Road test: Kia cee’d ISG GT-Line

For mainstream car engine designers, less is more. Generally, this means smaller capacity engines with higher power outputs, helped by turbo charging.

Makes such as VW and Ford have gone down this route, as having three, rather than four, cylinders means that the engine does away with a quarter of its moving parts. Since making them go round takes energy, this impacts on the amount of fuel it uses.

Now Kia has joined this club with a 1.0 turbo petrol triple, the first member of a new family of engines, appearing for the first time in a mildly revamped cee’d.

Despite its weird name, this is a car with plenty of other skills, which have been enhanced by the 1.0 engine, or a new, 1.6 diesel, available with a seven-speed duel clutch self-shifting transmission for the first time. Older 1.4 and 1.6 petrols remain.

Space doesn’t permit a detailed rundown of the visual and spec upgrades visited on the car (illuminated USB port and extra bits of chrome anyone?), but it remains swoopy looking outside and decently spacious within.

The 1.0 is offered in two states of tune. The more powerful 118bhp version pulls very well from low speeds. You’d never guess it was a tiddler. Kia claims 57.6mpg combined, which means real-world economy ought to be 40-plus mpg, and the car comes with a seven- year/100,000 warranty.
So the reconstituted cee’d is efficient, well made, decently equipped and easy to live with, although at more than £20k, our GT-Line version was no longer cheap.

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Kia Sorento Named Canadian Car of the Year Awards

Across the globe, various countries have annual “Car of the Year” awards—and Canada is no exception. Though our neighbors to the North are known for their hockey, maple syrup, and friendly countenances, they also have some mighty fine tastes in automobiles. That’s why it comes as no surprise that the Kia Sorento has been nominated as one of the finalists for the Canadian Car of the Year awards.

For these awards, each of the nine automobile segments has a total of three finalists. The Kia’s popular Sorento is going up against the likes of the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Tucson in the Best New SUV/CUV ($35K-$60K). Journalists that are part of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada determined these finalists.

The vehicles were taken out for four days of testing in Clarington, Ontario, before casting their votes. Testing was conducted on a variety of routes, including public roads, a handling course, and a performance course. It covered a range of conditions that consumers might encounter in everyday driving.

The winners of the awards in each category will be announced in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on November 24^th, 2015. These winners will the compete for the grand title of the “2016 Canadian Car of the Year,” “Candian Truck or Utility Vehicle of the Year,” “Canadian Green Car of the Year,” and “Canadian Green Truck or Utility Vehicle of the Year.” To qualify for these awards, the nominees must be new or significantly updated for 2016.

This isn’t the only “Car of the Year” award the Sorento is in the running for. The SUV was recently named Public Car of the Year at the Middle East Car of the Year Awards.

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All-New KIA Optima Wins Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award

It seems that when it's not busy helping people get in 'the Zone', the 2016 KIA Optima can also moonlight as an award-winning midsize sedan.

The Optima snagged a 'Best Buy' award (for its segment) from a field of 49 finalists, most of which eventually moved aside as only 12 cars won accolades. Apparently it's not one thing alone that makes the Optima a great "investment", but a variety of characteristics that add more overall value than you'd get from any of its rivals.

Be that as it may, there are still those who fancy the previous generation model's design over this one, and at least from some angles, it's tough to argue against that. To be fair though, in terms of interior quality, comfort and on-board tech the newer car has the edge.

Oh and, those 49 finalists we mentioned earlier were chosen from over 300 new-car models, so grabbing this award was no cakewalk.

"The all-new 2016 Optima has matured in all the right ways, from the European sport-sedan design to the premium interior materials to its vastly improved ride and handling," said Orth Hedrick, KIA VP of product planning. "To be recognized by the experts at Kelley Blue Book as a Best Buy among some of the toughest competition in the industry is a true honor and strong indication that the all-new Optima is poised to continue its sales success and the ongoing elevation of the Kia brand."

Jack R. Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book mentioned that "No single attribute set the Optima apart; instead it was the all-new Optima’s combination of high-value elements that prompted us to bestow on it our prestigious Best Buy Award," which in hindsight is probably the best way in which a car can win this award - through sheer value.

In a way, the part about no single attribute setting the Optima apart probably sounds a lot more "harmless" than it should. When a car can't ace any category within its own segment, some people might have a hard time seeing it as a truly great product.

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Kia gives us a glimpse of the second-generation Cadenza sedan

The Kia Cadenza is a full-size premium sedan meant to go up against cars like the Buick LaCrosse and Nissan Maxima. With a new Maxima on the market, and a new LaCrosse to follow in the next year, the segment is once again heating up. Kia's making sure its product is up to date, too, and what you see here is the first look at the Cadenza's second generation, set to launch next year.
Compared to the current model, the next Cadenza looks far more angular. It's longer, lower and wider -- a little less cartoonish than the current offering. The character line running the length of the body is also a bit stronger, and there are far more sharp edges hidden in the front fascia. The rear end looks to extend Kia's current design language, with large, flowing taillights and more of a fastback shape coming off the roofline.
The interior's rendering looks far more production-ready than the rest. The general focus on horizontal lines continues, and Kia mentions that there will be a new focus on high-end interior materials. Familiar Kia touches abound, like the steering wheel and the grouping of physical switchgear beneath the infotainment screen. All in, the Cadenza's new interior looks like it belongs on the brand's flagship K900 sedan.
If this second generation seems to be hard on the heels of the first, your assumption would be correct. The US received the first-gen Cadenza in 2013, halfway into the car's global lifecycle. Thus, the time has come to crown a successor to the throne of surprisingly cheap luxury. Kia says the new Cadenza will launch in 2016, but specifics about price and market availability are nonexistent.

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2016 Kia Forte vs 2016 Kia Rio

When it comes to cars that you just can’t help but enjoy when you are driving them, the 2016 Kia Forte and 2016 Kia Rio are near the top of the list. These cars just have a way of putting a smile on everyone’s face, with their sporty handling, outstanding fuel economy, and relaxing interiors. But unless you are planning on purchasing two new cars, (and trust us, we wouldn’t mind if you did) only one of these cars is right for you. Allow us to help you try and decide with the 2016 Kia Forte vs 2016 Kia Rio comparison.

Passenger and Cargo Space

When people first begin looking at the 2016 Kia Forte vs 2016 Kia Rio comparison, one of the first things they wonder is what the interior size difference is. With the Forte being a compact car and the Rio being a subcompact, there is a noticeable difference which may factor into your decision depending on how much room you need in the car!

	2016 Kia Forte	2016 Kia Rio
Head Room (front/rear)	39.1 / 37.3 inches	40.0 / 37.6 inches
Leg Room (front/rear)	42.2 / 35.9 inches	43.8 / 31.1 inches
Passenger Volume	96.2 cubic-feet	88.4 cubic-feet
Cargo Volume	14.9 cubic-feet	13.7 cubic-feet

Engine Power and Fuel Economy

Next up, we take a look at the engine output and fuel economy that the 2016 Kia Forte and 2016 Kia Rio offer. The Forte has two engine options in its four door model, while the Rio only has one.

Forte with 1.8-liter I-4	Forte with 2.0-liter I-4	Rio with 1.6-liter I-4
145-horsepower	173-horsepower	138-horsepower
130 lb.-ft of torque	154 lb.-ft of torque	123 lb.ft of torque
26-mpg city	24-mpg city	27-mpg city
39-mpg hwy	35-mpg hwy	38-mpg hwy

Interior Features

Finally, what is probably the most similar in the 2016 Kia Forte vs 2016 Kia Rio comparison is the features that each of them offers for drivers to choose from. Each can come equipped with Kia’s UVO eServices infotainment system, making it easy to call people, send messages, access apps, and stream music. Navigation is also available with UVO eServices.

Other features that both vehicles have available in them include comfort options such as power-adjustable driver’s seats, leather seat trim, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The cars also have power windows and doors, as well as push-button start available.

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Kia Sorento Earns Public Car of the Year Title at Middle East Car of the Year Awards

The 2016 Kia Sorento isn’t just making a splash in the United States—it’s shaking things up in the global market, too. Kia’s popular crossover was recently named the Public Car of the Year at the Middle East Car of the Year Awards, making the Sorento a favorite among Middle Eastern consumers.

To earn its new title, the Sorento received the highest number of public votes from across the Middle East, beating out 48 other nominated vehicles.“The people have spoken!” said Alex Chung, President of Kia Motors Middle East and Africa. “The incredible vote of confidence from the Middle East customers themselves is a fantastic achievement for all of us at Kia and will inspire us all to try even harder to satisfy the exacting standards of car buyers in this region.”

Currently, the Middle East is one of the Korean carmaker’s most successful markets, allowing Kia to increase its global sales volume significantly. It comes as no surprise that the Sorento was named the Public Car of the Year in the Middle East. This crossover recently debuted a new redesign, which features an exterior style that exudes both sophistication and athleticism.This award comes on the tail of Kia Motors’ newest production milestone, which was when it exported its 15 millionth vehicle in June. Coincidentally, it was a 2016 Kia Sorento heading to the United Arab Emirates.

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Kia Motors adds 25 more dealerships

Kia Motors México has announced the opening of 25 new dealerships, an investment of more than US $50 million, adding to the 21 it opened in 10 major cities in July. By the end of October, the South Korean auto maker had sold 6,659 vehicles since then, suggesting it will easily beat its target of 7,000.

 The company’s Mexico sales manager suggested that the opening of 46 dealerships in less than a year was a record in Mexican automotive history. Tae Jin Park also said Kia Motors now has a presence in 85% of the market.

Its July sales totaled 1,499 vehicles, beating BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Suzuki, and the numbers have been increasing steadily since, hitting 1,829 units in October.Kia is currently offering its Forte compact sedan and Sportage and Sorento SUVs in Mexico, but next year will add the Optima mid-size sedan to the list.The company anticipates having 65 dealers by 2017. Kia will begin manufacturing vehicles in Mexico next May when its new assembly plant in Nuevo León is scheduled to begin production.

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