2014 Kia Soul Earns Third Consecutive J.D. Power APEAL Award

Sometimes you *can* improve on perfection.

The funky, fun-to-drive 2014 Kia Soul recently earned the J.D. Power Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) award for the third straight year in the Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle segment. That's significant, especially since the 2014 Soul is a complete overhaul and is coming off its best-ever first-half sales performance in company history.

The J.D. Power APEAL study measures new-vehicle owners’ overall satisfaction with their vehicles in the first 90 days of ownership, and results are divided into the following categories: exterior, interior, storage, audio, seats, heating and ventilation, driving dynamics, powertrain, visibility and fuel economy.

“Since launching in 2009, the Soul has earned a devoted following thanks to its unique blend of attitude, style, technology and value,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Kia Motors America. “Now in its second iteration, the iconic Soul remains true to its roots while adding refinement both inside and out. Taking top honors in its segment for the third year in a row in the J.D. Power APEAL study is further verification that the Soul just keeps getting better.”

The 2014 Soul sold a record 74,999 units in the first half of 2014.

Check out the award-winning 2014 Kia Soul for yourself at JimButler Kia today.

Kia Soul Adds Enhancements for 2015

Sometimes it's hard to improve on perfection, but Kia is committed to trying. The 2015 Kia Soul is getting a few tweaks for the new model year. Kia enthusiasts will remember that the Soul underwent a major refresh for 2014, but this year, just a few enhancements are needed.

The base model for the 2015 Kia Soul now is available with a UVO eServices package, a free subscription that's available for ten years or 100,000 miles. The package includes Geo-fencing, download access to iTunes and Google Play, and a speed and curfew alert system.

The Soul Exclaim model is seeing a little change, too, as the 2015 model will be available with a new Umber Color Package. With it, Kia fans will be able to choose from Fathom Blue or Cloud White exterior paint, Nappa leather seats and trim, and special wheels with gloss black accents.

The 2015 Soul Plus model remains unchanged.

Stop by Jim Butler Kia to learn more about the 2015 Kia Soul updates.

KIA CUV coming in 2013! Butler KIA News

Reuters has been talking to KIA's parent company about plans for the future and it turns out that KIA is expecting to have an electric CUV in the U.S. by 2013. We've all seen our fair share of Toyota, Honda, Chevy, and Ford hybrids rolling around St. Louis, and with vehicles like the 2011 Chevy Volt coming shortly, we will need an alternative fuel powered vehicle to stay competitive. Check out the rest of the report from Autoblog.com and keep checking back for more Butler KIA News. www.JimButlerKia.com

"According to Reuters, Kia is looking to jump into the EV fight with an electrified CUV. Parent company Hyundai said that it's planning to turn out a total of 2,500 battery-operated vehicles by 2012. A total of 500 of those will be Hyundai BlueOn models, but the rest of the fleet will be made up of the new Kia-badged creation. The early fleet will be sold to Korean government agencies as a large-scale test, but commercial sales are supposed to start shortly thereafter. Reuters quotes Hong John-hee, the director of the company's electric vehicle development group, as saying that the cost of battery-electric vehicles will fall off much quicker than most analysts are anticipating. 

Like the BlueOn, the CUV-based EV will store its power in an SK Energy battery pack, though there was no mention as to whether the cells would be lithium-ion or traditional nickel-metal hydride. 

The electric crossover is likely to show up on the market in 2013 and will be capable of covering around 80 miles on a single charge. Both Hyundai and Kia are part of an effort by the Korean government to replace up to 20 percent of the nation's passenger vehicles with EVs by 2020." - -- - Autoblog.com

[Source: Autoblog]

Spied--KIA SOUL Tiger Edition-Will it make it to Jim Butler KIA?

As some of you probably already know, there are people who dedicate their lives to driving around the world stalking vehicle manufacturers to find out what they have up their sleeves. They literally drive through company parking lots and hide in bushes around vehicle test tracks just to get a glimpse of what vehicles will be coming out next.

The latest spy on a KIA model is a possible "Tiger Edition" KIA Soul. We don't know any more specifics but we aren't surprised. The KIA Soul is a great vehicle, we have a hard time keeping them on the showroom floor here at Jim Butler KIA. The next thing is that we noticed everyone loves to make their KIA just a little bit different than the other guy, so a limited production Tiger Edition might be showing up here in Saint Louis. The expected debut for the special edition is at the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this November.

So will it make it to Jim Butler KIA? I guess we'll see what KIA brings to SEMA in November, then we'll really know. Either way, Jim Butler KIA has a great selection of 2010 and 2011 KIAs, especially KIA Souls. The great thing about buying a KIA Soul from Jim Butler Kia is that we'll use our aftermarket connections to hook you up with one cool looking Soul whether it is pinstripes, racing stripes, window tint, or some cool looking wheels, we got you covered!

[Source: Autoblog.com]

Sneak Peak at the 2011 KIA Optima

The All-New 2011 KIA Optima is being referred to as "one seriously attractive sedan" and is in the running to be its segment style leader, better yet maybe even the best model in the

sector...period.

Here at Jim Butler KIA, we are proud to say that KIA has evolved and then we stand next to one of our great New Models in our beautiful Showroom in Chesterfield Valley off 722 Long Road Drive Crossing behind Walgreens (hint--hint).

While we still have several 2010 KIA Optimas In-stock and we don't know when exactly we will have the 2011 model or if it will actually be called a 2012 model instead, we are tickled at what is in store for us!

The All-New KIA Optima has been completely redesigned and is laced with all the bells & whistles that we can start to expect on every KIA

model. Awesome gadgets like navigation, Bluetooth technology, satellite radio, a cooled glovebox (just in case you forget about that chocolate bar you left in there), Push-Button Start, and available heated leather seats!!

Something that particularly pops out on this model is the paddle-shifters on the steering wheel...hmmm. When you peak under the hood you'll see a more fuel efficient 2.4 ltr four cyclinder engine that makes 200hp. So we have to ask ourselves if this is going to be a fun car to drive or just another sedan, then we looked at all the other great vehicles that KIA has developed in the past year and a half (KIA Soul, Sorento, Sportage), and we are confident that our answer is "YES!".

Although the New KIA Optima does have an awesome design, sportier handling, and cool technology features, it is also projected to get up to 34 mpg/hwy which makes the environment very happy.

[Source: KIA, Autoblog]