Hyundai-Kia Aims to Win Big with “Green” Buyers

 
Gas prices are relatively low right now, but history dictates that they probably will not stay this affordable forever. And no matter how little drivers are paying at the pump, there are environmental and economic issues to be concerned about. Emissions from gasoline use are damaging to the environment and fossil fuels are in limited supply.

While current demand may not be particularly high, there is still a need for auto manufacturers to develop vehicles that run either entirely or partially on electricity. Toyota has long held the title for offering the best selling hybrid, the Toyota Prius. However, Hyundai-Kia aims to become a major contender in the market by promising to have 26 electric and hybrid models on the market by 2020.hyundai-kia

Hyundai-Kia’s Catch-Up Plan

Lee Ki-Sang was appointed to lead Hyundai Motor Group’s eco-car powertrain division in 2005, but by then, Toyota Motor Corp. had already gained an eight-year lead in creating hybrid vehicles. And after deciding to enter the electric/hybrid market, it took Hyundai nearly two years to assemble a relevant team. Because of this, the company did not launch its first gasoline-electric drivetrain vehicle, the Sonata Hybrid, until 2010.

Being so far behind, Hyundai-Kia has no plans to overtake Toyota’s top spot by 2020, but merely to be in second place, ahead of all other automakers. While even claiming the number two spot may seem like a very ambitious undertaking, such a move may actually be necessary for the company. It is predicted that emissions rules will continue to get stricter in the coming years, so all car makers may eventually need to efficiently harness the power of electricity in order to stay viable.

If planning to offer 26 electric and hybrid options seems like a lofty goal, it should be remembered that Hyundai-Kia is facing some pretty tough odds if they even want to get close to Toyota in this market. Last year, Hyundai sold 42,900 hybrids and plug-ins worldwide. Kia sold just 18,735 hybrid models and only managed to move 8,450 units of its Soul EV.

On the other hand, Toyota sold a total of 1.2 million hybrids and plug-in hybrids in 2015.

It would be an understatement to declare that Hyundai-Kia has a long road and a lot of work ahead of them. Karl Brauer, senior director of automotive industry insights at Kelley Blue Book has some advice to offer on how the company might achieve its lofty goal:

“Hyundai-Kia will have to establish a cost-effective supply chain for batteries and motors, and it will need vehicle designs that allow for the easy integration of electric powertrains.”

Concerning production issues, Lee Ki-Sang remains optimistic. He is quick to point out the fact that only a minimum of variants could cover all of their eco-car needs:

“For example, all our electric motors have the same diameter. The power output is different, but we can just adjust the width of the core winding. Or for the motor controller, we have standardized it to use the same printed circuit boards.”

And to launch into their concerted efforts to gain ground in the hybrid/electric vehicle market, Hyundai has started strong with their “Ioniq Project,” which aims to take on the Prius.

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2017 Kia Sportage SX FWD Turbo: The affordable performance crossover

It's often tough to capture in a few words what a car will or will not do. Such is the case with Kia's 2017 Sportage SX FWD, the affordable performance crossover.

"Darn quick, agile, fun to drive, a decent long hauler, dynamic looking!" all appropriate accolades for 2017 Kia Sportage; a brand name that's plied America's roads for 2 decades.

2017 Kia Sportage comes to market with an MSRP($22,990 LX FWD to $35,750+, SX Turbo AWD) and a standard features list that butts heads with Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escalade. If this competition was to come down to dynamic looks alone, Kia Sportage, the "Darth Vader" of the compact crossover set, could possibly win the segment hands down.

It's the "Art of the Line" and Kia's on it!

It's unusual that you'll find Torque News reviewing a FWD (front wheel drive) crossover or SUV. Most, if not all of our contributors live in snow country, and tend to drift toward "all wheel" or 4-wheel drive optioned 2 and 3 row, domestic and import crossovers and SUVs.

living in the Pacific Northwest, I made the assumption that our "week in the seat" would be conducted in an all-wheel drive Kia Sportage. Not! This is where things turn a shade of gray. I was amazed by the stability and traction afforded to me by this compact FWD crossover. could it be that I didn't require an AWD equipped SUV for Eugene, Oregon winters?

You know what they say about assumptions

Assuming that our latest Kia was AWD, I didn't check the specifications before venturing off road. In fact, I took the 6 speed electronically shifted automatic transmission, 2.0 Liter 16 valve DOHC smart-injected, turbocharged, 4 cylinder CVTT gasoline engine with FWD (2-wheel-drive) onto a 3 mile gravel ranch road in the rain and mud -- it didn't skip a beat, slip, slide, down hill, bury, side slide, or stall.

Turbo-torque, smooth shifting, traction-stability track

To put it in a nut shell: We discovered a surprisingly refined and well engineered package in what was at one time a bare-bones "wish I had bought up a notch" compact crossover -- No more! The Kia brand continues on a fast-track auto evolution, with no compromise noted as to blatant cost saving measures -- resulting in a cheep looking interior and suspect paint finishes. What you see is what you get when it comes to Kia Sportage.

Our 2017 Kia Sportage SX test mule proves to be a surprising sport-UTE as to (near) instant on demand torque, sprint speed, and road handling agility. The 2.0 Liter turbocharged engine is rated at 240 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and most noticeably, 260 lb-ft torque @1450 to 3500 rpm, right were you need it, in the midrange.

Frankly the spot-on acceleration off the light is quite surprising, as was a conducted roll off from 40 mph to 100 mph. in it's essence, 2017 Sportage Turbo is a "driver's" crossover.

On the safety, connectivity side of things

Sportage SX comes standard equipped with push button "drive mode select," steering wheel paddle shifting, ABS, traction control, collision avoidance, rear sensing, blind spot detection with lane assist, and more.

We further discovered premium, power adjusted, cooled and heated seating. A heated, leather wrapped wheel, ample interior convenience and exit lighting -- an almost intuitive center stack and dash array, as well as a Harman Kardon premium stereo/ entertainment system with *Apple Carplay and Android based Blue Tooth connectivity.

On a personal note: Nancy and I didn't have much luck with " personal connectivity," I'm sure it's a personal hard drive glitch. Navigation worked well, and is displayed via Kia's stelar UVO 8 inch monitor with Navigation and Android Auto.

A 4 inch color center dash i-MID is provided for monitoring engine vitals, trip fuel efficiency and remaining fuel range. Dash gauges are anologue looking and easy to read.

I truly appreciate Kia's uncluttered one screen center stack, optional hand to knob stereo and climate control connectivity. I also like the Kia's use of red instrument and control lighting for night driving -- it takes me back to my BMW and Porsche roots.

Speaking of night time driving: Our top of the line Sportage SX comes equipped with "bending light" and self leveling BI-Xenon HID Projector Beam headlamps -- they work very well, without blinding the oncoming driver.

O.K., I'll just say it, I found the Sportage SX to be just a tad over tech

While I do appreciate modern automotive technology, Kia may have hit the wall here with a plate full of overlapping control options. Some drivers may consider the fully optioned Sportgage SX to be a bit redundant in this regard. However, it's nice to have choices, and one doesn't necessarily have to use all of them.

I have very few complaints on the driving side of Sportage SX Turbo -- other than perhaps too firm a driver's seat, and very limited vision through the rear view mirror. Also at times, I experienced a noticeable feeling of hesitant acceleration, or delay at times. There are many systems, and sensors working in and around Kia Sportage, and at times -- you can feel them working.

I attribute this phenomena to Kia's "very" active safety and accident prevention features. But, you can turn many features off with the push of a button. I'll leave it at that.

Interior quiet, seating and finish quality

Sportage is not the quietest, nor the roomiest crossover in the compact 2-row segment, that honor goes to this car. However, other than a bothersome wind sounds coming off of the oversized exterior rearview mirrors, and minimal tread noise, Kia Sportage presents a near premium package of measurable quality and good utility. At the price point it's a measurable value.

2017 Sportage is quiet enough, features a decent ride and independent suspension handling tendency. When driven aggressively. Kia Sportage holds a decent line. I like the stability exhibited by Sportage while driven through a high speed sweep.

The 19 inch well styled alloy wheels and 245/45R-19 low profile all season tires work very well in tandem with Kia's independent suspension and vented disk brakes, to provide a fade-free relatively high speed ride and drive experience.

As to the interior ride comfort: I do like the infinitely adjustable driver's and front passenger seat,( although I find it to be a bit aggressively bolstered for crossover) piano black and brushed chrome-like interior trim accents, very decent hard and soft-padded molded surfaces, integrated headliner, glass roof, roof rails and lit door handles.

Sportage's drive and ride seating position is elevated, instilling in the driver a sense of confidence and control.Yet entering and exiting Kia Sportage is effortless, as is opening the automated rear hatch.

However, the second row is a bit limited as to head and leg clearance -- and is better suited for passengers of shorter stature or children. With the second row set in the down position, you will find 60.1 cubic ft of cargo area -- 10 less than Honda CR-V, but comparable to Mazda 5.

On the down side: I found the carpet mats to be riding the ridge of substandard, and the option foglight cowling on our Sportage SX to be suspiciously thin and flexible. But, when compared to the competition, and I've driven them all, I give Sportage extremely high marks for "Sport with attitude," good looks, and price point.

For driver's that demand engine and handling performance from their compact crossover, 2017 Kia Sportage has earned your test drive. It's fun to drive, nimble an MSRP consumer friendly. On a budget? You may wish to take a look at the normally aspirated 2.5 Liter Kia Sportage LX.

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Summer's on us is back! Lease a 2016 Kia Optima, Forte or Soul for just $98/month!

Kia Sorento review: It's a top dog

MY husband calls our Great Dane confused.com. She is, shall we say, challenged in the brain department. Think Scooby Doo and you get the picture.

It didn’t help, too, that her best pal was our incredibly sharp but recently deceased Springer Spaniel, which just made her look even more dopey than perhaps would have been the case.

She barks at nothing, gets herself into pickles and, when she is feeling out of sorts, sports an absolutely spot-on hang-dog expression. Did I say she only has one eye?

So when I heard her barking the other day, I thought nothing of it until I got out to the brand new Kia Sorento sitting on our driveway – and there she was, barking and looking (with one eye) in consternation at the tailgate, which was open.

And then I got it. I had accidentally pressed the key to open the boot while rushing around gathering up everything I was taking with me and confused.com had decided to attack it as it quietly swung up.

I am not sure whether this proves there is some active grey matter between her ears or means that she is even dimmer than we thought but I was impressed by the range and the function of the key.

I often stand behind my own car pressing the “open boot” button in vain. Tick that box, the Kia Sorento automatic tailgate works – and I have the Great Dane to prove it.

The large seven-seat Sorento – and its little brother, the Sportage – have done amazing things for Kia in an increasingly busy SUV marketplace. We had a previous model and we liked it a lot but the new Sorento shows just how far Kia have come.

It is big, bold and impressive, sitting on 19in wheels, with a lovely dark mesh grille surrounded by chrome, privacy glass, roof rails and a wonderful panoramic sunroof. It looks and sounds expensive – with nice soft-click doors.

Inside, the theme continues, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats all in leather – often the mark of a more upmarket car.

The driver’s seat had more adjustments than I cared to count but it also had the memory function with it so that, each time I got in, it slid into the correct position for me.

This is a plus because I am small and it means, when I stopped, the seat slid back and it was easy to get out. There is loads of space, nice ambient lights and the whole front deck is very well finished in high-gloss black.

This version, the all-wheel-drive KX-4, is the top of the range, so it comes with sat nav, Bluetooth with music streaming, a reversing camera and a 360-degree all-round monitor.

It drives really well and, of course, you get that nice high seating position giving you a commanding view of the road ahead. It made me feel comfortable and, if needed, I could switch into sport mode for a bit of extra performance.

If it’s the economy you want then there is Eco mode. Indeed, I was continually amazed by the instrument display and how little fuel I was going through.

I have always been a great admirer of the Sorento – it performs so well and is so reliable – and this latest model gives you an even better drive.

It is ideal for drivers in Scotland, with the panoramic roof for the summer and the all-wheel capability for the winter. And even though it has a 2.2-litre diesel engine, it is quiet and refined.

There is no doubt about it, it is definitely now an alternative choice for drivers seeking a quality SUV with looks, comfort and performance. It is a bit of a big smoothie, actually, and, unlike our Great Dane, it has the intelligence to match.

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X-Men-inspired Kia KX5 – 2016 Auto China Live

Kia is displaying a one-off Kia KX5 (fourth generation Kia Sportage) inspired by X-Men at Auto China 2016 (2016 Beijing Motor Show). Created in collaboration with Twentieth Century Fox and the X-Men movie franchise, the special Kia KX5 seen in the images is inspired by X-Men character Mystique.

This is the second generation Kia X-Car. In 2014, Kia introduced the X-Men-inspired Kia Sorento and unveiled it later at the Australian Open 2015.

The X-Men-inspired Kia KX5 was first showcased under the global ‘Sportage’ branding in Melbourne, Australia before the start of the Australian Open 2016 in January. It features custom bodywork with special textured ‘tone-on-tone’ matte and gloss blue paint finish. Other modifications include racing wheels and tyres and red and yellow bodywork highlights. There’s no mention of modifications under the hood.

Needless to say, the X-Men-inspired Kia KX5 (fourth generation Kia Sportage) is just a show car. Kia hasn’t announced any plans to make it available for sale, not even in limited numbers. The show car was created to promote the X-Men: Apocalypse’s global release in cinemas in May 2016 and Kia’s sponsorship of the Australian Open 2016 tennis tournament.

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Dude, Kia Sportage got game!

I’ve always chafed at the name Kia “Sportage.” Sportage sounds like something MTV’s star beach bum Pauly Shore would say. Like “After I do some sportage, I’m gonna get some foodage.” Or “Like, dude, I’m totally spent. That was some serious sportage.” Hip. Funky.

Not something you’d associate with a compact crossover appliance in the high-volume, mainstream segment. But after driving Kia’s new 2017 Sportage, maybe I was wrong.

This is no appliance. This dude is loaded with personality.

In its ambitious climb to social respectability, Kia and Korean-twin Hyundai have slavishly copied German brand wardrobes. Hyundai’s luxury Genesis has aped Audi’s big grille and taut lines, while Kia just hired VW-Audi designer Peter Schreyer himself. Schreyer wasted no time sculpting a sexier Kia. Leaner stance. Signature, “tiger-nose” grille. Personality.

For the new Sportage, Schreyer reached for exterior cues from the Alpha male of the VW family: Porsche. Stroll around the outside and Sportage has an unmistakable echo of Stuttgart’s bullet-shaped Macan. Rake, dual-eyed headlights. Rounded corners. A menacing mouth. The Porsche’s egg-crate grille screams mean while the Sportage has ... cute-age? Yes, like an enraged Pokeman. GRRRRRR.

Stomp on the Kia’s turbocharged, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine and this box goes. It’s not the tire-squirming torque steer of Korean imports of yesteryear, but the refined pep of a German machine. This isn’t a quirky Kia Soul but a serious automobile with crisp handling and tailored interior to match its styling, right down to the alphabet-soup badge on my top-of-the-line turbo: SX-GDI.

The black instrument cluster behind the flat-bottomed steering wheel (sport-age!) is highlighted by white graphics and red dials. The dash is nicely appointed with matte-black row of buttons, air ducts, and horizontal lines. It’s right out of a VW-Audi parts bin.

The Sportage follows on the same platform as the handsome, 2016 Hyundai Tucson (big brother always gets the first wardrobe makeover). Last summer I tested the base, wonderfully-affordable, $23,720 Tucson, which goes about its business in a very, um, business-like way. My all-wheel-drive Sportage tester is a different animal. Not just because it was dressed to the nines at $34,895 (its base price just $300 more than the Tucson) — but because it cuts a more athletic stance.

The Kia feels less like the Tucson and more like Hyundai’s Sante Fe Sport — a sexier version of Hyundai’s larger, mid-sized Santa Fe aimed squarely at Ford’s Edge. Confusing, I know, but that’s how these Korean twins differentiate themselves.

Befitting their badges, Sportage and Santa Fe Sport get steroid-fed engines — 181 horsepower base 2.4-liter or powerful 240-horse turbo-fours. The Tucson is stuck with a 2.0-liter, 164-horse, 2.0-liter four or a 1.6-liter turbo-4 option with 175 ponies. In a 0-60 sprint, Sportage leaves Tucson in the dust.

If they were high school classmates, you’d recognize Sportage and Sport as the jocks — Tucson the nerd.

That said, Sportage’s safety and reliability numbers are class summa cum laude. The Kia is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety top safety pick and its J.D. Power reliability and dependability numbers shame even Honda and Subaru.

Brains and looks. Like Jennifer Grey’s nose job, Sportage’s new face has born a thousand opinions. I like it. The AWD model also gets less chin for more ground clearance — in case you want to take it off-road. The Sportage turbo’s prominent side gills — more Porsche inspiration — are lit up with four, luxurious “ice-cubes” each. Dude, LED-age. The flanks continue the athletic, rounded theme with the rear sporting a tasteful combination of Audi lights (ribbed LED inlays) and a horizontal, Lincoln-esque signature connecting the corners.

Kia has done its homework. So how does Sportage stand up to my favorite compact crossover, Ford Escape?

Where the Escape and Hyundai Tucson appear separated at birth, the Kia’s dramatically different looks will stand out on Michigan highways choked with Escapes (the second-best selling small crossover). The Kia offers lots of nifty features like lane-keep assist (handy on late interstate drives back from the sticks when your eyes are getting sleepy, sleeeeeepy — BEEEEEPP! — the warning tells you you’ve crossed the line). Unlike some of its peers, the system is calibrated to detect steering wander — not every lane change — so it never feels like a nanny. Thanks, Kia.

Kia’s instruments feel more luxurious than the Ford — that Audi influence again — though I craved more personality (like the unique Chrysler Pacifica I just drove). But in certain crucial details the Ford still sets the standard. Like the kick-open rear hatch, which even Audi has copied. Lay-flat rear seats (Kia still has an annoying hump that would impede storage) assist Ford’s superior cargo room. Little things, but this segment is so competitive it comes down to the little things.

Still, for just $34K — the price of an Escape Titanium sans trimmings — a loaded Sportage matches Ford’s full moon-roof so you can stargaze while doing spoon-age with your date.

Ford’s SYNC system I found more responsive to voice commands — but in truth, no infotainment system these days (shy of Audi’s sensational 12-inch instrument display) is worth the price with superior smart phones at our finger tips. On this point, Hyundai and Kia (and Honda and GM) are a lap ahead of the competition. With Kia’s Android Auto taking over the dash, I can use my Samsung phone’s superior “Ask Google” app to navigate me to some far flung point of interest — say, “The Lingenfelter Car Collection” in Milford. Try that with your car’s nav system.

Kia’s nicely-sorted console space even provides a large cubby in front of the gearshift so your essential phone is never far away.

But where the Sportage rewards you day-in-and day-out is with its on-road charisma. This is not a boring SUV. Acceleration is rabbit quick — and the SX-GDI even offers a Sport mode for a few more revs in the twisties. In a world where (my favorite 220-horse) hot hatches are in the Sportage price point, this grunt is a welcome addition to the family ute. As is the handling. The AWD system rotates beautifully and I tore up Oakland County esses with the nicely appointed chassis. When the venom seized me Mrs. Payne reached for the door handles — which are right where they are supposed to be.

Yeah, the Sportage comes with lane-keep warning. But this little hipster will never make you drowsy.

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2016 Kia Optima Review

Why is it that some cars fly under the radar? You think more people would know about a certain vehicle and embrace its goodness. And yet, for whatever reason, the model doesn’t catch on with the mainstream.

Such is the case with the Kia Optima. It’s more eye-catching than other family sedans, but Kia sells half as many Optimas as the safe-bet Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

A redesign for 2016 brings a new air of mainstream opulence to the Optima. It has improved ride comfort, better handling and braking, and a roomier interior. But it’s also so loaded with standard and smartly priced optional features that you feel like you got more than you paid for.

We tested a midlevel EX, which has a smooth 185-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, mated to a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission.

Its 8-second 0-to-60 time is about a half-second quicker than the equivalent Camry and is sprightly for freeway merging. Though the Optima’s fuel economy is a respectable 28 mpg, a few competitors do get more than 30 mpg.

And unlike many family sedans that provide a smoother ride at the expense of precise handling, the Optima strikes a fine balance between comfort and sharp cornering.

There’s a firmness to the Optima’s ride that’s evocative of higher-priced European sedans. However, tire noise becomes noticeable on coarse pavement. The brake pedal has a firm feel, and the Optima has a shorter stopping distance than many competitors have.

Understated competence reigns inside the new Optima. Its large door openings make it easy to get in and out, and the wide and supportive leather driver’s seat is tearoom plush, complete with four-way power lumbar adjustment.

The 2016 Kia Optima has a sloping, tapered roofline that mimics the shape of other trendy, modern sedans. Such a silhouette can make rear seats seem claustrophobic, but the Optima’s commodious cabin has plenty of room.

The array of infotainment and climate controls is well-placed and easy to use, with a businesslike arrange­ment of familiar knobs and buttons.

Not that everything is perfect. The low dash vents are more likely to freeze your elbow than cool your face. And scrolling through music is irritating on the small, 5-inch radio screen.

Safety systems aren’t well distributed across the model line. Blind-spot detection and rear cross-traffic alert are optional on the EX, but you’re forced to step up to the SX if you want forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking; even then, it’s part of a $4,800 option package.

Aside from that overpriced option array, the Optima is a great value story. At $25,860, our EX came with 17-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control and leather seats (heated up front), along with a heated steering wheel. Comparably equipped competitors cost thousands more.

Kia’s reliability record has been improving, although not to Camry levels. With the 2016 edition, the new Optima offers an enjoyable driving experience, along with considerably more substance and refinement. It may be time to switch away from the easy choice.

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