Introducing the 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited!

This one is too good to resisit!

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2013 Kia Soul: A Surprisingly Versatile Vehicle

If you are a young professional searching for a reliable new vehicle on a budget the world is not necessarily your oyster. While you may not be able to drive around in luxury car models such as Audi, Lexus, and Acura to name a few you can have a lot of the luxury features such as Bluetooth wireless communications to your media, a sunroof, and fog lights for under twenty thousand dollars.

There are a lot of good lease deals that run year round however there is an auto maker that has something to suit all needs if you are willing to fall for its unique styling and hamster mascot. I am of course speaking about the 2013 Kia Soul + model. The Kia Soul is a spunky, economy box. While its looks may take time to enjoy it is not without its uses. The boxy look is practical, larger adults can sit in the rear and front seats without issues with head or leg room. There is a lot of room for cargo and you can easily fold the seats down with the flick of a button they call them 60/40 fold flat seats.

The Kia Soul comes with a lot of feature standard that will cost a lot more if you went with another manufacture. These features include standard Bluetooth, UVO interactive infotainment system, three months of Sirius/XM Satellite radio, and plenty of storage compartments. There is a center storage arm rest, two large cup holders in the center and on each of the doors, there is a very deep glove box with 2 levels, there is a deep center box below the center speaker on the front dash, it is good for a wallet, or sunglasses anything that could fit in your hand. The Kia Soul comes standard with AUX and iPod jacks as well as two 12v front power outlets and one rear 12v power outlet.

The standard features alone were enough for me to give Kia my attention. Until 2012 I had always driven a Ford vehicle. Most recently I was driving a 2005 Ford Focus a base model without any bells and whistles. The time came for me to look into new cars. I was very impressed by Kia they used to be a subpar car company overall. I would not be alone in making that assessment that they used to be shoddy cars, however now they have improved their overall quality and perhaps this is due to advancements in technology or a partnership with Hyundai Motors.

I was impressed by how much you could get for fewer than twenty thousand dollars. With a down payment of around three thousand dollars you will assume about $212/mo to lease this type of Kia Soul if you are looking at the (+) model and add the premium sound and sunroof/fog light package. The package is well worth it the speakers are amazing the bass is deep; infinity is the name of the company who does the sound. The UVO system works well but it does take some getting used to, you can voice command a hands free phone call, Sirius channels, Radio stations, or explore your usb device. There is a center touch screen and with it you set your favorite stations or adjust settings. You can load music straight to the car it comes with a Hard Drive. You can upload from a USB stick or with a CD that you have MP3's on. It is a nice added bonus that I did not know at first.

The car shifts well it has two drive modes. You can drive in an Eco mode which gives optimizes output but muting the throttle which adds about one mpg in the city and one on the highway. The standard mode utilizes the 6 speed in line four cylinder engine. You can chose a power shift + and - stick to up and down shift through the gears, if you forget to down shift the car will do it for you or you can simply drive as a normal automatic vehicle. Kia offers standard stability and traction control with this vehicle. The ride height is welcomed and while the car does feel light it is balanced and maneuvers very well in traffic. The added insulation does well to dampen outside noise and winds at highway speeds. The interior materials have great feel to the touch they are of good quality. I average about 29 mpg overall. It is suggested you should get 27/35 mpg. This is a fun car to drive and one that you should test drive to see how much you enjoy it. There are two large pillars in the rear but any experienced driver shouldn't have a problem as this has been a design feature on cars for many years. The speed is great and the large windows provide great visibility.

I have never owned a Kia and I am leasing this 2013 Kia Soul. I have had it about a month know and love it. I enjoy all the standard features, the fuel efficiency the modern technology and the price point. It is really a car that delivers regardless of what you are looking for in a vehicle. It gets me around, it can haul five full sized American adults and I can also haul a lot of cargo which is important for shopping, moving, and getting supplies for my home office. I never thought the hamster car with the light up front speakers would win me over, but once I test drove it and did my homework I truly did fall in love with the Kia Soul (+).

(Courtesy of Yahoo Voices Online)

Monday Maintenance Tip: Be patient during the break-in period

You’ve bought your dream car and now you want to make it last at long as possible in top condition. Here are some things to remember as you pull it out of the dealer’s lot:

• During the break-in period, typically the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km), keep your speed under 55 mph (88 kpm) or to the speed recommended by your car’s manufacturer.
• Avoid heavy loads on the drive train, such as towing trailers, and loading the roof rack or trunk with heavy construction materials.
• Do not allow your new car to idle for long periods — this is good advice for the life of your car, but especially during breakin. The oil pressure generated by doing so may not be sending oil to every part of your engine.
• Use only light to medium acceleration, keeping the engine rpms below 3,000 for the first few hours of driving.

For Kia it all started with a bicycle!

Aren't you glad that Kia didn't stop at a bicycle!

2012 Kia Rio Review

The new Kia Rio model is longer (by 20 mm), wider (by 25 mm), and lower (by -15 mm) and features a wheelbase extended by 70 mm (to 2,570 mm) greatly enhancing passenger space and cargo capacity. With an overall height of 1,455 mm, new Kia Rio is one of the lowest cars in Kias European product range.

New Kia Rio has its own unique interpretation of the Kia corporate grille which is integrated beautifully with the front lamps to create a new twist on the Kia family look. In this latest form, the Kia logo now sits above the grille. Below the grille, the treatment of front bumper and spoiler again shows signs of the Kia design DNA, with its distinctive on-road presence.

In profile, the ratio of body to glass, combined with the cars strong wedge form, give Kia Rio a dynamic, sporty stance. So Rio has now been given a completely fresh personality which perfectly complements its siblingsPicantoandVenga.

For new Kia Rio, an all-new bodyshell was created using a higher percentage of high-strength steel than the third-generation model, enhancing strength and rigidity. Special attention was given to strengthening the engine-bay longitudinal side members, floor panel side members, floor level cross-member between the B-pillars and the transverse dashboard bulkhead.

(Courtesy of All Car View-Blog)

Monday Maintenance Tip: Buy gas at reputable service stations

Ask whether the gas you buy is filtered at the pump and if the station has a policy about changing the pump filters regularly. If you get a song and dance, find another gas station. Some stations don’t have pump filters, making you more vulnerable to dirty gasoline. Other stations may not mix alcohol and fuel properly — or worse, water down their product. Find a station you trust and stick to it.

(Courtesy of Reader's Digest)

 

 

Cast your vote for the Kia Soul "In My Mind" music video challenge

Make sure to cast your vote for Kia Soul "In My Mind" music video challenge! Check out this awesome demo video!

5 Reasons To Own A Kia!

We're big fans of Kia vehicles around these parts, especially the Kia Optima, but we understand that some people might need some convincing to stray from the Big Three American automakers. There are plenty of reasons to buy a Kia, but here are top five.

1.Something for everyone. Kias model lineup is diverse, and features something for all tastes and needs. If you’re in need of a traditional family sedan, you’ll be pleased with the Forte sedan. Got a big family? The Sedona minivan will be more to your liking. If you want the versatility of an SUV, you’ll want to check out the Sorento and the Sportage. If you want something a bit hipper, the Soul has been making waves. Meanwhile, the Optima is a classier sedan, and is also available as a hybrid. The Forte Koup will appeal to drivers who want something a bit sportier. Were willing to bet that at least one of these has caught your eye.

2.A commitment to innovation. Kia is constantly coming up with innovative concept vehicles. While most of these won’t see the roadways, the innovations that they pioneer will contribute to steps forward in Kias lineup.

3.Impressive warranty coverage. When you buy a Kia, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your investment is protected. New Kia vehicles come with a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, a 5-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty, and 5-year/60,000-mile 24-hour roadside assistance coverage.

4.Affordable prices. You’re getting a lot, sure, but Kia vehicles have proven to be some of the greatest automotive bargains available. The 2012 Rio starts out at only $13,900, for instance, while the 2012 Forte starts at $15,200. Want a hybrid, but worried about the up-front cost? The 2012 Optima Hybrid has a base MSRP of only $25,700.

5.Theyre creating jobs in the United States. Kia recently opened their first North American manufacturing facility. Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia began production of the 2011 Sorento in November 2009, and started producing the 2012 Optima toward the end of 2011. When this plant reaches its production peak, it will be making 300,000 Kia vehicles each year.

 

**Courtesy of Vinyl Highway (Blog)

Read up on these tips for driving in the rain!

The rain in Spain may stay mainly on the plain, but here in the States there's an awful lot of it on the roadway. Rain is blamed for thousands of accidents yearly. Many of these accidents are preventable, but are caused by intrepid drivers who don't realize that fair- and foul-weather driving are fundamentally different.

When the road is wet, the film of the water on the asphalt causes tires to lose traction. Less obvious is the fact that rain reduces driver perception — it's harder to see through the rain — and also decreases visibility through its action on headlights, windshields and the road itself. While most people know to slow down in the rain, there are definitely other tips that will help keep you, and those who share the road with you, from becoming a statistic.

• Exercise extreme caution after a long dry spell. During a dry period, engine oil and grease build up on the road over time. When mixed with water from a new rainfall, the road becomes extremely slick. Continued rainfall will eventually wash away the oil, but the first few hours can be the most dangerous.
• Allow for more travel time. You should plan to drive at a slower pace than normal when the roads are wet. Keep in mind that traffic is likely to be moving slower as well. There's also the possibility that your preplanned route may be flooded or jammed. Whatever the case, rushing equals higher risk.
• Brake earlier and with less force than you would normally. Not only does this increase the stopping distance between you and the car in front of you, it also lets the driver behind you know that you're slowing down. Also, be more meticulous about using turn signals, so that other drivers know your intentions, and take turns and curves with less speed than you would in dry conditions.
• Most of America's roads are crowned in the middle, which means that the water will run off to the sides. If possible, stay toward the middle of the road to avoid deep standing puddles.
• Don't use cruise control. If you hydroplane, there's the chance your car could actually accelerate. Cruise control also allows drivers to be less vigilant and to take their foot away from the pedals — not a great idea when reaction time is so important.
• If you see a large puddle up ahead, drive around it or choose a different route. It could be that it's covering a huge gaping maw into the front door of hell. Well, maybe not, but water splashing up into your car's engine compartment could damage its internal electrical systems. Also, a pothole may be hiding under the water, just waiting in ambush to damage a wheel or knock your suspension out of alignment. If you can't gauge the depth, or if it's covering up the side curb, try to avoid it.
• Don't attempt to cross running water. This ain't an SUV commercial, and you'll probably get into a heckuva lot of trouble if the force of the water is greater than the weight of your vehicle. All-wheel drive isn't going to be much help if your vehicle is being pushed sideways. Don't end up like those folks on the nightly news who had to abandon their cars to Mother Nature.
• After you cross a puddle, tap on your brake pedal lightly to dry off some of the water on your rotors.
• Turn on your headlights, even when there's a light sprinkle. It helps you see the road, and more importantly, it helps other motorists see you. However, don't blast your high beams in the rain or fog — it'll obscure your view further, as the light will reflect back at you off the water droplets in the air. If your car is equipped with foglights, you may find it helpful to turn these on, as they throw a little extra light on the road while making your car easier to see.
• Watch out for pedestrians. An ordinarily observant pedestrian may become distracted by fiddling with an umbrella or a rain slicker. Plus, raindrops deaden sound, so the usual audio clues for measuring car distances become obscured. Keep a sharp lookout for people in the road.
• If it's raining so hard that you can't see the road or the car in front of you, pull over and wait it out.
• Track the car ahead of you. Let the car ahead pave a clear path, so to speak, through the water.
• Give a truck or bus extra distance. Their extra-large tires can create enough spray to block your vision completely. Avoid passing one, but if you must pass, do it as quickly as safety allows.
• Defog your windows. Rain will quickly cause your windshield to fog up. Switch on both front and rear defrosters and make sure the air conditioning is turned on. Most cars' climate control systems will automatically engage the A/C when the windshield defrost function is selected.
• If you start to hydroplane, don't brake suddenly or turn the wheel, or you might spin into a skid. Release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, tap the brake pedal (unless you have antilock brakes, in which case you can put your foot down).

Courtesy of Edmunds.com

Kia Soul "In My Mind" Music Video Challenge

Are you game for the Kia Soul "In My Mind" contest? Check out the video for more details!

The Kia Optima Hybrid Surpasses Fuel Economy Estimates On A Long Journey To Las Vegas

The vehicle that many said would never make it has now become an essential part of any car lineup. Gasoline-electric hybrids are cropping up everywhere and one of the latest is from Kia.

Most road tests cover day-to-day driving but on this occasion, I needed a car to drive to Las Vegas and back and while gas prices have fallen, I still wanted the most fuel efficient vehicle I could get. With one of the best EPA estimated miles per gallon (mpg)-35 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway-the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid performed beautifully.

It's powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine connected by a wet clutch to an Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) synchronous electric motor and matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. A state-of-the-art, air-cooled 270V lithium-polymer battery powers the electric motor.

On this 2771-mile journey, the Optima hit 41 mpg and sometimes better, on the leg between Albuquerque, New Mexico and Las Vegas. Otherwise, it hovered between 36 and 39 mpg. While the Optima includes an ECO mode for added fuel efficiency, I didn't notice a particular advantage. I spent less than $200 on gas for the whole trip.

Also delightful were the various digital displays to help monitor the vehicle's performance, from a graph with green or yellow leaves on the hybrid display viewed on the center navigation screen, or the bouquet of flowers that sprouted up to five blossoms as fuel efficiency increased. I even earned a final ECO score of 69, which I'm guessing is better than average?

The version I drove included the Premium Technology Package that comes with wonderful features like navigation, a panoramic sunroof, and cooled seats. Navigation was a godsend on a trip like this but there was at least one glitch-it rerouted me on its own and if I hadn't kept a sharp eye on the ETA and miles to destination readouts on the navigation map, I might have missed the error and gone way off course.

Still, on a solo ride like this, your car is your best friend. The Kia Optima Hybrid proved loyal and true.

Pricing begins at $26,450. The as-tested price came to $32,500.

**Courtesy of Latino Metro Austin (Online)