Road Show Blog Gladly Takes 2019 Kia Forte on an L.A. To San Fran Spin

Citing the new Kia Forte as “more competitive than ever” for 2019, small yet spacious was the name of the game when the Forte was conceptualized and brought to life. Boasting high fuel efficiency and a redesign, the road testing crew from Cnet recently took it on a jaunt from LA to San Francisco. This is one route that is particularly demanding, and has a very high amount of stop and go terrain, where the comfortable driver's seat and quiet cabin provided an environment that had no trouble in “piling on the miles.” The power is derived from a 2.0-liter, naturally-aspirated I4 engine, making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, which is average in this class of compact sedans.

Because of the well-tuned and continuously variable transmission, the Forte is able to dart up an on ramp or pass satisfactorily, and the Forte EX is rated by the EPA at 30 miles per gallon city, and 40 mpg highway. The FE is the more efficient version, and there is nothing in existence as capable unless you go with a hybrid. Driver assistance is one of the elements that makes the Forte a great choice for long trips: Collision-mitigation braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert are on board to protect the driver and passengers constantly, and assure that your destination is reached with ease. Collision-mitigation braking is one of our favorites: it uses amazing technology to detect any possibility of a front collision and sends various warnings to the driver to apply the brakes.

With a couple design cues taken from the Kia Stinger, writer Manuel Carrillo thought that the third-generation Forte is the best-looking one yet, and appreciated the unique accent that the LED taillights connected by a reflective-lens trim piece adds to the mix. In the center stack, you find the 8-inch touchscreen which houses the UVO infotainment system, with the ability to run both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Rear seats measure in at 37.5 and 35.7 inches of head- and legroom, offering up more than the Civic Sedan's rear headroom, and .2 cubic feet more than the popular midsize Toyota Camry.

It was agreed here that the EX trim is where the best in specs and features abound: this is the level in which you enjoy 17-inch wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a power driver's seat, leatherette upholstery, and ventilated as well as heated front seats. Ask us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis about the EX Launch Edition package: it ups the stakes drastically in the interior with Fire Orange paint, LED headlights, a rear spoiler, and a graphite finish to deck out the 17-inch wheels. You get the added benefits of embedded navigation, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless phone charger, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, automatic high beams, and a TFT instrument cluster display situated at a now-enlarged 4.2 inches.

Visually enticing, fun-to-drive, and economical, the Forte is a car that prides itself on the value it provides: holding the title ferociously as one of the best bangs for your buck in the compact space, it is a testament to everything engineers have been striving to develop for the last few decades. You can run with a muscular sports car, very large SUV with low mileage, or find your own “sweet spot” in the automotive realm somewhere in between: The Forte is the ultimate choice for those seeking a refined daily driver and option with the newest tech: entry-level options absolutely possess a resonance of true quality, and this is a vehicle that will meet your needs with cheerful and very current breed of appeal!

2019 Kia K900 Described like “A Day of Pampering at the Spa” During Automobile Test Drive

Luxury sedans are one of those items that it can be easy to swoon over during the holidays. Graduations are coming up in the spring, those who have tied the knot are celebrating, and consumers whose needs are shifting towards a different style are all candidates for an amazing new vehicle. This past week, Automobile blog ran a great piece on how the K900 has improved over last year's model, as the finish and features immediately won seasoned car writer Eleanor Segura over during her work on the article. She was able to test drive next year's K900 for two days and nights, and at first glimpse thought that it would seem more like a day of pampering at the spa than a routine test drive!

The available ambient lighting with custom colors is one of the reasons why the love for the K900 was so strong: it allows you to choose from 64 hues, and it was appreciated how far beyond the typical green or blue you can choose from. The Lexicon audio system is another reason to appreciate the K900: with a 17-speaker audio system, it does not make room for any disappointment, powered by 900 watts and properly dispersing the audio element of holiday cheer.

It's true that a proper luxury car needs a stylish timepiece in the dash: Mercedes-Benz has IWC Shauffhausen, Bently has Beitling, and the K900 now sports one from Maurice Lacroix. These elements go very nicely with the overall feel of the interior, and add a touch of class that really goes a long way in the aesthetic category. Another super-cool feature of the K900 is the Instrument-cluster Blind-View Monitor: when you signal to turn or change lanes to the left or right, the tachometer and speedometer are minimized in favor of a camera. The engine and vehicle speeds are still visible above the camera image, and having both views is a nice feature that you don't get on other luxury sedans.

Then there is the VIP Package, it includes a pair of switches on the left of the front passenger seatback that gives drivers the ability to quickly move the front passenger seat, allowing for someone in the rear to board faster. You can also adjust the backseat separately, allowing even more room for an important passenger to embark for the ride. Instrument cluster graphics are one feature that can really add a bright light in terms of personality, and when you enter the car or shut off the engine, Eleanor loved the fairy-like character warmly telling you to come back soon.

In busy metros such as St Louis, we know all too well the sensation of having someone follow too closely: it's somewhat of an everyday occurrence. In the K900, you can simply roll up the rear privacy shade when someone gets in your personal space, and when you put the car in reverse, the shade rolls down automatically, so you can be sure your all-important backup path is clear. In the drive modes now featured, automatic driver-seat adjustment is a great additive: for each mode you pick, the seats adjust themselves to an ample level of support. Level of luxury is definitely a deciding factor when it comes to selecting a brand new car, and after a test drive of the K900, you're going to appreciate every single upper-end element that adds comfort and clout to each drive you take!