3 Kia's for Under $200 only at Gary Rome Kia of Enfield

Kia Turns the Soul into a YouTube Player on Wheels

To mark its involvement as official sponsor of the inaugural YouTube Music Awards (#YTMA) global event, Kia Motors has transformed a 2014 Soul into a mobile video recording booth and multi-screen YouTube player.

The car was designed and customized by Lux Motorwerks under the direction of Harris Publications and RIDES Magazine and features a “YouTube” paint scheme combining matte white and red, including red accents and logos of the popular video sharing website.

Key customization elements include a wireless keyboard embedded in the rear center armrest, a webcam for high-definition video recording, 10 WiFi-enabled iPad Minis in the rear cargo area and a Mac Mini with high-speed WiFi Hot Spot for instant uploads and streaming.

The funky Kia also features big alloy wheels painted red shod with sport tyres with a very thin profile.

The inaugural YouTube Music Awards (#YTMA) is a global event culminating in a live show on New York City’s Pier 36 on Sunday, November 3, where people worldwide will have access to concerts staged around the world. The show will be broadcast live on the website starting from 6 pm Eastern Time.

By Dan Mihalascu

Gary Rome Auto Group Partners With Premier Motoring Concepts

Holyoke, MA, October 8, 2013 - - Gary Rome Auto Group has embarked on a lucrative partnership with Premier Motoring Concepts (PMC). The deal allows the auto dealer group to feature PMC products on its accessory store websites while simultaneously providing 120 more product choices for customers.

Premier Motoring Concepts is a Hyundai and Kia accessories distributor which sources Hyundai and Kia parts and accessories from South Korea and make them available in the United States. Featured products are not sold through Hyundai Motor America or Kia Motor America. PMC’s customer base includes the five largest-volume Hyundai dealers in the U.S., as well as dealers that sell fewer than 50 units a month. The company prides itself on its excellent reputation for outstanding customer service and impeccable attention to detail.

“We are very excited to be offering more product categories for customers to choose from in our Hyundai and Kia Accessory Stores” says Gary Rome, President of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke, MA and Kia in Enfield, CT. “This partnership is possible because we always listen to our customers and find ways to solve their problems. Our relationship with PMC will help us supply products which are otherwise unavailable in the United States.

This press release has been distributed by Gary Rome Auto Group. Gary Rome Hyundai, based in Holyoke Massachusetts, and Gary Rome Kia, based in Enfield Connecticut provide Hyundai and Kia sales and service to all of Massachusetts and Connecticut. When you visit our car dealerships, expect the superior customer service that you deserve. With years of experience and training, the Gary Rome Kia and Hyundai teams are your Connecticut and Massachusetts Hyundai and Kia dealer, and will get you into the car that was built for you. Get the new or used car that you have been dreaming of by calling or visiting Gary Rome Kia of Enfield and Gary Rome Hyundai of Holyoke today. For more information, go to http:// www.garyromekia.com/ or http://www.garyromehyundai.com/.

Kia unveils Niro concept car

Contributor:
Fuseworks Media

Tuesday, 10 September, 2013 - 19:00

The Kia Niro, a concept car unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, showcases a dramatic crossover design featuring spectacular ‘butterfly’ doors and what the company describes as an "almost counter-4x4 image".

Conceived at Kia Motors’ Frankfurt design studio, just down the road from where the show was being staged, under the director of Chief Designer Europe, Gregory Guillaume, the Niro concept has been created as a styling study to gauge public response for a potential future production model. Its relatively compact dimensions are crafted onto an all-new platform that will form the basis of future B-segment products from Kia - the platform on which the current Rio is built.

It is clearly making a tilt at the crossover market, but in a different way, according to Guillaume: "Ten years ago people wanted understated style in the SUV market, but increasingly as more people migrate to the B-segment they are looking for strong character and individuality."

The most eye-catching element in the Kia Niro design are the dihedral ‘butterfly’ doors that open into the roof panel and swing up high, with low-set flush handles.

Another unique feature is the innovative 4x4 powertrain utilizing Kia’s turbocharged 1.6-litre ‘Gamma’ engine, developing 160hp through a 7-speed, dual-clutch transmission. While the engine drives the front wheels, an electric-hybrid system, powered from regenerative braking, delivers up to 45hp to the rear wheels when road conditions require extra grip.

"It’s a very exciting vehicle - packed with styling cues that mark it out as another great Kia design, I’d love to see it go into production," says Todd McDonald, General Manager of Kia Motors New Zealand.

Guillaume suggests that Niro could be close to on-road reality - if the public wants it!

"As designers we have to look at what the future could hold, not just what is probable, and we believe drivers want excitement and new solutions from their vehicles," he says.

"It is clear that the B-segment is growing as motorists seek to downsize but it is equally clear that they refuse to give up individuality and distinctiveness - so Niro explores one avenue to satisfy that desire.

"We would love nothing more than to see all of our concept designs on the streets tomorrow. As Kia looks to add to its range of small cars you have to look at where the market opportunities exist and how we can exploit them. Perhaps Niro answers that challenge."

Created with European tastes and expectations very much in mind, the Kia Niro blends a mix of contrasting materials - including stainless steel - into compact, purposeful dimensions. Muscular fenders rise up from the trademark ‘tiger nose’ grille, etched in Limelight green aluminum and flanked by triangular LED headlamps, while below the grille are two large, square LED driving lamps underscored by a carbon fiber chin with lime accents. Carbon fibre and lime highlights also feature on the lower rear section of the Niro, where the styling resembles that of the Kia Sportage.

Even the 225/40R20 tyres, mounted on milled aluminium 20-inch five-spoke wheels, carry the Limelight styling accent with a stripe etched into the tread.

The Niro’s high beltline is contrasted by a stainless steel roof and then bisected by those extraordinary ‘butterfly’ doors that lift up and out of the way to facilitate easier entry and exit. The shiny steel-on-black theme continues into the 2+2 cabin, where the pair of bucket seats are joined by a common cushion that wraps over the centre console. Other interesting interior features include the rotary auto gearshift that is incorporated into one of the support braces emerging from the centre console. Limelight accents highlight the HVAC vents, shift paddles, instrument cluster and the slimline, pop-up infotainment/navigation screen. Mounted directly onto the side windows are milled "Plexiglas" door mirrors with in-built downward-facing cameras that complement the rear-facing camera built into the tailgate.

Currently Kia Motors has not made final decisions on forthcoming B-segment products and there are no plans for Niro to go into commercial production in the immediate future - but the Niro’s appearance at Frankfurt is being used to gauge public opinion and possible demand.

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Own The Justice League-inspired Kia Sorento

Did you know, for the past 10 months, Kia Motors America has joined forces with comic-book publisher DC Entertainment to create a fleet of custom Justice League Super Hero-inspired vehicles that have been unveiled at auto shows and comic book conventions around the country. These fantastical Kias – Superman Optima Hybrid, Batman Optima SXL, Aquaman Rio5, The Flash Forte Koup, Wonder Woman Sportage, Green Lantern Soul and Cyborg Forte5 -- have captured the imagination of fans everywhere while raising awareness for Kia and our support of “We Can Be Heroes,” DC Entertainment’s giving campaign to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

As a finale to this enormously successful program, the eighth and final vehicle, a Justice League-inspired Kia Sorento, was unveiled to the press at San Diego Comic Con on Wednesday. This highly collectible and fully-drivable Kia features custom artwork by legendary comic book artist, Jim Lee, and will be auctioned online with all proceeds going to the “We Can Be Heroes” charity.

This vehicle will be featured on the site www.ebay.com/wecanbeheroes. It will be going live at 2:30 pm PST on 7/17 and end at 2:30 pm PST on 7/27.

One millionth Kia rolls off Georgia assembly line

The one millionth Kia produced at the South Korean automaker’s plant in West Point rolled off the assembly line last week, the company said.

The vehicle was a snow white pearl 2014 Sorento SXL, Kia said. The company began operations at the plant in November 2009 after investing $1 billion to produce the Sorento CUV. The plant, called Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, was expanded last year with an additional $100 million investment, and it added the Optima sedan to production.
The Troup County plant, about 45 minutes southwest of Atlanta, has a capacity for manufacturing 360,000 vehicles each year.

Kia said its first North American plant employs more than 3,000 but is responsible for creating more than 11,000 jobs in the area when related jobs such as suppliers are taken into consideration.

Despite the milestone, the company said the one millionth vehicle will end up on a lot like others before it at one of Kia’s more than 765 dealerships nationwide

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LUCKY ENFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT Won A NEW CAR FROM GARY ROME KIA

une 13, 2013, ENFIELD, Conn. – There were five keys, only one would be a perfect fit. On Wednesday the 12th, at 11:00am,Gary Rome KIA held a drawing to determine the winner of an all new 2013 Kia Soul from the five eligible students from Enfield High School in Enfield, CT. All of the Enfield High Schoolsenior class along with the five lucky students came to the Enfield Fire Department at 199 Weymouth Street, Enfield, CT 06082, to enjoy the senior class picnic and watch as one lucky senior drove home the prize.

The five finalists were: Brandon Andexler, Ryan Zetterholm, Conor Sutphin, Nicholas DiProto, and Rebecca Labbe.

Congratulations to Nicholas DiProto on winning your new 2013 Kia Soul!

Each qualified student chose a key from a basket hoping that theirs would be the only one that started the car. Gary Rome, CEO of Gary Rome KIA of Enfield, is delighted that he can give this car to such a worthy young student. "All of these students worked hard in and out of school and deserve to be commended for their efforts. I hope that whoever wins enjoys this new 2013 Kia Soul for years to come."

To qualify for the opportunity to win the new 2013 Kia Soul, students had to show a dedication not only to their studies, but to outside interests and to their communities. Each potential winner had a grade point average of at least "B", and had shown exemplary behavior and attendance at school. Outside the classroom, each student was involved in at least two extracurricular activities and devoted at least forty (40) hours to community service.

Gary Rome KIA of Enfield serves all of Western Massachusetts and Northern Connecticut with new and used Kia cars. The staff at Gary Rome KIA of Enfield is ready to help you purchase a new Kia or used car in Enfield. When you visit our car dealership, expect the superior customer service that you deserve. With years of experience and training, the Gary Rome KIA of Enfield team is your Connecticut Kia dealer, and will help get you into the Kia that was built for you. Drive the new or used car by Kia in Enfieldthat you have been dreaming of by calling or visiting Gary Rome KIA of Enfield today. Check out our website at http://www.garyromekia.com.

Gary Rome KIA of Enfield

809 Enfield Street

Enfield, CT 06082

1-866-688-4279

Kia Sneaking Up On Entry-Level Luxury Rivals

Korean automaker Kia is looking to attract more entry-level luxury sedan customers with its new high-tech featured Cadenza model. Forecasting annual sales of 12,000 units, Kia is aiming at the likes of Lincoln MKZ, Acura TL and Lexus ES on the US market.

Speaking to Automotive News, the company’s executive vice president of marketing, Michael Sprague, said Kia is also going for after drivers who are buying range-topping Ford Taurus and Chrysler 300 models.

“We standardized leather, we standardized navigation because we’re going after people who are buying the high-end Tauruses, the high-end Avalons the high-end Chrysler 300s, the Acura TLs, the Lexus ES and the Lincoln MKZ. That’s where we see the opportunity,” Sprague revealed.

Priced from $35,100 plus $800 destination fee, the 2014 Kia Cadenza will hit the US market with three different trim levels. Each version will be powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox for 293 hp.

In addition, the 2014 Cadenza will be offered with a free maintenance program that includes five factory-scheduled appointments valid for three years. The program will be available for customers who will fully or lease purchase the full-size sedan.

Story via AutomotiveNews

Road Test: 2014 Kia Cadenza

SAN DIEGO, CA (KDKA) – The folks at Kia — who have, by the way, been doing nothing but a bang up job at rolling out vehicles that give you bang for the buck — say that after the top of the line Optima sedan, their customers who want more have nowhere to go but another brand. That’s why the Cadenza was born.

A little bigger and much more upscale, the Cadenza is Kia’s first attempt at keeping that customer who wants to move up from moving out of a Kia store and into somebody else’s entry level luxury sedan. So the first question is, how did they do?

After spending a day rolling around the hills outside of San Diego, the short verdict is not bad. The Cadenza is a sharp looking car with the distinctive front grille and lamp treatment made a bit more distinctive. A sharp profile with well-placed lines and an athletic looking stance give way to a fairly Audi-esque looking rear complete with oval dual exhaust ports.

High marks on fit and finish inside

Inside, the Cadenza gets high marks on fit and finish as well as materials. A 10-way power driver’s seat with heating and cooling and six-way passenger seat with just heating come with the car. The rear seats are also heated. Legroom is more than ample, especially in the rear when they put that extra two inches they stretched the platform.

The dash is well laid out, logical, and Kia’s UVO e-services system is among the best in the business. It takes connecting you to the car to a new level. It also comes with a 10-year free subscription and smartphone app. The fully loaded Cadenza I spent the day in also included a spectacular Infinity sound system and panoramic sunroof.

Under the hood and the drive feel

Under the hood the Cadenzagets Kia’s 3.3-liter 6-cylinder that cranks out 293 horses. Married up to Kia’s 6-speed automatic, it moved the sedan through the hills quite briskly. Paddle shifters are included with every model and give you a bit more of the sports sedan feel. Jumping onto the freeway is done without laboring the engine and passing on a two-lane road when safe is done with confidence that the engine has more to give if you need it.

The ride is generally solid and confident due to a great set of suspension components, although hitting a number of potholes can be a bit jarring. Steering is light, with minimal road feel, but the Cadenza never felt hinky on curves. Braking was solid and confident.

Pricing and gas costs

One of the great things about the Cadenza is that as I said you get bang for your buck, especially when it comes to safety. Distronic cruise control, blind spot warning, lane departure control and a number of other safety systems usually found in cars costing more are in the Cadenza.

Kia starts the Cadenza at $35,100 pretty well loaded. Add technology and luxury packages and you get to $41,100-plus destination. It is without a doubt a lot of car for the money. Fuel mileage figures: 19 city, 28 highway. In my day in the Kia with combined freeway and rural driving, we averaged 22 mpg. The Cadenza uses regular unleaded gas.

An overall impressive drive

The Cadenza is an impressive effort by Kia. In eight hours or so of driving it, I came away with almost the same thought I had when I drove its cousin the Hyundai Azera: a solid effort to create a better than you would expect car. It’s one that should keep the Kia buyer that wants more, in a Kia showroom. How will it do against the Maximas, Avalons, Taurus’ and Impalas of the automotive jungle? Ah…that my friends is the $41,100 question!

Get more reviews, news about cars and the people who drive them, interviews and tips on how to get more out of your driving experience all on Drivetime with Vinnie Richichi and Rob Pratte Saturday mornings 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. on NewsRadio 1020 KDKA. Also listen to Vinnie on The Vinnie and Cook Show Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sportsradio 93-7 The Fan.
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Bored With Accord?

By: Rory Carroll on 3/13/2013

SENIOR ONLINE EDITOR RORY CARROLL After a weekend of freeway driving in the mighty Subaru BRZ long-termer, I was ready to make my commute in something really comfortable. It's not that the BRZ is uncomfortable, but it isn't a long-distance highway cruiser.

I was a little disappointed to find that I'd been assigned to the 2013 Kia Optima SXL. I hadn't driven one, but I assumed that comfort was out of the question. I should have known better.

The Kia Optima is among the very best in its class. It's better than the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Volkswagen Passat. It's reasonably quick, totally comfortable and it's even a bit of a looker.

Let's start there. While VW seems to be following Toyota and Honda deep into the land of the bland, Kia and parent Hyundai have brought sharp, innovative design to the masses. The Optima's bodywork is unique but conservative. If you're thinking that it looks OK in pictures, but it will look cheap in person, you're wrong.

Now, of course our Optima is a press-fleet special, meaning that few option-sheet boxes were left unchecked. But even at $35,275, the interior is very well designed and even better executed. It exudes quality like a high-spec Volkswagen without the Teutonic minimalism. Fit and finish is world-class and the majority of the materials would not be out of place in a car costing far more.

I didn't have the opportunity to wring the Kia out much, but here's what I can tell you about its performance: The 2.0-liter turbo engine is quiet, refined and at 274 hp, it's more than capable of getting up and sprinting. The brakes were more than adequate and the steering feel was incredibly pleasing. I commuted in the Optima and our long-term Passat TDI back-to-back, and in places where the Passat bounced and wallowed, the Optima was smooth and planted. Incredible.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Overall, I'm impressed with this car. The sticker price makes me “lol” as the kids say, but it's a solid entry in the ultra-competitive midsize wars, and arguably the best looking one of the bunch.

I like 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder. I think it strikes the right balance between performance and economy. For many cars, a 2.0-liter turbo is just right. This is one of them. This is a nice powertrain with good power, little to no lag and is smooth enough. The handling is tight and the steering responsive -- entertaining for the most part. The Optima corners well with some understeer of course.

I'm impressed with the interior -- really impressed. Build quality is way better than I thought it would be with soft-touch materials and nice assembly. Seats are good, though one thing that drove me batty was that the easy-exit front seat was turned on, and I couldn't figure out how to turn it off. And I did look in the owner's manual and everything. A small gripe, but there you go.

All that said I would not pay $35k for this Kia, or any Kia for that matter. When I think about our long-term Passat TDI being $5k less, that cements it. Whether or not they still deserve the reputation, to me Kia still means cheap wheels, and this ain't that. If this car is any indication, Kia has no doubt moved up its game, and eventually I'll probably have to adjust my attitude accordingly. I'll work on that.

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The Optima might be the best-looking car in this class, right up there with the new Ford Fusion, in my opinion. The Kia stands out, attracts positive attention and has a bit of attitude. The styling conveys a presence, and these blinged-out wheels punctuate it all nicely, fronted by an imposing, dark signature “Tiger” grille.

I was impressed with the drive quality. The turbo is powerful; put your foot to the floor and this thing has some getup. It's a smart engine for a machine this size. Pop in a few a shifts via the paddles, and it's a pretty sporty experience. The steering is light on-center, though there's more feel during turn-in. It has the same dynamic as our former long-term Hyundai Sonata (no surprise, they're platform mates), which some of our staff found to be a bit artificial. The Optima does feel that way at times, but most enthusiasts will like the weight of the steering. The chassis is comfortable yet not overly soft. It remains sporty at times, and can handle expressway curves and turns with appropriate guile.

The cabin is sharp, and this execution in black and light gray presents well. The only nits I found were the annoying location of the switch for the seat heaters/coolers. Placed diagonally behind the PRNDL, it was hard to find and remember while at speed.

The real question is: Do you want to drop this much cash for a Kia? I'd argue everything is here that makes it worthwhile, from the looks, to the performance to the options. It just comes down to brand image. Do you want to drive a Kia? What does that mean to you?

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: I know the price of this 2013 Kia Optima SXL is alarming at $35,275. That's a lot of coin for a car in this segment. Then there is the reputation that the Korean automaker is still carrying in a lot of consumers' eyes as a budget brand. Altering people's perceptions is going to take good product and a lot of time. With the Optima, the Rio, Sportage and Sorento, I would argue that the Kia does indeed have good product. Now they need to just wait and let the masses eventually learn about the drastically improved product.

Personally, I really like the Optima and have actually recommended it a few people over the past couple of years. As others have mentioned, it's a handsome looking midsize sedan. The lines are simple yet expressive enough for my tastes and the tiger grille up front still looks really good. However, I don't like the chrome wheels or the red-painted front brake calipers.

The interior is a far cry from the uninspired and cheap cabins of the past. The layout is intuitive with large buttons on the center stack, and the curvature of the dash gives it some personality. In some ways, the design reminds me of Saab, which may or may not be a good thing. Materials are very nice and soft-touch all over, including tricot fabric for the headliner.

We're familiar with the guts of this car since we had a long-term Hyundai Sonata 2.0T a couple of years back. It's potent with 274-hp and six-speed automatic cracks off shifts reasonably quick to make merging on the expressway or passing a snap.

The SX's stiffer suspension does come at the expense of how well it damps out bumps, but there is still some give tuned in. As Greg notes, the electric power steering is numb on center to tighten up well with more angle tuned in and possess decent weight, too. Corners can be taken with a decent amount of aggression with the Optima feeling well planted with not much body roll.

In my list of the most entertaining midsize sedans to drive on the market, the Optima is near the top behind the new Mazda 6, but ahead of the new Honda Accord, which many people often write off as a dull driving car when it's surprisingly nimble. If you want dull in this class, look no further than the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima.

If it's a beauty contest, the 6 and the Optima would again be the top two. Which one do I like better? I'm going to have to think about that one.

Getting back to this fully loaded $35,275 Optima SXL. Most driving off dealer lots I would guess aren't going to be optioned out like this. Kia says that there were customers who asked for a more premium model and they responded with this Limited package. There are a lot of options and the interior is flat out nice with the napa leather-trimmed seats and tasteful wood trim. But even with all that, the as-tested price still seems a little steep. Maybe like Raynal, I still need to adjust my attitude towards Kia some.

·2013 Kia Optima SXL

·Base Price: $27,575

·As-Tested Price: $35,275

·Drivetrain: 2.0-liter turbocharged I4; FWD, six-speed automatic

·Output: 274 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 269 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm

·Curb Weight: 3,385 lb

·Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 22/34/26 mpg

·AW Observed Fuel Economy: 29.3 mpg

Options: SX limited package includes LED daytime running lights, 18-inch chrome wheels, red brake calipers, chrome accent lower door side sills, nappa leather seat and interior trim, black cloth headliner and pillar trim, electronic parking brake, unique interior accents, chrome accent rear spoiler, first aid kit ($3,350); SX premium touring package with panoramic sunroof, power folding outside mirrors, Infinity audio system, UVO powered by Microsoft, HD radio technology, rear camera display, power front passenger's seat, driver's seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, heated outboard rear seats, 18-inch luxury design alloy wheels ($2,950); EX/SX technology package includes navigation system with SIRIUS traffic (replaces UVO system and HD radio technology) ($1,400)

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Gary Rome Needs Your Help to Donate to The One Fund

This is Gary Rome and I'm here to talk to you about something much more important than cars. I want to talk to you about our friends and families that were impacted by the tragic events at the marathon. My family at Gary Rome Auto Group came to me and asked me what can we do? We decided to support the Boston One Fund. For every test drive we'll donate $10and $100 for every car purchased. And because we know how important time with our family is, I'm going to give you a $10 gift certificate to Squires Bistro on Main Street in Agawam.

GO TO VIDEO

Please come to Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke or Gary Rome Kia in Enfield and take a test drive and I'll donate $10 to The One Fund and I'll give you a $10 gift certificate to Squires Bistro in Agawam and when you decide to buy from me, I'll then donate $100 to The One Fund. Gary Rome Auto Group, helping those that help us. It doesn't cost any of us extra to be nice!

You can also donate directly to The One Fund: OneFundBoston.org

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2014 Kia Forte delivers for families

AUTO REVIEW

Kia’s redesigned 2014 Forte sedan looks more aggressive; it has Kia’s distinctive black-mesh “tiger-nose” grille and is framed in chrome. (CARANDDRIVER.COM)

By Peter Couture and Lyra Solochek Tampa Bay Times

Sometimes we get as excited over a modestly priced car as we do over the latest exotic. We’re serious. An economy car has to provide more bang for the buck in areas that matter to busy families. So we appreciate when a car delivers. Kia’s all-new 2014 Forte sedan does this surprisingly well. It should hit dealerships any day now.

Appearance: Overall, this new Forte is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor. If you say it resembles the Honda Civic, we won’t correct you. We think so, too — especially in profile. And while Kia probably doesn’t like to hear it, we submit that such suggestions are high praise. (Peter is a Civic owner). This new Forte looks more aggressive; it has Kia’s distinctive black-mesh “tiger-nose” grille and is framed in chrome. The design is tied into aggressively upswept headlights that feature LED “eyebrows.” The lower black-mesh air intake is flanked by fog lights. The body side panels are tastefully creased, recalling its Hyundai cousins’ fluidic design. Complementing this handsome package are sculpted, 17-inch alloy wheels.

Performance: The Forte now comes with two choices: 1.8- and 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines. Our top-of-the-line EX tester had the latter, which gets Kia’s GDI (gasoline direct injection) technology and produces 173 horsepower. The gearbox is a smoothing-shifting, six-speed automatic transmission. This all translates into steady acceleration and more-than-adequate merging power on the highway. Despite its light weight — 2,857 pounds — the Forte’s ride feels solid and assuring, even in high winds. In an example of technology filtering down to more modest cars, our tester came with Kia’s new Flex Steer system that lets the driver choose the feel of its electronic power steering with comfort, normal and sport modes. (Peter didn’t feel much difference between the three settings.)

Interior: The cockpit is quiet, roomy for its class and sensibly laid out with controls all in easy reach for the driver. The cabin has plenty of head, leg and elbow room. Our tester had the EX Premium ($2,600) and EX Technology ($2,300) packages, which include luxury-car features including power sunroof, heated leather seats (including rear), ventilated driver’s seat and heated steering wheel. Overall, Kia does the details well. A few examples: The 7-inch touchscreen is slightly angled on the dash to give the driver a better view. The clock and exterior temperature are placed well within view in a small dash-top screen. One not-so-good placement: The chrome exhaust tip extends out a bit, so if you’re reaching far into the trunk at a certain angle, you might feel the hot metal.

Safety features: Front and side airbags, side curtains, ABS with 4-disc brakes, traction control, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management, hill assist control, rear-view camera

The bottom line: Granted, our tester had every possible option, but the new Forte rises to the top of its class with its comfort, drivability and technology. Who needs a luxury car?

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2014 Kia Sorento - Review

By Marty Padgett; March 12, 2013

The Kia Sorento hasn’t been on sale for all that long in its current form (since the 2011 model year). Still, for 2014, the Sorento is already up for some significant improvements. And it's no minor refresh, either: Kia says that more than 80 percent of the parts in the new Sorento are either all-new or significantly redesigned.

You might not know it by looking at the exterior, however. The 2014 Sorento is a clear continuation of the current design—but with some fresh details that crossover shoppers are going to be able to pick out. New front and rear fascias and low body work both serve to make the Sorento look a bit lower and wider, while the ‘tiger-nose’ grille gets either an anodized metal or black mesh look, with a cross-hatched pattern in the lower valance. Kia has also added LED combination taillamps and redesigned wheels. Inside, the Sorento gets a new instrument panel, while EX trims and above get a new reconfigurable seven-inch TFT LCD gauge cluster.

The most meaningful difference for many families may very well be the introduction of a more fuel-efficient V-6. The all-aluminum 3.3-liter GDI V-6 makes 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. A 191-hp, 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder engine is standard, but likely to be rare--and rightly so, since the V-6 almost matches it on gas mileage, and far outpoints it in pure power. The Sorento delivers its power to the road with the help of a well-sorted six-speed automatic transmission; it's either configured with front-wheel drive or with an enhanced torque-vectoring version of the all-wheel-drive system.

Other key upgrades help the Sorento ride less stiffly and steer more swiftly. The Sorento’s hydraulic power steering system has been swapped out for an electric system, and on the Sorento SX it's driver-adjustable through a range of three modes (Comfort, Normal, and Sport), to nominal effect. Ride and handling have been improved through a more rigid body structure plus the addition of a front strut-tower brace and a new independent front suspension with an H-shaped sub-frame cradle; new bushings have been added to the multi-link rear suspension. It's much calmer, and more capable of rounding off pavement burrs than before, though it's still a slightly firm setup compared to the gooey ride of a Highlander.

 

 

The interior of the Sorento grows incrementally, with slightly more leg room and good seats, now with heating offered on the first two rows and ventilation available up front. We like the Sorento as a five-seater, where it has plenty of legroom and headroom for adults, front and back, yet leaves plenty of cargo space when the back two rows of seats are folded down on three-row versions. There's not much room behind the third-row seat when it's used for passengers, though.

All versions get standard Bluetooth, satellite radio, and power features; a panoramic sunroof is a new option. The top Sorento SX Limited adds some of the top-lux features gained by the Optima SX this past year; it includes Nappa leather upholstery, heated rear seats, and a wood-trimmed heated steering wheel, plus a soft-touch headliner. On the outside it’s distinguished by its HID headlamps, red-painted brake calipers and special 19-inch chrome wheels.

The rest of the Sorento line gets an expanded feature set for 2014, and especially of note is that infotainment has been upgraded, with a large new eight-inch touch screen that combines navigation, real-time traffic, Infinity premium audio, Bluetooth, and next-generation UVO eServices features that ditch Microsoft's kludgy software for smartphone-driven access to Google maps--for free. A 115-volt power inverter, second-row sliding sunshades, a panoramic sunroof, and dual-ventilated air-cooled front seats are among the other new features for 2014.

Comparison: The Big Test: Compact Sedans

By Scott Evans; March 25, 2013

Dodge Dart vs. Honda Civic vs. Kia Forte vs. Mazda3 vs. Nissan Sentra

RANKING
5th Place: Nissan Sentra
Poor handling, poor fuel economy, and a shorter feature list outweigh a low price and big back seat.

4th Place: Honda Civic
A weak drivetrain, poor fuel economy, and frustrating nav system sank a solid entry.

3rd Place: Dodge Dart
Sport handling and a long list of features weren't enough to overcome a high price and terrible gas mileage.

2nd Place: Mazda3
An enthusiast's special and fuel-sipper to boot, weighed down by a heavy price tag and missing features.

1st Place: Kia Forte
Handles well, sips fuel, loaded with exclusive features, and priced just right. What's not to like?

According to the old maxim, Americans don't like small cars. We buy trucks by the truckload and midsize sedans more than any other car segment. But because of gas prices, the tough economy, or both, the compact segment is growing. In 2012, it accounted for roughly 13 percent of the U.S. car market, with most entrants registering sales increases over 2011. With frugality in vogue, automakers expect the segment to keep growing during the next several years.

Last year, the Mazda3 went bumper to bumper with the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Volkswagen Jetta in a battle of 40-mpg-capable cars. The Mazda won because we framed the conversation thus: Is there a 40-mpg car you'd want to own? The question was directed at the enthusiast who wants a high-efficiency car that's also fun to drive. In that measure, the Mazda was without question the Goldilocks car. It finished mid-pack on fuel economy, but it was far and away the driver's choice.

Since then, three new pretenders to the throne have arisen, and a fourth made an emergency update to better position it against the competition. More important, we're no longer asking which is the best sports car, but which is the best all-around car for the average consumer. We're looking for the car that offers the best value, content, fuel economy, and safety in addition to performance. It's a whole new ballgame.

RIDE & HANDLING

In claiming its previous victory, the Mazda3 dazzled the judges with its crisp, natural steering feel; responsive, unshakable chassis; and sport sedan handling. It led this competition with the same trump card, at least in the dry. As it happened, rain struck during our evaluation loops, and opinions of the Mazda changed quickly. Those who drove it in the dry were again smitten with its excellent handling on the winding road portion. Those who drove it in the wet, however, told a different tale. Editors found it breaking loose at both ends on wet roads when pushed hard, eroding confidence. One point we all agreed on was the ride quality, which was among the best in the group.

Another car that divided the judges was the Dodge Dart. Opinions were mixed on the thick, meaty steering wheel -- while it felt direct, the steering was surprisingly heavy. Also heavy was the car itself, outweighing the nearest competitor by more than 300 pounds, and it felt heavy from behind the wheel. The Dart threw its heft into a corner, but once the weight transferred, it was a smooth and stable handler. The weight made the car feel planted on the road, but it also hurt the ride quality, though it wasn't the worst in the group.

In terms of ride and handling, the worst was the Nissan Sentra. There wasn't a large difference in ride quality among the group, but the Sentra was at the bottom of the spectrum. Where it really disappointed was in handling. The Sentra received constant complaints of terminal understeer, egregious body roll, and lifeless steering, and it lacked grip. Said associate online editor Karla Sanchez: "This car handled so terribly, I couldn't wait until the loop was over."

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Kia Forte surprised everyone. In general, we've known Kias to have rough rides and elastic-feeling steering, but not this car. The ride was pleasantly firm, almost sporty, and the steering felt naturally weighted and responsive, though it still provided no feedback. Many editors found it the second-most fun car to drive behind the Mazda.

Somewhere in the middle was the Civic. The lightest of the group, it felt that way on the road. Ride quality and handling both fell in the middle of the pack, though the steering took some hits. Editor-in-chief Edward Loh found that the "light steering feels artificial and requires jerky inputs. Initial input doesn't seem to do much, so I kept dialing in more and more steering. Hard to be smooth."
PERFORMANCE
The Kia surprised us at the track. It was the quickest to 60 mph by half a second and stopped the shortest from the same speed by 2 feet. On our skidpad, it put up respectable grip numbers and was the quickest around our figure-eight course. Out in the real world, we found the power strong compared with the rest of the group, and the transmission shifted quickly and smoothly and seemed to never select the wrong gear.

Less surprising was the poor showing from the Sentra. It was the slowest to reach 60 mph and needed the longest distance to stop. The car also was slow to accelerate and lacked brake bite. The primary culprit in drivetrain complaints was the continuously variable transmission, which all agreed was slow to respond and then provided insufficient additional leverage when it did. Despite its poor handling on the road and lowest average g on the figure-eight test, the Sentra did manage to tie the Dart for the highest average on the skidpad.

The Dart was a disappointment. Its raspy exhaust and turbocharged engine seemed to promise performance, but its jog to 60 mph fell right in the middle of the pack, as did its stopping distance. As noted above, it posted the highest average g on the skidpad and the figure eight, but tied the Mazda for second in figure-eight lap time. Where the Dart really fell down was in everyday driving. The dual-clutch transmission was jerky and often seemed confused in automatic mode, whether dicing in the city or carving a canyon. The only remedy was to manually shift using the gear stick, which delivered fairly quick and crisp shifts, though it upshifted automatically at redline.

We were likewise disappointed in the Civic. The engine felt weak at low rpm, but like the Sentra, the fault lies squarely with the transmission. The aging five-speed gearbox was slow to shift and had no manual mode. This carried over to the track, where it was the second slowest to 60 mph and the slowest around the figure eight. Its low curb weight contributed to the second shortest stopping distance, but it posted mid-pack average g numbers.

The Mazda3 was a curiosity rather than a disappointment. Despite its stellar dry performance on the road, it didn't post the big numbers at the track. It was the second quickest to 60 mph and around the figure eight, but dead last on the skidpad. It also finished third in braking. Somehow, though, it all came together on real-world roads, making the Mazda3 the clear driver's favorite.

EFFICIENCY
The two cars with the most overt technological approaches to fuel efficiency performed the poorest. An accelerating trend in the automotive industry today is to replace a larger engine with a smaller, turbocharged one that, in theory, provides the same power while using less fuel. This was not the case for the Dart. Its turbocharged 1.4-liter engine was the smallest and offered the most torque and second-highest horsepower rating, but it returned a dismal 19.5 mpg on our evaluation loops, well below its EPA estimates of 27/37 mpg city/highway.

Likewise unimpressive was the Sentra's continuously variable transmission, which should theoretically always be at the optimum gearing for fuel economy. With the least horsepower and tied for the least torque, you'd expect it wouldn't burn much fuel, but it returned the second-lowest observed fuel economy at 21.2 average mpg. With ratings at 30/39 mpg city/highway, it was a long way off. "Nissan might be on to something," quipped senior features editor Jonny Lieberman. "No one will drive this car quickly and in an inefficient manner, as it actually sounds like you're injuring the car with your right foot."

As much as we knock the Civic for its old five-speed transmission offering no manual control, it still gets the job done. The Civic was the second-least powerful car present and it felt like it, but that little engine and old gearbox know how to use fuel wisely. The Civic returned 23.5 mpg, which, while not stellar, was at least closer to its 28/39-mpg city/highway ratings.

Kia had a rough go of it last year after the EPA unceremoniously lowered the fuel economy ratings on a number of its cars. The Forte was unaffected, but the new car has struck back with a vengeance. Despite having the most horsepower and second-highest torque rating, as well as an conventional six-speed automatic, the Kia returned 24.4 mpg -- falling nicely within the estimated EPA city/highway ratings of 24/36 mpg and good for second best in this comparison.

The big winner, though, was the car that won the fuel economy comparison on handling rather than mpg. The Mazda3, with its funny-sounding Skyactiv badging and no obvious technological tricks (they're all deep inside the engine), was the longest running model in this test and by far the fuel-sipping champ. It handily bested the competition by returning 25.3 average mpg against its 28/40-mpg city/highway ratings.

COCKPIT/CABIN
Many people put a lot of stock in how a car looks, but the truth is, you'll spend far more time looking at the inside of it than the outside, and it greatly shapes your perception of the vehicle. In this category, the Sentra clawed back some favor with the judges. The rear seat and trunk are cavernous for the class, and the navigation and entertainment systems are simple and intuitive to use. Some editors found the design dull, likening it to a doctor's waiting room, but others pointed out that it barely feels down-market from the larger, more expensive Altima, a nice treat for a value-conscious buyer.

The Forte received similar praise for being second to the Sentra in rear seat space. It was also dinged, albeit less so, for being cold and dark with some odd ridges on the dash. Those gripes were quickly overlooked, however, in light of the segment-busting list of features, such as heated and cooled front seats and power-folding mirrors.

Also feature-rich was the Dart, with its massive touchscreen infotainment system and high-resolution, reconfigurable gauge display. We appreciated the clear, easy-to-use UConnect infotainment system, even if it did seem a bit cluttered compared with Kia's UVO system. Editors also liked the front-and-back steering wheel controls. Where the Dart struggled was in seating, with hard perches front and rear and compromised rear headroom. The editors complained about the grainy, low-resolution back-up camera. 

Riding mid-pack was the Civic, whose bi-level instrument cluster and funky shapes divided editors. It was given high marks for being a strong improvement over the poorly received 2012 model, and we appreciated the better materials and quieter cabin. We took issue, though, with the old, low-resolution navigation system and its tiny buttons, and rear seat space ranked smallest among the competitors.

Receiving some of the harshest criticism was the Mazda3. While we liked its sporty, supportive seats overall, many were disappointed with its small, cramped rear seat. The dashboard also drew fire for looking the oldest and appearing to be made of the cheapest materials. "The split screens are at least well-organized/executed," wrote Loh. However, "none of the screens matches in background colors, fonts, or font colors, not in the instrument panel, infotainment screen, or the two tiny screens above." We were disappointed with the lack of a back-up camera, but equally delighted by the preferred manual shifting orientation of forward for downshifts and backward for upshifts, which the Dart shared.

SAFETY

With safety a key concern among buyers, it's no surprise all these competitors performed well in crash testing. They were not, however, all created equal. For example, Honda found out about the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's new small-offset crash test and designed the new Civic accordingly. As such, the Civic is the only car here to be named a Top Safety Pick+ after receiving a Good score in all tests. (None of the others has yet completed the small-offset test.) The 2013 Civic hasn't been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration yet, but the 2012 car received 5-star front and side ratings and a 4-star rollover rating for 5 stars overall.

Like the Honda, the 2014 Forte hasn't been crash tested yet. In this case, though, the Kia is a thoroughly redesigned car and not a refresh, so it's difficult to say how it will fare. The old Forte, for what it's worth, received 4 stars and Good ratings in all tests and was named a Top Safety Pick.

It's a similar story with the 2013 Sentra, which also has yet to be fully tested. NHTSA has crashed it, and gave it a 5-star side impact rating, 4 stars for front and rollover tests, and 4 stars overall. IIHS hasn't tested it, but the old model was not a Top Safety Pick because of an Acceptable rating in the roof crush test.

There is plenty of information, however, on the oldest car in the test. The Mazda3 is an IIHS Top Safety Pick thanks to Good ratings all around, but it didn't fare quite as well at NHTSA. It's a mixed bag, with a 5-star front impact rating, 4-star rollover rating, and 3-star side impact rating, combined for a 4-star overall rating. Editors also noted and appreciated the optional Blind Spot Warning system.

We appreciated the Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Path Detection systems on the Dart as well, not to mention the only Driver Knee Bolster airbags in the group. That car fared better in crash testing, earning a 5-star overall rating on 5-star front and side impact ratings and a 4-star rollover rating. It is also a Top Safety Pick with Good scores across the board.

VALUE
In a price-conscious segment like this, value is a major consideration. That's especially true in this test, where all the competitors were heavily equipped with pricey options such as navigation systems, leather seats, keyless entry, and more. None was more heavily loaded than the Mazda3, which rang in just above the Dart at $26,420. Being the oldest model in the test and lacking a back-up camera hurt its value argument, though we enthusiasts found quite a lot of value in its handling and performance.

The Dart also became something of a tough sell at $26,415. It was feature-rich with its big display screens, automatic headlights and wipers, heated steering wheel, and more. The problem is, the Forte offers all that and more for $805 less. With by far the worst observed fuel economy, the Dart's value appeal dropped precipitously in the eyes of the judges.

That Forte, though, blew us away. Power front seats that are both heated and cooled, heated rear seats, power-folding side mirrors, a heated steering wheel, multiple steering modes, and more, all for a mid-pack price of $25,610. Add to that the second-best fuel economy in the test and far and away the best warranty, and the Kia makes a serious value proposition.

The Civic was a tougher case to make. It offered many of the features the others did, but the clunky navigation system and second-worst observed fuel economy hurt it. On the other hand, it was very nearly the least expensive car here at $24,555, and it got high marks for its quality interior materials.

The Sentra fell into the same trap as the Civic, offering the lowest as-tested price by just over a hundred dollars at $23,715. While that appealed to our wallets, the second-worst observed fuel economy and the poor handling made us reconsider how our hypothetical money was being spent.

CONCLUSION

Some comparison tests are blowouts, and those are easy to judge. Then there are tests like this, where the field is closely matched in nearly every category. Each car had strengths and weaknesses and none completely ran away with the award. There wasn't a "perfect" car in the bunch, but several that would be very good choices depending on your priorities.

If, for example, you're an enthusiast like us, you'll be happiest with the sporty Mazda. It would also appeal to those who value fuel economy above all else. If safety is your priority, you'll be comforted by the Honda's class-topping crash test scores. Those who love features will be very happy with the Dart and Forte, and the buyer shopping on price will find the Sentra's low as-tested price very appealing.

After weighing the contenders in each category against what would best serve the average compact car buyer, we picked the 2014 Kia Forte as the best all-around car here and the winner of this test. Its combination of performance, fuel efficiency, reasonable pricing, and endless feature list had our judges agreeing it's the car we'd recommend to our friends and family.