Savvy Moves for Smart Minds: Kia EV4's Early 2025 Debut Sparks Anticipation

Many digital news flashes scroll rapidly through our feeds here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, and January is full of seasonal updates along with glimpses of things coming soon! The Insideevs.com blog claimed this past week that “compact sedans aren’t dead yet, they’re just evolving.” The EV4 concept shown last year had authentically doubled down on a classic 4-door, 3-box design. A few elements resemble traits you can find in typical crossover SUVs of today, such as the ride height and sweet black cladding surrounding the wheel arches.

The official announcement has dropped regarding this concept’s series-production status, which is just slightly later than originally expected. The Korean Car Blog recently claimed that this savvy new all-electric sedan will go into production at the beginning of 2025. Electric vehicles are now the biggest influence on Kia’s sales and profits, and the brand has remained very flexible while responding to a constantly evolving market. When it finally debuts in production form, this electric sedan will be in direct competition with the Tesla Model 3.

With our focus switching back to all the exciting news currently happening, the Kia EV9 enjoyed glowing reviews from the KBB team and was praised for its “luxuriously quiet drive and high-quality features that elevate every commute or jaunt.” It has made an amazingly successful transition into the electric realm, without having to compromise on the features that have evolved to make Kia a front-running and successful industry icon. There’s plenty of space inside, even in the third row, and its fast-charging capability makes long road trips easier. 

The EV6 is an amazing electric SUV that puts driving excitement at the top of its itinerary and has been hailed for its well-balanced handling. It’s got quick acceleration, sporty handling, and sleek styling, with not as much sheer bulk as a common SUV. When the EV6 debuted in 2022, it confidently announced to the world that we could assemble an incredible and world-class EV. The 2024 EV6 can go more than 300 miles of driving range on a fully charged battery, with the GT allowing you to trade range for fierce performance. The top-shelf 576-horsepower EV6 GT will accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

One amazing claim for the GT-line firmly faces down one of the stiff elements of competition as this time is even quicker than the Ford Mustang Mach-E. Drivers will enjoy the central touch panel that easily selects between radio and climate functions. The infotainment system is ideally responsive, supports USB-connected Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and is simple to use even during the demands of a daily drive. The Wind trim level comes with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive and provides 282 miles of range. 

Last year the Gear Patrol crew outlined how excited they were about the fast-charging options that Kia has for vehicles such as the EV6, which can charge from 10-80% on a fast charger in just 18 minutes. The Niro was new for 2023, offering styling cues from the HabaNiro concept and proudly playing its cards face-up with 201 horsepower. Are you ready to embrace the exciting future of electrification? Contact us here today at Jim Butler Kia to learn more about the many exciting features of our electric vehicle lineup! All the industry’s major variations will be covered in some form by 2027, including an addition to an entry-level model in the A-segment. 

Motor1.com’s 2024 Kia Sorento Spy Shots Signifies Prototype’s Progress

The Motor1.com team has been dutifully on the move since last September when they spied the refreshed Kia Sorento for the first time, and recently posted on their blog about another group of photos they just collected. This time the promising prototype was secretly spotted with Michigan tags and was also covered in full-body camouflage. It was noted that the front fascia bore vertical headlights more clearly than before, with what appeared to be four separate square projector lenses.

There also appeared to be a new grill design and some potential adjustments to the shape of the bumper. As we mulled over the photos online here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis, we remembered just how awesome publications such as Edmunds.com rendered the 2023 model, as its mix of available performance, quality, and practicality has thoroughly impressed drivers and review professionals alike. The current model is available with four powertrains, with the first star of the show gracing the stage as the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine cranking out 191 horsepower. 

Next up is a turbocharged version of that engine producing 281 horsepower, with the two electrified versions expected to carry over into next year's model year with minimal modifications. The 1.6-liter turbo provides 227 and 261 horsepower collectively with plug-in hybrid and hybrid variants. Since the prototype was still cloaked so heavily in camouflage, this team does not expect a full official debut of the revised Sorrento until summer, and a plausible market launch before the end of 2023. 

With an impressive number of standard and optional features along with plentiful second and third-row legroom, the 2023 Kia Sorento available right now at Jim Butler is one of only a handful of small SUVs on the market that offers a third row. Situated right between the smaller 5 passenger Sportage and the larger three-row Telluride, the Sorento can quite easily squeeze in up to seven passengers if needed. This rental comes equipped with an impressive arrangement of standard features, including wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, lane-keeping assist, and multiple USB charging ports.

The optional turbocharged engine is downright impressive for a smaller-sized SUV, and the sprint up to 60 mph takes just 6.7 seconds. This is nearly three seconds faster than the competing Volkswagen Tiguan, and even a tick faster than the V6-powered Honda Passport. The brand-new HP dual-clutch automatic transmission is capable of very smooth shifts whether you are reluctantly enduring crawling traffic or full-throttle merging. The front seats offer an excellent range of adjustment, heating, and ventilation, with very firm and comfortable captain’s chairs in the second row.

During many expert drive tests, the Sorento was confident, stable, and consistently well-controlled. Passengers will enjoy more legroom in the second row than in competing dedicated two-row SUVs such as the Honda CR-V. The surround-view camera system is one of the best offerings out there to provide help navigating through very tight situations, and no one on board will be lacking device power with eight USB ports along with a wireless charger. With the third row of seating drops, the Sorento offers between 38.5 and 45 cubic feet, depending on how forward the second-row seats are situated. 

The Sorento's towing capacity is 3500 pounds, with the turbocharged engine able to tow around 2,000 lbs. The turbocharged Sorento also does not need premium gasoline and returns an EPA rating of 24 mpg combined. This enthralling yet practical driving experience has been compared to “a lighter version of the Telluride” and remains impressive and versatile in a very crowded segment. John Vincent of U.S News’ car reporting team had the greatest praise an auto reviewer can give a vehicle, as he eventually bought one for himself after thoroughly enjoying his experience! 

Kia Sorento’s 2024 Restyling Elements Depicted with Motor1.com Rendering

The Sorento came on the scene here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis two years ago.Immediately it was appreciated for its sensible approach to a daily driver still loaded with tech and thrilling surprises! It earned the honor of the 2021 “Parents List of Best Family Cars Award”, along with top-of-the-list bragging rights for Autotrader’s “Best New Car for 2021”. The Motor1.com team knew that many customers would be wondering what the model coming soon for 2024 would look like and offered up a rendering here that gives a visual idea of what to expect.

The most drastic changes took place in the upper grille with the running lamps blending directly into the main part of the headlights. The lower fascia now has a set of vertical lights, and the upper and lower grille are no longer two distinctly separate areas. Their Sorento also appears to have different tail lights and a slightly differently shaped bumper. Among the available engines are the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that cranks out 191 horsepower and 182 lb-ft of torque, and the turbocharged 2.5-liter 4 cylinder offering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. 

The plug-in hybrid model with the turbo 1.6-liter and a 13.8 kWh battery also can generate a very earth friendly and quick 261 horsepower. A new trademark filing was just discovered recently that depicts the intention to launch a X pro variant of both the Telluride and Sorento, which both also pulled down stellar reviews from KBB.com for handling overall value. The current-model Sorento was praised for its excellent fuel economy, lively performance, above-average standard features, and class-leading interior quality. 

The fiercest competition is from the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid and Toyota Venza, neither of which have a third row of seats. The combined highway and city EPA fuel rating for the 2023 model is around 37 mpg, and the Sorento is so amazingly quiet and smooth that many test drivers have completely forgotten they are behind the wheel of a hybrid. Captain’s chairs make the second row more comfortable, and the third row much simpler to access. Standard features on the base S trim of the Kia Sorento include faux leather seats, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, LED headlights, and eight very handy USB ports.

Standard Kia Drive Wise safety tech features include the modern security blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, safe exit assist, rear occupant alert, rear parking sensors, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Upgrading to the EX trim provides you with premium features such as LED fog lights, a wireless charging pad, a hands-free power liftgate, adaptive cruise control, and intersection turning assist.

“Truth About Cars” Calls 2020 Kia Telluride SX “Charming, Remarkable, and Masculine”

Writer Tim Healy of “The Truth About Cars” blog took a minute to reflect at the beginning of his current article about the Kia Telluride that his first drive of one last year proved to him that Kia's introduction of this vehicle was “Definitely remarkable”. This time he got to use the Telluride for a week as opposed to a day and went for the top-trim SX with all-wheel drive. The engine onboard is a 3.8-Liter V6 that cranks out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque.

Fuel economy rings in at 19 mpg city/ 24 mpg highway/ 21 mpg combined. The SX that Tim got to test sported 20-inch blacked-out wheels that replaced the 18-inch wheels found as standard on the EX, LED headlights and fog lamps, rear sunroof, second-row captain's chairs, 12-way power driver's seat, memory for the driver's seat and side-view mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, surround-view camera, premium audio, park-distance warning, and HomeLink. He said he would not want to do without the Prestige Package: it adds a head-up display, 110-volt inverter, Nappa leather, premium cloth for the headliner and visors, heated and cooled second-row seats, and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The layout of controls is a very important quality of a vehicle: once the driver gets inside and is ready to go, they enjoy a logical and easy-to-use structure. The Telluride has two rows of buttons on the center stack, and faux wood trim that is visually appealing and gives an earthier rather than “cold steel” appearance. As far as the all-important factor of “having fun” during his drives, this is where he really enjoyed himself, and with minimal body roll could really enjoy the firm and grippy steering. He appreciated the fact that there was not the “large vehicle float” sensation common in 3-row crossovers and claims that it is dynamically sound enough that it suggests that some other automakers “weren't even trying with their land barges.”

Everyone here on staff at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis would agree that the closest competition for the Telluride is the Palisade as well as Honda Highlander. For the price, we are very proud of the fact that you are getting as standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, lane-keep assist, highway-driving assist, park-distance warning for reverse, blind-spot collision assist, rear cross-traffic alert, forward-collision avoidance assist, adaptive cruise control, rear occupant alert, safe-exit assist, UVO infotainment, navigation, 10-inch touchscreen, tri-zone climate control, heated steering wheel, satellite radio, front sunroof, and wireless cell-phone charger.

We hope to see you here this March for a test drive of this amazing vehicle that has racked up many awards and been an absolute shining star in a sea of bland models with a lack of personality. This is the epic engineering win that Car and Driver themselves billed as “utterly lavish” as well as “Bold while uniquely appointed”, and we can’t wait for you to experience the thrill and precise handling of this high-tech and comfy hauler!

Kia Adds Luxury Features to 2015 Cadenza

Luxury just got a little more… well… luxurious, as the 2015 Kia Cadenza is packing more upscale features for the new model year -- features that will offer more splendor, technology and convenience than ever before.

The Limited trim model will receive design enhancements such as a new grille and fender garnish. Drivers will enjoy a standard Flex Steer, Surround View Monitor that provides a nearly 360-degree overhead view of the vehicle, new LED lighting elements, a new analogue clock design and additional chrome trim pieces.

Need special technology? You're covered in the Limited trim level of the Cadenza. An enhanced technology package now will provide Rear Cross Traffic Alert, warning drivers of cross traffic when in reverse. Moreover, the Cadenza will feature 19-inch alloy wheels, a radar-based Advanced Smart Cruise Control System, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning System, electronic parking brake and water-repelling Hydrophobic front side windows -- all elements that enhance safety and that come standard on the Cadenza Limited.

All 2015 Kia Cadenza trim models will come standard with an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat to augment the available 12-way driver’s seat. It's all just another benefit of owning the car Road and Travel Magazine named the “International Car of the Year” in 2014.

Check out the new features on the 2015 Kia Cadenza at JimButler Kia today!

Sportage and Cadenza's Top Honors

The J.D. Power 2014 Initial Quality Study (IQS) is one of the best honors in the automotive business, so Jim Butler Kia is excited that two of our models recently were singled out for their outstanding attributes.

The Kia Sportage tied for first place in the small SUV segment, taking the top spot for the second consecutive year.

Meanwhile, the premium Kia Cadenza ranked highest in the large car category, a feat for its first model year. The Cadenza's score was the second-best for any Kia model in history.

"The results of the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study demonstrate Kia’s long-term strategy to concentrate on quality, strengthen our brand and elevate the ownership experience," said John Crowe, vice president of service & aftersale operations at Kia Motors America (KMA).  "The Sportage and the Cadenza are two prime examples of how far the entire Kia model line-up has progressed in the way of design, performance, sophistication and value."

See for yourself why the Sportage and Cadenza earned top honors from J.D. Power by taking a test drive at Jim Butler Kia.

Insider Info on the 2015 Kia Sorento

When drivers want value and performance in a CUV, they naturally turn to the Kia Sorento, which they can find at Jim Butler Kia.

The 2015 Sorento serves up an all-aluminum 3.3-liter GDI V6 that's been recently enhanced for greater fuel efficiency. Always keeping safety top-of-mind, Kia recently added the optional Torque-on-Demand all-wheel drive system, which now includes Torque Vectoring Cornering Control (TVCC) for added stability under certain driving conditions.



Kia hasn't forgotten good design for the interior, either. On the 2015 Sorento, the modern layout and user-friendly arrangement of buttons make controling the vehicle's features a breeze, while the dash has easy-to-read instruments and (optionally) a large, vibrant touchscreen that unleashes entertainment and information throughout the vehicle.



With features such as real-time road information updates, a premium Infinity audio system, SiruisXM Satellite Radios, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, vehicle settings and UVO eServices, the Kia Sorento ensures drives will have everything they need at their fingertips.

Find out the value and performance for yourself by test driving the 2015 Kia Sorento at your local Jim Butler Kia dealer.