2017 Kia Sportage sports more 'sport'

The all-new 2017 Kia Sportage is in its fourth generation and now gets even more "sport." Redesigned from the ground-up, with a refreshed contemporary design, premium materials, a more robust suspension, retuned engines and advanced driver assistance technologies, Kia's longest-running nameplate is now poised to hit the sweet spot of the compact CUV segment.

When it was launched in 1994, the Sportage was powered by Mazda-sourced engines, was not well known for reliability or safety, and was discontinued in 2002. After a two-year hiatus, the compact utility vehicle re-emerged with a second-generation model in 2005, sharing its Elantra-based platform with the 2005 Hyundai Tucson, and earned a top reputation for reliability and safety.

Trims, engines available

Developed in the United States at Hyundai-Kia's California Proving Grounds and available in three trim levels (LX, EX, SX Turbo). Pricing starts at $22,990 for LX models, $25,500 for EX, and $32,500 for SX Turbo in front-wheel drive; choosing Kia's Dynamic all-wheel drive adds $1,500. Pricing does not include $895 in destination charges.

The crossover features an updated six-speed Sportmatic transmission with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, with locking center differential that provides a 50/50 front-to-rear split of torque between the front and rear axle as a traction aid and for more pulling power.

The LX and EX models are powered by a normally aspirated 2.4-liter engine producing 181 horsepower and 175 lb.-ft. of torque, that will tow up to 2000 pounds and a fuel economy rating of 22 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined (FWD) and 21/25/23 with AWD. The hard-charging 240-horsepower (237 on AWD models), 2.0-liter inline-four turbo found on the SX Turbo has been re-tuned to offer better midrange torque, delivering 260 lb.-ft. of torque, and 21/26/23 (FWD) and 20/23/21 (AWD).

All models are equipped with a drive mode selector with Normal, Eco, and Sport modes.

Exterior design

Outside, all body panels are new, juxtaposing smooth curves meld with sharp creases. Chrome trim, sloping roofline, sharply raked rear window, longer and more aerodynamic spoiler and bolder wheel arches give the CUV a more dynamic appearance. The lower, wider front clip benefits from Bi-HID headlights with dynamic bending lights and automatic high beams; enlarged to provide greater engine cooling, Kia's signature "tiger-nose" grille also adds visual volume to the lower half of the Sportage's face, resulting in a more aggressive appearance. AWD models feature a unique front fascia with a steeper approach angle and firmer shocks for increased capability. The top-of-the-line SX Turbo model adds new "ice cube" LED fog lamps, HID headlamps, LED tail lights, satin exterior trim, metal-look skid plates, metal transverse trim, and 19-inch alloy wheels.

Interior comfort

Inside, you'll find reduced wind noise, high-quality soft-touch materials, and a range of comfort and convenience features, as well as optional three-level heated and ventilated front seats, and a dual-zone climate system. EX and SX Turbo models add leather upholstery, and the SX Turbo has a D-shaped, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters, piano black trim along the center console, aluminum alloy pedals, and authentic stitching on the dashboard.

Connectivity technology on LX model starts with a standard 5.0-inch color touchscreen that features Bluetooth hands-free phone operation and streaming audio, SiriusXM satellite radio, and rear-camera display. EX adds a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and debuts Kia's third-gen UVO3 telematics and infotainment system, which offers Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, up to 8 GB of music storage, and access to Pandora, though the touch screen. SoundHound is accessible through a portable WiFi hotspot. Top-level SX Turbo features all of the above, plus an 8-inch capacitive touchscreen and onboard navigation.

Overall dimensions

Measuring the same 73-inch overall width as its predecessor, its wheelbase has been stretched 1.2 inches (now 105.1 inches), and overall length has increased 1.6 inches to 176.4 inches. Interior dimensions have improved giving more space and comfort. A dual-level cargo floor and widened luggage area boost cargo capacity behind the second row from 26.1 cu.-ft. to 30.7 cu.-ft.; with the second row folded, maximum cargo capacity has increased from 54.6 cubic feet. Interior spaciousness can be enhanced by an available panoramic sunroof with an opening 4.1 inches longer.

With 51 percent of the 2017 Sportage's framework consisting of Advanced High Strength Steel compared to 18 percent, torsional rigidity has improved 39 percent. Advanced hot-stamped steel reinforces the A-, B- and C-pillars, side sills, roof structure, and wheel arches, and more than a football field's length of structural adhesive reinforces the body and quells NVH. Thanks to its stronger core, it's expected that it will earn a five-star overall National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rating and an Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick& designation.

Additionally, the newest Sportage will be available with a wide range of driver assistance systems including forward collision warning with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, and sonar-based front and rear parking assist.

Test drive

We drove the new model over a course of 200 miles in southern California and noted its greatly improved driving dynamics.

Kia has completely overhauled its fully independent suspension to improve ride, handling, and vehicle stability, especially bringing increased high-speed steadiness for on-road driving, and safe and mannered performance on poorly maintained road surfaces.

Up front, the MacPherson struts have been redesigned to better cope with changing road surfaces, while in back, the multilink rear suspension now features dual-member shock absorber housings and a dual lower-arm setup that provide equilibrium.

Revised electric power steering provides better precision and feel.

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The Kia Optima VS. The Toyota Camry: A Hybrid Face-Off

The latest generation Toyota Camry might be the bestselling midsized sedan here in the US but this does not mean that it is better than its rivals. This comparison will be between the Kia Optima Hybrid and the Toyota Camry.

Looking at the Camry, the vehicle runs on the 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that is paired to an electric motor. The setup helps generate up to 200hp and 156ft-lbs of torque. The ponies are managed by a CVT gearbox and this allows the Camry to return about 43mpg city and 39mpg highway.

In comparison, the Kia Optima Hybrid, the car from South Korea is powered by a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine that is paired to an electric motor. The Optima Hybrid is able to generate up to 199hp and 253ft-lbs of torque. A 6-speed automatic shifter is utilized to manage the ponies and this allows the Optima Hybrid to return about 36mpg city and 40mpg highway.

 Judging from the figures above, the Camry may be more economical but the Optima has more to offer including multiple entertainment features and a wide variety of safety and security options.

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Strong March Propels Kia Motors America To Best-Ever First Quarter Sales

IRVINE, Calif., April 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- With March sales of 58,279 units – including best-ever single month sales for the Forte line of compact cars – Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced a new first quarter record of 146,321 vehicles. The historic January-March performance saw the Forte, Sportage and Sedona nameplates post double digit gains over the same period last year.

"After outpacing the industry last year and setting a new all-time annual sales record, Kia has carried its momentum into 2016," said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and EVP, KMA. "Sell down of the outgoing Sportage exceeded our expectations, and the arrival of the completely redesigned model is the latest reason for customers to discover the 'New Kia' as we continue challenging everything people think they know about this brand."

 About Kia Motors America

Kia Motors America (KMA) is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea.  KMA proudly serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA and set an all-time annual sales record in 2015, surpassing the 600,000 unit mark for the first time in company history. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles, including the rear-drive K9001 flagship sedan, Cadenza premium sedan, Sorento CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Soul Electric Vehicle2, 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 minivan, 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 15,000 plant and supplier jobs.

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First drive: Kia’s Mondeo, the all-new Optima

What’s this I see?

It’s the Kia Optima, a rival for the Ford Mondeo, Skoda Superb and many other large saloon cars. It’s brand new, too, though you’d be hard pushed to tell: the styling is a mere evolution of the old Optima’s.

So why should I care?

Such a move shows Kia is confident, something reflected in the fact (spoiler alert) that this is a good car. Oh, and there’s lots of new stuff underneath.

The body shell, for instance, is 50 per cent stiffer than before, while weighing nearly nine kilos less. We don’t imagine many Optima owners complained about these things, but Kia has put the engineering hours in, nonetheless.

And while it launches with one, sensible diesel engine, there’s a 242bhp petrol turbo and a plug-in hybrid to come. Imagine trying to convince the investors the old Kia Magentis would sell with those kind of drivetrains…

So Kia saloons aren’t rubbish anymore?

Far from it. For starters, we really like the way the Optima looks. The word ‘classy’ can be a synonym for boring, and we’ll admit it’s not going to stop you in your tracks.

But as we said earlier, it’s a confident looking car, free of gimmicks. It’s an old cliché, but cover up the badges and we imagine plenty of people would mistake it for a car with more luxurious lineage.

What about inside?

Like the Sportage we drove last week, the ergonomics are pretty much nailed on, and most of the materials you touch are good, with the odd rogue bit of cheap plastic to betray the car’s roots. But if you owned that old Magentis, then chances are the interior here would be unrecognisable.

Equipment levels are strong, too: every Optima gets a touchscreen satnav, and mid-range models up get an excellent, 590W, ten-speaker Harman Kardon stereo. Range-toppers have a full suite of self-parking, wireless charging, heated and ventilated seat goodness.

And to drive?

Sensible, rather than outright satisfying. But even Ford has chamfered off the sharp edges of the Mondeo, appreciating that big saloon buyers - if they aren’t investing in a Jag or BMW - are probably in it for the comfort.

And so the Optima is quiet, refined and plushly suspended. The steering is almost comically light, but it’s an effortless, relaxing car to drive, particularly if you specify the seven-speed twin-clutch auto. It’s a world away from the transmission it replaces, utterly smooth in its operation, as well as being a second quicker form 0-62mph (at 10.6sec) and a whole 17mpg more economical.

Tell me about the engine.

For now, your only option is a 139bhp 1.7-litre diesel. And it’s decent. It’s an uprated version of the old 1.7, which always felt a little undersized in the quite large Optima. But small rises in power and torque, and the latter’s availability lower in the rev range, means it feels more adequate now.

Offering up to 67mpg and with CO2 as low as 110g/km, it’s ideal for the business buyers Kia is unashamedly chasing early on. Those petrol and hybrid versions will be more up the street of private buyers, while there’s a very neat looking SportsWagon estate coming, too.

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2016 Kia K900 Test Drive

The old school American luxury car is alive and well. Except now it’s made in South Korea.

The 2016 Kia K900 may look like it’s trying to be a European sports sedan, but it’s really more of a plush boulevardier in the spirit of the Lincoln Town Car, Cadillac Fleetwood, and all the old boats on the block. This isn’t a bad thing.

Admit it, the only time you do anything in your luxury car that requires “handling” a Big Gulp is involved. The K900 doesn’t know the word.

It’s an enormous, Iowa-class battleship of a vessel. LeBron James is the pitchman for the K900 and, while I’m still skeptical that he’d actually buy one if he weren’t paid to, I have no problem believing that he and three of his clones would fit comfortably in it. It’s King size, for sure.

When the rear-wheel-drive K900 launched last year, it was only offered with a 420 hp 5.0-liter V8, but now there’s also a 311 hp V6 that’s more than adequate for the tasks that will most commonly be at hand: crawling through city traffic and making sleep-inducing freeway runs.

The new engine brings the starting price down to $49,950, which maxes out at $60,850 with all of the V6 model’s options boxes checked. That’s either a lot for a Kia, or really cheap for an alternative to an executive full-size like the BMW 7-Series or Audi A8.

The rear cabin can be furnished with heated, ventilated, reclining seats with adjustable lumbar support, plus its own climate control system. Up front, the wood trim is rich and glossy, the dashboard is upholstered in stitched leather, and the seats can handle a broad backside.

If you don’t think the name is prestigious enough to justify the price, don’t worry. Everyone who got in it gave me the “oooh, this is nice, what is this?” reaction, just like in a cliché commercial. When I told them, it didn’t seem to change their impression either way. It may not be quite as elegant as a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it is dressier than a Tesla Model S.

It’s not as high-tech as either of those, however. It won’t park itself or steer between the lines, but you can get adaptive cruise control with automatic emergency braking, blind spot and lane departure warning systems, and a 360-degree parking camera.

Both engines are silky, as are the 8-speed automatic transmission and the ride. The cabin is so quiet it’s like someone put it on mute. I’ve put 750-plus miles on K900s and loved every one of them. Well, almost.

While its smooth sailing most of the time, some harsh bumps can twerk the steering wheel in your hands. Passengers don’t notice, but I did, and I can’t think of the last car, luxury or otherwise, that’s happened in. It seems like something that could be easily rectified, though, and is the only blemish on the K900’s “serenity now” experience.

The K900 is not an exciting car to drive or look at, despite its phony fender vents, so it’s appropriate that it’s only available in four colors: Black, white, and two silvers. Livery drivers would love it and, with that back seat, your Uber rating would go through the roof – which in this case features panoramic glass that covers both rows.

But can it handle twisty mountain roads like those imports? I don’t know, because unless I go out of my way to find one, I never have to drive on any. Likely neither do you. President Eisenhower’s interstate highway system and the efficient suburban development it helped spawn saw to that. The K900 may be an immigrant, but it’s clearly pledged allegiance to the American way.

At least the way things used to be.

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Kia Grand Sedona is quite a find for families

There was a time when I thought the best road trip car was the Porsche 911. Then I got married and we had two kids. Then the latest generation Kia Sedona arrived in the office car park. It’s got seven seats, a massive boot, loads of cup holders and other storage spaces. It’s my new best road trip car.

Yes, I have joined the school run and all those parents who wish they could still drive a sportscar to work, but find new solace in practicality. There are, of course, plenty of options. As I write I have also been driving a Volkswagen Caravelle. It too is a great vehicle, full of practicality, but let’s be honest, it’s a bus, loved by tour companies and executive shuttle services. It is probably better than the Sedona in many areas, but the Kia can still be called a car, just like the Porsche. It’s a stretch I know, but many a parent will understand.

The multipurpose vehicle is a tricky thing. There was a time when your choices were limited to the Renault Scenic, the Toyota Verso, the VW Touran or the much-loved VW Kombi. You could also go for the American favourite, the Chrysler Voyager, but that has got rather expensive these days.

Not to say that the Sedona is cheap. At R661,995 for the 2.2 CRDI seven-seater version we had on test, it puts paid to the idea that Kia is a cheap brand. Yes, it’s cheaper than some rivals, including the Voyager, but it reinforces the fact that parenthood does not come cheap.

You do, however, get a lot for your money. It boasts electronically sliding doors and luxurious leather captain chairs that adjust all over the place. There is masses of space and a boot that looks as though it could swallow a Smart car when the third row of seats is folded away. There are cup holders galore, armrests, storage spaces, power outlets and road trip necessities such as cruise control, multizone climate control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, heated and cooled front seats and an Eco driving mode. There’s also a rear sunroof so when the kids start playing up you can tell them to look for a plane in the sky. It works for five minutes, I promise.

Then there is the styling. It looks good. It has presence. The designers have recognised that parents do not want a vehicle that looks like a bus. They do not want to give up completely on style and feel they have to park around the corner when they go to a work function and pass all their colleagues’ German sedans. From the large grille, LED daytime running lights and plenty of executive chrome embellishments, the designers have given the front of the Sedona a smart look. It carries on through the modern side profile and stylish wheels to the rear with its slightly sporty spoiler and neat lines. This is no box on wheels — it actually has plenty of style. I might even go so far as to say it looks slightly more intimidating than some German sedans.

It also drives surprisingly well. The 2.2 turbodiesel punches out a very respectable 147kW. To put that into perspective, that is the same output as the fifth generation Volkswagen Golf GTi. Leave the kids at home and find a decent piece of road and it holds its own, particularly in terms of dynamics. I was remarkably impressed at how composed it is. There is little body roll but the ride is not hard. This is a family vehicle after all and it offers a comfortable ride.

I was even more impressed with the ride quality when I put the Kia Sorento through its paces during Car of the Year testing. The Sorento was wallowy and battled to remain composed during an emergency lane change procedure. The Sedona, despite its family values, handled much better.

Journeys in and out of town were a pleasure, with a relaxed driving position. I can only imagine that the designers know what it means to be in a relaxed driver’s seat while the kids are shouting in the back. On that note, the sound system is also quite good, but as we have said so many times before, Kia needs to catch up to its rivals when it comes to infotainment systems. The company does have a South African-sourced option but even that is not great.

Now before you think I have gone completely to the parental side and should start writing road tests for parenting magazines, believe me, I would still grab the key to a 911 or a performance sedan any day for a road trip or simply a quick blast out of town.

But the Grand Sedona is an excellent compromise for those who want to transport the family to the nearest jungle gym or a road trip destination in a relaxed and luxurious manner. It is stylish, well equipped and goes beyond what one expects of a regular MPV. It really is quite grand.

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Kia Celebrates 2 Million Cars Built In The U.S.

Kia Motors’ factory in Georgia just passed an important milestone, with the two-millionth vehicle rolling off the assembly line.

The car in question is a white 2016 Kia Sorento SXL, with the KMM Georgia factory currently building more than 40 per cent of all Kia models sold in the United States.

Kia has invested more than $1.1 billion in the manufacturing facilities of Georgia since the plant began mass production in 2009, creating more than 15,000 jobs in West Point and the surrounding region.

“Assembling two million vehicles in less than seven years is a remarkable achievement, and one that each of our team members can take a lot of pride in,” said KMM Georgia President and CEO Hyun-Jong Shin. “The world-class quality that goes into every Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan we build is a direct result of the hard work and commitment of our team members, and today we salute their commitment to excellence.”

Kia is currently building the Sorento SUV and Optima mid-size sedan in the Georgia factory which is the first manufacturing site in North America for Kia.

“Together, Kia and Georgia have a strong reputation of success,” said Governor Nathan Deal. “The company’s continued investment in the state speaks volumes to our pro-business atmosphere, and we will continue to support them as they grow here. I want to congratulate Kia’s team members on this accomplishment.”

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