"Auto News: Mr. Green Car: Kia Soul: Boxy Design A Hot Seller Among Young And Old Alike"

 

In my continuing reports about small economical new cars, this week I'll report about the 2012 Kia Soul.

There is an interesting double entendre in the name. First of all, Kia is a Korean automaker. Seoul is the capital city of South Korea, which we Americans, long-time allies of that nation, pronounce as "soul." Yet, soul defines a spirit, something wherein lies the person, the being. And that can apply to things like cars. Some do have soul, and Kia's boxy little car is full of it.

I spent three years of my U.S. Army career in South Korea and Seoul. A lovely country that I really liked, with whom America has no better friend. I've found the Korean workers are among the world's best, and the products they make are of good quality at reasonable prices. While the Soul is 99 percent Korean sourced and built, our relationship with Korea is not one of competition so much as mutual benefit.

Enough of the political. The Soul is a great fun car. Several others on the market are similar - the Scion Xb and the Honda Element, to name two. This is sort of a new niche of cars - they have a boxy look to them, and are kind of short station wagons or small SUVs. What the boxiness gives them is a lot of interior volume for the overall size of the vehicle. Four people can comfortably ride in a Soul, and bring some stuff with them. Fold down the rear seats and a LOT of stuff can be hauled.

The boxy little cars are almost exclusively marketed toward the young, hip scene, with hamsters driving around to hip-hop music featured in commercials. Being cool is what is important - not what the car can do. However, and this is a big however, these are selling like hotcakes to the older-than-50 crowd. You almost can't get one - they don't stay on the dealer lot long enough to get dusty. Why? Because the boxy, tall configuration makes them very easy to get in and out of for people with less-than-gymnastic joints.

The AARP crowd doesn't mind the sportiness or the good gas mileage, either. They ain't dead yet. I took a Kia Soul for a brief test drive from Rock River Kia, aided by sales representative Frank Calabrese and other helpful folks. Frank sent me out with a Soul equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. My favorite test vehicle - one with a stick-shift. It was appropriately sporty. The other transmission option is a six-speed automatic. The Soul can be found with either a 1.6-liter engine or a beefier 2.0-liter version.

While the handling is definitely sporty, as is the ride - the marketing of the Soul is about personalizing your "ride." In addition to the two engines, there are three trim levels - the basic "Soul." Next up is the "+" and the top of the line is the "!" The + and ! have the 2.0 engine; the ! is automatic transmission only.

Fuel economy varies little between the versions. The 1.6-liter attains EPA city/highway ratings of 27/35 for both transmissions, while the 2.0-liter gets 26/34 with either transmission. An ECO option for a start/stop feature that shuts down the engine at stops and restarts again when you want to go, yields for the 1.6-liter 29/36 and the 2.0-liter is 27/35. As with most new small cars, 40 mpg on the highway can be had with gentle driving.

All the options are about interior trim and electronics. The "infotainment" packages are increasingly more important to the consumer - so all the manufacturers have responded with awesome sound systems (the Soul even has loudspeakers in the doors that pulsate light rings with the music) and navigation and backup view cameras. Soul has this stuff, too. Each option level has slightly larger wheel rims and wider tires - all part of the coolness factor. Speaking of cool, even the base Soul has standard air-conditioning. I found the interior very comfortable and particularly liked the clear analog instrumentation.

Six airbags and computerized stability control earn the Soul the highest safety ratings. A great 10-year/100,000-mile power-train warranty takes some worry out of ownership. Prices are $13,900 for the base Soul with manual transmission to $19,600 for an "!" before options. Cute color names, too - like "Alien" (green) and "Molten" (red). Now, try to find one - they're hot.

Source: Kia

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Kia Rio Zip and Dash to LA with Christina Milian

Kia Rio, 2013: Versatile subcompact offers great fuel economy, value

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The sub-compact segment in the United States is competitive, with every carmaker offering an entry as gas prices rise. But how does a manufacturer break from the pack and impress target buyers? Several dimensions standout — performance, ride quality, fuel economy, driving dynamics, options, styling, price. With the 2013 Kia Rio, the carmaker is concentrating on style, fuel economy, price and value.

 

 

Driving Impressions
Squeezing 138 HP and 123 lb-ft torque out of a 1.6L four cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, the Rio is competitive against the Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit and Chevy Sonic.

Sink your foot to the floor and the Rio does what's expected: a slow ramp-up of power. It won't win drag races, unless it’s against other subcompacts. The acceleration is decent, but not impressive.

Ride quality is decent, but not unexpected among current subcompacts. I renjoyed the steering feel of the Rio, which offers decent feedback and felt substantial but surprisingly not too light at highway speeds.

 

 

Styling
This is where Kia tries hard to stand out from the crowd, and I think it's the most “styled” offering in market segment. The Rio's lines are not as graceful as the Ford Fiesta, but it looks better than the Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris or Chevy Sonic. The details in the headlight units look expensive and “designed,” especially with the included LED daytime running lights.

Interior Comfort and Ergonomics
Interior space on the Rio is surprisingly accommodating. There's plenty of cabin room for a dirver and three passengers, plus gear,  A fifth passenger can squeeze in, but it's best if it's a close friend.

Kia does a decent job with steering wheel-mounted controls useful and not overwhelming. The test vehicle was  equipped with  backup camera and touch screen entertainment center  — luxury features for a subcompact. The seats are supportive.

 

 

Conclusion
Starting at $16,500, the Kia Rio is not the cheapest in its class, with the Ford Fiesta or a Toyota Yaris available for less. But the Rio is better equipped with rear disc brakes and a warranty. I also like the hill assist feature available with manual transmission. The 2012 Rio offers above average performance in its class and has a unique look that won’t blend in in a parking lot. KIa has targeted a young driving audience with the Rio and it's differeniated itself in that regard.

Pros
• Spacious cabin
• Modern styling
• Great 40+ Highway MPG for a non-hybrid
• Good steering feel for a class in this class

Cons
• Distinctive styling doesn’t suit everyone’s taste
• Ride quality is rough

Source:The Weekly Driver

 

Natalie, thank you for this awesome review!

 

"I went with my brother to buy a car and was surprised on their low prices for a new Kia. His appointment was with Sabrina and she did an amazing job on getting us in and out quickly.  The car buying experience for him was fast and smooth thanks to Sabrina and the team at Kia. I would definitely recommend AllStar Kia of Pomona." - Natalie R.

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Spyshots: Kia Sorento Facelift

Kia engineers have taken advantage of the good weather in Germany right, and found a window to test the Kia Sorento on the famous high-speed Nurburgring test track there.

This is a significant mid-life change for the popular Kia crossover that's sold globally, and it's good to see that engineers are making sure the vehicle is fun as well as safe on a track.

We've seen the Sornento facelift before, as it was undergoing winter testing in Sweden, but this time it's dropped the fabric camouflage with padding in favor of a less concealing wrap.

Overall, the design changes aren't major, but we can make out differences in the lower bumper, the fog light, headlights, which have either LEDs or a reflective bar at the top, and taillights. The grille honeycomb structure has also changed, but this sort of car isn't al about the looks.

 

Of far more importance would be the arrival of some new engines. It's been rumored that a new 2.2-liter turbo will over 200 horsepower will be introduced to the range, together with more efficient and powerful versions of the existing units.

The current generation of the Sorento SUV was first previewed at the New York Auto Show in March 2009. This new generation uses a uni-structure body and is Kia's first model built in the United States. We can expect the facelift to debut at the same venue next year.

Source: Kia Media

Folks, it's time for our weekly car care tip: Clean dash gauges carefully.

Use a soft damp cloth to lightly wipe dust from the clear plastic lenses on your dashboard. Too much pressure will scratch them. Too many scratches can make it difficult to read your gauges under certain lighting conditions.

Michael, thank you for sharing your experience.

 

" I've been in need of a reliable car for a couple years now and I was attracted to Kia cars because of their beautiful designs and their improved reliability.  Allstar Kia is conveniently located and it was a breeze to drive off in a new Kia Optima.  I worked with Sabrina to get prequalified, as I was originally interested in the Kia Forte.  I then went in to the dealership and met with Sabrina and Brian, the salesman.  Both were very friendly and not pushy.  I test drove the Forte with Brian, but I felt I needed a car with a little more power.  When I drove the Optima, I immediately knew that was the car for me.  It has nice handling and controls and feels and looks like a luxury car.  I got a great deal and affordable payments and am looking forward to enjoying my new Optima for the years to come.  Thanks Sabrina and Brian for your professional service." - Michael Z.

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USAA Names Kia Sportage To 2012 Best Value List

Being a younger sibling myself, I know the feeling of sometimes being overshadowed by an older sibling.  In the overall Hyundai Corporation, which includes both Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors, it is Hyundai (especially the Elantra) that has been accumulating accolades and awards left and right.  But little sister Kia is catching up and making a name for herself as well.

The United Services Automobile Association (USAA) came out with their second annual "Best Value" vehicles list, which identifies the top 2012 automobiles in 16 categories that give consumers the most bang for their buck.  The Kia Sportage was crowned "Best Value" in the small SUV category for the second consecutive year, recognized for offering a competitive price and low insurance costs as well as being one of the Small SUV Top Safety Picks for 2012 from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

"The goal of the list is to help members identify vehicles that typically offer better safety ratings, lower insurance premium costs, higher fuel economy, better overall reliability and lower MSRP compared to other vehicles in the same category," said Steve Thompson, an assistant vice president at USAA.  "The Kia Sportage rose to the top as a vehicle that offers these key elements, making it a great buy for the value-minded consumer."

In addition to the "Best Value" list, the USAA also compiled a Top Ten for Teens list. The USAA commissioned a survey of parents asking what they value most in a car for their teenage children.  The top three parental considerations are reliability (81%), safety (73%), and affordable auto insurance (62%).  Another Kia model, the Kia Forte, ranks as one of their top ten cars based on these factors.

These new titles of high value are just some of the latest positive press Kia Motors is garnering.  Kia Motors America (KMA) has seen 20 consecutive months of year-over-year sales growth, and has been saluted by NADAguides, a leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, by having three of its vehicles - Rio 5-Door SX, Forte SX and Soul + - named to the publication's "Most Versatile 2012 New Cars Under $20K" list. Kia placed more vehicles than any other automaker on the top ten list.

"Having three of our vehicles named to NADAguides' 'Most Versatile 2012 New Cars Under $20K' list validates how far our brand has come in terms of quality, packaging and features development in such a short period of time," said Orth Hedrick, director of product planning, KMA. "With the presence and eye-catching style of Rio, Forte and Soul, Kia's complete vehicle line is comprised of a wide breadth of capable offerings at very affordable price points."

Source: Kia

Time for our weekly car care tip folks - Wax to protect your car’s paint job.

No way around it! Waxing your car is work. But it’s satisfying work that will help keep your car looking new. Car wax preserves paint by slowing oxidation and forming a barrier against bird droppings, sap, and pollution. Plus driving a nice shiny car is just plain fun.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

" Awesome service! I always e-mail the service department to select the date to bring my car in and get a quick response. My car is done in the time suggested and I am given discounts with my Kia coupons or 15% with my WILD CARD. Hassle free and done on time! : )" - Star.

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2013 Kia Rio: Green Light For Fuel-Saving Stop-Start Option

The 2012 Kia Rio and 2012 Kia Soul models had been poised to be eco-tech trailblazers, as the first affordable mass-market models in the U.S. to offer stop-start, which smartly shuts down the engine when it would otherwise be needlessly idling and automatically (and quickly) restarts it.

But plans have changed, and now neither of those models will arrive with the fuel-saving Idle Stop & Go (ISG) technology before the end of the model year. It's now slotted in as a new feature for 2013 instead—arriving just a few months, potentially, before EcoBoost versions of the 2013 Ford Fusion, which will have a comparable feature. The reason for the delay is, at least in part, that Kia wanted engineers to make the engagement a little smoother for U.S. customers, who will be paying extra for it.

 

A green option that won't pay off for everyone

ISG has already been included in some Kia models for overseas markets, however here in the U.S. Kia has been a little more careful in forming a positive impression around the new technology, which will be included as part of a $400 Eco Package. In order to get that Eco Package, though, you'll also need to get a $1,150 Convenience Package that includes alloy wheels , the UVO connectivity system, a rear camera system, power-folding mirrors, a soft-touch dash, and other upgrades—bringing the total for a 2013 Kia Rio with ISG to $18,800.

Although the feature has been rapidly deployed across the luxury market and is now included in various models from Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, it hasn't yet become common in the mass market.

One of the reasons why the rollout has been so slow in affordable models is that U.S. EPA numbers don't represent the gains that some drivers will see with the system. The Rio will gain 1 mpg in the EPA cycle—to 31 mpg city, 40 highway—although those who commute mostly in dense stop-and-go traffic could possibly see improvements of ten percent or more versus Rios without the feature—meaning that there could be an eventual payoff many years down the road, especially if gas prices continue rising.

According to earlier reports—some based on feedback from drive events where the automaker allowed members of the press to drive pre-production vehicles with this system—prior versions of ISG operated with too much driveline shock (and shudder) when the engine would stop and restart.

A few months ago, Kia anticipated that the technology would still arrive in 2012 models, just later in the model year—and that it had to do in part with customer and dealer education.

Since then engineers have gone back and made some important changes to the system that, Kia Motors America spokesman James Hope told us, will provide “a smoothness in transition that we're happy with.”

 

Minor changes elsewhere for 2013 Rio

Otherwise for 2013, the Rio has just a few changes. There's a revised Kia badge on the hood, trunk lid, and steering wheel, while steering-wheel paddle-shifters have been made standard on the SX model and EX and SX 5-door models now get a cargo-floor tray and net, and their seatback release lever has been redesigned. Prices are up $200 across the board.

Stay tuned, as the 2013 Kia Rio is already at dealerships, and we hope to revisit Kia's Idle

Source: The Car Connection

Stop by and check out our huge selection of new cars! Get a great deal on this 2013 Sorento.

 

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Folks it's time for this week's Car Care tip again: Focus on Filters

There are several filters (the main ones are oil, fuel, transmission, and air) important to preserving your car engine, and they should be changed according to the schedule in your owner’s manual or as follows:

-    Change the oil filter at least at every other oil change — every change is even better because the old filter contains nearly a quart of dirty oil that will remain with the new, clean oil. If you change your oil yourself, wipe the filter threads with an anti-seize lubricant, available at auto supply stores.
-    Check the air filter every two months and replace it when dirty or as part of a tune-up. Air filters are generally easier to get to than oil filters.You find them under the big metal lid in a carbureted engine or in a rectangular box in a fuel injected engine — check your owner’s manual for the exact location. Extend the life of air filters by blowing them clean with compressed air.
-    Despite claims by makers and dealers that some newer fuel filters never need changing, it’s smart to have it done once a year. A clogged fuel filter will cause poor engine performance (hesitation and starting difficulties) and is an early warning that there may be corrosion in your gas tank.
-    Change your transmission fluid filter after the first 5,000 miles (8,000 km) of driving and every 25,000 miles (40,000 km) or two year thereafter.

With its beautiful, jaw-dropping design and long list of available features, the 2013 Kia Sorento is anything but expected.

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Kia headquarters wins lifetime achievement design award

 

Kia Motors America is finding it harder to operate under the radar these days.

This year, the company known as the other Korean carmaker, likely will sell more than 500,000 cars and crossovers in the U.S. for the first time since entering the market in 1994.

Tom Libby, analyst for R.L. Polk's North American sales forecasting group, said Kia is fielding new cars and crossovers at an impressive pace -- nine products in 30 months, to be precise.

"They just go from one product to another -- consistently and relentlessly redesigning their products," Libby said. "Frankly, I think it is driving the industry to change."

Often overshadowed by its larger corporate sibling, Hyundai, Kia expects to sell more than 100,000 of three models in the U.S. for the first time ever this year. Two of those three -- the Optima midsize sedan and Sorento crossover -- are made at its plant in West Point, Ga., about 80 miles southwest of Atlanta.

Kia, like Hyundai, has combined edgy styling and low prices with out-of-the box marketing to carve out a growing niche.

Soul started it all

Kia began to turn heads in March 2009, when it introduced the funky, angular compact Kia Soul. The Soul has succeeded where other boxy competitors like the Nissan Cube and now discontinued Honda Element have flopped.

"That's kind of the line in the sand for us when life as we knew it changed," said Tom Loveless, vice president of sales for Kia.

Kia sold 102,267 Souls in 2011 compared with 17,017 Scion xBs, 14,459 Nissan Cubes and 11,534 Honda Elements.

Fast-paced introductions

"It wasn't just a one-hit wonder," said Michael Sprague, Kia's vice president of marketing and communications.

Last year, Kia launched redesigned Optima midsize and Rio compact sedans. Through March, Rio sales are up 119%; Optima sales rose 127.5%.

"The net for our brand gets cast wider and wider," Loveless said. "Now more than ever, value has become the new cool."

To be sure, Kia benefitted in 2011 as Toyota and Honda struggled with inventory problems caused by Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

Still, Kia almost certainly will gain market share for the 18th consecutive year. Through the first quarter of 2012, its U.S. market share has increased to 4% from 3.4% a year earlier.

Hamster power

Kia has also hit its stride with marketing. The cheerful dancing hamsters in commercials for the Soul have become instantly recognizable ambassadors for the Kia brand.

This year, Kia paired Motley Crue and Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima in a Super Bowl commercial for Optima that shamelessly teased young men. The brand also has featured NBA superstar Blake Griffin in a series of TV ads.

Kia could probably use a few more male buyers. According to TrueCar.com, Kia has the third-highest percentage of female buyers in the U.S. At the Chicago Auto Show in February, Kia upstaged other automakers as it unveiled a concept car called the Track'ster while Chicago cover band Hairbangers Ball blared a version of Motley Crue's 1987 hit "Wild Side" across the convention center. The Track'ster concept is a performance coupe that promises to be even edgier than the Soul.

"What we are trying to do is position the brand as a fun brand," Sprague said. "We don't take ourselves too seriously but we have a great product."

In Hyundai's shadow

But for all of Kia's brash marketing and recent growth, the brand often flies inconspicuously compared with Hyundai, its corporate sibling.

Seoul-based Hyundai owns 34% of Kia. Globally, the two automakers sold about 6.5 million vehicles in 2011, making it the fifth-largest global automaker.

"They are always kind of in the shadow of Hyundai, just by nature of how the company is set up," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Totalcarscore.com, an online automotive evaluation site.

In the U.S., Hyundai is led by John Krafcik -- a charismatic American who is an engineer by training but has a knack of making dramatic presentations at auto shows and other industry events. When it comes to Kia, even industry insiders struggle to name CEO Byung Mo Ahn.

Ahn was named president and CEO of Kia Motors America in February 2008, but rarely speaks at industry events.

Kia's edge: Production

But this year, Kia has one very important advantage over Hyundai: enough production capacity.

In 2011, Kia invested $100 million to expand the 300,000-vehicles-per-year Georgia factory to make an additional 60,000 vehicles a year.

The Optima, Kia's top-selling vehicle, and the Sorento, its third best-selling vehicle, are both built at the Georgia plant, which opened in November, 2009. The Santa Fe midsize crossover also is produced there.

This year, Loveless said, Kia will gain a combined 100,000 cars and crossovers in additional inventory for sale in the U.S., which is Kia's largest market.

Hyundai, in contrast, has nearly maxed out production at its Montgomery, Ala., plant where it builds the Sonata midsize sedan and its Elantra compact car. "There is a certain amount of priority that will be given to this market in terms of the growth," Loveless said.

Source: Freep