2023 Kia Sportage X-Pro on Track to Defy Dirt, Overland Obstacles and More at Rebelle Rally during Fall 2022

Kia America is now fully geared up and prepared to get our eager hands on Rebelle Rally 2022, the Iconic women-only off-road rally full of excitement and dirt-defying adrenaline. Kia is set to campaign for the third year in a row, this time with the added boost and trail-trouncing expertise of the 2023 Sportage X-Pro. Last year two 2022 Kia Sorento PHEVs crossed the line into full-earned podium spots in the X-cross class, as skilled driver Verena Mei and navigator Tana White finished with second-place honors.

Emily Miller is the esteemed founder of the Rebelle Rally and is thrilled to welcome Kia back with the Sportage X-Pro. This course offers up terrain of incredibly challenging and hard-to-predict nature, and all of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis are looking forward to seeing how the Sportage X-pro can handle this year’s constantly-changing demands. The modified version of the Sportage X-Pro will be equipped with standard off-road hardware and deriving power from a 2.5-liter Inline 4 engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, nailing down 187 horsepower.

This is going to be a 10-day long course that the entrants are dealing with here, and so the beginning of the defensive gear will provide B.F. Goodrich all-terrain tires and 17-inch wheels for a minimum 8.3 inches of ground clearance, along with an active on-demand all-wheel-drive system which distributes power between the front and rear wheels depending on what current driving conditions are like. We can’t get excited enough about sharing the love of organic and reaction-based driving with the ultimate challenges of precise navigation needed to finish!

This is a unique and demanding event that sees competitors returning to “base camp” at the end of each stage, with teams consistently needing to clear mandatory tech inspection. The 5th-anniversary edition of the Rebelle Rally launched the Electrified Designation, where PHEV and EV vehicles push their limits by competing in their respective 4x4 or X-Cross class with designation on the scoring, vehicles, and recognition in media features. This is the ultimate proving ground for drivers and their vehicles and was built as the utmost in intensified long distance from the beginning. 

Snagging up the Team Spirit Award will see $5,000 donated to the charity of the team’s choosing, and an official announcement at the final gala dinner. It also could be quite interesting and esteemed to take home the “Bone Stock Award”, which is defined as the best in not having any modifications beyond off-road tires to handle the massive demands of this rough stuff. We are proud to have a vehicle on deck and ready to go as far as this heart-pounding and women-themed event is concerned, and expect every fellow geared-up team of girls to give 110% and tremendous shares of talent.

 

2023 Kia Soul Redefines Small-Car Segment with Commitment to Safety, Premium GT-Line Goods

So many of our loyal customers here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis are searching for something a bit on the smaller side, living a bit tightly squeezed urban lifestyles, and still on board with receiving all the newest technology features. Luckily for them, the new 2023 Kia Soul is arriving later this summer and boasts new colors along with two brand-new option packages loaded with convenience and new tech. The Soul completely redefined the boxier small-car category when it launched back in 2009 and has evolved at a steady pace of modern and kinetic progression ever since. 

It has won customers over effortlessly with its unique appearance, efficiency, and longstanding sense of practicality. It continues to a very new and changing auto market landscape with as much fun, practicality, and style as ever, and a basic form that more than 75,000 very satisfied Soul owners loved so much about this gem last year. Some of the first things you’ll notice about the new model are its all-new front fascia, and new grille with available LED headlights. 

There are also 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels along with a redesigned rear fascia and taillights that complete the exterior elements, and you can choose from Clear White with Fusion Black roof or Surf Blue with Fusion Black roof as two-tone and distinguished exterior paint schemes. Inside, the well-placed shifter falls easily in your hand while the 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation is a perfect addition to the cabin rich with new technology options. The Soul is now offered in LX, S, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Tech trim lines and the all-new LX Technology Package includes Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, Rear Cross Collision Avoidance, and 16-inch alloy wheels, perfectly bundling popular features along with a finely equipped stance of preparedness.

The GT-Line Technology Package is where you are introduced to a wider range of sought-after features and modern driver-assist systems. The 10.25-inch color touchscreen that accesses the Harman/Kardon premium audio features an external amplifier, subwoofer, and tweeters mounted directly on the door. The GT-Line Technology Package also includes Forward-Collision-Avoidance Assist, Highway Drive-Assist, an Electronic Parking Brake, power driver seat, high-gloss interior trim, LED headlights and taillights, a cargo cover, and a dual-level cargo floor. 

The power source for the Soul is the very efficient and user-friendly 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine, with Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission as standard across every model. Existing in the pleasantly gray area between a subcompact hatchback and a subcompact SUV, the 2023 Soul dodges back illustriously to a more car-like appearance brandishing a new front bumper with slimmed-down fog lights, and a nicely reworked rear bumper and taillights. Well-packaged, highly affordable, and overall vibe that puts out a friendly demeanor are other strengths of this accessible and downtown dweller’s dream machine.

Kia Corporation and The Ocean Cleanup Join Forces to Improve Waterways Worldwide

All of us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis have long been watching as the cleanliness of waterways all over the globe has deteriorated, and we know that our future depends on the longevity and sustainability of these valuable sources. Kia Corporation and the Ocean Cleanup have now formally begun a 7-year corporation to work on the many possible solutions to create cleaner waterways in the future. The official signing ceremony took place at Kia Headquarters in Seoul on April 27 to officially signify this exciting partnership.

The Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organization located in the Netherlands, focusing on the development and implementation of technologies to permanently rid the world’s oceans of plastic. The Ocean Cleanup is now developing large-scale systems to efficiently concentrate the plastic for necessary removal and focuses on amazing technology solutions to halt and extract river plastic before it makes its way to the seas. Kia is now pledging to support the Ocean Cleanup financially to properly create a resource circulation system that will help avoid harvested plastics finding their hazardous way back into our fledgling environment. 

For the next 7 years, Kia will offer valuable support to the Ocean Cleanup as an official global partner via financial contributions and in-kind supplies to support the much-needed construction of various river cleaning devices. Kia is also on track to supply 4 electric vehicles with 3 Niro EVs and one EV6 for the organization in the Netherlands to utilize, and in turn, the organization will provide important research results and intensely gleaned data on reducing plastic pollution with Kia. Our lofty goals do not simply involve making changes to our product and service areas, but to make changes that the planet is now desperate for. 

Taking cue from what other vendors and seasoned experts are doing in Hawaii, this cooperation is the next step rooted deeply in important efforts to ensure that harmful materials do not present themselves back in the environment while bettering cleanup efforts and assuring the next generations are protected. Another great way that Kia will take steps towards a more sustainable future is with our all-new Niro revealed at the Seoul Mobility Show last fall. Recycling has long been such an integral and needed component nationwide, and we are even making the robust pledge of phasing out the use of animal leather considered to harm any species for future vehicles. 

It's not just the alleviation of plastic bag use in the grocery store that aids in keeping the ocean clean: plastics find their way into our precious waterways from wrappers, two-liter bottles, and many other receptacles that are considered garbage. When we loftily set our sights on creating sustainable mobility solutions for consumers and various societies worldwide, we wanted to inspire not only driving emotion, but a means of reassuring future generations that they would be able to inherit an Earth with promise, vitality, and all-around “greener pathways” to explore via four wheels.

2023 Kia Telluride Struts Heavily During NY Auto Show W/Greater Towing Capacity, Higher Ground Clearance, Segment-Leading Interior

3 years after it came onto the scene as one of the most sought-after and award-winning 3-row 8-passenger SUVs in the U.S, the Telluride is going to return right here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis next year with many great new features! The Telluride has worked hard to attract 75 percent of its buyers that are brand new to the Kia family. These owners possess more overall brand loyalty of any midsize SUV when coming back to the market to purchase another great vehicle.

The SUV that fully-swept the “triple crown” of automotive accolades and had claimed the most recent award for best resale value from JD Power now boasts new design elements inside and out and brings a fully-upgraded list of ADAS safety technology for greater peace of mind and driver confidence. With class-leading passenger room, the Telluride arrives for the next year with the X-Line and X-Pro trim models, which make you that much more rock and canyon-climbing ready and allow you to venture off the beaten path and experience a much-needed heavy dose of fresh air and roving around in the peaceful Missouri wilderness.

Every year that models are on sale they need to become more and more appealing for the masses, and the Telluride has been under wraps with engineering and design teams going the distance to create a luxury SUV that still touts the necessary off-road chops. The Telluride now includes a revised vertical headlamp design and available fog lamps, new bumpers and grille, revised taillamps, a new rear fascia and trim, and new wheel designs for every single trim. You can also enjoy your choice of exterior color from the new selections of Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Wood Green.

The X-Line trim alone offers up a unique radiator grille design, bridge-type roof rails, body-color door handles, exclusive 20-inch wheels, and X-Line badging. You’ll be delightfully kicking rocks with higher ground clearance, improved approach and departure angles, and upgraded Traction Control System that aids in traversing the toughest and most demanding terrain. Here you are tackling the demands of the outdoors with a shell composed of 59.4 percent advanced high-strength steel, as well as available self-leveling rear suspension. 

As you begin to explore the rutted and washboard terrain of your nearest wilderness location that has been tugging at you to visit, the ride height is automatically calibrated depending on your load to maximize stability. The smart, eco, sport, and comfort driving modes each use their very own settings to leave you with the best driving experience, and you can also opt for Snow or AWD lock when things get wet and a bit dreadful! The new Connected Routing server-based system calculates the optimal route to your destination by using real-time and predicted traffic information based on past info and AI that has intelligently learned the user’s most direct and traffic-free route.

Odd and Interesting as a Front-Running Performance Piece: The 2023 Kia Niro Aero Blade Design

We all had our eyes intently focused on the New York Auto show over the past week, as the 2023 Niro was on display front and center, considerably sharper than before, with the new feature of the Aero Blade running from the top of the rear door all the way down and into the wheel cladding. This fascinating design was explained in detail courtesy of the folks from Autoblog.com, as there’s initially an opening in the blade partway down, right about where the window intersects with the door.

This eye-catching apparatus brings improvements to wind noise efficiency, aero, and the overall stability of the car. It aims to be as fuel-efficient as possible and has helped the new generation hybrid rise up to 53 mpg combined, and the EV resides at 253 miles combined. After many hours spent with the engineering team, we found that this would be slightly better aerodynamically if there were an ample amount of passthrough. It also is a visually intriguing design, blending ideally with the already funky and modern appearance of the Niro. 

If you wish, you can have it painted in the body color for a more uniform look, and it’s a symbol and sign of just how rapidly things are changing with car design and ingenious additives of the times. These help with the functionality and improve efficiency for the popular car that the Consumer Reports team claimed made “evolutionary advancements” for the 2023-year model and is built on a new and lighter platform. There’s also a brand-new infotainment system, as well as a very useful assortment of standard active safety and driver assistance features. 

As far as the new Aero Blade we just looked at, with its high stance, conservative styling, and automatic transmission that behaves very traditionally, this is a great model for those who want fuel economy with unparalleled versatility. Quick and quiet acceleration along with very sharp handling and a comfortable ride will win many drivers over for the Niro’s new model, which can be outfitted with dual 10.25-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment touch screen. 

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability are standard features, and a wireless phone charger is optional. There will be three versions available in the form of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric. While using Level 2 charging on 240 volts, the Niro PHEV can recharge its 11.1 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery in just under 3 hours, so much faster than waiting nearly overnight for Level 1. On top of Eco and Sport drive modes, both Niro hybrids will also have a new Green Zone Drive Mode that automatically switches the powertrain and EV drive mode when cruising through residential areas and near safe zones such as schools. 

2023 Kia Niro Set to make Sizzling US Debut During Big Apple’s Auto Show Next Week

The completely redesigned 2023 Kia Niro is set to make waves in a world-class and prepared city next week as it prepares to show itself off at the famous and well-attended New York auto show. It is going to be flaunting a unique design that boasts a much different and tailored appearance on the exterior, still boasting all of the great things to love as far as incoming and ingeniously-engineered models right here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. 

The brand-new Niro already saw its global debut at the Seoul Mobility Show in South Korea during the final weeks of 2021, so the New York appearance will be largely about the US market details. There is absolutely no place like Central Park and the gorgeous surrounding areas during the beautiful days of spring, and it will be a perfect opportunity for many fans of everything on four wheels to see what’s coming soon in the auto world. The 2021 Niro closely followed the HabaNiro concept of 2019, and during its initial debut, it was learned that it will be longer and wider than the outgoing model.

The redesigned version now visually boasts the vertical blade covering the entire C-pillar, with different paint colors being available on some versions of the model. You’ll have the choice of plug-in hybrid, standard hybrid, and EV powertrains, with the hybrid version pairing a 1.6-liter gasoline 4-cylinder with a six-speed dual-clutch automatic and an electric motor. The EV version is now expected to feature a 3201-horsepower electric motor with 188 lb-ft of torque, with a 64.8-kWh battery expected to provide ample and eco-friendly juice. 

The top-level trim of the Niro comes with heated and ventilated front seats, and the standard 8-inch infotainment system is equipped with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing you to easily link up your phone for music, navigation, and more without even getting it out of your pocket. What you’ll enjoy as standard-and-steadfast on the base LX trim includes 16-inch alloy wheels, roof rails, a rear spoiler, cloth seats, cruise control, dual-zone climate control, 60/40 split/folding rear seats, and seven airbags. The LXS model also adds a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, rear center armrest, and inclement-weather-friendly remote start.

Kia Carnival MPV Focuses on Multi-Purpose and Domestic-Deemed Traits as Autoguide’s 2022 “Family Vehicle of the Year”

The Kia Carnival MPV is one of the models here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis that always was gravitating toward the top regarding family-friendly clout: its massive interior capacity, class-leading safety features, and modern design has successfully broken and redefined the mold of what many think a “normal” vehicle would offer. The seasoned staff at Autoguide awarded the 2022 Kia Carnival MPV as its official “Family Vehicle of the Year”, due to its interior capacity, extensive safety features, and modern design.

The distinguished and experienced panel of Autoguide judges noted that the Kia Carnival MPV exuded its full rule with the “SUV-like exterior” and large interior, along with its suite of safety features and massive value it brings to its category of vehicle that can be the best-in-play while shuttling to soccer practice or any of the big-box store runs the weekend itinerary can throw your way. We firmly believe that upping the ante on standard safety equipment is also a huge reason for the win: to select the 8 finalists that received the 2022 Autoguide Awards, a panel of seven editors and reporters drove hundreds of vehicles to see which could claim the cream of the crop across North America.

New for 2022, there are more interior goodies than before, and the first-glance appearance has it appearing unlike most other minivans out there with amazing styling and SUV-like proportions that don’t keep it in that dreaded “mom and dad pickup box”. The experienced road testers from The Drive claimed during their run that “the second-row luxury seats were great for everyone, and the captain’s chairs were amazing”. 

When these expert drivers took control and were ready to push the family-friendly Carnival’s limits to the max, it was ranked after a 200-mile drive as stellar during cornering with its soft suspension, light steering, and plenty of available power, all working smoothly together for the win. Knockout styling, a very quiet ride quality, and at once you hit cruising speed’s comfort level, the handsome Carnival is a quiet, very relaxing space to exist in. The available charging ports in the front seat backs prove to be placed in just the right place.

The SX Prestige trim is where you are going to consistently enjoy a star-studded and family-friendly bang for the buck: it offers up full LED exterior lighting, a powered dual-pane sunroof, 12.3-inch LCD driver information cluster w/blind spot view monitor, and self-dimming mirror w/garage door opener. It also boasts a premium Bose 12-speaker audio system, heated steering wheel, and VIP lounge second-row seats. Adding to the overall ease of the driving system Is the 360-degree camera system from the SX trim: getting to grips with the tech is very user-friendly, and all the additives play an instrumental part in arriving at your next destination minus the onslaught of any random traffic-flow’s attempt to sink your full-speed-ahead schedule!