Kia EV3: Sweet, Small, and Set to Arrive Soon in the U.S.

 

The concept reveals of the past few years have been nothing short of amazing here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis. When these futuristic and groundbreaking ideas first make their way to the mainstream, they can be jaw-droppingly visionary. When the Kia EV3 was officially revealed, it emerged uniquely with a distinct and boxy charm. 

The glitz, glamor, and notion of things to come during the Milan Design Week 2024 gave auto industry execs and fans from all walks of life some living and breathing examples of what to expect from future models. “Cube-sized and cute” is the way to describe the EV3’s first visual impressions, with its trademark squared-off hood and hatchback rear glass. Existing as the current market’s spot-on description of a “true compact”, the EV3 is 14 feet long and about five feet tall. 

This cheery and quite capable EV sits fairly low to the ground, which provides the visual effect of sporting a much smaller waist. The sideline and wheel wells have a dark cladding, and all EV3 versions ride on 19-inch wheels with a very cool two-tone finish. There are four new color choices for the EV3, as you can now pick Aventurine Green, Shale Grey, Frost Blue, and Terracotta to tie together a charming aesthetic along with a slightly robotic vertical headlight design. 

The Car and Driver review team was incredibly impressed with the design playbook that Kia used for this innovative model, which strays drastically from most of the edgy and aggressive models currently out there. Without a single “mean bone in its body”, the EV3 comes across as a cute and excited puppy. The trim line looks like it will consist of a standard model that properly evokes the Kia design language and EV spirit, followed up with the sportier and aggressive GT-Line. 

The GT-Line will hit the pavement poised for eco-friendly and thrilling performance with different body cladding, a unique front bumper, and GT-Line-only 19-inch wheels. Layout is expected to carry over the similar very spacious and simple concept, with seating for five and plenty of accessibility. The trend of the ever-expanding screen size has also not abruptly halted here, as consumers have loved enjoying the cabin’s comforts just as much as they would at home. Here there will be two 12.3-inch models across the dash, connected by a 5.0-inch panel providing the climate control readout.

There is also a natural language voice control currently in development, which will be able to control the car’s functions or complete map searches based on spoken commands. The urge to snack while counting miles is undeniable, as the proverbial Wheat Thins or Ritz can make the commute or after-school event much more bearable! The EV3’s console lid can pull out cleverly as a table for just this purpose, and then slide back to make room for a clutch or cute cellphone bag. Regenerative braking will be controlled from the steering wheel for the first time in a Kia vehicle, and the GT-Line trim is likely to offer all-wheel-drive. 

Watt’s Not To Love? 2025 Kia EV6 Offers Extended Range, Sporty & Stylish Design

The many outdoor activities of spring have gotten us to think about stylish ways to shuttle everyone to the next event on time! Graduation parties, photography sessions, and even rounds of frisbee golf are all opportune moments to make the most out of your next vehicle here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis. The 2025 Kia EV6 greatly impressed the Motor Trend crew with its sporty demeanor, and quick charging time during their recent test drive!

For the coming year’s refresh, models with the 77.4 kWh battery pack are likely to now feature an 84.0-kWh unit. The range is expected to rise to around 310 miles on the RWD models, while some AWD variants will reside at around 280 miles. RWD models are expected to crank out around 225 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, which is good for a 0-60 mph sprint of around 6.5 seconds. AWD models arrive poised and ready with output residing around 320 horsepower and 416 lb-ft, while scorchingly arriving at 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds. 

The GT trim is presiding slyly and successfully at the top of the lineup, which can crank out 576 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque and is good for a 3.2-second sprint. Kia has long been recognized for our commitment to providing great safety features, allowing every new and existing customer to feel as if they are 100% confident they will reach their destination safe and sound. Some watchful high-tech eyes that come as standard are forward collision avoidance assist, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, rear parking sensors, driver attention warning, and speed limit assist. 

Hitting the road for activities such as the Enjoy Illinois 300 NASCAR Cup or the Juneteenth celebration in the Delmar Loop begs for a very snazzy and superior means of showing up! The coming EV6 will also have new 19 and 20-inch wheel designs to choose from, and there will also be a fingerprint authentication system to provide a secure and verified trip each time. There will be an added sense of rigidity with the addition of thicker B-pillars, and heavier sound insulation behind the rear mirror to offer a welcoming study environment for those seated in the rear.

The Edmunds.com auto experts hailed the EV6 for “prioritizing pure driving enjoyment” while brandishing plenty of power and well-balanced handling. As you sprawl out with the family over your next trip and plan a route to see faraway relatives or move the nephew back home from college, it’s great to know that the 2025 Kia EV6 is compatible with the latest high-rate charging stations. They went on to claim that few options come close to the excitement you have while driving the EV6, with its very sharp steering and first-rate control around corners.

Here the group also claimed that the touch panel that switches between climate and radio functions is ideally situated and a breeze to use. The blind-spot warning system worked perfectly for the group on a rainy upstate New York road, proving itself to be perfect for the slow-and-go motion of rush hour. The expansive legroom in the back also provides the ultimate space for simple car seat installation. Their extended time spent with the EV6 was with the
Wind trim: they greatly appreciated its mix of first-rate performance, upscale features, and reasonable pricing for the segment.

Mudfest Marvel: Kia EV9 Sweeps Awards with Electrifying Performance

Kia has been at the forefront of innovation and excellence over the past decade and constantly strive to provide vehicles that can adapt to any terrain. The EV9 has drawn a lot of attention recently at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis, as it made huge waves at the 2024 Northwest Automotive Press Association’s Mudfest event. It was able to claim the very rugged and capable honor of “Outdoor Utility Vehicle” along with “Three-Row Family SUV”, as journalists and enthusiasts descended upon The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington.

Spring has left behind quite a challenging arsenal of half-dry and still slushy terrain right here in Missouri, and plenty of showers and thunderstorms have made for difficult conditions. For customers excited to try their hands at off-roading, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist can provide the confidence to know that the hazards of the wild won’t deter your next trail excursion. Hikers and other adventurers can pop up seemingly out of nowhere, and these features allow you to focus on the fun at hand instead of being concerned about any incidents with others who are out enjoying the wild. 

All Kia models are backed by a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, along with a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty. Drivers who enjoy the task of getting muddy will be happy to know that they can keep their Kia running smoothly for many days to come. These recent accolades yielded from the Northwest’s most rigorous testing grounds underscore Kia’s valued position as a current leader in the automotive industry. The esteemed Car and Driver review crew praised this year’s EV9 for being “one of the first true family-friendly EV options, which drives and acts like a slam dunk!”

Its' large size comes with a towing capacity of 5000 lbs, along with its usable 3rd row of seats that should appeal to many growing families. The more time they spent with the EV9 the more they enjoyed it, as they also moved to award it with a spot on their 2024 Editors Choice List. They felt that the midrange Wind trim offered the most value, with the more capable all-wheel-drive powertrain cranking out 379 horsepower. It also is equipped with the second-row captain's chairs, a heat pump for the climate control system, and the heated front seats and steering wheel.

The second-row captain’s chairs offer heating, ventilation, and massaging, and the rear cargo space holds 20 cubic feet. The J.D. Power team’s independent expert had a tremendous time with an EV9 decked out in Ocean Blue paint, the Second Row Relaxation Package, carpeted floor mats, and the carpeted cargo mat. The front seatbacks include embedded USB charge ports and a storage tray along with a bin that slides toward passengers from the back portion of the front console. The second row features an overhead climate control panel, ceiling-mounted air vents, and side window shades spanning the glass. 

Kia Sportage Cruises to Victory as U.S. News’ Best Hybrid and Electric Car of the Year!

 

The beginning of Q2 here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis is a whirlwind of activity for many of our employees, their families, and our customers! It’s time to begin ringing in the warm weather with plans for excursions to museums, parks, and swimming pools... and we’re afraid that “yesterday’s clunker” simply won’t do! All of Kia’s vehicles have proven to be resilient, high-functioning, and reliable. It also gives us great pride to watch the stack of awards roll in from heavy hitters such as U.S. News & World Report. 

They just announced the winner of their “Best Plug-In Hybrid SUV” category, signifying another quite memorable first! To come up with the winners of this category, U.S News took the time to evaluate 96 luxury and very affordable hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars, SUVs, and trucks. Elements taken into account were EPA fuel ratings, pricing info, and findings from the press.

Plug-in hybrids are a very thrilling bridge to an all-electric future, with the Sportage's 34-mile all-electric range able to tackle many average daily commutes right here in St Louis. After undergoing a complete redesign last year, the 2024 Sportage now arrives primed and ready for each test drive with new interior and exterior updates. The Edmunds.com review crew praised the Sportage for its comfortable ride quality, very spacious seating, and massive rear cargo area. Once you add Kia’s amazing warranty coverage and low prices to the equation, the Sportage wholeheartedly remains a class leader!

Numerous testing pros have praised the suspension’s soft tune, which allows it to absorb bumps and pavement that has stood the test of time with ease. The rear seats have an abundance of adjustable recline, which delights rearview passengers during 60+ mile endeavors. After closely examining the climate control layout, the Edmunds crew loved that it converts the controls to media layouts while not in use. The new touchscreen iconography resembles neon signs, evoking a modern and nearly “cyber cafe”-styled look. 

Visibility is excellent thanks to XXL windows and body dimensions that aren’t too tough to gauge directly from the driver’s seat. The Prestige trim adds the very useful camera-surround system, while USB-C and A ports are plentiful in both rows. The adaptive cruise control excellently holds gaps without the need to constantly tap the brakes, and none of the collision systems gave this testing crew any false alerts. “Smart Pack” operates well in the common pinch found in any big-box parking lot: if things get just a bit hectic, you can get in or out of any parking spot with just the key FOB. 

The review staff analyzing the best and worst of these vehicles for awards determination consider space, and the Sportage delivers 39.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row, and 74.1 cubic feet with the row folded down. The rear seats can also be folded down from the hatch, and the rear seats have car anchors that are incredibly easy to locate and use. The rugged looks of the X-Pro will entice anyone who is constantly itching to go far beyond the stretches of urban pavement, and the J.D. Power review crew gave the Sportage their coveted rating of “Great” for reliability. 

A Charged Crusader of the Kia “Ev-elution”: EV9 GT to Dominate Roads with Enormous Power in 2025

Business results are released at the end of the first quarter, which is always a thrilling time for us here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis! Press releases provide valuable insights into the future and details regarding models on the way. We love to witness the excitement of drivers after they realize the Kia they just checked out is the perfect addition to their family and will allow them to remain productive and prosperous. 

The EV9 GT is set for public release in January 2025 with a supply of “enormous power” derived from a dual-motor setup. It will complete the very telling 0-60 mph sprint in less than 4 seconds, which is quite an accomplishment for any crossover weighing more than 6,000 lbs. Our most potent EV available today doles out 370 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, and the incoming EV9 will provide a major power boost above and beyond these numbers! The additional juice will allow the EV to shave off more than one very crucial second from its sprint time. 

The current EV9 GT-Line offers up to 270 miles of range on a single charge, which may suffer a small hit in the wake of this exhilarating incoming power. While EV range anxiety has been a huge topic in the media over the past 2 years, this is nothing to fear: it's so important to keep in mind that the average commuter travels about 33 miles per day round trip, and that may even include an extra run to the grocery store or comfort food emergency at DQ in the evening! 

The full-line GT model is also getting a more capable suspension setup and upgraded brakes. The EV5 has also made its eye-opening appearance in China, where it was officially endorsed by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. Toward the end of the informative presentation, a comprehensive product roadmap for the coming years was displayed in the background. There’s an updated EV6 due for an official market launch in the second quarter of this year, along with the first-ever EV3 and K4 arriving during the third quarter. 

The 2024 Kia EV9 was praised by the Motor Trend review team for its “upscale interior and quick-charging capabilities”, along with enjoying the thrill of beating our very own Telluride during the 0-60 mph test. One of the reasons this
is so exciting is that the design team set out to create an EV with an appropriately spacious third row, not keeping their focus entirely on an aggressive persona. The second-row captain’s chairs are an excellent place to spend time, and there’s also the convenience of one-touch functionality to fold things down quicker.

Drivers have given the current model EV9 very high marks for its excellent mix of futuristic and user-friendly design. It’s suspected that quite a few consumers attracted to the rivaling Tesla Model X and Rivian R1S will find just what they need in the comfy confines of the EV9. The Carscoops auto writing team excitedly claimed that “every now and then, a car comes on the market so unlike anything else that you can’t help but stare at it!” There’s a 12.3-inch infotainment screen greeting you once inside, and a first-time 5.0-inch display between it and the instrument cluster to house the climate controls.

From Dashboard to Dunks: Kia's In-Car NBA Display Themes Elevate Playoff Excitement

The excitement of the NBA is contagious, riveting, and always engaging with fervor! A-list teams such as Boston, Miami, Los Angeles, and New York will be making their spirited way down the courts in this year’s end-of-season spectacle. The Pelicans-Thunder nightcap was surely the game to take note of over the past weekend, and Kia EV9 owners will now be able to personalize their vehicle’s cockpit with their favorite team’s logos and colors. 

This exciting form of self-expression is offered through the Digital Services and Features platform, with the fever-pitch and precise pivoting action of the NBA in mind. The over-the-air updates for Display Themes to EV9 began on April 9, with the driver-facing 12.3-inch instrument cluster and the AVN screen as the prime real estate for personalization. In the future, other Kia vehicles equipped with the Ultramodern Connected Car Concept infotainment system with Digital Features and Services OTA capability are expected to also be able to display these themes. 

Hues such as the iconic red, black, and white of the Chicago Bulls are available with a personalized instrument cluster and infotainment screen, along with the very cool welcome and goodbye videos for select EV9 trims. As the brand we love to provide and service so much here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis has long been committed to offering exciting themes and collaborations, the EV9 has been the first model to officially offer the NBA themes before the other models enjoy this currently court-crazed feature. 

The Kia Connect Stores Digital Features and Services are accessed via the owner’s app or Kia Owner Portal and will feature each team’s emblem and colors for $39.99. Other themes will soon be available, providing owners of great Kia models the chance to display their appreciation for America’s well-performing superstars on the court. Pivoting loudly and determinedly on the court has always been aspirational and nostalgic, as the classic 1986 film “Hoosiers” depicted an Indiana high school team beating the odds and going for the midwestern glory of the state championship. 

Even though the NBA now has a distinctive flair and has undergone a few quite modern advances, many Kia drivers possess the wholehearted admiration of ball players to render these offerings a tech-lover's triumph. Car and Driver claimed that the 2024 EV9 reigns supreme as “one of the first family-friendly EV options” and is thoroughly looking and performing like a slam dunk. It enjoyed a strong showing as an especially amazing driving vehicle in this size category, and an easy choice for their 2024 10 Best Trucks and SUVs. 

The mid-range Wind trim offers a huge value, stepping things up with the all-wheel drive powertrain which cranks out 379 horsepower. There’s an available Boost Mode that pumps up the volume on the peak torque output and provides quicker acceleration. A performance-oriented GT model will be added to the 2025 lineup while offering as much as 576 horsepower. The EV9’s second-row chairs offer the added comfort of heating, ventilation, and massaging. The EV9 also offers a pair of 12.3-inch screens: one for the gauge cluster and a second for infotainment. 

The Edmunds.com auto crew claimed after their test drive that the EV9 delivers “a luxuriously quiet drive and high-quality features that elevate every commute or jaunt alike.” Spacious, with plenty of features, and boasting a quick charge capacity, the 2024 Kia EV9 has proved its ability to have a sweeping and incredibly mesmerizing presence.

Offroading With “SUV-perior confidence:” A First Drive Experience With the 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro

The dreadful and boredom-inducing lockdowns are thankfully far behind us here at Jim Butler Kia of St. Louis, and this was when many of our customers curated their appetite for thriving off-road! The 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro joins our illustrious lineup with the upgrades to tackle the trail properly. The Motor Trend group tested this model to see if its upgrades were merely cosmetic, or if they were fit for the demands of deep ruts and loose sand. 

Introduced formally for 2021, the Sorento is built for those who have use for a third row but may feel that the Telluride is just a touch too large for their taste. This year’s model offers hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, in addition to a 281-horsepower, 311-lb-ft turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4 gas engine which resides in the Sorento X-Pro and higher. First on the list of upgrades is a larger and more upright grille, along with nicely-accented LED lights. The cabin now features reshaped air vents and a modernized HVAC control panel, which first made its appearance in the all-electric EV6. 

Most trims roar heartily off the pavement with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that runs the brand’s new ccNC user interface. This provides the very convenient option of over-the-air updates along with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Sorento X-Line trim brings about more rugged-looking bumpers, faux skid plates, and 20-inch Continental CrossContact all-season tires. The all-terrain tires that the X-Pro package starts things off with have a tread pattern that is inspired by BF Goodrich’s K02 off-road offerings. 

The 2024 Kia Sorento X-Pro comes aggressively swinging at inclement terrain with 8.2 inches of ground clearance, along with a notable towing capacity of 4,500 lbs. This beats out any other Sorento model by 1,000 pounds and is all made possible with upgraded cooling-system hardware. The Motor Trend team embarked on a beautiful and snowy I-70 west to the Rocky Mountains from Denver, where the Sorento fared excellently on roads heavily populated with potholes. The new Trail Terrain tires bit into soggy dirt better than all seasons could, while also providing a good deal of ride comfort while navigating “the normie route” on the pavement. 

The steering response was consistently crisp, and acceleration was peppy even when tried from leftover standing mud. The brake-pedal travel felt adequate while traversing up and down steep inclines, with a superior and consistent buildup of stopping force during your stroke. Once the 8-speed transmission is fully engaged and underway, it takes advantage of the engine’s torque to dole out acceleration that is excellent when held up to any other 3-row family SUV on the market. The driver-assistance features performed flawlessly, and there are useful USB-C ports all over the cabin. 

The interior upholstery is finished in a very nice two-tone leather upholstery, along with a very cool microsuede headliner surrounding the huge moonroof. To properly take on chilly St. Louis winters, the heated steering wheel can comfortably emit two grades of warmth. Concluding that this finished package offers more than just a “meek people mover”, the Motor Trend gang was thrilled with the Sorento’s performance geared to those needing something a bit tougher. The Edmunds.com auto review crew praised the Sorento post-test-drive for its “mix of quality, performance, and practicality, as an enticing option with above-average versatility.”