2014 Kia Sorento

Check out this review of the 2014 Kia Sorento from Consumer Reports. The redesigned Kia Sorento has an optional third-row seat and lots of impressive features. 

Driven to Distraction

Every time you get behind the wheel, you are faced with a bevy of potential distractions. Make sure you’re taking the proper precautions will driving.

Kelley Blue Book Names 2013 Kia Soul to List of Coolest New Cars Under $18,000

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling urban passenger vehicle, the 2013 Soul, was named to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com list of the 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000. Chosen by the site’s editors, the 2013 Soul was celebrated for its fun and bold design, high-tech offerings and roominess.

“The Soul, which paved the way for Kia’s design led transformation with its fun and funky personality, quickly established a reputation as the spunkiest car in the Kia lineup, and now KBB has recognized it as one of the coolest vehicles on the market,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. “Kia has always strived to provide customers with value, style and substance, and the Soul fulfills that promise with an extensive roster of standard features and unique design that has become iconic.”

The Soul placed third on Kelley Blue Book’s annual list of the coolest cars. Editors at Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com looked for new cars that were fun to own and drive. The Soul’s one-of-a-kind look and feel stood out amongst its competition.

“Born in 2010 and significantly updated in 2012, the Kia Soul has managed to keep its cool the whole time,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. “Like a small cargo van with bold lines and high tech, the Soul’s impressive standard equipment list includes Bluetooth® phone connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and iPod® integration.”

Courtesy of Kia Newsroom

Maintenance Monday Tip: get your vehicle ready for summer!

Over the winter, your car's air filter can get clogged with salt and other thick debris. A clogged air filter can really lower your fuel efficiency. Replacing a dirty or clogged air filter can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent.

Courtesy of How Stuff Works

Thanks You for this Excellent Google+ Local Review!

"My experience at the dealership was very pleasant. The staff members were friendly and courteous." - Teresa F.

Thanks for the kind words, Teresa! If you have any questions or concerns regarding your new Kia Soul, please come back to visit us. We hope to work with you again in the future. Be sure to click HERE to read all our great reviews on Google+ Local. Also, visit us on Twitter and Facebook for access to our exclusive specials

Kia at the 2013 Vans Warped Tour -- Meet Tiffany Mink, Kia's Backstage Reporter

Kia is on tour for the sixth consecutive year as the Official Vehicle of the 2013 Vans Warped Tour.
Follow us all summer long as our video blogger Tiffany Mink takes us behind the scenes.

Thanks for this DealerRater Review!

"I will definitely be recommending Mr. Richardson to prospective buyers. Thank you Paramount Kia." - Drake M.

We appreciate your kind words, and we are proud to hear Jim went above and beyond to make sure you got in the right vehicle. Welcome to the Paramount family! Be sure to click HERE to read all our great reviews on DealerRater. Also, visit us on Twitter and Facebook for access to our exclusive specials.

Summer Safety

Summer is almost here and the temperature is rising! Did you know that the temperature inside your car is much hotter? Keep that in mind when traveling with kids and pets and be sure not to leave them inside.

Kia Motors Enters Interbrand’s List of 50 Best Global Green Brands 2013

Kia Motors has been named 37th in Interbrand’s list of the 50 Best Global Green Brands 2013, a debut for the Korean car manufacturer in the annual ranking of sustainability and environmental performance of the world’s 100 most valuable brands. Interbrand assesses businesses based on market perception and the actual environmental performance of the company and its products and services.

This latest recognition by Interbrand follows hot on the heels of Kia’s recent introduction to the 100 Best Global Brands 2012 rankings, in which Kia placed 87th.

According to the 50 Best Global Green Brands 2013 study, Kia has placed eco-management at the forefront of its brand management strategy alongside its emphasis on quality and design management since 2006. Under this initiative, Kia has made huge strides in improving the performance of its vehicles, with a strong focus on enhancing fuel efficiency and a long-term aim for zero-emission vehicles. As a result of its efforts, Kia continues to be perceived as a leader in the environmental sustainability sector.

“In our view, the best green brands are those that are not only vital, relevant, powerful and pioneering, but also profitable, ethical and ecologically responsible. We applaud Kia Motors’ efforts aimed at sustainability in all facets of its global operations that have enabled the company to be named as one of our Best Global Green Brands 2013,” said Jez Frampton, Global CEO of Interbrand.

Kia’s commitment to increasingly efficient mobility is realized partly through the introduction of the latest green technologies to its growing range of products under the EcoDynamics umbrella to ensure the company remains ahead of global emissions regulations and continuously improves average fuel consumption of its entire product line-up. This includes the development of hybrid powertrains for the brand’s Forte model in Korea and Optima model in global markets, plug-in electric vehicles, full-electric vehicles and even hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles.

Kia has also realized an increase in the environmental performance of its supply chain, production centers and logistics operations. The brand has been recognized for minimizing harmful emissions from its operations and reducing the use of water resources during the manufacturing process, as well as recycling more than 90 percent of the waste generated during production at domestic plants.

Meanwhile, the brand brings its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities together under the slogan, ‘A Better Way to Go,’ which has seen the introduction of the Green Light Project – a global initiative to build schools and provide school buses to children without access to education. The Green Light Project also runs disease prevention programs and mobile clinics. In 2012, Kia realized a 15 percent year-on-year increase in CSR investment.

Tae-Hyun (Thomas) Oh, Executive Vice President and COO of Kia Motors Corporation, said, “Kia Motors continues to invest heavily in sustainable growth in environmental performance and corporate social responsibility around the globe.

“We strive to create safe, economical and environmentally-friendly vehicles in all our manufacturing facilities, and our business practices have been developed to match this focus on sustainability.  Kia employees around the world work hard to ensure sound environmental performance in all aspects of the business, and we will continue to invest in encouraging sustainable mobility,” Oh added.

Courtesy of Kia Newsroom

Thank You for this Great DealerRater Review!

"Overall, a good experience. Thank you!" - Lisa M. 

Your review is greatly appreciated and we are thrilled to hear that you love your new car! Thank you for your business. We sincerely look forward to seeing you again. Be sure to click HERE to read all our great reviews on DealerRater. Also, visit us on Twitter and Facebook for access to our exclusive specials

The Kia Forte Techathlete Games

The Kia Forte Techathlete Games: a tongue-in-cheek test of tech talent where players compete in a series of games to prove that they're worthy of the futuristic Forte. To play, visit www.techathletegames.com

Thank You of this Great Edmunds Review!

"The best car buying experience ever, if you need or want a new car without all the drama, then let the pro's at Paramount Kia handle all the details." - plowboy22

Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We are so proud to hear that you love your new Kia. Thanks again for your recommendations. Be sure to click HERE to read all our great reviews on Edmunds. Also, visit us on Twitter and Facebook for access to our exclusive special.

Exclusive Facebook Coupons!

Summer is quickly approaching! Make sure your vehicle is ready to beat the heat. Bring it on in and we’ll inspect and re-charge your AC system. Save by taking a look at our exclusive Facebook coupons for our “Keep it Cool” package: http://on.fb.me/YUgRQG

Thank You for a Great Cars.com Review!

"The staff is courteous, helpful, knowledgeable, and easy to work with." - Teresa F.


Thank you for sharing your feedback with us, Teresa! It is important to our team for our guests to feel like they are getting the most out of their experience. We are proud to hear that you enjoyed your time at our dealership. Click HERE to read this review and our many others on Cars.com. Also, visit us on Twitter and Facebook for access to our exclusive specials.

Kia Motors Punks, Rattles And Rolls As Official Vehicle Of Vans Warped Tour® For Sixth Straight Year

For the sixth year in a row, Kia Motors America (KMA) is touring the country as the “Official Vehicle of the Vans Warped Tour^®”alongside some of today’s most entertaining rock and indie bands.  Concertgoers in 39 U.S. cities will be able to enjoy live music performances and visit the Kia Soul Lounge to participate in a variety of interactive experiences in the spirit of this year’s Kia theme, “Rock and Roll. Punk and Soul.”  Kia will be the official sponsor of the tour’s two main stages – the Kia Soul Stage and Kia Forte Stage – for the second year in a row, and an exclusive Kia VIP riser will allow select concertgoers to stand above the crowd and enjoy their favorite bands from an elevated, shaded platform.

“Music, pop culture and having fun drive today’s youth culture, and the 2013 Vans Warped Tour couldn’t be a better embodiment of those core, coming-of-age lifestyle elements,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, KMA.  “Our partnership with the tour allows us to showcase the all-new Kia Soul and Forte, which have always relied on youthful spirit as a cornerstone of their appeal.  We’re excited to continue connecting with the young and passionate fans around the country through yet another summer of great music and fun.”

This year, concertgoers will be able to enjoy hours of live music, including exclusive acoustic sets with tour headliners “We Came As Romans” and “Sleeping With Sirens” in select concert locations.  Fans also can visit the Kia Soul Lounge, an interactive tent featuring a DJ, daily band autograph sessions, “Show Your Punk” body painting and hair styling stations, and a “Rock and Roll” photo booth where concertgoers can scream and rock out to their heart’s desire.  An interactive app will register participants via Twitter and Facebook, and each photo will be made into an animated image that can be shared via the participant’s Twitter and Facebook accounts. 

“It is only with the continued support of people like Kia that the Vans Warped Tour is able to offer such a value to the fans,” said Kevin Lyman, founder and producer, Vans Warped Tour®.  “Warped is the lowest-priced ticket in town for the amount of show it brings the audience.”

Visitors to the lounge also can view and learn more about the all-new 2014 Soul¹, which boasts more passenger and cargo room than ever before along with a new, more aggressive appearance.  Also on display will be the all-new 2014 Forte 5-door², which offers more room, fun-to-drive performance and  cutting-edge technology. Festival participants will be encouraged to “Share their Soul” through an interactive photo sharing game in which concert attendees are tasked with capturing their favorite moments of The Vans Warped Tour® in real time based on the tagline “Rock and Roll. Punk and Soul.”  Concertgoers are turned into roving reporters, snapping pictures of people rocking out, pretending to drive Kia vehicles and anything else they feel captures the Vans Warped Tour® experience. 

 Concertgoers also have the unique opportunity to receive Kia VIP passes, which allow them access to an exclusive private riser near the main stage, or in some cases, on the two main stages themselves, where they can enjoy spectacular views of the day’s biggest performances.

The Vans Warped Tour® kicks off on June 15 in Seattle, and will feature more than 125 rock, hip-hop, rap, metal, indie rock and electronic artists, including current chart-toppers and the hottest up-and-comers.

Select tour dates and destinations of the tour include:

• 6/15 – Seattle
• 6/16 – Portland
• 6/19 – San Diego
• 6/20 & 6/21 – Pomona, CA
• 6/27 – Phoenix
• 6/28 – Las Vegas
• 7/10 – Washington DC
• 7/11 – Boston
• 7/13 – New York
• 7/19 – Detroit
• 7/20 – Chicago
• 7/28 – Orlando
• 8/2 – Dallas

Courtesy of Kia Newsrooom

Here’s a great road trip tip: Get your car into shape!

Reliable wheels are essential. Is your car due for an oil change? Even if it isn't, have the fluids topped off and tire pressure checked. Proper pressure will ensure you get the best gas mileage possible. Then you can spend the money you save on more important things, like beef jerky and a killer pair of gas-station sunglasses.

Courtesy of AOL

Thank You so Much for Three Amazing DealerRater Reviews!

" I'm very satisfied the way Jim Richardson handled everything and was their through the whole process" - 94earlyout

"Overall it was a great experience and I will buy from them again." - Pamela T.

"I would definitely and have encouraged others to come Paramount Kia to buy a car. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!" - lsyck

Thank you not only for choosing Paramount Kia of Hickory but for taking the time to write such an amazing reflections of your time spent here. If we can help you in any way further please don't hesitate to ask. Be sure to click HERE to read all our great reviews on DealerRater. Also, visit us on Twitter and Facebook for access to our exclusive specials

Kia Cadenza "Impossible to Ignore"

Watch what happens when this woman drives through the streets of New York and returns to her high school reunion. Let's just say that, like the Kia Cadenza, she's impossible to ignore.

Kia Motors America Contributes $200,000 To The American Red Cross to Support Oklahoma Tornado Relief Efforts

Kia Motors America (KMA) today made a donation of $200,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with relief efforts and provide needed food and supplies to the people of Moore, Oklahoma and other communities affected by the devastating tornadoes that struck the region last week.

“Kia is dedicated to providing assistance to both individuals and communities in need and these funds will support the American Red Cross’ relief effort, which is focused on survivors’ immediate needs – shelter, meals, medical equipment and prescriptions,” said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.  “We continue to keep the victims of the tornadoes in our thoughts and applaud the efforts of relief workers around the country for their extraordinary efforts in this time of need.”

Kia actively encourages its employees, dealer network and vendor partners to provide additional support.  For more information, on how to donate, please visit http://www.redcross.org.

Courtesy of Kia Newsroom

"Maintenance Monday” Tip: Slow Down!

Perhaps one of the best ways to keep your car well maintained, and stay safe on the road, is to avoid speeding! Driving slower puts less demand on your car’s engine and transmission, and also helps to reduce the amount of gas you use.

Courtesy of CS Monitor