Kia Sorento Serenades with Boyz II Men -- Top Songs

Boyz II Men was looking for the best way to say thank you to their biggest fans and Kia Sorento had the answer.

Wallpaper Wednesday

It's Wallpaper Wednesday, fans! Nothing beats a Kia Optima Hybrid. Set this as your computer desktop and then try to look away. We dare you.

KELLEY BLUE BOOK’s KBB.COM NAMES 2013 KIA SOUL TO LIST OF COOLEST NEW CARS UNDER $18,000

 

Soul Picked Based on its Fun-to-Drive and Fun-to-Own Personality

•  The Soul stays cool with its fun design and technology
• Soul’s extensive list of standard features makes it a superb value

IRVINE, Calif., June 20, 2013 – Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the 2013 Soul, was named to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. Chosen by the site’s editors, the 2013 Soul was celebrated for its fun and bold design, high-tech offerings and roominess.

“The Soul, which paved the way for Kia’s design led transformation with its fun and funky personality, quickly established a reputation as the spunkiest car in the Kia lineup, and now KBB has recognized it as one of the coolest vehicles on the market,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Kia has always strived to provide customers with value, style and substance, and the Soul fulfills that promise with an extensive roster of standard features and unique design that has become iconic.”

The Soul placed third on Kelley Blue Book’s annual list of the coolest cars. Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com looked for new cars that were fun to own and drive. The Soul’s one-of-a-kind look and feel stood out amongst its competition.

“Born in 2010 and significantly updated in 2012, the Kia Soul has managed to keep its cool the whole time,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Like a small cargo van with bold lines and high tech, the Soul’s impressive standard equipment list includes Bluetooth^®1 phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod^®2 integration.”

About the 2013 SoulRefreshed for the 2013 model year, the Soul features technology and styling upgrades, bringing a new level of cool with enhanced power and efficiency. New for 2013 are power-folding side mirrors, darkened chrome around the signature grille, upgraded leather on the leather-wrapped steering wheel, standard Bluetooth^® wireless technology with steering wheel-mounted controls, standard steering wheel-mounted audio controls, and cruise control. The Soul also offers Idle Stop and Go (ISG) technology as part of the Eco Package, which senses when the vehicle is stopped and shuts off the engine to maximize efficiency and results in reduced engine load and less fuel consumption.

Kia’s Unprecedented GrowthKia Motors America is one of only three auto brands to increase U.S. sales in each of the past four years, and in 2012 the company surpassed the 500,000 unit mark for the first time.  With a full line of fun-to-drive cars and CUVs, Kia is advancing value to new levels of sophistication by combining European-influenced styling – under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer – with cutting-edge technologies, premium amenities, affordable pricing and the lowest cost of ownership in the industry.  Kia recently joined the exclusive ranks of Interbrand’s “Top 100 Best Global Brands,” and is poised to continue its momentum with seven all-new or significantly redesigned vehicles scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.  Over the past decade Kia Motors has invested more than $1.4 billion in the U.S., including the company’s first U.S. assembly plant in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – which is responsible for the creation of more than 11,000 plant and supplier jobs.  The success of the U.S.-built* Optima and Sorento in two of the industry’s largest segments has fueled Kia’s rapid growth and is complemented by Kia’s comprehensive lineup which includes the Cadenza flagship sedan, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Sportage compact CUV, Optima Hybrid, the Forte sedan, 5-door and Koup compacts, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and the Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors AmericaKia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 765 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA. In 2012, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and gained U.S. market share for the 18th consecutive year. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

About Kelley Blue BookFounded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Suggested Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies.  KBB.com provides consumer pricing and information on cars for sale, minivans, pickup trucks, sedan, hybrids, electric cars, and SUVs.  Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader Group.


Source: Kia Media

Modification Monday

Modification Monday is back! What do you think of this modified Kia Forte? Let us know what you would change in the comments below. Do you like it just the way it is? LIKE this post if you do!

Kia at the 2013 Vans Warped Tour - Opening Day in the Kia Soul Lounge

Kia is on tour for the sixth consecutive year as the Official Vehicle of the 2013 Vans Warped Tour. Follow us all summer long as our video blogger Tiffany Mink takes us behind the scenes.

‘Car Tip of the Week’ – Change Your Air Filter

Over the winter, your car's air filter can get clogged with salt and other thick debris. A clogged air filter can really lower your fuel efficiency. Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

But how do you know when to change your air filter? The recommended interval is every 12,000 miles (19,312 kilometers), but that can be affected by the particular road and air conditions in which you drive. If you do a lot of driving on dirt or gravel roads, then your air filter is going to clog up much faster than an air filter in a vehicle that's used strictly for highway driving. The only real way to know if you need to replace your air filter is take it out and give it a quick inspection.

Interestingly, a slightly dirty air filter works better than a totally clean one. This is because the debris in the filter becomes part of the filtering process, trapping smaller particles that might have otherwise slipped past.

There's no real science to knowing when it's time to replace the filter. If it's really filthy, then it obviously needs to be changed. Otherwise, go with your gut. If you're preparing for a long summer of hard driving, then you might as well replace it. Air filters are relatively inexpensive.

Is Kia working on a sporty convertible?

It's been a number of years since we last heard rumors about a drop-top Kia, but as the South Korean automaker continues to grow into new segments, why not stir things up again? Fan site Kia-world.net got its hands on what is claimed to be an exclusive drawing (click to enlarge) of the Kia Pro_cee'd GT Cabrio.

This rendering looks exactly like what we'd picture a topless version of the three-door hatchback to look like, but until there's any official information, we'll keep this filed under "we'll believe it when we see it." The idea of a Kia convertible sounds good to us, especially if it looks like this, but we're still waiting for the sporty model that lead designer Peter Schreyer said could happen "sooner or later" back in 2010. 



Source: Auto Blog

Happy Monday!!!

Hello fans! We hope everyone had an amazing weekend. Tomorrow is “Go Fishing Day”. How many of you will be out trying to catch the big one!?

‘Car Tip of the Week’ – Replace Your Windshield Wipers

The summertime is notorious for sudden, violent thunderstorms. When buckets of water are beating against your windshield, you need wipers that really work. Even more so at night, when a rain storm can decrease visibility to 15 or 20 feet in front of your vehicle.

Winter can be tough on windshield wipers. Ice, snow, salt and extreme temperatures make cracks and tears in the rubber that lower the effectiveness of the wipers. If your wipers are leaving visible streaks or take several passes to clear away light rain, they need to be replaced.

When replacing a wiper blade, it's better to replace the whole blade, not just the rubber part. Go to an auto parts store and they'll be able to give you the right blades for your make, model and year. If you've never replaced wiper blades before, it can be a little tricky. Just take your time, read the instructions carefully and everything should work out. It's also a good idea to observe the way your original wiper blades were attached. This may prove more valuable than anything printed on the new wiper blade box.

2014 Kia Cadenza

The same recent global economic crises that have led luxury automakers to invade the small car market are also somewhat responsible for the influx of near-luxury sedans from mainstream automakers. As the likes of Mercedes-Benz and Audi are reaching down for new customers, automakers like Hyundai, Chevrolet and Toyota are reaching up to bridge the gap and fill in the white space between the industry's typical high-volume large sedans and established luxury sedans. Joining this emerging market, the 2014 Kia Cadenza is the latest sedan to blur the line between value and luxury. One of Kia's core focuses has been offering value to customers, and even with a starting price of $35,100, the Cadenza still represents plenty of that kind of thinking.

Despite what might first come to mind, the Cadenza is not named after a piece of furniture. Instead, Kia notes the name for its new front-wheel-drive flagship comes from the Italian musical term that translates as 'cadence'. The name thus fits in nicely with the brand's other musically inspired model name, Forte. Much like the Hyundai Genesis, the Cadenza will serve as a test of sorts to see how much customers are willing to pay for a Kia, and despite recent reports indicating that Kia has confirmed the Quoris for next year, the reality is that the availability of the bigger rear-wheel-drive flagship will be determined in part by how well the Cadenza strikes a chord with buyers.

This isn't Kia's first crack at mid-level luxury. That distinction goes to the bug-eyed, Amanti, which was killed off in 2009. The same basic recipe is still in place – V6 power, roomy interior and a lengthy list of standard features, yet this car seems altogether better outfitted to appeal to modern consumers than the baroque Amanti. We headed out to the great weather and even better roads near San Diego to test the 2014 Kia Cadenza to see for ourselves if it has the inner harmony and cadence to keep step with full-size luxury sedans or if it's just here to make a bunch of noise.  

Like all current Kia models, the Cadenza was designed by Peter Schreyer – also known as the father of the Audi TT. From where we sit, the Cadenza is flashy enough to stand on its own among luxury sedans while still being recognizable as a Kia. Perhaps one of the more impressive elements of the Cadenza's design is that it looks nothing like its sister car, the Hyundai Azera, while also managing to create enough distinction from other Kia models that customers shouldn't have a hard time cross-shopping brands like Lincoln, Acura and Lexus.

Sure, the Cadenza's look has a lot of BMW 5 Series influence stretching from its blunt, squared-off nose to its pronounced rear decklid, but this is no knock-off. The strong face is anchored by Kia's signature Tiger Nose grille and aggressively shaped headlights, while the rear gets wide LED taillights and Audi-esque oval exhaust outlets. The Cadenza's best attribute might just be its profile. While many competitors are going with lower, sleeker rooflines, the Cadenza has a tall roof to go with its wide haunches and attractive body creases. Speaking of, the best line on the Cadenza is its front door crease – it starts off with a sharp rise that seems to parallel the A-pillar, adding to the design's depth and detail. Tasteful amounts of chrome accents finish off the exterior while 19-inch, multi-spoke wheels hint at the car's European sport sedan aspirations.

Kia knew that if it was seriously going to take on the luxury sedan market, it would need an interior that looked and felt the part. From a styling perspective, this is where the Cadenza shares the most with its showroom counterparts, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The same styling that makes the Forte and Optima look upmarket in their segments is even more pronounced and works well inside this big sedan. Sprucing up the Cadenza's interior, just about all surfaces are covered in soft-touch material, convincing wood trim or soft leather, and Kia even focused on minor details when creating its lavish cabin, right down to the Cadenza's key fob, which uses a piano black case with what appears to be brushed aluminum buttons. The one big disappointment we noted about its interior was that the buttons on the instrument panel and center stack look and feel identical to pretty much every Hyundai and Kia product currently available.

Comfort is another strong point, regardless of which seat your butt is parked in. The driver gets a 10-way power adjustable seat (including adjustable thigh support) with heating and ventilation, while rear occupants get heated outboard seats and 36.8 inches of legroom. That's a few inches short of competitors like the Chevrolet Impala and Toyota Avalon, felt like it ought to be enough to accommodate all but the tallest of passengers. Also down slightly from its rivals are rear headroom at 37.3 inches and cargo space. The trunk is far from undersized at 15.9 cubic feet, but no, you cannot fit a credenza in the Cadenza.

All Cadenza models will get navigation and leather, but the only models available for us to test were fully loaded with the Luxury and Technology packages. While we weren't able to see what the Cadenza offered in base form, we can say that fully loaded Cadenzas boast equal shares of comfort and high-tech goodies, and our tester increased the luxury quotient even more with the no-cost-option White Package that consists of white perforated Nappa leather seats, dark wood accents and a suede-like material used on the pillar trim and headliner. As-tested, this Cadenza comes in at $41,900, which is about $2,000 more than a loaded Impala, but $8,000 less than a comparably equipped Volvo S80. As an added value bonus, Kia is offering the Cadenza with a three-year, 37,500-mile complimentary maintenance program.

There are plenty of highlights for tech lovers as well, including the standard navigation system with excellent graphics and voice commands as well as the complimentary UVO eServices that offers automatic 911 dialing, Google Maps send-to-car and a function to help you remember where you parked. Optional tech features include Kia's first-ever adaptive cruise control that comes with the Technology Package and the Thin Film Transistor display that is part of the Luxury Package. Unfortunately, while Jaguar, Cadillac and even Dodge use large reconfigurable LCD gauge cluster displays, the Cadenza has what is essentially just a virtual speedometer with a smaller, configurable center display – not unlike the 4.2-inch displays found on many modern cars. While the rest of the interior seems well thought out and executed, this gauge cluster is a case of using technology just for the sake thereof.

Like the Azera, the 2014 Cadenza is powered by a direct-injected 3.3-liter V6 producing 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque ­– enough to make the Cadenza Kia's most powerful model ever. The sole transmission is a six-speed automatic, which also offers manual shifts using either the shift lever or steering-wheel-mounted paddles. While nice to have, we found that manual shift mode isn't often required thanks to plenty of power from the engine and shift points that don't seem geared toward max fuel economy at all costs. The Cadenza still gets average fuel economy for the segment with EPA ratings of 19 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway, and it runs on regular-grade gas.

With almost 300 horses at its disposal, the 2014 Cadenza does a great job of motivating its 3,792-pound curb weight, but more than its power, the best thing about driving the Cadenza is its refinement. On just about any road surface, the Cadenza's cabin is extremely quiet, allowing for easy conversations with rear-seat occupants even at highway speeds. Kia says its new flagship has a sport-tuned suspension, and we found the overall ride quality landed somewhere between a cushy luxo sedan and a firmer European sport sedan. The compromise makes for a perfect long-distance driving car; during this first drive, we put about 200 miles on the odometer. Our drive route consisted mainly of tight and twisty roads, which are usually better suited for testing sportier cars than the Cadenza, but at least it packed a lot of steering and brake inputs into a relatively short trip. The Cadenza's electric power steering outperforms many of its rivals in terms of feedback and overall lack of numbness, while the brakes are strong and responsive. Again, this isn't a sports sedan, but we're happy to report that it didn't feel out of place along some of the best roads Southern California has to offer.

Another benefit of driving the twisties was the opportunity to put features like the adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning systems to the test. Lane departure uses a camera mounted near the rearview mirror, and it releases a rather annoying audible tone when you get close to (even if you don't actually cross) road lines. Kia's adaptive cruise control is one of the smoothest systems we've tested – especially in stop-and-go traffic – and it uses a radar built into the lower air intake of the front fascia. While some adaptive cruise control systems can lose the car they're following during turns, the Cadenza was never beset by this problem, even when facing sharp corners.

The Cadenza's list of obvious competitors include the Avalon, Impala, Ford Taurus and Buick LaCrosse, but if buyers can get past the badge, the Cadenza has the potential to steal customers away from Lexus, Acura and Volvo, and maybe even higher up the ladder to Mercedes-Benz. While it's hard to think of a $42,000 Kia as being a value, the equipment stuffed into a fully loaded Cadenza should make the car hard to overlook for anyone desiring a smooth, comfortable and luxurious sedan.

During the launch presentation, Kia representatives kept commenting about how the Cadenza should be a surprising car, playing on its "Power to Surprise" tagline. After looking at Kia's current portfolio and spending a day with the Cadenza, it might want to consider changing its slogan to "Power to Frighten"... rival automakers. Of course, at this point, anyone who is surprised by Kia just isn't paying attention.  



Source: Auto Blog

This Day in History

On this day in 2007, the last episode of ‘The Sopranos’ airs on HBO. What is one show that is no longer on TV, that you wish would come back?

What's Your Forte with Kia Forte and Nicky Romero

Nicky Romero is partnering with Kia Forte to give his fans the ultimate music collaboration!

Kia Cadenza "Impossible to Ignore"

You know that girl you didn't notice in high school? Well, she's back, and now she's sexy and sophisticated. A lot like the all-new 2014 Kia Cadenza. Watch what happens when this woman drives through the streets of New York and returns to her high school reunion. Let's just say that, like the Kia Cadenza, she's impossible to ignore.

It's Mod Monday!

It's Mod Monday, fans! Some modifications are rather extreme - like this Kia Rio paint job! What's the craziest mod you've ever seen on a vehicle?