Posts Tagged ‘Apple CarPlay’
2019 Kia Sorento Updates
Tuesday, March 27th, 2018
Four years ago, the Kia Sorento went through a bit of a makeover when entering its third and current (2018 model year) generation design. For the 2019 model year, the Kia Sorento SUV is receiving a few more changes, and they definitely make the Sorento look a little sleeker. Not enough changes to warrant a next-generation model, but enough changes to make it more competitive in the SUV market of the auto industry today.
Style
There have been subtle changes to the 2019 Kia Sorento in terms of body and the overall exterior. The front fascia has a bit of a facelift and it has been redesigned with a new grille and some updated lighting. The latter includes full LED headlights on the high-end trims and tweaked designs for the bumper and taillights, as well as a new liftgate and three new wheel designs. The changes are subtle, but notable for the 2019 model.
2019 Kia Forte Debuts at 2018 Detroit Auto Show
Wednesday, January 24th, 2018
Kia Motors is definitely changing their game up. It all first started with the long-awaited 2018 Kia Stinger. The automaker said they’re going to put more focus on cars that drive as good as they look, and the Stinger was definitely the starting point of that endeavor. Well, just recently at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show, Kia debuted the new 2019 Kia Forte. Taking some cues from the Kia Stinger, the Forte has more style, a spacious cabin, and steps up its game with a new in-house powertrain.
Power and Driving
So first off, the powertrain is a little different than previous Kia Forte models. Although the engine lineup hasn’t been changed, there is a new transmission that improves fuel economy. The 2018 Forte engine option is still a 2.0-liter DOHC Inline-4 engine, and it was available with or without Atkinson Cycle tech. The Atkinson cycle is a process that has been found to benefit hybrid vehicles, having been first used in the 1997 Toyota Prius. Today, it is known as a combustion cycle for improving fuel efficiency.
Like other motor companies that make their own in-house engine technologies, Kia Motors introduced a new in-house continuously variable transmission (CVT) for the 2019 model year. Named “Intelligent Variable Transmission” or “IVT” for short, consumers can expect to see this transmission option popping up in future Kia vehicles. The transmission maximizes fuel efficiency and works in tandem with the 147-horsepower I4 engine, offering the 2019 Kia Forte a combined fuel economy estimated at 35 mpg.
New Looks for the 2019 Kia Sorento
Wednesday, December 13th, 2017
Hell’s Gate in Moab, Utah is pretty intimidating, and the 6.5-mile 4×4 trail that follows called Hell’s Revenge, isn’t made for the weak of heart. Many say the only kind of vehicle that can handle Hell’s Revenge is an off-road 4×4 like a Jeep® or Land Rover. Apparently, no one told Kia Motors, because they took the new 2019 Kia Sorento to Utah, and the results are interesting.
Hell’s Revenge
6.5 miles long, rated 6-out-of-10 on the Red-Rock Four-Wheelers difficulty rating scale, and a 2-3 hour drive, Hell’s Revenge is the kind of off-road trail that can kill a car. Filled with hazardous terrain, the trail is only recommended for experienced drivers, and not someone simply looking for a thrill. The most frightening part of the trail is Hell’s Gate, a steep rock formation that at times makes someone wish they had a climbing rope attached to the vehicle.
2018 Kia Stinger at Miami Lakes Automall
Wednesday, December 6th, 2017
It’s been a long time coming, but the 2018 Kia Stinger has finally been released by Kia Motors, and we couldn’t be happier. Since the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, when the Kia Stinger first debuted, it set up a whole new path for Kia Motors in terms of design and performance. It then had what one would call a “failure to launch” when in May, the Kia Stinger was supposed to go global. Now, it’s finally heading to dealerships and soon the streets, and we have a solid starting MSRP of $31,900.
Promos
Prior to the release of the Kia Stinger, Kia started introducing the model to the public with two large promotions. The first was the “The Curve Ahead,” an online promotion (similar to the “If You Know, You Know” campaign for the 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon) where inklings of the Kia Stinger specs were bled out over several weeks until the 2017 Detroit Auto Show. Once it finally debuted at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, Kia Motors was set on designing cars that looked as good as they performed, and with new enticing designs coming up, that’s a tall order to fill.
Highlights of the New Kia Stonic SUV
Wednesday, October 25th, 2017
When it comes to the auto industry, a company needs to be able to keep up with the latest trims. Be it modern technology for the consumer or new powertrains such as hybrid and electric vehicles, if an automaker doesn’t move with the flow, they’ll drop by the wayside. Kia Motors is a prime example, as they enter a changing market with a new kind of Kia. Introducing the Kia Stonic SUV, a sporty, exciting, and confident model for under $20,000.
Based on the Kia Rio, the Kia Stonic SUV will already have a solid foundation to work off of with highly efficient powertrains and advanced automotive systems. Designed with key elements from Kia, such as the tiger-nose front grille and sharp, straight lines, the iconic Kia look is certainly there. The question is how well equipped is the new Kia Stonic really? Let’s start with the powertrain options.
UVO eServices and Features Available on All Kia Vehicles
Monday, June 12th, 2017
Although Kia may be in connection with Hyundai, the auto brand actually has its own infotainment system offered on its vehicles. Ever hear of UVO eServices? Like many infotainment systems, it’s more than a basic car radio. It’s advanced car technology that helps to change the way people think about cars.
What is UVO eServices?
UVO eServices is a subscription based infotainment system found in modern Kia vehicles (model-year 2011 and up). Using voice-recognition technology, this system can help drivers do a lot without ever needing to take their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. Plus, it comes with its own smartphone app that further enhances the driver experience when subscribed to UVO. Possibly the best part – Kia vehicle owners don’t need to choose between multiple versions of UVO to install. Every system is basically the same, with the main differences being the size of the touchscreen and the features available via subscription, such as voice-command navigation, SiriusXM Traffic, HD Radio, and smartphone connectivity.
UVO eServices Features
When looking at the features offered by UVO eServices, many wonder about the types of entertainment offered. Some of that comes down to the sound system offered in a Kia vehicle, but when it comes to UVO, there’s a lot there.
Kia and Millennials
Monday, December 5th, 2016
These days, Millennials and iGen are starting to populate the consumer demographic in the auto industry. The new generations of auto buyers will soon be the majority of shoppers, but many automakers still have no clue how to serve the consumers that will make up a large percentage of their profit. Some brands are going beyond simple Bluetooth technology however, one of which, is Kia.
The Millennial Generation is anyone born between 1982 and 1994 and iGen makes up the generation following the Millennials. Many of the former are already in the auto market, and the latter are just starting to make a dent. Both generations have something in common – the internet.
Depending on when they were born, they may have been introduced to the internet when all we had was AOL and dial-up; if later, they may have been born with a cellphone and an email address, figuratively speaking. Either way, they’re connected. 4G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, the Cloud, all synchronized and linked. Not only this, but with smartphones and tablets becoming a large part of how businessmen keep organized and how students take notes, being connected wherever they go is becoming a larger part of their daily lives.
