Thursday, June 28, 2012

Compact CUV Recognized for Standout Safety Features, Crash Test Scores, Handling and Overall Value

Kia_sportage

The 2012 Kia Sportage compact CUV has been named one of the "Top Cars for Teens" by well-known and highly respected travel and transportation organization Automobile Association of America (AAA). The Sportage was lauded for its dynamics, dependability, overall value, long list of standard safety features and impressive performance in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) crash safety tests, including a "no tip"1 evaluation during the tests.

"We are honored that AAA, one of the most respected authorities on travel and transportation,is recognizing the Kia Sportage as a top car for teenage drivers," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "Knowing that the Sportage, our longest-running nameplate, has been chosen not only for its attractive design that appeals to all ages, but more importantly, for its safety features, reliability and value is evidence that consumers do not have to sacrifice curb appeal for dependability."

AAA top picks are selected by AAA Auto Buying experts that test-drive and evaluate hundreds of vehicles each year.The "Top Cars for Teens" list focuses on vehicles that appease both parents and teens by combining attractive looks and performance with reliability, safety and a budget-friendly price.

About the 2012 Sportage

The 2012 Kia Sportage offers value-, image- and safety-conscious consumers a striking design and a standout combination of fun-to-drive performance, the latest in-vehicle technologies, and an abundance of comfort, convenience and safety features at a tremendous value. The sleek and modern Sportage is available with a powerful and efficient 2.0-liter, 260 horsepower Turbo GDI engine that delivers class-leading fuel economy2 of 29 mpg on the highway. Inside the cabin, the Sportage features a host of available technology features, including Kia's new UVO Powered by Microsoft® hands-free, voice-activated infotainment system. The 2012 Sportage features a starting MSRP of $18,5003.

*Courtesy of KIA Media

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

2012 KIA SOUL RANKED HIGHEST IN INITIAL QUALITY

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From breakthrough advertising to runaway sales success, the Kia Soul has made quite a splash since entering the marketplace in 2009, and today the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Initial Quality Study (IQS) ranked the popular urban passenger vehicle highest in initial quality in the compact multi-purpose vehicle segment. The study captures feedback from owners after 90 days of purchase in two distinct categories: quality of design and quality of production. Refreshed for the 2012 model year, the Kia Soul was fine-tuned with a significant number of technological, powertrain and style enhancements, and consumers have responded with sales up more than 22 percent through the first five months of the year.

"Kia Motors is dedicated to building world-class, high quality vehicles, and the Soul's recognition in the automotive industry's authoritative study on quality is the latest example of Kia's maturity and momentum in the U.S. market," said B.M. Ahn, group president and CEO, Kia Motors America (KMA) and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). "The Soul signaled the beginning of Kia's design-led transformation when it launched in 2009, and it continues to be one of our most popular vehicles, attracting new consumers to the Kia brand with its eye-catching design and outstanding record of quality, dependability and reliability and playing a vital role in Kia becoming the fastest-growing automotive brand in the U.S."

In the study, the Kia Soul was honored as the highest-ranking model in the compact multi-purpose vehicle segment, while the Kia brand made significant advancements with gains that outpaced the industry average. The annual report includes 233 vehicle models and measures attributes across eight categories, including the driving experience, engine and transmission, and a broad range of quality problem symptoms reported by vehicle owners.

About the 2012 Soul
Refreshed for the 2012 model year, the Kia Soul has been fine-tuned with a significant number of technological, powertrain and style enhancements. The 2012 Soul delivers class-leading horsepower2 and significantly improved fuel efficiency of up to 35 miles per gallon (mpg)3 on the highway. Kia Motors' hatchback remains a class-leading value4 with the lowest starting price of its competitive set at $13,900 MSRP5.

Kia's Unprecedented Growth
Kia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality6 and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking7. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – KMMG – is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. – the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America
Kia 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 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. 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.

Courtesy of Kia Media

Honda Named "Brand of the Year" in the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® Equity Study

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Honda has been recognized as the "Brand of the Year" in the "Full Line Automotive" category according to the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study. Honda received the highest numerical Equity Score among full line automotive brands included in the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study1. Harris Poll EquiTrend is an annual brand health assessment from Harris Interactive that surveys thousands of U.S. consumers online about their brand perceptions, measuring key touchstones including familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.

"This study offers strong evidence that the Honda brand continues to be well-regarded by American consumers," said Mike Accavitti, vice president of National Marketing Operations for American Honda. "The combination of strong brand equity and a fresh line-up of new models that resonate with customers will drive strong growth for us this year."

Courtesy of Honda Media Newsroom

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

2012 Kia Sorento: The value leader

Courtesy of Cnet

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The new Sorento doesn't stand out for any cutting-edge technology or unique features, unless you count the new direct-injection engine. Rather, it comes along with very usable cabin electronics at a reasonable price.

What most impressed me about it was the cohesive and attractive cabin tech interface, an area where other automakers struggle. The screens for controlling navigation, the stereo, and the phone feature a consistent look, and Kia obviously has a graphic designer or two on staff, not something all automakers can claim.

The navigation system shows traffic data on easy-to-read maps, the stereo includes all the latest audio sources, and the phone system lets you dial by name using voice command. Sure, it would be nice to have advanced features, such as app integration or Google search, built into the navigation system, but all the in-dash tech works well, doing its job without fuss.

The standard Sorento is only a five-seater, but one big option package, the same one that brings in navigation, also includes a third-row seat. The Sorento is not huge, so you will have to make a choice between two extra passengers or cargo, but maybe that is an excuse to make the in-laws take their own car.

Kia offers a 2-liter direct-injection engine as an option in this Sorento, which gives better fuel economy and more power than the base four-cylinder engine. It pulls the Sorento along quite handily, although the available V-6 would make more sense for towing boats or trailers.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Your Monday Maintenance Tip: How To Change a Tire

Tire
Sooner or later, it's bound to happen to most everyone. You're driving along with your mind on the important meeting agenda, and suddenly your car pulls to one side and you hear that dreaded flapping sound of a flat tire.

Nowadays, many drivers have roadside assistance services that will come fix your flats, but it's always smart to know how to change a flat yourself. Because it's a fairly common occurrence, car manufacturers have tried to make the tire change process one that virtually anyone can do.

Before Starting Out

It's a good idea to get your car serviced before heading out on a road trip. Part of the checkup should include a look at the tires.

Look for any unevenly worn spots, or skimpy tread. If the tires are iffy, invest in new ones. You'll need them eventually anyway, and it's better to start out on a trip with new tires than have a blow-out in the middle of nowhere.

Even if you're not heading on a trip, you should familiarize yourself with the tools you'll use in the event of a flat tire. Most cars come equipped with a simple jack and lug wrench, as well as a spare tire. Check your owner's manual if you aren't sure how to access these items.

Pull out the jack and the tire, and make sure the tire is in good shape. If your spare is flat, get it fixed.

It only takes a few minutes to make sure you have all the tools, and you'll save yourself a big headache later if you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat.

Optional Items to Pack

Besides the crucial jack, wrench, and spare tire, you might also want to consider placing these tools in your trunk to make a tire change much easier and more comfortable:

  • Flashlight (with extra batteries)
  • Gloves
  • Tarp or mat to kneel on
  • Plastic rain poncho
  • Fix-a-flat™ spray foam
  • Tire gauge
  • Tire blocks

Changing a Flat Tire

Follow these simple steps to fix the problem and be on your way in no time:

  1. Find a safe spot to pull over. If you're on the freeway, getting off is the safest bet, even if you have to drive on a blown tire. Otherwise, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible. Don't park in the middle of a curve, where approaching cars can't see you. Also choose a flat spot; jacking up your car on a hill can be a disaster. If you have a manual transmission, leave your car in gear. Be sure to set your parking brake!
  2. Turn on your hazard lights. Get the jack, wrench, and spare tire from the trunk of the car and bring them over to the tire that is flat. Use other tools or supplies if needed.
  3. Use the wrench to loosen the lug nuts. You may need to remove the hubcap. Don't remove the lug nuts at this point; simply loosen them by turning the wrench to the left (counter-clockwise). If the lug nuts are really tight, try placing the wrench on the nut and standing on the wrench arm to use your full weight on it. You can also try hitting the wrench arm with a rock.
  4. Use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. Different car models may have different places to put the jack; consult your owner's manual for specific locations. Once the jack is securely in the correct spot, jack up the car until the tire is about six inches off the ground.
  5. Remove the lug nuts and pull the tire off the car. Make sure to place the lug nuts in a pile that won't get scattered, and pull the tire straight toward yourself to remove it from the wheel base.
  6. Place the spare on the car. Line up the lug nut posts with the holes in the spare, and push the spare all the way onto the wheel base until it can't go any farther.
  7. Put on the lug nuts. Don't put them on tightly, just make sure they're on enough for the spare to stay on the car for a moment.
  8. Lower the car back to the ground. Use the jack to bring the car back down to ground level. Remove the jack from underneath the car.
  9. Make sure the lug nuts are tightened. With the car back on the ground, you can now tighten the lug nuts. Rather than tightening them one by one in order, start with one lug nut, tighten it about 50%, move to the opposite nut (across the circle) and tighten that one about the same amount. Keep tightening opposite lug nuts gradually in turn until each lug nut is as tight as it can be.
  10. Put your flat tire and tools back in your trunk. Make sure you don't leave anything on the side of the road.

Quick Fixes

Once in a while, a tire isn't completely destroyed when it goes flat. If the flat is caused by a nail or other sharp object, and you can't or don't want to change your tire on the side of the road, you may be able to give yourself a few miles of leeway by using a flat-fix type spray.

Simply follow the manufacturer's directions. In ideal situations, the spray foam will allow you to at least find a close off-ramp and pull into a service station or a rest stop before you have to change your tire.

Courtesy of DMV.org

Thank you so much for this awesome review! What a great way to start the week.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Long-term 2012 Kia Rio SX 5-door is well equipped

Courtesy of Autoweek

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The Koreans are on a roll. No longer should it surprise us when we find one of their vehicles impressive. It's the norm anymore, regardless of the metric, from performance to quality to value.

That is, we shouldn't be surprised, and yet we're still occasionally amazed by the level of sophistication these cars can deliver for the money, especially at the low end. So we sprang for a long-term test of the recently launched Kia Rio to see exactly how well one of our favorite new Korean cars would fare over the long haul.

For starters, the Rio is available in two body styles, as a sedan or a five-door hatchback, and seeing as we tend toward the hauling-more-is-always-better end of things around here, we opted for the latter and its 15.0 cubic feet of cargo space. (Folding the rear seats opens that up to a whopping 47.1 cubic feet.) Besides, the price differential between the two is negligible, at just $200. But with the hatch you get oh, so much more capability, which-given all of the softball games and camping trips and Costco runs that fill our weekends-we exploit at every opportunity.

Every Rio model draws power from the same all-aluminum 1.6-liter direct-injection four-cylinder gasoline engine with continuously variable valve timing, turning out 138 hp and 123 lb-ft of torque. It's a high-tech piece designed as much for fuel efficiency as power, returning an EPA-estimated 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway (33 mpg combined). Given our lead feet and penchant for bombing around town at nine-tenths, we're keen to find out exactly how well the Rio performs at the pump over the course of the year.

We then climbed the trim-level ladder all the way to the top, choosing the chockablock SX model on which to build our car. The SX trim gets a standard tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 17-inch wheels and tires, a sport-tuned suspension, fog lamps, LED taillights, dual exhaust tips, Bluetooth connectivity and steering-wheel audio controls. It also boasts features that we welcome but that seem almost out of place on such a small car, including power-folding outside mirrors and a rearview camera.

To that healthy list of standard content we checked just about every options box possible, adding a power sunroof, navigation, push-button keyless ignition and heated and leather-trimmed seats. The grand total for our loaded Rio comes to almost $21,000.

That sum doesn't exactly get you a race car, but the 1.6-liter does a decent job of propelling the Rio to 60 mph from a standstill in 9.3 seconds. Stopping from that speed eats up 132.1 feet. Perhaps more enjoyable is the car's midrange power; it takes only 3.6 seconds to accelerate from 30 mph to 50 mph. And while it's not the nimblest of cars, it does manage a respectable 42.1 mph through our tight little slalom course and can hold 0.79 g around our 200-foot skidpad. That should make for some moderate around-town fun.

Unfortunately, because only base LX models get the six-speed manual standard -- and our gluttony for features and options pushed us to the top-line SX -- we will have to make do with the six-speed automatic transmission. We'll see how much of that 138 hp is left after making its way through the torque converter. Hopefully we'll still be able to enjoy the actual act of driving while saddled with the slushbox.

Here's to a surprisingly good year with our newest long-termer.

Monday, June 4, 2012