KIA Trio Hailed as Segment Winners in 2017 J.D. Power Performance, Execution, and Layout Study

The Niro, Soul, and Kia Cadenza have all been making waves in the marketplace quite heavily: J.D. Power APEAL Awards came out with all them snagging the best in their specific genres. The Niro grabbed accolades in the Small SUV segment, The Soul Dominated the Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle segment, and the Cadenza presided at the top of the list for the Large Car Segment. For the second year in a row, Kia Motors was ranked the absolute highest in the industry, and all 3 Kia APEAL study segment winners were also IQS segment winners.

Here on the lot as every new day presents us with opportunities to link people up with great cars in the St. Louis metro, we recognize that buyers today have more choices than ever before. They are looking for vehicles that offer first-class design, technology, efficiency, and amenities that really shine. More consumers looking for a smooth and safe commute are finding KIA every day, and realizing just how incredibly well these cars are fating against the competition.

The Niro cross over hybrid performed a noticeably large 51 points total aboce other average models within its segment. The Cadenza also dominated highly within its own segment, surpassing the average model's score by 27 points. The Soul has always been a hefty favorite with consumers who march to a slightly different beat, and this year it nailed down its fifth APEAL Award. This solidifies its position as the vehicle with the most APEAL awards in Kia's entire lineup of cars, and it is the only care with a spot in the Compact Multi-Purpose Vehicle category to score above its segment average.

The J.D. Powers APEAL study measure new-vehicle owners' overall running level of satisfaction with their vehicles during the first 3 months of ownership. This is such a crucial time when you really think about it: this is when the owner gets the most drastic first impression, that determines or not they would have recommend the car to a friend. It also determines whether or not they would choose to purchase the car again themselves, which we understand so much of our business at Jim Butler derives from.

Hailed by Car and Driver as "The fully realized execution that could elevate the hybrid crossover to widespread adoption", the Niro is rated at 50 MPG. Most likely causing many consumers heads to turn immediately, it is the true face-to-face contender of the supposedly savvy and dapper Toyota Prius. CNBC calls the Cadenza a "Spacious boat of a car with great value", with a true difference in identify. Motor Trend calls the Soul "Stylish and Surprisingly practical": make sure you take some xtra time over the coming month to see us at Jim Butler, and find out how a new Kia car will add a deliberate sense of direction to your fall driving itinerary.

Summer 2017 Safety Update: Kia Forte Nabs Top Safety Pick Plus Rating Via IIHS

The summer is in full swing around all of St. Louis, and now is the time of year when thoughts begin to drift into the back-to-school realm. Our beloved Cardinals are at 52-53, many of us enjoyed an awesome fourth of July with family last month, and set out to explore destinations like the Ozarks in the best vehicles KIA has to offer. When August rolls around, we are reminded that as fun as our days of outdoor recreation have been, the next vehicle on your family purchase list should be one that leaves you feeling secure and protected from any level of mishap on the road.

The 2017 KIA Forte was awarded the Top Safety Pick Plus Rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety this year, on models built after March 2017. When equipped with optional front crash prevention and high-intensity discharge headlights, this great auto selection from KIA now has the honorable distinction of the highest in class for safety. Just before receiving this top safety award, the Forte was also named the highest-rated compact car in the 2017 J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, which is a benchmark for consumer satisfaction. Cars that have the least number of issues during the first three months are the name of the game here, providing minimal hassle and worry.

In order to qualify for this incredibly high ranking from the IIHS, vehicles have to dutifully earn "good" ratings in five astringent crashworthiness tests: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof strength and head restraints. Taking things a step further within the cloak of top-notch safety, the vehicle must also earn an "advanced" or "superior" rating for front crash prevention, and "acceptable" or "good" mark when it comes to headlight testing.

Completely revamped for the current year, the Forte features a sporty style, new powertrain components, and an array of driver assistance systems. Some of the features that will make you feel safe and sound are Autonomous Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Forward Collision Warning, and Dynamic Bending Light. This last function is a mega-cool way to help the drive during rain or any other element: the headlights are automatically adapted depending on how fast you're going, as well as noting the steering angle, immediately improving overall illumination quality.

When you come down to the lot to pay us a visit, you can check out the 3 different trim levels that the Forte is available in: Sport S trim, entry-level LX, and the top-trim EX option. The engine got an upgrade from the previous year: it is now a 2.0-liter Atkinson model, that generates 147 horsepower at 6200 RPM, and 132 lb-ft of torque. The new starting-point engine is matched up with a 6-speed manual transmission, though an automatic option is available. Once you get inside, you're going to immediately notice that the car feels far from compact, with very spacious front and back seats, as well as one of the largest trunks in existence for sedan and hatchback genres.

Known for reliability and having the features to be a satisfying daily commute car, the Forte is one of the most reasonably-priced compact cars out there. Talk to us about stepping up to the Forte S, which adds the rearview camera, cruise control, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto for entertainment. With top-level EX trim, you can acquire heated front seats and luxurious leather upholstery: the Forte is going to be an awesome staple of safety and secure riding for you before the fall hits!

Bestowing Teens with Behind-The-Wheel Knowledge: B.R.A.K.E.S. Driving School Confirmed for St. Louis

Here at Jim Butler, we fully understand the excitement that every parent feels when they are finally ready to hand the keys over to their teenage driver. Higher insurance premiums, the hours of discussion for them to be cautious you have had with them, and information they have learned in school have all been mulled over. If you have already selected the perfect KIA model for your teen, you may be feeling nervous, in that there's an extra bit of information you want covered before the ignition switch is punched on the maiden voyage. Vehicle crashes are the main cause of deaths for 15-17 year-olds worldwide, and so the issue of safety is one that we don't take lightly.

To provide teens with the knowledge and training for the ultimate in responsibility behind the wheel, Jim Butler teamed up with KIA and the B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe) Teen Pro-Active Driving School to bring a no-cost advanced driver training class to the St. Louis Metro. One of the reasons why we jumped at the chance is because completion of the program has resulted in a 64% reduction rate of collision for teen drivers during their first 3 crucial years behind the wheel.

If you or any of your acquaintances have a teen that will soon be behind the wheel, there is currently still enrollment open at https://putonthebrakes.org/shop. All you need to get started is a permit or valid driver's license, a parent or guardian to participate, and a minimum of 30 hours previous driving experience. When you arrive, what you will be taught involves advanced behind-the-wheel training with KIA provided vehicles, by seasoned, professional driving instructors. Skid control, distracted driving awareness, panic stopping, drop-wheel recovery, and car control are all covered in detail. Distracted driving is what we have been seeing an alarming increase in, and so we are excited that this very necessary topic is being covered with B.R.A.K.E.S.

The training takes place on August 12 and 13, right at Gateway Motorsports park. Your avid teenager will love to get behind the wheel of a Soul, Cadenza or Rio for learning about the prime years of their driving experience. Worrying about the safety of a teen is something that can take up many of your precious hours, and the safety features that are available in KIA cars now are top-notch. The Optima alone earned a 5-Star Crash Safety Rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and comes with comprehensive airbags. Featuring dual front, front-seat mounted side, and full-length side curtain airbags, there are also high-tech sensors that can detect the level of impact, and presence of a front passenger.

After your teen learns the ropes with the B.R.A.K.E.S. curriculum, features such as Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) help deliver more consistent braking, and distribution and weight loads constantly change. Teens will also be able to take advantage of the Tire-Pressure Monitoring System, which continuously monitors the inflation pressure in all four tires, and provides an urgent warning when the pressure drops below a specified range. Together, we can all play an important roll in saving lives, and preparing teens for the hazards they will face on the road. Sign up for this event while there is still time, and allow yourself the peace of mind that comes with expert training!

The New Ad Spot for the KIA Soul: Turbocharged With Ace of Spades Goodness

For the past 8 years, commuters and other everyday folks in Missouri have enjoyed how the KIA Soul has embraced very innovative elements, and taken great strides to stand apart from the competition. Recently KIA thought that there should be a drastic improvement in the auto itself, and that it should also be made even more awesome to drive. Now supercharged, it is the proud owner of a 201-horsepower engine, and the latest ad campaign takes a peek at the lovable hamsters giving a very warm welcome to the newest Soul counterpart in "The Arrival."

This funny spot opens with a young nurse making her morning rounds in a maternity ward, when she comes across a furry and harried young hamster who is missing from the crib. The newborn bundle of cuteness utilizes a make-shift parachute to safely float to the street, where a new turbocharged Soul is waiting to whisk him away. The iconic song "Ace of Spades" is the soundtrack for the ad, conveying the high-paced luster of what speed can feel like: turbocharging gives consumers just one more powerful way to enjoy one of the most popular vehicles in the product line.

KIA's trademark hamsters have always done great at the job of standing out from the crowd, and were first seen during commercials 8 years ago. Iconic and lovable characters that help spread the brand's namesake, hamsters are a suitable pick to promote the KIA line's ease of use, great consumer reviews, and overall accessibility.

The 2017 Soul is available in 3 different trim levels. The Base has manual or automatic 6-speed transmission, Soul Plus has a 6-speed automatic, and the new 201-horsepower turbocharged Exclaim is the option on the higher end of the scale. Premium touch points, ultra-cool LED mood and music lighting, and a panoramic sunroof are some of the other offerings you can enjoy with the purchase of a new Soul For the 3rd year in a row, the Soul was the highest-ranked brand overall in initial quality for the 2nd year running.

Once you score a new Soul and are ready to check out some great things to see in the summer, we can always steer you in the right direction! For the days when the blazing sun makes the temps seem like an inferno, cool off indoors at the National Blues Museum. Dedicated to exclusively preserving the international story of the Blues and its impact on American culture, you can take a nice air-conditioned walk while checking out display after display of this amazing music genre. You're going to love getting there in a vehicle that is ranked high for safety, boasts a more-than-economical price, and is taking the auto world by storm: all of the possibilities St. Louis offers will be sensational from behind the wheel of a Soul.

J.D. Power's Initial Quality Nameplate Rankings Boasts Kia at the top for Year #2

Claiming the most vehicles of any Nameplate on the J.D. Power Study is quite an achievement: it makes complete sense that one of the most important ways to rank vehicles for consumers is in regards to how many documented problems they have. It excites us greatly that last year, Kia ranked highest in the entire industry, and improved 11 whole points. Owners reported having fewer issues with their Kia vehicles within the first 3 months of ownership than any other brand, an important trait in any car ranking. The Soul, Forte, Cadenza, Niro, and Sorento all were at the top of their respective categories, and the Cadenza nabbed the startling achievement of having the lowest average number of problems among every single model ranked in the study.

The jump in improvement to just 72 problems per 100 vehicles is the best nameplace performance for any brand within the last two decades of the study, which is driven by five unique awards. When Kia beat out the entire other list of competitors in last year's Quality Study, many wondered if our brand would come back swinging so strong for a second year. The craftmanship the team members instill into every single car is a symbol of the pride and top-notch skills that it takes to give Kia cars the predominant – ranking prowess they always deliver.

This annual report analyzes responses from 77,415 respondents, and encompasses 243 different vehicle models across 26 segments. The vehicles evaluated were done so based on driving experience, performance of engine and transmission, and a large range of problem symptoms reported by the numerous owners of vehicles. This year's findings revealed that audio/communication/entertainment issues continue to be the most common for owners of brand-new vehicles. On the bright side, it has also improved drastically within the last year. Cruise control and collision-avoidance / alert systems are some of the areas where new vehicles struggle, and have difficulty keeping free and clear of reported issues.

In many circumstances, multiple features are worth the hassle, but the more complicated a vehicle is, the more potential it has for problems. We will tell anyone that walks in the dealership here that it's going to be a pleasure to navigate the St. Louis Metro with a vehicle you can rely on, and one that is ranking on the front lines and known for minimal hassle. The eight problem categories that are asked about are designed to provide manufacturers with information that helps identify problems quickly, and propel quickly the ultimate drive of the product's long-term improvement.

The last thing we want to have happen to you as you are getting ready to enjoy an event-filled St. Louis summer is for you to obtain a vehicle that doesn't cut it for you during your first time increment of ownership. We understand that having a technical issue within the first 90 days is not going to make you feel confident about your future, and provide a hassle for your schedule. Choosing a Kia secures your future of ownership with the best in the business, and we are happy to provide the most resilient and well-built auto out there. Consistently ranking above par off the starting line is a necessary trait for a repeat purchase, and we can't wait to show you just how accessible and A-list champion your next Kia purchase will be.

2017 Kia Soul Nabs Prized Spot on Kelley Blue Book's “10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000” List

The mass offerings available in the current car market provide those searching with durable and husky trucks, mid-size sedans that ooze luxury features, and hybrids that are Eco-friendly and efficient. Many consumers out there are looking for a car that is stylish and funky, and these are the savvy young tech-workers, artists, and dedicated city dwellers our there making a difference. Kelley Blue Book has been the pricing and feature source dealing with all things car-related since 1918. A company that got its origins with just three Model T Fords, it later grew into the all-out industry standard for determining car value.

This is the sixth year in a row that the Soul was selected for the list of cool cars under $18,000, and it was selected for its signature combination of design, feature content, technology, as well as amazing value. Plenty of room for passengers, an interior filled with features savvy drivers are after, and a true sense of practicality within the crossover genre are all reasons to rush down and check out this awesome new release. You can come check out three different trim levels for this year's Soul, and figure out which one stokes your appetite the most: the Base has manual or 6-speed transmission, the Soul Plus with the 6-speed automatic, and the Exclaim Turbo, with the brand new 7-speed DCT.

Re-designed headlights and fog lights are great new features for this year's Soul, and front and rearfascias that are a bit edgier in appearance will be very well-received. Inside you'll find two dedicated USB charge ports, and an 8-way power passenger seat that adds to the convenience and comfort factor during your journey. Anyone who is truly searching for a bargain in the landscape of cars will appreciate the Soul right off the bat: the under $18,000 category has really never seen an entry with so much usable space, tech features, and an overall value. Cars that offer as much as the Soul does at this price make large strides in exceeding the cost element that for many other vehicles is a barrier to entry.

If you opt for the Base Soul, it comes standard with a gasoline direct injection, 1.6-liter all-aluminum DOHC 4-cylinder engine that sturdily cooks up 130 horsepower, and 118 lb-ft of torque. The Plus model makes use of the more muscular 2.0- liter engine with GDI technology, and has a power rating at 161 horsepower, with bragging rights to 150-lb.-ft of torque. If you are truly looking for the option that will give you the power off the line and momentum to conquer the road the way you want to, and by producing 201 horsepower, and 195 lb-ft of torque at 1,500 RPM. St. Louis has many long-standing summer traditions, such as grilling pork steaks, and Maull's Original St. Louis Barbecue Sauce; showing up to the party in your new Soul is going to make you want to stay in your summer sandals year-round!

World-Class Ovation: 2017 Kia Optima Receives Top Safety Plus Rating From IIHS

As we get ready to gear up for what promises to be a hot and exciting summer here in the St. Louis metro area, we have been helping many customers pick out a sedan that fits their lifestyle. It's no secret that the name mentioned (and sold) the most is the Optima, and it has just received another prestigious safety nod as of late. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has given the Optima the “Top Safety Pick Plus (TSP+) rating, which is the highest destination possible within this entity.

The Optima scored incredibly high in five crashworthiness tests, and in the Integration of Autonomous Emergency Braking for crash prevention. The element to really take notice of here as a consumer is that good crashworthiness ratings, and a superior rating for the optional front-crash prevention system are all important to anyone looking for standout safety features in a current vehicle.

The IIHS is known for setting some of the highest standards when it comes to evaluating the many aspects of safety within a vehicle, and heralding this listing further proves the success of KIA's ongoing effort to do everything possible to improve the quality and integrity of their front-running auto line. When a model is qualifying for TSP+, it must earn “good” ratings in five different tests for crashworthiness: small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side impact, roof restraints, and head restraints. As we tread onward daily to what is certainly a modern climate in the auto manufacturing industry, drivers are now able to reap benefits from driver assistance systems that seemed far-fetched just a few decades ago.

Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert are just a few of the features that will help you during your day-to-day drive. Front Collision Warning System is a particularly useful feature: it scans the road ahead while you drive, and is designed to give you fair warning If you're about to crash into a vehicle that is stopped, or slow-moving. Many that are involved in the research and development for future auto projects nationwide are certain that driverless cars are making their way very soon on the horizon, but for now, these added safety features work overtime to give you added protection from the various elements that could cause you harm.

The Optima is available with three engine choices, including the new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, that proudly operates in conjunction with a sweet seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission. Ask us right here at Jim Butler about the five trim levels available for the Optima: LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SXL are all on top to see to it that you get the specific look and feel that works for you. With the SXL option, you get standard 18-inch chrome alloy wheels, and super cool LED dual-projection headlights with Dynamic Bending Light and High-Beam Assist.

Owning a top-notch sedan is going to absolutely put some oomph back into your daily life: come down and see us at Missouri's esteemed Kia dealer, and we'll lay the groundwork for you to enjoy the features of the Optima every day for a durable commute.