2023 Sorento PHEV Provides Exceptional Efficiency, IIHS Top-Safety Ranked 3-Row Reliability

There have been so many Earth-friendly and constantly improved vehicles to choose from this year at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, and we were excited to check out the newest press release highlighting the 2023 Sorento PHEV. It will now just offer the range-topping SX-P trim, which had already made its mark on the scene last year with an upscale interior, new technology features, standard AWD, and a large assortment of standard Advanced Driver Assistance Systems. This model features a high-class aesthetic with standard 19-inch wheels, satin chrome trim, and an available panoramic moonroof. 

It also will now feature retractable rear door sunshades, a 115-volt inverter that is ideal for recharging a laptop or tablet, and standard Homelink. Boasting 32 miles of all-electric range, the Sorento PHEV’s battery can be fully charged in about 3.5 hours with a Level 2 charger. Space for passengers to comfortably sprawl out on the journey has been one of the top things on new buyers’ checklists as they search for their ideal vehicle, and the new Sorento PHEV offers the most passenger room and second-row legroom in its segment. 

The Homelink control system is a convenient means of managing garage doors, gates, and home lighting, and power will be derived from the 1.6-liter T-GDI turbo-four with a 66.9 kW electric motor, with a combined output of 261 horsepower. The electric motor is mounted between the engine and 6-speed automatic transmission, and the AWD system functions with a center locking differential and selectable drive modes. The electric motor of the Kia Sorento PHEV draws power from a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack, situated between the cabin floor and the underfloor and directly over the propshaft. 

Some of the most common questions we are asked before and after test drives here at Jim Butler are range-related as fuel and commodity prices have recently risen, and with a full gas tank and charged battery pack, the total range is 460 miles. Along with a combined EPA fuel rating of 79 MPG, these render the Sorento PHEV more economical than the stiff competition from the Hyundai Santa Fe. The KBB review staff praised the 2023 model for its lack of range anxiety and the excellent pairing regarding drive quality with the gas engine and two electric motors. 

This is a very hassle-free and engaging hybrid to drive, and those new to the game love the paddle on the steering wheel for regenerative braking: here you can adjust the energy from the brakes that get fed back into the battery. The Sorento Plug-in Hybrid comes standard with 3-row seating for up to 6 people, with second-row passengers enjoying the luxury of very comfortable captain’s chairs. Every mile during the drive will provide you the chance to thoroughly enjoy well-appointed extras such as genuine leather upholstery, and the 10.25-inch infotainment system with heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and premium navigation features. 

Kia Telluride X-Pro Displays Elevated Styling and Technology During 74th Emmy Awards

The Telluride SUV has enjoyed its clout as our brand’s most awarded vehicle ever here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis. Its reign of popularity continues with it as the brightly shining star of a new creative campaign that made its debut last week! During the exciting live broadcast of the 74th Emmy Awards on NBC, it was made official that the 2023 Telluride will now include a brand-new X-Pro Model, built specifically for conquering demanding adventures far off the beaten path. 

The Telluride was Kia’s excellent opportunity to take the brand to a very exciting and successful new status and show everyone just how durable and capable the X-Pro will be. Boasting the valuable ability to adapt to a wide variety of terrain situations, the Telluride will provide an amazing drive quality for all genres of driver lifestyle, and adaptability to a variety of demanding situations. We were proud to make a return as the official sponsor of the Television Academy and the 74th EMMY Awards for the third consecutive year, eagerly standing by with several video spots that depict the versatility of this incoming SUV.

These spots were ingeniously created by David And Goliath, Kia’s award-winning creative agency at the fitting location near Imogen Pass at Telluride, Colorado. Performing at peak capacity while braving an elevation of 13,114 feet, the spot follows an excited couple as they embark with the X-Pro up a winding path on the side of a treacherous mountain. As they come up on a clearing, they come to a stop where painters are working on a rendition of the actual sky itself, then lament to each other that the Telluride is so capable that they mistakenly “went too high”. 

In addition to this entertaining spot, the Telluride X-Pro is going to be featured as part of a quirky new in-show installment that will highlight the effectiveness of using one scenario with different actors engaging in completely different approaches to the topic. New for the 2023 model is updated front and rear bumpers, an updated grille, redesigned vertical LED headlights, and new wheel designs for each trim level. You’ll be boosting your drive-time productivity and location scouting with the 12.3-inch curved navigation, gauge-cluster displays, and a larger head-up display. 

The Motor Trend team claimed that the current-year Telluride is “through and through a premium product, providing high levels of quality, style, features, and refinement minus the premium price tag”. The 3.8-liter naturally aspirated V6 is still on deck for the 2023 model, cranking out 291 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, while paired to the 8-speed automatic. The 2022 Telluride was awarded the five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, and you’ll also be enjoying the convenience of the available hands-free liftgate. You can also pick from the dazzling new paint choices in the form of Midnight Lake Blue, Dawning Red, and Jungle Wood Green.

Numerous Kia Models Enjoy Top Honors in Motor Trend’s “Ultimate Car Rankings”

When all the various awards of the season begin to triumphantly roll out, we get excited here at Jim Butler Kia of Saint Louis as we know that many of our models can have what it takes to nail down top honors! Nine Kia models were recognized during Motor Trend’s “Ultimate Car Rankings” for the second half of 2022, with more than half of the podium winners now being electrified vehicles. The 2022 EV6 took the top spot In the “Electric SUV” category, as electrified vehicles are receiving an enormous vote of confidence for the brand. 

The 2023 Telluride, 2022 Rio Sedan, and Rio Hatchback all came in first place in the 3-row SUV, compact sedan, and subcompact hatchback segments. The 2022 Niro and Sorento Hybrid both took second place in the Compat Hybrid Hatch and Compact Hybrid SUV categories, all rankings that provide very positive reinforcement for the current state of advancements in electrification. As our Plan S strategy continues to make progress, we expect other various forms of recognition for stellar design and fine-honed leadership potential. 

Motor Trend’s “Ultimate Car Rankings” were set in place in 2020 to provide help with the average car buyer’s task of gaining a deeper understanding when it comes to their options. Using some of the fundamentals established in their long-standing Car, Truck, and SUV of the Year merit programs, the current ranking system evaluates how a car drives, long-term value, safety, driving range, efficiency, technology, and other traits for customer satisfaction. This process that deemed Kia such a dominating yearly success was steadily evolving for decades, and on a 10-point scale, scores most vehicles at around a 7 average. 

The Driving Performance is the solid foundation of the Performance of Intended Function in rankings after testing cars on a track they are evaluated at their limits as well as what they're like on the daily drive. Armed with the mantra that a well-engineered car will give you the best confidence in nearly any driving situation, there is also a fair amount of data captured on how much space the vehicle has for the occupants and their belongings. Motor Trend has always also done well in the technology category for ranking cars because they understand that it’s not always about how huge an infotainment screen is, but how well it can perform in different demanding situations. 

Knowing that drivers will be making payments for some time after the brand-new luster wears off of the car, the Motor Trend experts also put a very detailed amount of analysis into the five-year cost-of-ownership data points such as overall depreciation, repair costs, insurance, financing, and the all-important cost at the pump. The system at use here that ultimately celebrated the Kia brand wholeheartedly had a well-balanced blend of subjective and objective data, and the finalizing algorithm considered the needs of many different varieties of buyers.

5 Things That Make the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid Your Fall Driving Choice

The Motorbiscuit car review team recently got to spend a week with the 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid, which has tons of great new features to enjoy and has already undergone a major refresh. This is a well-rounded and sporty SUV with true prestige, and it gets great gas mileage to boot. Everyone here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis has long been keen on the many choices we have for you here for brand-new vehicles, and this one stands out several ways!

1. The Much-Needed Fun Factor is All in:

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid is available with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to make its sporty stance even more user-friendly and responsive. The 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine is mated to a 44 kWh motor to jointly crank out 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. You’ll zip on up to 60 mph in about 7.2 seconds, making it one of the fastest selections in a competitive segment! The steering is very responsive, and Sport Mode provides a snappy and immediate throttle response.

2. All Eyes on Efficiency:

The 2023 Kia Sportage officially gets an EPA estimated 42 miles per gallon in the city, and up to a generous 44 miles per gallon when highway-bound. The Sportage doesn’t require a plug-in to recharge the batteries, as the onboard regenerative system offers the means to do so on the go, and it is visible in front of you on the digital gauge cluster. 

3. Loaded With Capability: 

Kia has now successfully developed model variants that are ready for off-roading, and the Kia Sportage hybrid is rooted and capable. The EX-trim comes ready for the trail with all-wheel drive, downhill brake control, and a Missouri winter ready Snow Mode. Upgrading to the X pro model gives you 8.3 more inches of ground clearance, along with 17-inch black alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires. When you are tackling the steep and demanding areas far off the highway, you will need gear such as this to be fully prepped.

4. Don’t Settle for Less Then Class-Leading Comfort:

The mid-level EX trim provided a very high level of comfort for this testing crew, who felt that the upgrade to the SX Prestige trim was not needed if you just are after the entry-level firm and supportive seats for longer journeys. The simulated leather upholstery is the ideal touch that provides a high-end feel while still within a reasonable budget, and the highway and wind noise is nearly muted nicely for a peaceful drive. 

5. An Interior That “Defies Drab and Boring” in a Major Way:

The new Sportage Hybrid is loaded up with luxurious goodies such as faux-leather upholstery, and you get to enjoy the view with the massive sunroof. This is a very spacious layout with well-blending touches of tan, blue, and red, and everything you need. The 12.3-inch infotainment screen thoroughly quenches the ongoing thirst current buyers have for “supersizing” the visual goods to see all the details about the trip, or settle in and enjoy some trusty tunes!

2023 Kia Forte Storms the Stage Loaded With Features

We are always excited when a new vehicle “storms the stage” here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. With the industry’s best warranty coverage, models loaded with standout features of today get to frequently strut their stuff. The 2023 Kia Forte will see availability in the LX, LXS, GT-Line, and GT trim lines, and will please many drivers feeling the current inflationary pinch in their pocketbooks with its budget-minded boast of a 41 mpg EPA rating. 

Features to keep drivers impeccably safe have gradually made their way into brands worldwide with their usefulness and technology as other priorities. Standard on all 2023 Forte trims are forward collision avoidance assist, highway driving assist, and lane following assist. Safe exit warning is available on the STD GT-Line, GT, and optional on the LXS: this is an excellent feature to have in large metros such as St. Louis where a biker or pedestrian may be in your blind spot when you're preparing to exit quickly. 

The Edmunds.com car review team had much appreciation for this new smaller side model with design accents suave enough to compete with the automotive elites. Many current car buyers who are looking for an ideal match for their daily driving with a few great extras will love the LXS trim! Here you get to enjoy the addition of 16-inch alloy wheels, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, and very sleek upgraded interior trim. 

The GT-Line brings a sizable extra dose of flavor to the middle of the lineup with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, LED running lights and taillights, heated exterior mirrors, dual zone climate control, and cloth sport seats with faux leather inserts. This is also the trim level where you see the upgrade to a 10.25-inch infotainment display, and a fully equipped Navigation system. Another additive that we know diehard auto fans will enjoy is the manual transmission-equipped GT, as this is a truly “dying breed” of best-in-show and a very sentimental way to entirely get every pure ounce of excitement out of the pavement. 

With its characteristic and very modern aesthetics, roomy trunk, and styling, the Forte proves you don’t have to spend an exorbitant amount to still turn heads during daily errands or blowing off steam on the weekend. While today’s consumer understands that there are some features you just may not be able to access if you are looking for a low-budget entry point, the Forte has illustriously proven that the space you spend an abundance of time in can still tip the satisfaction scale and totally rock!

Kia EV6 GT Prepares to Make History as Kia’s Most Powerful Production Vehicle Ever During Monterey Car Week

Last week in beautiful Monterey, California, Kia gave North American auto enthusiasts their first look at the 576-horsepower EV6 GT performance crossover during “the Quail” official Motorsports Gathering. This officially presented the incoming model alongside true supercars from other locations all over the globe, and marks the thrilling beginning of the Plan S electrification phase for us here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis. 

Kia Executive Vice President Steven Center exclaimed last week that “This release will elevate the EV6’s standout performance and effortless drivability beyond expectations while moving toward our tailpipe 0 emissions goals.” Riding on the award-winning E-GMP modular platform, the EV6 GT offers a fine-tuned preview of the future of electric performance vehicles. The EV6 joins (and leads!) the scene of the current electric vehicle formal ballroom with its dual-motor AWD powertrain, and 77.4 kWh Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese battery back, together busting out a combined power output of 430 kilowatts and 546 lb-ft of torque. 

Aligned with the gritty sentiment and pavement-ready thrills of previous top models, the EV6 GT now completes the zero to 60 mph dash in just 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 161 mph. AMCI is one of the world's leading experts regarding automotive independent testing, and during the EV6 GT’s engrossing test drives with them, it sprinted off the line faster than a Ferrari Roma and Lamborghini Huracan Evo Spyder. The dedicated sport suspension’s electronically controlled dampers and front suspension performance components assist with the sensational handling and very balanced ride. 

Stability and traction are massively improved with an electronic limited-slip differential during cornering, which efficiently sends needed torque to the wheels. The EV6 GT’s driving modes all offer a completely different and excitement-prone driving approach: GT Drive Mode, My Drive Mode, and Drift Mode on top of the standard Eco, Normal, Sport, and Snow drive modes provide ways to rapidly tweak the motor, steering, braking, and suspension to your situational liking. There are also Active Sound Designs integrated as well: additions such as this preserve the exhilaration and outright thrill that was one finer point of the cars that will soon become less common!

Another trait that we feel will see the EV6 GT defining itself as an unquestionable class leader is its ability to recharge at a rate that is as noteworthy as its memorable acceleration. With 800 Volt fast charging capabilities, you can regenerate 80% of the battery’s capacity amazingly in under 18 minutes with a 350-kW charger. Undergoing design and in-depth testing at well-equipped studios in Frankfurt, Irvine, and Seoul, the finished product of the EV6 GT incorporated the “Opposites United” theme that sources inspirational bits from the patterns seen in the ever-evolving Earth’s nature. 

When the EV6 GT officially goes on sale in the fourth quarter of this year, every buyer will substantially benefit from a charging credit of 1,000 kWh that they can use over three years at any Electrify America station.

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.