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Showing posts from December, 2015

Kia Niro Hybrid SUV: The Future is Now

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This is the future of automobile manufacturing and as always, Kia is at the forefront.  This is truly going to revolutionize the way vehicles are made moving forward. Kia said it designed the Niro from “the ground up as a dedicated hybrid” to satisfy two growing markets: low emission vehicles and compact SUVs. The Niro is also one of the first vehicles to be launched under Kia’s new green car initiative, which includes plans for six other models to be added over the next five years. A “downsized hybrid platform” will be powering the Niro, with electrification from a single 32-kilowatt electric motor and a 1.56 kilowatt-hour lithium-polymer battery pack. The 1.6-liter Kappa gasoline engine features direct injection and an output of 104 horsepower, with a six-speed dual clutch transmission. “The main focus of engineering teams’ efforts behind the development of the new model is to deliver class-leading fuel economy in the compact SUV segment,” said Kia, adding that the Niro “...

2009 Kia Sorento LX

Long ago, sport-utility vehicles replaced the station wagon as the quintessential family hauler. In the beginning, truck-based, body-on-frame SUVs were all there was. But car shoppers' desire for a more mild-mannered city SUV eventually gave birth to the crossover -- an SUV based on a passenger car. Nowadays, it seems like crossovers will eventually inherit the Earth. But one vehicle that has kept in touch with its traditional SUV roots is the five-passenger 2009 Kia Sorento. The Sorento, like most traditional truck-based SUVs, is built on a sturdy body-on-frame chassis and has a solid rear axle suspension. This allows it to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, about 1,500 pounds more than most other small and midsize crossovers can handle. Opting for the four-wheel-drive model gives the Sorento a decent amount of off-road ability, too, thanks to its low-range gearing. This is still a modern Kia, though, with a choice of two capable V6 engines, an impressive list of stan...

According to Kelly Blue Book, Kia Optima Leads the Way

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Kelly Blue Book is still the standard to go by when you are looking to purchase a vehicle.  They don’t throw around awards lightly and when they do hand one out, you can be assured that it is well deserved.  So when it came to handing out the award for the midsize car best buy award, they put their stamp of approval on the 2016 Kia Optima. “The Optima’s success has come through constant improvement.  Throughout its life this sedan has persevered to be better, evolving from an also-ran when it debuted 15 years ago to what it is today: a refined, advanced, rewarding to drive midsize sedan with luxury looks at a mainstream price.” Wrote KBB on its site.  “The all-new 2016 Kia Optima is even more focused, besting not only the outgoing model but edging out rivals in one of the market’s most competitive segments.” It was redesigned with comfort and convenience of the consumer in mind.  Even the standard trim includes features like height adjustable passenger sea...

Lebron James + Kia K900?

2015 saved the best Kia news for last. The famous basketball star and Kia enthusiast Lebron James proved to a fan that he actually does drive the impressively designed K900 from Kia. A new viral Kia commercial shows Lebron picking up his 10 million dollars for winning the bet. A three commercial series titled "The Truth," tells the full story. Our advice? Get to watching this great tv from Kia and while you are at it, stop by Van Griffith Kia so we can answer all of your Kia K900 questions!