Thursday, November 29, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Online Kia Vehicle Showroom
Familiarize yourself with all the great new vehicles for sale or lease at our dealership with our online inventory. Browse through pictures, videos, specs and more for all of your favorite Kia automobiles!
Click HERE to check it out!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Kia Plans 50 New Models by 2016
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Kia has experienced unprecedented growth in the past few years and it is their goal to continue that surge through 2016 and beyond.
They will attempt to do this by launching 51 new or updated models in the next 5 years, including entering into some new niche markets.
At the top of that list is a brand-new 3-door Pro_cee’d GT Turbo, which is due to arrive next summer. 2014 will see an electric version of the incredibly popular Soul, with a rear wheel drive sports car also on tap for release.
They will also update or make derivatives of current models.
This massive campaign has kicked off last month with the release of the highly-successful Kia Sorento CUV, which includes improved exterior styling, revised interior design and upgraded powertrain technology and suspension.
Europe will also see a number of new vehicles arriving on the scene, starting with the new Pro_cee’d and a 7-seat Carens MPV in the first half of 2013.
Next-generation Kia Soul
The second generation Soul will be out before the end of this year and will make its way to the European market by 2014. The Venga MPV will get its turn once the Soul has been replaced.
It took Kia a couple of years to replace its entire European range, so it will likely be 2015-2016 before they make any further major changes to those models.
Within the next three years, facelifts will be given to the just recently-released K3/Cerato which bears many of the same parts and features as the European Cee’d, while the K7/Cadenza range will receive a major makeover within the same time frame.
New Kia Sedona MPV
Other new Kia vehicles that are expected to make their appearance in the next 5 years include a GT-concept based rear-wheel-drive sedan, a 7-seat people mover (Sedona replacement), a 2-door coupe, and an all-new small crossover vehicle.
We can also expect to see Kia’s first all-electric car for export markets.
The pace of new Kia cars and SUVs hitting the worldwide showroom-floors will be breathtaking. In order to create such a vast number of highly-advanced vehicles, Kia is increasing its research and development budget to $2.5 billion in 2013.
Most of the money will be devoted to the development of new vehicles and improved technologies.
The 6% of sales revenue that Kia Motors Corporation devotes to Research & Development is among the tops of all the car manufactures in the world!
Courtesy of Kia-world.net
Monday, November 26, 2012
Car Maintenance Tip of the Week
Headlights and brake lights
With your car turned on and parked, have someone walk around to see that your lights are working – headlights, brake and tail lights, turn signals, etc.
Replacing bulbs in today’s vehicles can be a challenge. Have a mechanic do the job, particularly replacing and aiming headlights. A pro also knows if the problem is a blown fuse, not a burned out bulb.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
"What Edmunds Says" - 2013 Kia Sportage Review
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
For 2013, the Kia Sportage returns with a few minor upgrades including standard LED headlamp accents on LX and EX trims.
Introduction
With its head-turning looks and long list of desirable standard features and options, the 2013 Kia Sportage offers an admirable balance of both style and substance. While the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine under the hoods of lower trim levels is merely adequate, the firm standard suspension makes for responsive handling. The sportier SX model raises things to a new level, with its 260-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and sport-tuned suspension delivering above-average performance.
Despite these admirable qualities, the Sportage does have a couple of notable drawbacks, not the least of which is a ride quality that will undoubtedly be a little too firm for some buyers. The interior is also a bit short on passenger and cargo room compared to several of its competitors.
As such, crossover shoppers focused on practicality might want to compare the Sportage to other, slightly roomier crossovers on the market including the Chevrolet Equinox, 2013 Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Those looking for a similarly sprightly driving experience will want to check out the new 2013 Ford Escape and 2013 Mazda CX-5. Overall, however, the 2013 Kia Sportage is a strong contender in this group thanks to its fun nature and value for the dollar.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2013 Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV with seating for five. There are a total of four trim levels available, including Base, LX, EX and SX.
Standard features on the base model include 16-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery, 60/40 split-folding rear seats, cruise control, full power accessories, a tilt-only steering wheel, a trip computer, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity and a four-speaker sound system with satellite radio, a CD player, an auxiliary audio input jack and an iPod/USB audio interface.
Stepping up to the Sportage LX adds 17-inch alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, rear privacy glass and keyless entry. The available Convenience package adds a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, a rear spoiler, roof rack side rails, heated outside mirrors, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a rear cargo area cover.
The Sportage EX includes all the goodies in the Convenience package along with 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, foglights, dual-zone automatic climate control, a power driver seat, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an easier-folding rear seat, the Uvo infotainment system and an upgraded sound system with HD radio, digital music storage and a small touchscreen interface. The SX model adds a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, a sport-tuned suspension, keyless entry/ignition, upgraded gauges, leather upholstery and distinctive exterior and interior styling details.
Other options include a Premium package that bundles a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery (standard on SX), heated front seats, a ventilated driver seat, keyless entry/ignition (standard on SX), upgraded gauges and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. A touchscreen navigation system with real-time traffic info is available on all but the base model.
Powertrains and Performance
Power for the 2013 Kia Sportage comes from one of two inline four-cylinder engines. Base, LX and EX models come with a 2.4-liter that puts out 176 hp and 168 pound-feet of torque. Base models are only offered with a six-speed manual transmission, while all other versions come with a six-speed automatic with a manual-shift feature. Front-wheel drive is standard, with all-wheel drive offered as an option on all but the base model.
In Edmunds performance tests, a front-wheel-drive Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine and automatic accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds, an average time for this class. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 25 mpg combined with the automatic and front-wheel drive; all-wheel drive drops those numbers to 20/27/23.
The SX model gets a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that puts out an impressive 260 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds testing, it went from zero to 60 mph in a very quick 6.5 seconds. EPA estimated fuel economy is 21/28/24 with front-wheel drive and 20/25/22 with AWD, although we've found the Sportage SX struggles to match these numbers in real-world driving.
Safety
Standard safety features on all 2013 Kia Sportage models include antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control, as well as hill descent and hill start control. Inside are front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.
In Edmunds brake testing, an EX came to a stop from 60 mph in 120 feet -- a better-than-average performance for this type of vehicle. The sport-oriented SX was better at 117 feet. In government crash tests, the Sportage received an overall rating of four stars (out of five) for front-wheel-drive models and five stars for all-wheel-drive versions, plus solid five-star ratings for frontal and side impacts. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the Sportage received the highest rating of "Good" in the frontal-offset, side-impact and roof strength tests.
Interior Design and Special Features
Just as the 2013 Kia Sportage's aggressive exterior styling helps it stand out in a crowd, the handsome passenger cabin gives it an edge over several better-known competitors. There's no shortage of hard plastic, but it's nicely textured and there's a good amount of padding where it's needed.
Front seats are comfortable and supportive, with decent head- and legroom. The 60/40-split rear seats are a bit tighter, with room for a couple of smaller adults. The fact that these seats don't slide up and back like those in some competitors is a weakness.
Behind those rear seats is the Sportage's other principal shortcoming, namely its relatively small cargo hold. With just 26.1 cubic feet of cargo room with the seats up and 54.6 with both sections folded down, the interior has roughly 15 cubic feet of space (picture the trunk of a good midsize sedan) less than its larger rivals.
Driving Impressions
The 2013 Kia Sportage isn't exactly sporty, but it is more fun to drive than you might expect from a small crossover. Handling is quite good, a benefit from the firmly tuned suspension. Naturally there's a price to be paid here in the form of a ride quality that can be a tad on the rough side, especially with the SE model's sport suspension and 18-inch wheels.
Acceleration with the 2.4-liter engine is decent enough and the transmission works well in both manual and fully automatic modes. The SE's turbocharged 2.0-liter delivers a healthy dose of acceleration and is a worthy alternative to the V6s found in competing crossovers.
Courtesy of Edmunds.com
Monday, November 19, 2012
Car Maintenance Tip of the Week
Brakes and brake fluid
Check to ensure that brake fluid levels are within tolerance. How often you need to replace brake pads or other components depends on how you drive and typical driving conditions. Warning signs of a brake problem include noise, vibration or “grabbing” when you apply the brakes. Working on your brakes is a job probably best left to the professionals.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Online Kia Vehicle Showroom
Hello fans! Take a look at our online showroom to get better acquainted with the specifics all the excellent Kia vehicles offered at our dealership.
Click HERE to get started.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Redesigned 2013 Kia K7 Sedan
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
When Kia first announced the facelifted 2013 K7 sedan (named Cadenza in markets outside Korea) at the end of October, we only got a pair of pictures showing the front- and rear-quarters of the mid-size model.
We don't know if the K7 piqued your curiosity, but if it did, we may be able to help as we have a new set of pictures, which this time, include the interior, along with several videos.
Besides incorporating Kia's evolving design DNA on the exterior and in particular, in the front and rear ends of the car, the new images reveal that the Koreans also updated the K7 / Cadenza's cabin that gains a restyled center console with new controls and a…sic…analogue watch positioned in the middle, as well as new instrument gauges.
In its home market of South Korea, the front-wheel drive K7 is offered with a choice of three gasoline units, including a 198hp (201PS) 2.4-liter inline-four, a 266hp (270PS) 3.0-liter V6 and a 290hp (294PS) 3.3-liter V6.
Kia officials have said that the K7 will make it to North America as the Cadenza sometime next year, where it will be positioned above the Optima and in due time, below the Quoris / K9
Courtesy of Carscoop.blogspot.com
Monday, November 12, 2012
Car Maintenance Tip of the Week
Tires
A car tire inflated to 35 pounds per square inch (psi) can lose one psi every month or for every 10 degrees Fahrenheit of temperature change, so your car maintenance checklist should include checking tire pressure. Find the recommended level in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the driver’s side door jamb. And don’t forget the spare.
Rotate tires every 6,000 miles to prevent uneven wear, replace them when they become worn and have the alignment checked if the car pulls to either side when driving or if you notice uneven tire wear.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Great job team! Keep up the hard work.
"I was very impressed with my last experience with Kia of Downtown LA. I have no complaints, I would recommend your dealership to all of my friends." - Betsy J.
Click HERE to read the full review on Cars.com
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Online Car Finder Form
We can help you find the perfect car for you! Just fill out our simple car finder form on our website and we can start looking right away!
Click HERE to get started!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Kia Debuts Justice League Concepts: 2012 SEMA Show
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE
Kia has just unveiled five custom vehicles which take their inspiration from the DC Comics classic, the Justice League, at the 2012 SEMA Show.
The five vehicles on display at Kia are the Optima, Rio, Soul, Forte Koup, and Forte hatch. Each one takes on a different persona, either Batman, The Flash, Aquaman, The Green Lantern, or Cyborg. This collaboration between Kia and DC Comics was put together to raise awareness for the “We Can be Heroes” charity, that helps fight hunger in Africa.
Each car character/combination was chosen based on the main attributes of whatever the vehicle is. First is the Flash themed Forte Koup, which is meant to be fast, like the Flash. Built by West Coast Customs, the Flash Forte Koup receives a red, orange and yellow paint job, 20-inch wheels, a hood-painted Flash logo, and two big subwoofers in the trunk.
Next is the Aquaman Rio, which was also built by West Coast Customs. It gets a green and gold paint job complete with fake scales, and Aquaman’s metal belt. The interior gets green leather and suede, accented by yellow and gold. As a finishing touch, an actual comic strip was etched into the rear window.
The Green Lantern Soul was built by Super Street magazine, and gets a green and black paint job and green mirror-chrome tint on the windows. The car was lowered and the wheel wells were widened to give a more aggressive stance, and the back doors were welded shut to further streamline the car.
Cyborg takes shape in the form of the Forte five door, outfitted with a large hood scoop, and wide and low body kit. The paint job is all silver to represent Cyborg’s armor, and the interior is finished in red and silver trim.
Courtesy of autoguide.com
Thank you for the five star review Jasmine!
"Overall 5/5 ratings. I really reccomend everyone to go check that dealership out.
Fantastic job!" - Jasmine R.
Click HERE to read the full review and more on Yelp.