U.S. News and World Report Smartly Selects 3 Kia Models as 2023 “Best Cars for the Money”

This year has been off to a phenomenal start here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as we are getting to fully enjoy showing customers the models that provide exciting and energy-saving hybrid benefits. 3 of these Kia models have been recognized as winners of the annual 2023 Best Cars for the Money awards from U.S. News, with the 2023 Kia Sportage taking top honors as the Best Hybrid SUV for the Money. 

The Kia K5 smartly snagged up the Best Midsize car for the Money spot, and the Kia Rio claimed the title of Best Subcompact car for the Money. Spanning 12 relevant automotive categories, these awards showcase cars and crossovers that best represent long-term value and a first-rate track record during ownership. We are excited to see these 3 models represent the longstanding value and significance of the entire lineup, effectively delivering on promises for performance, technology, and appealing design. 

Overall quality is determined by each vehicle’s performance as the best cars see an official ranking, and value is measured by a combination of costs to own over 5 years along with transaction prices. These prominent awards are set in motion and made public to identify the vehicles that offer up a very strong long-term value, and thoroughly segment-leading ownership experience. This trio of vehicles has been triumphantly released to keep overall ownership costs low, and be top picks for buyers who are seeking resounding quality. 

The 2023 Kia Sportage Hybrid now joins our high-achieving family as an Earth-friendly electrified version, and it is going to be one to keep close tabs on as our Plan S Strategy for the future unfolds. This was a model that saw high praise for its punchy 4-cylinder engine, spacious cabin, and abundance of the best technology features. Where it really sets itself apart from competing crossovers is its extroverted styling, sporting one of the industry’s most distinct grille designs and bodywork. This is a fantastic choice for those who are searching for a family-friendly compact SUV with abundant cargo room and standard features. 

The 2023 Kia K5 has wowed many of the marketplace’s choosiest customers with its top-tier GT trim, coming standard with a sportier body kit, 18-inch wheels, a 10-way power driver’s seat, wireless smartphone charging, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Premium Package adds adaptive cruise control, advanced forward-collision warning, and full LED headlights. This exciting and aggressive take on a model that is already light years beyond ordinary in its range-topping form offers a unique suspension tune, bigger brakes, and wider tires on 19-inch rims.  

The 2023 Kia Rio has a solid spot on many consumers’ New Year’s wish list due to its very confident driving stance, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, and excellent gas mileage. Available as either A 4-door sedan or five-door hatchback, it offers a simplified daily driver while also doubling down on impressive efficiency. Power is derived from a 120-horsepower inline 4-cylinder that is solely connected to a continuously variable automatic. 

The Rio does not see too many intense changes for 2023 but also is one of the most appealing and cost-efficient vehicles on the market today. The S Model provides upper-end extras in the form of cruise control, a center armrest, a rear USB outlet, and a split folding rear seat with adjustable headrests. 

Car Connection Ranks 2023 Sportage and Telluride Tops as New Year’s First Kia Accolades in “Best to Buy 2023” Awards

The Car Connection chose the 2023 Kia Sportage and Telluride as their best buys for 2023, being recognized for both best in economy and family car offerings! 

This is an outstanding achievement that highlights our award-winning and versatile lineup of SUVs. The win for the Telluride once again proves Kia’s expertise in designing vehicles that have the features current customers want along with segment-leading style. The Sportage hybrid is an excellent component and symbol of ongoing efficiency, making a stellar impression on industry experts immediately. 

The Best Cars to Buy 2023 were chosen based on the everyday vehicle that provides the best balance of fuel efficiency, value, safety, interior spaciousness, and drying dynamics after a full year of testing. More than 100 vehicles under $50,000 were evaluated, allowing consumers browsing the web worldwide to find the best car for themselves from different categories. The Sportage hybrid’s 43 mpg combined EPA rating along with the FWD version and 38 mpg combined for the AWD set the benchmark thoroughly for today’s three-row SUV offerings, standing out as a family vehicle with above average cargo and safety ratings. 

The 2023 Telluride hit the scene with a fervor, ready to impress immediately with excellent design cues inside and out. The Edmunds.com review team gave it high praise for its adult-friendly 3rd-row seating, extensive standard features, and incredibly quiet cabin. Since its debut in 2020, it has earned their Top-Rated award each year, rising above the rest in its class with the smoothest ride quality out there and our world-class warranty coverage. The X-Line model features a completely reworked traction control system, and handy 8.4 inches of ground clearance. 

The 2023 Sportage is now in its 5th generation and is Kia’s longest-running nameplate in the US. Proudly assembled in West Point, Georgia alongside the K5 sedan, Sorento, and Telluride, the 2023 model is available in 7 trim levels. Once existing as the smallest model in the compact crossover utility vehicle segment, it has now become the largest. For the nice touch of added utility, the all-new Sportage offers a dual-level cargo floor and 30 percent more extra capacity directly behind the second-row seats. Newly available in the Sportage is a 24.6-inch panoramic curved display which integrates a 12.3-inch infotainment display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. 

Kia EV6’s Exhilarating Performance + Sensible Connectivity Secures 2023 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

The Kia EV6 was named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the discerning members of the NACTOY jury, marking the second time in four years a Kia model has earned the honor. Since its introduction a year ago, the EV6 model has signified the refinement and sophistication that Kia EV engineering is known for.

This award proves that the EV6 is not only a practical choice for a daily driver, but also a massive success for electric vehicles as a whole. 50 automotive specialists from broadcast media, radio, online, and print sources tested vehicles while following criteria including automotive innovation, design, safety features, performance, technology, user experience, and overall value. 

More than 19,000 EV6 models have been sold at Kia retailers nationwide, including the exhilarating 576-horsepower EV6 GT introduced last year. The EV6 delivers segment-leading performance, fast DC-charging capability, expertly sourced onboard power, and a sampling of today’s most innovative materials inside. The industry’s most useful connectivity features and Kia’s latest-generation energy-efficient heat pump are other components that have rendered the EV6 an example of the amazing things intense changes in the industry will yield. 

Kia’s design teams have seen to it that the EV6 is a critical part of the “Plan S” strategy to launch at least two battery-electric vehicles per year and offer 14 BEVs by 2027. Motor Trend praised the EV6 for displaying “futuristic exterior design along with quick recharging capability.” For 2023, the Wind RWD becomes the entry-level trim, and the extra-fast and aggressive EV6 GT model is now available. One thing that can be guaranteed with pride about the EV6 is that it simply does not look like anything else out there, with a cabin that is gleefully space-age and efficient. 

A huge priority for the EV6 was athletic driving dynamics, and the ability to move with excellent poise and precision on winding roads while smoothly on the open highway. Regenerative braking amazed drivers and technology enthusiasts worldwide when it was introduced, and now the EV6 provides the option to toggle between separate levels of the feature to meet the needs of your terrain. The 77.4 kWh battery is the power option that delivers the juice to either a rear motor or dual-motor AWD. EPA range is rated at 310 miles, with the AWD model hovering at around 280.

Under ideal conditions, this battery can add nearly 70 miles of range in under five minutes, which is an impressive feat among today’s current offerings. The 77.4-kWh battery can also enable vehicle-to-load capacity, which can provide power to additional offboard devices and appliances, rendering it an even more appealing weekend wanderer’s choice! Onboard charging options include a 12-volt socket, wireless charger, USB type-A port, and C ports in the second row. Trims on the higher end of things also offer a surround-view camera system and Meridian premium audio system. 

Kia Remains Victory-Prone and Valuable as Most-Awarded Brand in 2023 Consumer Guide Automotive Best Buy Awards

Repeat customers at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis now have even more reason to be excited as they scope out the model of their choice for 2023, as Consumer Guide Automotive ranked Kia as their most-awarded brand. The Soul, Seltos, Sportage, Sorento, and EV6 were all claiming champion recipients of the very prestigious Best Buy Awards. This is the ninth consecutive year that the Soul has fared as champion of the subcompact crossover category, and third year in a row for the Seltos at the top of the stack in the same segment. 

Consumers have shifted their “leaning towards spending gaze” at fully electric models, as prices at the pump and general economic uncertainty have drawn attention to petrol-free energy sources. From off-road ready SUVs to crossovers and forward-thinking EVs, Kia’s comprehensive lineup now delivers the excellent design, top-notch quality, and desired technology features that today’s savvy buyers are looking for. 

Now thriving as the most awarded brand in Consumer Guide’s 2023 Best Buy Awards marks another pivotal moment for us as we are constantly finding new ways to increase mobility and a personable, while desirable, appeal. Since 1967, Consumer Guide Automotive’s experienced editorial staff has used an in-depth evaluation process to single out the vehicles that are worth the time for serious consideration by discerning consumers. The traits examined to find the dominating models are features, performance, accommodations, fuel economy, reputation for reliability, and resale value.

Our growth as an identifiable innovator has been thrilling to be a part of, with the array of our lineup including something for everyone from the busy family on the go to the new student full of vigor and a diverse lifestyle! Every function from a sense of reasonable value to luxury driving is represented enthusiastically by Kia, as well as breathtaking examples in the corner-conquering sporty category. 

The 2023 EV6 came very efficiently roaring onto the scene with its very sleek look inside and out, offering a drive on the thrillingly invigorating side of things. Consumer Reports claimed that this is one of the best electric vehicles they have ever tested, benefiting from a nearly silent cabin and comfortable ride. Quick DC fast-charging in public venues will take the battery from 10-percent to 80 percent in just 18 minutes, which is sure to make the daily driver stand up and take drastic notice. While using the Electrify America network, you’ll nail down 60 miles of range in just 10 minutes!

The 2023 Sportage enthusiastically leads the pack as an entirely new and appealing breed of SUV. It has received wide acclaim for its confidence-inspiring layout, class-leading cargo space, and a very bold design. We personally feel that the Sportage has also won so much approval with busy families worldwide due to its many safety offerings: you are hauling your loved ones in the utmost confidence along with child door locks, child seat anchors, Stability Control, front head curtain airbag, lane departure warning system, pedestrian detection system, rear head curtain airbag, and the very useful rear-view camera.

The New Year is a fantastic opportunity for us to do more than just reflect and make resolutions: as a manufacturer and provider, we pledge to always look for sourcing the best and most Eco-conscious in power. We have been able to achieve loyalty, offer excellent features as standard on entry-level models, and build a diverse following one game-changing model at a time!

Kia EV6 Enjoys New Year’s Glow of Achievement With “Best EV of 2022” Title from The Drive

The incoming EV6 has been drawing a massive amount of attention here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, and has recently enjoyed yet another addition to its achievements with “Best EV of 2022” from The Drive. The auto review team from The Drive was amazed by the combination of the EV6’s satisfying dynamics, occupant comfort, and all-electric range that allows it to stand out in its segment. 

What began as an unsteady blip on the market’s radar, turned into a constantly evolving reality as the promising future of electrified cars. The all-electric EV6 delivers on the traits that see an EV rising exponentially to the top of the class. Attractive price and an EPA-estimated range of 310 miles are two ideal starting points for an EV. As the EV6 was picked from among the top-ranked electric vehicles during an entire year of thorough evaluation. 

The amount of preparation and planning that went into the crafting of an affordable vehicle is obvious at every turn, and its excellent suite of advanced driver assistance features makes the EV6 not just another average offering. To have all the amazing qualities it does and be backed up by an exceptional factory limited warranty make for a model that will be compelling enough to sway individuals to make the switch. More than 19,000 EV6 models have been sold at Kia retailers, and the EV6’s onboard power generator along with ultra-fast DC charging capability render it an extraordinary choice. 

The EV6 is a pivotal component of the “Plan S” strategy to successfully provide at least two BEVs per year, and build a full line-up of 14 BEVs within the next 5 years. Car and Driver rendered the EV6 “very lively and easy to live with”, and the GT model comes complete with 576 horsepower and the primo perk of an adaptive suspension. For the true car-lover’s built-in feature that will appeal to anyone a bit reluctant to let go of gas-engine prowess, there’s a green button on the steering wheel that adamantly unlocks the propulsion system’s maximum ability. 

The GT’s cabin also now includes sport seats and neon green trim, with the Wind trim level providing the most affordable way to get all-weather traction and more viable horsepower output than the single motor’s capability. Power is derived from a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle that provides rear-wheel drive or with electric motors on both front and rear. Choosing the larger battery boosts the rear-drive EV6’s total system output to 225 horsepower up from 167, which the Car and Driver gang had a blast with tossing around the backroads in the UK. 

The 320-horsepower GT Line model managed a quick 4.5-second zero-to-60 mph time, with the more boisterous 576-horsepower GT presiding at the top of the lineup. Here you enjoy performance-enhancing features such as an electronic limited-slip differential, firmer chassis, tuning, adaptive suspension, and upgraded brakes. We can heartily also vouch for the supreme abilities and convenience of the 350-kW fast charger, revitalizing the EV6 from 10 to 80 percent in just under 18 minutes: this will soon be the desired method of choice for EV owners constantly on the go.

2023 Kia Sportage Successfully Gets a Jumpstart on Season’s New Beginnings By Claiming Victory in Motor1.com 2022 Star Awards

Taking top honors in “best of” lineups is an accomplishment for any spectacular car or SUV to thoroughly enjoy over the holidays, as many buyers here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis will make the important choice regarding what model they want! The 2023 Kia Sportage claimed top honors in the “Best SUV” category in the Motor1.com 2022 Star Awards, thanks to its improvements in performance, roominess, and design over the outgoing model. 

The hybrid version is a key and very practical daily driver’s component when it comes to electrification, and the ongoing plans to embrace alternative fuel offerings are clearly laid out by Kia’s “Plan S” global strategy. This was a well-recognized effort on behalf of Motor1.com which was built upon the Sportage’s excellent driving dynamics, superior design, and an excellent array of technology offerings. Boasting a top-notch hybrid not only adds clout to the Sportage lineup, but a unique luster and massive appeal to Kia’s entire portfolio.

This highly regulated and coveted race to the top considers all new vehicles that have been rated by a team of season editors, and then endure a week of facing off with each other on a variety of different terrain tests. Then after a very close look at performance, safety, cutting-edge designs, and comfort, pros and cons are debated, and final winners are selected. As competition gets tighter across segments, this decision becomes tougher for judges each year. 

The Kia Sportage hybrid boasted the features and appealing refinement to render it the best for the many scenarios one encounters during every season after embarking on the road. Significantly larger than the outgoing model, the new Sportage boasts some of the most fascinating latest advancements in technology, such as an expanded list of ADAS features and awesome available dual panoramic display screens. The hybrid powertrain employs the winning combination of a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a 44-kW motor. 

The EPA mileage rating holds strongly at 42/44/43 mpg city/highway/combined, and this winning engine combo cranks out 227 horsepower to the choice of either front-wheel drive or active all-wheel drive system. The Motor Trend review team excitedly claimed that “this is a bumper-to-bumper triumph with a wealth of changes to attract diverse buyers.” Their test drive allowed for them to finalize their opinion that this is one of the most spacious compact SUVs out there on the market, and the inclusion of a 12.3-inch touchscreen is a wise move after taking note of what consumers are deeming as sought-after most. 

As the season for longer trips is now upon us, everyone on board will love the USB outlets placed just above the floor, and the latches in the cargo area that make folding down the rear seat that much easier. The hybrid also cuts an entire two seconds off of the base model’s 0-60 time, and cuts down on pesky cabin noise to boot. There are so many instances where drivers ask us just what we would recommend shopping for, and as the post-holiday lists populate with productivity and recreation needs, we’d have to render the Sportage as one of our front-running and most eco-friendly picks! 

2023 Kia Sorento 3-Row SUV Brings Charm, Eco-Conscious Sensibility

The 2022 holiday season here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis has brought about opportunities to share time with loved ones and take in amazing displays such as the 10th year of Garden Glow and the lights at Anheuser-Busch. As the crossover SUV continues its dominance of the American auto market, the mid-size Sorento was well deserving of the spotlight from the Topspeed.com blog this past week. The 2024 model comes loaded to the gills with holiday goodies such as its turbo engine combined with a sensible hybrid system.

The standard engine is the 1.6-liter turbocharged model with a full hybrid system, which cranks out 227 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the pairing with a conventional CVT transmission that makes the overall driving experience a bit elastic and unpredictable, the Sorento sets you up with a conventional 6-speed model. The Car and Driver auto testing team was able to get the new model up to 60 MPH in just 7.6 seconds, with the momentum not wearing thin as speed builds. 

The addition of the turbo is a massive help with acceleration, as the 6-speed automatic delivers a stepped-up and well-chiseled shifting process. The 2023 Sorento’s performance feels optimized like a traditional gas-powered car, and not a hybrid. As the industry begins the shift to electric power, this type of sensation will be even further behind, even as the advent of clean-sourced juice provides a unique breed of application. FWD comes standard on the X model and all-wheel drive is optional, with the all-wheel drive system using the well-honed torque vectoring setup.

The inclusion of Torque Vectoring allows for all the wheels to grip the road much better for handling and launch and is one of the extras that puts all Kia vehicles in a class of their own whether your drive is across town or across the country. Inside, satin aluminum and chrome accents add a nice modern touch to the interior. One of the options that we would have to recommend is a panoramic moonroof, allowing you to enjoy the sights outside to their fullest no matter the season.

The Sorento comfortably seats 6, and there are enough USB ports and drink holders to leave everyone feeling adequately situated for the drive. The second-row seats also slide and adjust to offer a greater amount of utility, and third-row passengers get to enjoy comfy recliners and USB ports as well. The NHTSA ranked the Sorento as a 4/5 for crashworthiness, and last year's model earned itself an IIHS top safety pick. The final verdict from the Top Speed crew was that the Sorento offers an ideal balance for any driver, along with class-leading warranty coverage and signature holiday stance!