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This Korean brand began selling cars in America in the early 90’s, and initially built very cheap and not well put together cars. Today, Kia has reinvented itself into a premium brand which sells very competitively priced cars. Models to watch: K9, Optima Hybrid
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Kia Prepping Forte Koup for Targa Newfoundland
This year’s event marks a “natural extension of the company’s US motorsports program,” according to an official Kia press release, began last fall with road racing.
Michelle Wie Stars in New Kia Soul Ad
Kia appears to be changing gears in its marketing approach for the Kia Soul, switching from comedy to sex appeal. After its popular Rapping Hamsters ad, the Korean automaker has just launched a new commercial featuring the 6-foot 1-inch 20-year-old pro golfer Michelle Wie. Kia’s soul is already thought to be somewhat of a chick-car…
Kia Vice-Chairman Resigns Over Recalls
Jeong Sung Eun, Kia‘s Vice Chairman, took the rare step of resigning his post on September 3rd, as he accepted responsibility for a large recall of Kia vehicles. Roughly 86,000 vehicles were recalled due to an electrical wiring issue that posed a potential fire hazard. About 35,000 Sorentos and Souls from the the 2010 and…
Kia To Upgrade Shock Absorbers On The 2011 Sorento
Kia‘s top of the line Sorento SX comes with special Dual Flow Dampers, which apparently offers a great blend of performance and comfort, while giving the Sorento a slightly lower ride height. However, the lesser Sorentos apparently offered a harsh ride of broken-up pavement, and Kia has taken notice. The DFD dampers will now be…
Kia Soul, Sorento Recalled Over Fire Concerns
Kia is recalling both the 2011 Sorento and the 2010 Soul after a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigation confirmed the interior lighting wiring harnesses could be faulty. The harnesses could develop an electrical short, which could then lead to a fire. The recall affects 35,185 vehicles built between September 7, 2009 and July…
Hyundai ix20 Picture Released Ahead Of Paris Auto Show Debut
Hyundai‘s subcompact crossover, the ix20, will be revealed at this month’s Paris Auto Show media days, but the company has released a rendering of the car in advance of its launch. Based on the Kia Venga, the ix20 is an interesting blend of a crossover and small car, similar to a Ford Fiesta hatchback. With…
Hyundai And Nissan Emerge as Rivals to Overtake Honda in U.S. Sales Race
The Japanese auto industry has always had a well-defined hierarchy, with Toyota, Honda and Nissan locked in a firmly established pecking order. But Toyota’s recent streak of quality problems has caused it to shed sales, causing a disruption in the marketplace. Customers fleeing Toyota are helping to propel the sales numbers of both Nissan and…
AAA Picks Top Vehicles For Dogs (and Their Owners)
Some rides are better suited for your dogs than others. From your dog’s point of view, all they need is an open window to stick their head out of, but the American Automobile Association (AAA) has put a bit more thought into compiling their list of the best canine-friendly vehicles. “More than 45 million households…
Kia Rondo Getting Axed Due to Sliding Sales
Kia appears to have quietly killed-off its Rondo MPV in response to a continued slide in sales. Visitors to the Rondo page on Kia’s U.S. website are greeted with the news, “Thank you for inquiring about the Rondo. As the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end’ But with endings, come new…
Kia POP City Car Concept to Debut at Paris Auto Show
Looking like what Hello Kitty might drive if she lived in the Tron universe, this new city car concept by Kia is called “POP” and is set to officially debut at the Paris Auto Show this fall. Taking design cues from the Kia Ray electric coupe concept, the POP is roughly 10 feet long and…
Suzuki Down 43%, Porsche Up 75%, In July 2010 Sales
Porsche was the big winner for July 2010 sales, moving 75% more cars than in July 2009, with Hyundai/Kia, Jaguar/Land Rover and the Big Three all making solid gains. Japanese auto makers bore the brunt of the market, with Toyota and Honda losing a bit of market share, while Suzuki took the dubious title of…
Kia’s “Who’s Next” YouTube Contest Could Land You $10,000
Have you got talent or do you think you’ve got talent? Kia Motors America is looking for you to be the next big Internet star with their $10,000 Who’s Next? contest on YouTube. An online video contest based around the Kia Soul, “Who’s Next” invites contestants to post their videos themed around the Soul on…
Kia Hesitant About Soul Variants
Kia‘s Soul compact car has a commanding lead over the Nissan Cube and Scion xB, outselling the Cube by a near 2:1 margin. But Kia is hesitant to expand the Soul’s lineup by spinning off variants of the boxy small car in the quest to increase sales. Speaking to Ward’s Auto, Orth Hedrick, director of…
2011 Kia Sportage Priced At $18,295
The 2011 Kia Sportage is set to go for $18,295 ($18,990 with destination), while coming equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, power windows, doorlocks and mirrors, auxillary inputs and Bluetooth connectivity. Powered by a 2.4L, 176 horsepower 4-cylinder, the Sportage is also set to get the 270 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder…
Kia and Yo Gabba Gabba Hit the Road For National Tour
One of the funkiest kids’ shows on TV and Korean automaker Kia are hitting the road for a cross-country tour. Nickelodeon’s “Yo Gabba Gabba” is pairing up once again with Kia (the first time being the Super Bowl commercial collaboration that aired this year). The ad featured Yo Gabba Gabba character Muno and an assortment…
Kia Unveils Limited Edition Soul Echo Model for the UK
In a clever black and white themed campaign, Kia UK is now offering a new special edition version of the Soul, as well as a special edition version of both the Picanto and Rio small cars. We can’t help but to relate it to Scion’s RS-series releases, where unique paint colors and accessories adorn the…
Consumers Reports Released List Of 10 Best Cars For Teen Drivers
Just like the title says, the venerable magazine Consumers Reports has released its list of cars suitable for teen drivers, and absolutely none of them will make the budding enthusiast glow with delight. Of course, Consumers Reports is primarly concerned with safety when it comes to cars for first time drivers, so their choices are…
Kia Looking to Scrap Model Names for Alphanumeric Badges
Kia is looking to add a little extra panache to its image by dropping the current list of model names in favor of alphanumeric designations. According Chung Eui-sun, to Vice Chairman to Hyundai Motor Co., which owns Kia, the Korean automaker is looking to make the switch in North America. Currently, Kia uses short alphanumeric…
Kia Donates Borrego SUVs for Firefighter Training
These vehicles will be used in a variety of scenarios that simulate real fire and emergency situations, plus as late-model vehicles they allow both students and instructors to learn about the latest in modern technology.
2011 Kia Optima Spied In The Wild
Nobody could ever accuse the previous generation Kia Optima of being interesting or fun cars. But that looks set to change when the new model debuts with bold new styling and a 274-horsepower 2.0 four-cylinder turbo engine. While previous pictures of the Optima have only been taken in studios with favorable lighting and re-touching, these…
Kia Tops Lists of Manufacturers Preferred by Women
It’s no mystery what women really want… well, at least that’s the case when it comes to cars. Unlike men, who are easily swayed by bold design statements, sexy lines and flashy performance, women are more impressed by vehicles that are practical, economical and safe. To back up the claim that women like their cars…
Nex-Gen Kia Rio Set for 2011 Debut
Following roughly a year after the debut of the all-new Hyundai Accent, Kia will unveil its third-generation Rio sub-compact in early 2011. Set for a dramatic makeover (much like the Accent) the Rio will get styling inspired by the Forte and Forte Koupe as well as the new Optima Sedan. Like the Accent power is…
Toyota, Chevrolet, Jeep and Kia Drive Off With IIHS Top Safety Pick Awards
The results are in and a host of new SUVs have made the cut. Joining the list for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick Award recipients are the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the 2011 Kia Sorento, and the 2010 Toyota Highlander and Venza. It takes a sturdy…
New Volkswagen Touran 7-Seater Gets 51.3 MPG
Volkswagen‘s compact Touran Minivan (not to be confused with the Routan sold here in North America) has just been launched in its newest incarnation, and the range is being led by a 1.6L BlueMotion diesel that makes 105 horsepower returns a very impressive 51.3 miles per gallon. Also interesting is the tiny 1.2L 4-cylinder gas…






