Kia

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2014 Kia Sorento Review: Crossover SUV adds style, power, now bigger contender

The Kia Sorento crossover SUV has been sold for years, and continual improvements have kept it a contender. The improved 2014 Sorento shows Kia can keep this carlike vehicle very competitive. Formidable rivals include the Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Traverse, Honda Pilot, Dodge Durango and Toyota Highlander. Styling counts for a lot these days, and the 2014 Sorento looks sharper than its predecessors. It has redesigned front and rear fascias to enhance its presence with a lower, broader look up front and a visually wider rear stance. Projector style headlights peer from behind tapered clear lenses. The Sorento rolls on redesigned 17-, 18- or new 19-inch wheels. Key Takeaways Test vehicle: the $31,800 EX V-6 with all-wheel drive and the approximately

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Jaguar XJ, Kia Sedona among five cars you should never buy

A 2013 Jaguar XJ and a Kia Sedona may not seem to have much in common. And they don’t unless a potential of either car is interested in depreciation value. If that’s the case, don’t buy either. The $76,000 Jaguar and $25,000 Kia have among the worst depreciaton values over a five-year ownership. At least, that’s the opinion of IntelliChoice, the Campbell, Calif.-based research firm. In its findings, according to an article on Bankrate.com, logic often rules in the auto industry. Cars in high demand tend to have a high resale value, as do sporty cars, compact cars and the base-line model of a lineup.Large vehicles, midsize cars and minivans tend to lose their value. Here are five vehicles that

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Hyundai, Kia recalling nearly 2 million cars dating to 2007 via faulty brakes, air bags

Despite experiencing record sales and infiltrating many car-buying segments with innovation and value, Hyundai and Kia are facing major growing pains with a massive recall of nearly two million cars. The switch recall covers almost 1.7 million vehicles, most of the automakers’ model lineups from the 2007 through 2011 model years, to fix problems with air bags a brake light switches. In addition, Hyundai is recalling about 194,000 Elantra compacts from 2011 to 2013 to fix an air bag problem. A faulty switch can stop the brake lights from illuminating when drivers press on the pedal, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported its website. The cruise control also may not turn off when a driver steps on

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2014 Kia Optima Review: Style, substance, affordability

Kia Motors America debuted a vastly updated 2014 edition of its popular Optima, the fast-growing four-year-old midsize sedan, at the New York International Auto Show. Available in LX, EX, SX and SX-Limited trims, the 2014 Kia Optima arrives with updated front and rear fascias, retaining the vehicle’s dynamic and sporty proportions. The Optima’s new premium amenities and convenience options make Optima an even more competitive option in the competitive mid-size sedan segment. The 2014 Optima is expected to arrive in Kia retail showrooms in the third quarter of the year, and pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s on-sale date. Design and Interior The 2014 Optima cements the model’s status as a trailblazer of combining style and substance in

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2013 Kia Optima gets performance, cargo area, efficiency upgrades

In its short tenure, the Kia Optima Hybrid has received its share of accolades. Now it’s likely to receive more.  Kia has announced the updated 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid. It features a more performance-driven and fuel-efficient powertrain as well as more cargo space and premium features. Value continues to be a strong selling point Kia, with the Hybrid with LX starting at an MSRP of $25,900 and the fully loaded EX at an MSRP of $31,9501. For 2013, the Optima Hybrid features numerous powertrain refinements for smoothness and drivability, including a more robust 47 HP electric traction motor, a stronger Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) and a more powerful 47 kW Lithium Polymer battery.  With a combined 199 horsepower and 235

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Honda Civic, Ford Focus, Hyundai Sonata among top-10 best used cars

The automotive industry had a lot of surprises in 2012, not the least of which was a recent yearly record for used car sales. More than 40 million used cars sold last year, the highest total since 2007, according to a report on Cars.com. The used car totals by CNW Market Research detailed that for every new sold in 2012 , nearly three used cars sold. The numbers prompted Cars.com to rekindle its former annual list of the top-10 used cars available for around $10,000. The list includes cars seven years old or newer and selected with some safety and reliability criteria. The top-10 list includes some expected vehicles, like the always-reliable Honda Civic, and there are surprises like the

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Kia Optima Hybrid: A 2012 Weekly Driver Top 10

Twelve years after the Kia Optima debuted in the United Sates with little fanfare and few sales, the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and was available to the public one year later. The 2012 Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, nearly the same as the 2011 editions, use the same powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid. Beyond a different badge, different disc wheels, a slightly lowered ride and side cooling vents, the Optima and Sonata are largely the same car. Combined, the hybrid siblings sold the second most hybrid units in

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2013 Kia Rio Review: Solid driving fun, utility

The Kia Rio got sporty, nicely sculpted styling for 2012 and adds such automatic transmission shifter paddles for the top-line SX, a fuel-saving “idle stop-and-go” feature and extra storage space via a cargo floor tray for 2013. The 2013 Rio looks like it’s fun to drive, and the top-line SX model I tested is just that. Key Takeaways Test car: top-line SX hatchback with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder, direct fuel injection, 138 horsepower and a six-speed manual that Kia built in only 500 examples. $13,600 to $17,900 across the LX, EX and SX; the SX hatchback is $17,900. 29 mpg city and 36 highway with the manual and 28 and 36 with the automatic, as estimated at the time. Warranty: the

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2013 Kia Soul Review: Funky, efficient car in a box

When the Honda Element debuted in 2001 it generated immediate fans and detractors with its auto industry shocker: a box on wheels. But more than a decade later, with the influx of vehicles like the Scion xB, Nissan Cube and Kia Soul, the Element has morphed into the mainstream. The Soul, meanwhile, has assumed the front-runner’s perch in the car-in-a-box mold. The Soul debuted at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 and was unveiled in March 2009 to North America. Now in its fourth year, the Soul still gets a fair share of looks because is doesn’t look like any other car. It’s now outselling the Cube and Scion combined because while still funky it also has a lot of

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Hyundai, Kia face additional scrutiny from national consumer group

Hyundai and Kia are under further scrutiny. The nonprofit consumer group Consumer Watchdog is asking U.S. House and Senate Commerce committees to investigate false vehicle miles-per-gallon (mpg) claims against the two carmakers. The non-partisan group called the revelation about some Hyundai and Kia vehicle mpg stickers by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “the first time in American history large numbers of vehicles carried window stickers with false mpg claims.” 2012 Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Motor America and Kia Motors America currently face two U.S. civil suits seeking class-action status after the companies admitted to making bogus fuel-economy claims. Consumer Watchdog said it wrote to the EPA a year ago calling for retesting of the Hyundai Elantra after Hyundai’s self-tested mpg

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Hyundai, Kia owners seek nearly $800 million in EPA gas mileage ratings fiasco

Twenty-three owners of Hyundai and Kia models are seeking $775 million in damages in a yet-to-be official class-action suit against the manufacturers who admitted less than one week ago 13 models of their cars failed to meet their advertised fuel-economy ratings as announced by the Environmental Protection Agency. But the monstrous lawsuit is only one three claim against Kia and Hyundai for inaccurate fuel-efficiency claims, according to Reuters, the international news service. Another suit has been field in Ohio earlier this week on behalf of three plaintiffs seeking a combined $5 million. One plaintiff is the owner of a 2012 Kia Rio. The remaining plaintiffs are  Canadian couple who now own a 2013 Hyundai Elantra. And last July, the Consumer

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Hyundai, Kia busted by EPA for faulty mpg averages in 900,000 cars

Hyundai and Kia have inflated gas mileage averages in many vehicles in their respective lineups as much as six miles per gallon, according to an investigation conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The two Korean automakers will be forced to lower their mileage estimates for many models dating to 2010 models and and face millions in federal fines and the probably of collective anger among car owners. The most erroneous mpg average in the investigation in with Kia Soul. It’s advertised with an average 35 mpg in highway driving. In the EPA audit, the Soul averaged 29 mpg in highway driving. The Soul is currently one of Kia’s best-selling cars with an 18.1 percent sales increase this year. The

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2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Review: Stylish, efficient sedan improves Korean lineup

Twelve years after the Kia Optima debuted in the United States with little fanfare and few sales, the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and was available to the public one year later. The 2012 Kia Optima and the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, nearly the same as the 2011 editions, use the same powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid. Key Takeaways Test car: the Optima Hybrid, with a 2.4-liter engine, a 30kW electric motor and lithium polymer batteries driving a six-speed automatic transmission, producing 206 combined horsepower. $32,500 as tested, from a $25,700 base

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2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Review: Mixes racy style with economy, comfort

The 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid gas-electric sedan offers a good combination of comfort, practicality, style, performance and high fuel economy. The mid-size Optima Hybrid is rather large, as are many current mid-size sedans, and its racy-looking body has a roomy interior. However, the coupe-like styling results in narrow rear door openings and poor visibility through the rear window. (The optional rear camera display thus is a good idea.) The small rear “lip” spoiler is so nicely integrated into the styling that you have to look twice to notice it. But too bad the gas/electric hybrid system prevents use of dual exhausts with shiny outlet tips, always a nice touch for a racy-looking car. Key Takeaways Test car: $25,700 front-drive Optima

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2012 Kia Rio Review: New style, stellar gas mileage for handsome subcompact

The 2012 Kia Rio, now in its third generation, is a subcompact available as 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback and featuring either a 5 or 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic matched with a 138-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine. Available in three levels: the base LX trim, the midlevel EX, and top-line SX, Rios have electric power steering, air conditioning and satellite radio as standard equipment. Surprisingly, the Rio LX and Rio SX are priced lower in 2012 than the previous year’s models. The 2011 Rio lineup was not nearly the same quality, largely because of a staid exterior and interior design. Standard safety features include four-wheel ABS brakes, Hill Start Assist Control, and Electronic Stability and Vehicle Stability Control systems. Key Takeaways

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2012 Kia Rio Review: Sleek, improved mpg, efficient sedan/hatchback

The 2011 Kia Rio looked plain, but was fairly lively, economical and backed with a long warranty. You either bought it, or maybe a used car. The redone 2012 model has slicker, European-inspired styling, more power, a better automatic transmission and improved fuel economy, besides keeping Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Key Takeaways 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and a six-speed automatic, up from 110 horsepower and a four-speed in the 2011 Rio. $17,500 for the SX sedan tested; the lineup runs from $13,400 to $17,700, excluding a $750 destination charge. Premium package, $2,200: power tilt/slide sunroof, navigation system, push-button start, leather seat trim and heated front seats. 30 mpg city and 40 highway as originally estimated; the EPA restated

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