Kia

Blake Griffin benched by Kia as NBA season begins (VIDEO)

As the NBA season unfolds, Blake Griffin has been benched. But the all-star forward hasn’t done anything wrong. Rather, the Los Angeles Clippers’ forward will be featured in a new series of television commercials for Kia. Griffin, who began his relationship with Kia in 2011, will appear in four new commercials under the theme of “Next Level” for Kia’s best-selling Optima midsize sedan. With his dry sense of satire, Griffin has been “benched” in the commercial in a lounge chair “zone.” Griffin finds an eternally calm while reading the newspaper, playing chess, making the ultimate peanut butter and jelly sandwich or acting as a weather forecaster in the midst of an impressive basketball performance. BLAKE GRIFFIN JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS FOR

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2016 Kia Sorento Review: Underdog SUV gains on Toyota, Hyundai

With increasing competition among sport utility vehicles, the 2016 Kia Sorento is nearly all new to keep up with the pace. It’s been re-styled inside and outside. It’s slightly bigger in most dimensions and there are lots of new high-tech options. And there’s also versatility with three different engine options. Key Takeaways SXL tested: 3.3-liter V6 with 290 horsepower and seven-passenger, three-row seating. $46,695 as tested. 17 mpg city, 23 highway and 19 combined by EPA rating. Lineup: five trims in five and seven-seat configurations; the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder makes 240 horsepower and the 3.3-liter V6 makes 290. Stereo: The stereo system is near home entertainment quality. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Available in five trims and in five and

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2015 Kia Sedona Review: Redesigned minivan a worthy choice

Kia has vastly improved its lineup in recent years, including some “out-of-the-box” additions like the Sedona, Cadenza and K900. For 2015, the Kia Sedona debuts as a third-generation minivan with a fresh approach. The Sedona is an optional three-row minivan positioned in a segment dominated for many years by the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Dodge Caravan. Key Takeaways SX-L tested: 3.3-liter V6 with 276 horsepower, a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. $39,700 MSRP and $43,295 as tested. 0-60 mph in 7.9 seconds; 17 mpg city, 22 highway and 19 combined by EPA rating for the SX-L. Five trims: L, LX, EX, SX and SX-L. Towing: up to 3,500 pounds with an optional hitch. Character: The Sedona is far from

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2015 Kia K900 Review: Luxury, value and car of the year?

The 2015 Kia K900 is the first rear-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan, and most expensive car, ever offered by the South Korean manufacturer. It debuted in 2012 in South Korea and just about everywhere else in June 2013 as the K9 and Opirus. But about 1 1/2 years into its tenure it’s just beginning to attract attention as the K900 in the U.S. market outside of auto shows and expensive television commercials. Key Takeaways 5.0-liter V8 tested: 420 horsepower, an eight-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. $59,500 MSRP and $66,400 as tested; the VIP package adds $6,000. 15 mpg city and 23 highway for the V8 tested. Rivals named: BMW 7 Series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Lexus LS, Audi A8, Cadillac XTS and Hyundai

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2014 Kia Optima hybrid Review: Sexy, economy, value

You need not look hard to find a sexy, practical sedan these days. If you want the looks of a costly Italian sedan and high fuel economy need look no farther than the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid, which has few changes for 2015. The mid-size front-drive Optima sedan has made Kia a significant player in the U.S. market. The gas-electric hybrid version has helped things along. With racy styling, high fuel economy and reasonable prices, the Optima Hybrid seems as if you can have your cake and eat it, too. Key Takeaways Hybrid powertrain: 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 47-horsepower electric motor, 199 horsepower and 235 lb-ft combined, with a six-speed automatic. $25,995 for the LX and $31,995 for the EX.

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2014 Kia Soul Review: Maturity arrives

Nearly a decade after the Honda Element debuted, the Kia Soul joined a few other brands in the car-in-a-box lineup in 2010. The niche group gained a lot of attention, good and bad, for their uniquely styled exteriors. But the 2014 Kia Soul is now maturely immersed in the auto scene. It’s no longer a novelty item, especially since gaining its first redesign. New this year is increased attention to the quality of the materials used in the interior as well as improved cargo space, now 61 cubic feet. Key Takeaways Test car: the top-line Soul! with 164 horsepower, a six-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. $20,300 MSRP and $26,195 as tested. 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds. 61 cubic feet of

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2015 Kia K900 Review: Luxury for $20,000 less than rivals

The luxury sedan market has become more crowded with the addition of the 2015 Kia K900. The new K900 is Kia’s first V-8 sedan and first rear-wheel-drive luxury car. It’s for those who want to save approximately $20,000 or so if they don’t mind not getting an upper-line German or Japanese rear-drive V-8 luxury auto. Kia didn’t dare make a mistake with its flagship K900 because the car, as the automaker says, is intended to “redefine consumer perception and expectations of the Kia brand.” Snobby neighbors may scoff at the Kia nameplate, but they can’t honestly scoff at the car. Kia, which is closely affiliated with South Korea’s Hyundai, has been selling cars in the United States for about 20

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Mercedes-Benz, Kia drop Clippers, Donald Sterling

At least six companies involved in the automotive industry, including Mercedes-Benz and Kia Motors, have removed advertising budgets from the Los Angeles Clippers and their now banned and fined owner, Donald Sterling. The exodus occurred prior to the announcement of the NBA’s decision to reprimand Sterling after the 80-year-old billionaire’s racially insensitive remarks. (Editor’s Note: The WeeklyDriver.com has decided not to print the remarks attributed to Sterling.) In addition to Kia and Mercedes-Benz, CarMax, State Farm Insurance, Red Bull and Yokohama have ended their relationships with the team. Several other major sponsors have also ended their relationships with the Clippers and its owner. Teams’ finances aren’t made public, so it is not known how much money the loss of sponsorships

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2014 Kia Cadenza Review: Joins rivals with gusto

Despite the success of the Kia Optima, the South Korean manufacturer still doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. The 2014 Kia Cadenza, a debut vehicle in 2013 as a 2014 model, should provide the carmaker with more respect as an underdog. The Kia Cadenza joins the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus as the trio of South Korean luxury cars sold in the United States. Hyundai owns Kia, and the Cadenza shares a platform with the Hyundai Azera, although the Cadenza is sportier than its cousin. Key Takeaways Test car: Cadenza Limited with a 293 horsepower V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission with sportmatic shifting. Just under $42,400 as tested, with all three option packages adding exactly $6,000. 28.2 mpg on

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2014 Kia Soul Review: Has more soul than predecessor

As Detroit automakers once said about their cars, the 2014 Kia Soul is “longer, lower and wider” than its predecessor, which arrived a few years ago as one of the first funky, boxy, compact crossover vehicles. The Soul has prospered, while its rival boxy Honda Element is gone. And the Soul far outsells the boxy Scion xB, which reportedly will be dropped. In fact, things are looking up for the new, second-generation Soul. It has a longer 101.2-inch wheelbase (up 0.8 inches), a width broadened by 0.6 inches to 70.9 inches and a reduced overall height of 63 inches, decreased by nearly half an inch. Key Takeaways Test car: the Exclaim with the 2-liter engine and automatic transmission. $14,700 to

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2014 Kia Cadenza Review: A star is born

The Kia Cadenza, known as the K7 in its native South Korea where it debuted in 2009, was unveiled in the United States in early 2013 as a 2014 model. It replaced the short-lived, unheralded Kia Amanti as the carmaker’s flagship sedan. The 2014 Kia Cadenza joins the Hyundai Genesis and Hyundai Equus as the trio of South Korean luxury cars sold in the United States. Hyundai owns Kia, and the Cadenza shares a platform with the Hyundai Azera, although the Cadenza is sportier than its cousin. Key Takeaways 3.3-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic shifting. Just under $42,000 as tested: all three option packages (Premium, Technology and White) added exactly $6,000. Standard equipment

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Kia to offer more Soul with 2014 all-electric edition

The 2014 Kia Soul will be offered early in 2014 as the South Korean manufacturer’s first all-electric vehicle in the United States. The Soul EV, which will be available in selected markets, will be powered exclusively by a battery for gas-free driving and zero emissions. Range and eMPG estimates have not been announced. “Eco-consciousness already comes standard on the all-new Soul with 85-percent of its materials able to be recycled at the end of its lifespan, and the Soul EV will further demonstrate Kia’s engineering capabilities as well as our commitment to producing vehicles with reduced environmental footprints,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director of product planning. Kia Motors was recently ranked by Interbrand as one of the “50 Best Global

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2014 Kia Forte Review: Redesigned, affordable, fuel-thrifty

The 2014 Kia Forte sedan is longer, wider, lower and sleeker than its predecessor, which makes it sound like something from a 1950s or 1960s American car advertisement. The Forte’s predecessor arrived at about the time when desirable compact car rivals hit the scene, so sales have been generally disappointing. Kia thus is presenting the third-generation front-drive Forte to compete with cars such as the Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra. The Forte fits between Kia’s subcompact Rio and the automaker’s Optima mid-size sedan. Key Takeaways Test car: the EX with a 2-liter, 173-horsepower four-cylinder and a six-speed automatic, stickering at $19,400. Base LX, $15,900: 1.8-liter, 148-horsepower four-cylinder with a six-speed manual; $17,400 with the automatic. Premium Package, $2,600: power sunroof,

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2014 Kia Forte Review: New design delivers sedan hit

Four model years after its debut in the United States, the 2014 Kia Forte represents a new look for the South Korean carmaker. Sports car sedan is an oxymoron, but the newly designed Forte’s look fits the odd definition. The 2014 edition is more aggressive-looking than its older sibling, and it’s longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, too. Key Takeaways Test car: the EX, with a four-cylinder engine producing 173 horsepower and a six-speed automatic. Options: nearly two dozen items, including 17-inch wheels, sunroof, leather upholstery, heated front and rear seats, xenon headlights and a navigation system. 24 mpg city and 35 highway and 28 combined, per the EPA. UVO: Kia’s version is free and will first be available

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2014 Kia Cadenza Review: Posh sedan debuts as flagship

The luxurious new 2014 Kia Cadenza has arrived as Kia’s most powerful and technologically advanced vehicle. The Cadenza looks slick, with broad shoulders, a contoured hood, 18-or 19-inch wheels, a wide stance and sporty looking twin oval tailpipes. But a high beltline (where the body meets the lower side windows) causes even 6-footers to feel a bit buried. The backseat area seems almost limo-sized, but rear doorways are a little too narrow. The Cadenza’s interior is posh, and the 195.5-inch-long car is loaded with features. With a $35,100 list price, this South Korean sedan follows the old Toyota philosophy of offering a feature-paced car for a reasonable price. Key Takeaways One trim, Premium: $35,100 list price, $41,100 for the ultimate

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2014 Kia Sorento Review: New look, better ride for underdog SUV

Introduced in 2002 into an increasingly crowded market, the Kia Sorento is an unheralded mid-size sport utility vehicle now in its third generation. The 2014 model has been designated with a “facelift” status. But the manufacturer lists more than 30 new additions, including increased horsepower and new interior and exterior styling. As an underdog, Kia competes for a market share by offering a lot of variety in its vehicles. For 2014, the Kia Sorento is available with 2.4-liter GDI (LX, EX) and 3.3-liter GDI V6 (optional in LX, EX; standard in SX and SX Limited). Key Takeaways Engines: 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder in the LX and EX, 3.3-liter GDI V6 optional in LX and EX and standard in the SX and

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