Kia Sportage Cruises to Victory as U.S. News’ Best Hybrid and Electric Car of the Year!

 

The beginning of Q2 here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis is a whirlwind of activity for many of our employees, their families, and our customers! It’s time to begin ringing in the warm weather with plans for excursions to museums, parks, and swimming pools... and we’re afraid that “yesterday’s clunker” simply won’t do! All of Kia’s vehicles have proven to be resilient, high-functioning, and reliable. It also gives us great pride to watch the stack of awards roll in from heavy hitters such as U.S. News & World Report. 

They just announced the winner of their “Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV” category, signifying another quite memorable first! To come up with the winners of this category, U.S News took the time to evaluate 96 luxury and very affordable hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars, SUVs, and trucks. Elements taken into account were EPA fuel ratings, pricing info, and findings from the press.

Plug-in hybrids are a very thrilling bridge to an all-electric future, with the Sportage's 34-mile all-electric range able to tackle many average daily commutes right here in St Louis. After undergoing a complete redesign last year, the 2024 Sportage now arrives primed and ready for each test drive with new interior and exterior updates. The Edmunds.com review crew praised the Sportage for its comfortable ride quality, very spacious seating, and massive rear cargo area. Once you add Kia’s amazing warranty coverage and low prices to the equation, the Sportage wholeheartedly remains a class leader!

Numerous testing pros have praised the suspension’s soft tune, which allows it to absorb bumps and pavement that has stood the test of time with ease. The rear seats have an abundance of adjustable recline, which delights rearview passengers during 60+ mile endeavors. After closely examining the climate control layout, the Edmunds crew loved that it converts the controls to media layouts while not in use. The new touchscreen iconography resembles neon signs, evoking a modern and nearly “cyber cafe”-styled look. 

Visibility is excellent thanks to XXL windows and body dimensions that aren’t too tough to gauge directly from the driver’s seat. The Prestige trim adds the very useful camera-surround system, while USB-C and A ports are plentiful in both rows. The adaptive cruise control excellently holds gaps without the need to constantly tap the brakes, and none of the collision systems gave this testing crew any false alerts. “Smart Pack” operates well in the common pinch found in any big-box parking lot: if things get just a bit hectic, you can get in or out of any parking spot with just the key FOB. 

The review staff analyzing the best and worst of these vehicles for awards determination consider space, and the Sportage delivers 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 74.1 cubic feet with the row folded down. The rear seats can also be folded down from the hatch, and the rear seats have car anchors that are incredibly easy to locate and use. The rugged looks of the X-Pro will entice anyone who is constantly itching to go far beyond the stretches of urban pavement, and the J.D. Power review crew gave the Sportage their coveted rating of “Great” for reliability. 

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.

Your Guide to the Noteworthy Upgrades in Kia's 2024 Lineup

The holiday season here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis offers an excellent opportunity to take a pause and reflect on how thankful we are for what we have while enjoying the many sights and sounds around us. Customers are eagerly wondering what the future has in store for our lineup, as the excitement of wrapping gifts and New Year's anticipation calls for a sneak peek at the dazzling SUVs coming soon! Here are some of the bough-and-holly rich details about what will be on tap for next year: 

The 2024 Kia Soul embodies a very affordable compact SUV, with the EX trim level gaining an available Designer package that offers 18-inch alloy wheels, cloth and faux-leather-trimmed seats, and the very cool Umber interior color scheme. All models with a Smart Key will now offer a sleep mode that will keep dangerous hackers from finding their way into the key’s frequency. The Motor Trend crew praised the incoming model for its “spacious cabin and very pleasant drive.”

The 2024 Kia Seltos enjoys its annual refresh this year, beginning with a larger grille on the front fascia, and slightly tweaked headlights. There is also the added convenience of an optional power liftgate, along with Fusion Black, Valais Green, and Pluton Blue joining the color lineup. The X-Line trim is primed and prepped to tackle the trail, featuring 18-inch tires, a gunmetal-finish front grille, black roof rack, gloss-black door accents, and unique X-line branding. 

The 2024 Kia Niro underwent a second-generation redesign last year. All trim levels of the Niro EV and standard hybrid except the LZ base model will now offer a standard dual-level cargo floor. This dynamic Kia offering has been praised for its handsome exterior, 3 excellent powertrains, and slightly larger size. The Edmunds.com review staff praised it for its “helpful driving aids, smooth ride quality, and excellent value for the money.”

The 2024 Kia Sportage now features LED projector headlights as standard, along with lifesaving second-row airbags directly integrated into the seats. Drivers are immediately sold on the Sportage’s eye-catching exterior, 3 great powertrains, and well-equipped cabin. Busy families love the spacious second row and the equipment offered with the X-Pro that helps tackle the rougher stuff. The Sportage makes an excellent first impression thanks to its snazzy design, very modern dashboard, and eye-catching demeanor. 

The 2024 Kia Sorento underwent plenty of changes for the year with a very rugged and boxy design. The X-Pro trim boasts a 4,000-lb towing capacity, which is the highest in the segment. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is now standard, and the interior was given the holiday gift of updated controls along with new upholstery. Amber LED daytime running lights and new vertical taillights bring a much more striking look, and there are some other awesome elements borrowed from the EV9. New for this year is a machine learning-based adaptive cruise control that effectively adapts to your style of braking and accelerating. 

The 2024 Kia Telluride was just refreshed this year, with 2024’s updates focusing heavily on the exterior. On 2024 X-Pro and off-road trims, black gloss exterior accents are now standard. Drivers immediately notice that the Telluride drives like something much smaller, and it is known for its segment-leading technology features. The Edmunds.com team praised the Telluride for its “extensive standard features, satisfying drive, and very upscale cabin. As many vehicles in the segment are quickly overtaken by newer rivals, the Telluride has remained relevant and trendsetting.

The 2024 Kia EV6 brings back the base Light trim, now offered with either the 58.0-kWh battery or the 77.4-kWh pack with the other models in the lineup. The top-tier GT model is now upgraded to a 218-mile range, and every 2024 EV6 model boasts new charge port lighting and a much more clearly designated charge port door. If you are constantly mesmerized by vehicles from the future, the EV6 is going to strike your fancy immediately! The GT Model cranks out 576 horsepower, and the EV6’s charging speeds and alluring interior have caught the attention of the auto industry’s high-tech-enamored reviewers. 

The 2024 Kia EV9 comes from the same very high-tech vein of the brand we love to provide and support so much. With a DC fast charger, Kia says the EV9 should recover 10 to 80 percent charge in a mere 20 minutes. The EV9 has also stood out with the eco-conscious crowd, as it has employed vegan materials and many forms of recycled plastic to embrace sustainability. Dual 12.3-inch screens along with a 5.0-inch screen for HVAC are on board to aptly keep up with the Joneses, the EV9 promises to be very interesting and engaging at every drive.