Kia Motors America Renews Partnership With The Ecology Center And Provides Soul EV To Support Community Outreach Efforts

Kia Motor America  today announced the renewal of its partnership with The Ecology Center, a San Juan Capistrano, California-based non-profit eco-education center dedicated to creating a healthy and abundant future for all of Southern California and beyond. In its third year as a "Visionary" partner, Kia is providing the use of a 2015 Soul EV to The Ecology Center, which complements the two electric vehicle charging stations installed as part of the partnership last year. Kia and The Ecology Center will organize and carry out sustainability-themed learning projects at the KMA campus in Irvine, California, and in the surrounding community, and both organizations will continue work together to plan hands-on conservation and volunteer activities at The Center.

"Kia's partnership with The Ecology Center has expanded over the years and is a reflection of our conscious dedication to sustainability, which is crucial for the continued success of our organization, the health and happiness of our customers and the communities we call home," said Tim Chaney, vice president of marketing communications, KMA.

"With valued partners like Kia, The Ecology Center is now a recognized leader for conservation and environmental awareness, and as the Center continues to expand, more educational opportunities will be available to the public," said Evan Marks, executive director, The Ecology Center. "With the opportunity to use the Soul EV, we can carry the message of sustainability to more members of the community in Southern California and beyond."

The Ecology Center is a rich environment for learning and education for all ages, and this summer the calendar has multiple opportunities and experiences, including:

• Farm Film Series (Select dates June - August) 
  • Free outdoor educational film screening for the entire community.  

• Permaculture Design Certification Course (Every other weekend; now through August 23) 
  • A three-month hands-on apprenticeship program mentoring future sustainability leaders on how to apply the principles of permaculture design to address our environmental challenges. 

• Farm Lab Camp (July 8 -11; July 15 -18; August 11 - 14) 
  • Four-day summer camps for kids 5-6 & 7-9 with hands-on activities such as planting, exploring the biodiversity in soil, seed harvesting, caring of farm animals, cooking from the garden, and more.

• Green Feast (September 12) 
  • The Ecology Center's annual farm-to-table fundraising dinner bringing together 20 top chefs, 250 sustainability leaders, and local-only ingredients sourced within 250 miles.  

About The Ecology Center The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano is an educational center that engages individuals, families, and students in fun, hands-on activities that teach practical, environmental solutions at the household and community level. The Ecology Center seeks to bring all members of the community together in a solutions-based educational setting to inspire and create a healthy and abundant future for all of Southern California. The Center highlights empowering and cutting-edge environmental perspectives that can be applied to the way we live our lives, making it possible for us to coexist with a thriving environment.

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2015 Kia Sedona Upgrades Include First-Class Lounge Seats, New Engine, Roomier Interior

Kia's new, first-class lounge seats might just be the way to make a minivan more appealing.

Offered on the redesigned 2015 Sedona minivan, the comfortable, Nappa leather-swathed seats have pop-out foot rests and winged headrests, similar to first-class seats on airplanes. The beckoning lounge seats are in the second row of the van and come with more than 41 inches of legroom — as much as some vehicles provide front-seat passengers.

But the seats are just part of a long list of updates. Stretching nearly 17 feet in length, the 2015 Sedona is longer and roomier than its predecessor, has more features and ritzier materials and includes a more powerful V-6.

The Sedona bested segment sales leaders, the Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey, in the just-released Initial Quality Study from longtime quality benchmark firm J.D. Power and Associates. It also earned 5 of out of 5 stars in frontal and side crash testing by the federal government.

Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, for a 2015 Sedona is just $26,995 with 276-horsepower V-6 and six-speed automatic transmission. That's $2,860 less than the $29,855 starting retail price for a 2015 Odyssey with 248-horsepower V-6 and six-speed automatic.

However, every 2015 Odyssey comes standard with privacy glass on the rear windows, power-adjustable front seats, seven-speaker audio system and a rearview camera, which is a major aid when backing up a minivan. The base Sedona doesn't include these items, meaning shoppers must move up to the 2015 Sedona LX, which has a starting retail price of $29,195, to get most of those features.

The test vehicle was the top-of-the-line Kia Sedona Limited, which is the priciest, starting at more than $40,000 with destination charge; it's the only one with the lounge seats.

Power from the new, 3.3-liter, double overhead cam, direct injection V-6 came on strong, even though the van weighed more than 4,600 pounds. Torque peaks at a healthy 248 foot-pounds at 5,200 rpm.

The downside was the fuel economy, which stayed around 19 miles per gallon in combined city and highway travel even when the van only carried the driver. The mileage was on par with the U.S. government's fuel economy rating. The result: The test Sedona could go 400 miles on a single tank of regular gasoline. The 21.1-gallon gas tank is slightly larger than that of the Odyssey, Sienna and Dodge Grand Caravan.

Upgrades inside the Sedona Limited were evident. Interior plastics had a quality look, and the seats had precise contrasting stitching that looked like it came out of a luxury sedan. Other luxury touches included an all-around-the-vehicle camera view, heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats and heated second-row seats. Power-sliding side doors offered wide entryways, and the liftgate was power operated, too.

There was one hitch, though, with the lounge seats on the test vehicle. It took considerable force to put the manually operated footrests back up against the lower front of the seats.

Twelve cupholders, a deep and useful center console between the front seats and a two-part glovebox that included a chilled area for juices and sodas were among the amenities. But Kia doesn't offer a rear entertainment system or vehicle WiFi hotspot like that on some other vehicles.

Kia now has many of the latest safety features, including lane departure warning and forward collision warning; both are options on the Limited model only.

The test Sedona absorbed road bumps well, and a turning circle of 36.8 feet made U-turns easier than anticipated. But the tall heaviness of the vehicle was noticeable in curves and turns. Wind noise was audible at highway speeds, and even noise from passing semis could be heard inside the Sedona, prompting some passengers to check if a window was open.

Always a seven-passenger van, the Sedona offers a choice of eight-passenger seating for 2015. Cargo space is increased to 142 cubic feet but still falls short of the 150 cubic feet in the Sienna and 148.5 cubic feet in the Odyssey. Towing capacity tops out at 3,500 pounds.

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KIA MOTORS EARNS BEST-EVER RANKING IN 2015 J.D. POWER INITIAL QUALITY STUDY

Third Straight Year of IQS Improvement Places Kia Second Among 33 Brands

·         Kia Sorento and Soul awarded for highest scores in compact multi-purpose vehicle and midsize SUV segments as five other Kia models rank among top three in their respective categories¹

·          With nearly 20-percent improvement, Kia owners had fewer issues with their vehicles than nearly all other car and truck brands

IRVINE, Calif., June 17, 2015 – With more units in operation in the U.S. than ever before, Kia Motors reached another historic milestone today when J.D. Power recognized the brand as the second-highest scoring nameplate industry-wide in its 2015 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Kia’s IQS score improved by 20 points over its previous best-ever performance in 2014, vaulting the growing automaker up four positions to second overall among 33 automotive brands and highest among all mass-market nameplates.

Kia’s ascension was powered by segment-leading performances from two of the company’s best-selling vehicles – Soul and Sorento – while the Rio, Optima, Cadenza, Sportage and Sedona models all ranked in the top three of their respective categories.

“We believe the J.D. Power report leaves no doubt that Kia builds world-class vehicles, and the results are especially gratifying as the IQS study truly reflects the voice of our customers,” said Michael Sprague, Chief Operating Officer and EVP, Kia Motors America.  “Kia’s rise is one of the industry’s greatest success stories and is driven by the hard work of thousands of team members around the world as well as our long-term strategy to concentrate on quality, strengthen the brand and elevate the ownership experience.”                                                                    

Kia’s U.S. sales have more than doubled over the last six years as the brand has made significant investments in the market and steadily climbed J.D. Power’s annual IQS rankings. After the Soul was ranked number one in the compact multi-purpose vehicle segment in 2012, Kia broke into the overall top 10 in 2013, with the Soul and Sportage (tie) taking top honors in their respective segments, and then rose to sixth in the industry in 2014.  The company’s $1.1 billion manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia – Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – produces the Sorento and Optima, and achieved its highest-ever quality ranking among plants in North/South America in the 2015 study. Additionally, the Kwangju plant where the Soul is produced ranked number one for the Asia Pacific Region.

Now in its 29th year, the annual J.D. Power IQS analyzes responses from vehicle owners in 26 segments.  IQS is determined by vehicle owners evaluating the driving experience, engine and transmission performance, and a broad range of quality-related problems within the first 90 days of ownership.

About Kia Motors America
Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea, and in 2014 was the #1 ranked mainstream brand according to Strategic Vision’s Total Quality Index.  KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and set an all-time annual sales record in 2014, surpassing the 500,000 unit mark for the third consecutive year. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K900** flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle***, Sportage compact CUV, Optima midsize sedan, Optima Hybrid, the Forte compact sedan, Forte5 and Forte Koup, Rio and Rio 5-door subcompacts and the Sedona midsize multi-purpose vehicle, through a network of more than 765 dealers across the United States.  Kia’s U.S. manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia, builds the Optima* and Sorento* and is responsible for the creation of more than 14,000 plant and supplier jobs.

Information about KMA and its full vehicle line-up is available at www.kia.com. For media information, including photography, visit www.kiamedia.com.  To receive custom email notifications for press releases the moment they are published, subscribe at www.kiamedia.com/us/en/newsalert.

* The Sorento and Optima GDI (EX, SX & Limited and certain LX Trims only) are assembled in the United States from U.S. and globally sourced parts

1 The Kia Soul and Kia Sorento received the lowest number of problems per 100 vehicles among compact multi-purpose vehicles and midsize SUVs, respectively, in the proprietary J.D. Power 2015 Initial Quality Study.^SM Study based on responses from 84,367 new-vehicle owners, measuring 244 models and measures opinions after 90 days of ownership.  Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of owners surveyed in February-May 2015.  Your experiences may vary.  Visit jdpower.com.

^** 2015 K900 V8 available in select trims and in select markets with limited availability.

^*** 2015 Soul EV in select markets with limited availability.

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Kia Motors America Renews Partnership With The Ecology Center And Provides Soul EV To Support Community Outreach Efforts

Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the renewal of its partnership with The Ecology Center, a San Juan Capistrano, California-based non-profit eco-education center dedicated to creating a healthy and abundant future for all of Southern California and beyond. In its third year as a "Visionary" partner, Kia is providing the use of a 2015 Soul EV to The Ecology Center, which complements the two electric vehicle charging stations installed as part of the partnership last year. Kia and The Ecology Center will organize and carry out sustainability-themed learning projects at the KMA campus in Irvine, California, and in the surrounding community, and both organizations will continue work together to plan hands-on conservation and volunteer activities at The Center.

"Kia's partnership with The Ecology Center has expanded over the years and is a reflection of our conscious dedication to sustainability, which is crucial for the continued success of our organization, the health and happiness of our customers and the communities we call home," said Tim Chaney, vice president of marketing communications, KMA.

"With valued partners like Kia, The Ecology Center is now a recognized leader for conservation and environmental awareness, and as the Center continues to expand, more educational opportunities will be available to the public," said Evan Marks, executive director, The Ecology Center. "With the opportunity to use the Soul EV, we can carry the message of sustainability to more members of the community in Southern California and beyond."

The Ecology Center is a rich environment for learning and education for all ages, and this summer the calendar has multiple opportunities and experiences, including:

• Farm Film Series (Select dates June - August)
• Free outdoor educational film screening for the entire community. 
• Permaculture Design Certification Course (Every other weekend; now through August 23)
• A three-month hands-on apprenticeship program mentoring future sustainability leaders on how to apply the principles of permaculture design to address our environmental challenges.
• Farm Lab Camp (July 8 -11; July 15 -18; August 11 - 14)
• Four-day summer camps for kids 5-6 & 7-9 with hands-on activities such as planting, exploring the biodiversity in soil, seed harvesting, caring of farm animals, cooking from the garden, and more.
• Green Feast (September 12)
• The Ecology Center's annual farm-to-table fundraising dinner bringing together 20 top chefs, 250 sustainability leaders, and local-only ingredients sourced within 250 miles. 

About The Ecology Center

The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano is an educational center that engages individuals, families, and students in fun, hands-on activities that teach practical, environmental solutions at the household and community level. The Ecology Center seeks to bring all members of the community together in a solutions-based educational setting to inspire and create a healthy and abundant future for all of Southern California. The Center highlights empowering and cutting-edge environmental perspectives that can be applied to the way we live our lives, making it possible for us to coexist with a thriving environment.

Source  

Driver's Seat: The new Sedona is Quick on its Feet

2015 Kia Sedona SX-L: Upgrade for the family.

Price: $43,295 as tested. (This included $2,700 for the Technology Package, which featured lane departure and forward collision warning, surround-view monitor, and smart cruise control.) A base model can be had for $26,100.

Marketer's pitch: "Transform your drive."

Conventional wisdom: Edmunds.com likes the "distinctive dashboard and cockpit; value-priced; unique forward-collapsing second-row seats; extensive equipment availability; quiet cabin," but not the "subpar fuel economy ratings in SX-L trim; slightly less cargo space than primary rivals; SX-L's lounge seats don't collapse forward."

Reality: Somewhere between transformation and just transportation.

Family-friendly: There's no reviewer out there better equipped to put a minivan to the test than Mr. Driver's Seat. With the Lovely Mrs. Passenger Seat and Sturgis Kids 1.0 through 4.0, and the Sturgis Family Sienna as comparison, we put minivans through their paces.

And so it was with the 2015 Kia Sedona, a redesigned van that we couldn't wait to test.

What's new: The Sedona gets a whole new look - at least as much of that as a box for people can get.

The rear has grown more boxy, à la the latest generation of the Nissan Quest, and the front received a more modern Kia-like treatment, with a prominent grille set between pairs of rather angry-looking headlights.

Friends and stuff: We put three of the four Sturgis Kids inside for a road trip to the Big Apple. Sturgis Kids 1.0 and 4.0 report that the middle row in the SX-L - a trim level that gets a pair of captain's chairs that recline - was a reasonably comfortable place to spend a couple hours.

Sturgis Kid 1.0 reports that the seats are not as comfortable as the Sienna's - though they're fine when reclined, sitting upright is not great - and legroom is not nearly as generous when one full-size Sturgis young man sat behind the other.

Loading the Sedona is even more challenging. Other trim levels get three seats in the middle row that fold forward to stand tall, but the SX-L's seats only slide slightly out of the way. So the Sedona fails the 4-by-8 sheet-carrying contest, a severe drawback in a minivan.

Up to speed: The 3.3-liter engine creates 276 horsepower, a sizable amount of oomph to haul a big rig and eight people around. While this is 10 more than the latest Sienna, something in the six-speed automatic's shift logic or computer controls was amiss, and did not offer the solid performance I've had in the Sienna. A distinct hesitation made the Sedona a bit frightening when pulling out to pass.

On the road: On the bright side, the Sedona doesn't feel like a big, lumbering house on wheels like the Sienna does. Honda's Odyssey is definitely the best-handling of the minivans, and the Sedona is closer to it than to the bulky Sienna.

Seeing out: Visibility from the Sedona is awesome. I never had any concerns about seeing what was around me.

Play some tunes: The stereo in the Sedona offers B-plus sound. It's clear, but the emphasis seems a little on the treble side. Adjusting bass, midrange and treble didn't make enough of a difference.

Controls: From the stereo to the HVAC to the other various functions, all of the controls of the Sedona seemed complicated and hard to operate at a glance and by feel. A long row of buttons underneath the radio resembles an older-style Sienna setup, and a long row of buttons for the heater sits under that.

Seat heater, cooler, and other functions are on the console and never in more than 500 miles of driving did I feel that I could just glance and make my choice.

Feedback: One nice touch was a display next to the speedometer that flashed on to show what wiper mode I'd just selected. It can be difficult to tell in many vehicles.

On the downside, the cabin didn't have a lot of lighted switches or ambient light, so knowing what I was doing in the dark could be a challenge.

Fuel economy: I averaged 19.6 m.p.g. in a mix of highway-heavy turnpike and parked-in-Manhattan driving.

Where it's built: Sohari, South Korea.

How it's built: The Sedona hasn't yet been rated by Consumer Reports, but the previous generation was on the bottom rung of CR's ratings ladder for reliability.

In the end: Kia has caught up to other automakers in so many other redesigns, and the Soul sets the pace for affordable, practical, and fun little cars. But the Sedona remains behind the Sienna and Odyssey.

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New Kia Optima: Two Styling Paths For Australian Model

Kia has today confirmed that its new Optima sedan will be sold in Australia with two distinct looks, mirroring the approach taken in the Korean market.

 

Headlining the range will be the turbocharged sports model revealed in April, while a more tame look will feature on lower grades.

That less aggressive, less ‘blingy’ look was first revealed in March, when an uncamouflaged Korean-market Optima - known there as the K5 - was spied on the roads of Seoul during filming for a new TV advertisement.

Although buyers of the Optima Turbo will be treated to a performance look with large silver-trimmed ports and a Mercedes-inspired diamond grille garnish, those opting for the ‘regular’ models will still get a sporting look.

The model spied in March, which could come here as a new SLi or Platinum model below the hero Turbo, features a sports-styled front bumper, large alloy wheels and a visible exhaust tip at the rear.

Those models are expected to be driven by a 138kW and 241Nm 2.4 litre petrol engine, while the Optima Turbo will get a 2.0 litre engine producing 180kW and 350Nm.

The debut of that top Turbo model should make the Optima a compelling option for those shopping in the midsized sedan market, matching the Sonata Turbo’s outputs and bettering the 177kW/345Nm engine of the top-shelf Ford mondeo.

Australian buyers can also look forward to the new model being put through the company’s ongoing localised tuning programme, optimising the Optima for our roads.

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