for something a bit more rigid than a humble people-mover.