2014 Kia Forte Sedan

Recently we were invited out to Scottsdale Arizona, to get a first hand look at two of Kias new models for 2014, the Sorento and Forte. I was paired up with Cory Gunther of Slashgear, for a full day of diving primarily in the fabulous Tonto National Forest.

As you can see, we enjoyed taking the Forte off the main drag to find some stunning backdrops.

You may remember the 2014 Kia Forte from its awesome Super Bowl commercial that we featured recently. Their concept for the ad campaign is to respect the tech in the Kia Forte.

You could probably tell from the ad, the Forte is being marketed to young single men. Fun Fact : The "Hot Bots" are played by Miss USA 2011 Alyssa Campanella.

Exterior
The 2014 Kia Forte is a rather stunning redesign of the previous model with a much sleeker and sportier look. Influenced by European sport sedan styling, the Fortes modern aesthetics were developed at Kias American Design Center in Irvine, California. The front end in particular, with its HID projector headlamps and LED positioning lights gives the Forte a distinctive look.

We found the more aerodynamic design appealing and a welcome departure from the previous model. There are hints of the wildly popular Kia Optima in the design, which is certainly welcome. The model we drove was their new "Abyss Blue" color, which is definitely more risqué than the Sorentos offerings, but we still crave more vibrant choices.

Some of the notable new external features available on the 2014 Forte include power folding side-view mirrors with puddle lamps and turn-signal indicators, illuminated door handle pockets, LED tail lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Interior
Consistent with the messaging in their Super Bowl Commercial, technology in this compact sedan is a definite focus. Considering the market they're aiming for, it makes sense to load this vehicle up with as much technology as possible while keeping the sticker price reasonable, and that is exactly what Kia has done. The Forte we drove included the push-button start, bluetooth, satellite radio, dual-zone climate, heated seats and steering wheel, back-up camera, navigation and driver seat memory that we've seen on other Kia models.

As a big guy driving a compact sedan, I'm often times reminded of that fact constantly. However that doesn't seems to be the case when I sit behind the wheel of a Kia, and the Forte didn't disappoint either. It felt roomy and comfortable, and while I'd probably never buy a compact sedan, the Forte gave me no reason to complain in regards to space.

In our 2014 Kia Sorento review, we raved about the touchscreen interface, navigation, and UVO eServices. While all of those highlights certainly apply to the Forte, the smaller 7-inch LCD display did have some glare and reflection issues (maybe due to the 10 degree tilt) that we didn't notice in the Sorento. However, this prompted us to explore the features of the 4.2-inch TFT display in the center of the meter cluster, and we were delighted to find its even further simplified version of the turn by turn directions. Consistent with other Kia models we've driven, the controls and interfaces just seemed perfect to us. Everything we wanted, exactly where we wanted it.

Performance
The Forte is available with two different engines. The base LX model is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 148 horsepower geared for fuel-efficiency and ease of use. The EX model now features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder GDi engine rated at 173 horsepower. Obviously if you have the funds, you're going to want to go with the EX that we drove.

Like other GDi Kia engines we've driven, the six speed Forte impressed us with its power, responsiveness, and gas mileage. While it clearly didn't have the power of an Optima Turbo, we had no trouble passing tourists in the mountains of Arizona. Considering the price point, there was no cause to complain about performance on this compact sedan.

Overview
When we first drove the 2012 Kia Optima Turbo about a year ago, we rarely noticed Kia vehicles on the road. However that has clearly changed over the past year, and that bit of anecdotal evidence is backed up by the numbers the marketing folks showed us. They're making solid products, and the public is really starting to notice.

The 2014 Kia Forte is just the next chapter in that story, and overall it impressed us. The newly re-designed exterior was a dramatic and welcome upgrade. The interior was comfortable and packed with the technology that makes us happy. Much like their other vehicles, we think it will make a surprising competitor in your new car search.

Courtesy of Gunaxin

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Superman Kia Optima Hybrid

The Superman-inspired Kia Optima Hybrid, revealed at the 2013 Chicago Auto Show, might have been the Man of Steel's sweet-16 present from daddy Jor-El if only Krypton hadn't been destroyed. The Supes-style sedan is instantly recognizable, adorned in the hero's signature blue with red accents on the grille, wheels, rear bumper and elsewhere, with glowing red undercar lighting and "heat vision" headlights.

To further guard against mistaken identity, the Last Son of Krypton's signature S shield is displayed in multiple places, most prominently on the hood and seats, and a shadowy black image of him is incorporated into the rear windshield. Despite all their similarities, Superman gets his power from Earth's sun while the Kia Optima Hybrid runs on gas and electric — and cannot fly. The car is the sixth in a planned eight-car Justice League series born of a partnership between Kia and DC Entertainment.

Courtesy of Cars.com

2014 Kia Forte Review

1. Two engines are offered, a 148 hp 1.8L and a direct-injection

2.0L 4-cylinder with 173 hp.

3. An optional Flex Steer system lets you choose between three steering settings: Comfort, Normal and Sport.

4. An available Premium Package includes luxury features like leather, heated front and rear seats with an air-cooled vented 10-way power drivers seat, 17-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel and keyless access with a push button ignition.

It seems to have worked, since Kia's population around the world has been growing year after year. In 2012, Kia's global sales rose by 9.3% and managed to move 635,000-units in North America alone.

To keep the sales momentum on the upswing, Kia is going to launch an all-new 2014 Forte compact sedan towards the end of the first quarter of this year. But is it any good?

Kia is so proud of their latest Forte sedan that it invited us down to Scottsdale, AZ two months before the models launch and tell us all that this car has to offer and let us experience it for ourselves.

The Forte is lower and wider than its predecessor being not only much more attractive than the car it replaces, but also better than most in the segment.

Kia's design guru and new president, Peter Schreyer, wanted to make the first luxury compact car, and while that's not exactly true here, the design certainly plays the part. From HID headlights to its beautiful new LED tail lights (which look absolutely stunning when illuminated, you have to see it to believe how nice these are) and everything else in between, the Forte is a stunner in its segment. The days of feeling embarrassed about driving a Korean compact are far behind us.

Its the same story inside. The new interior is a step forward in design and quality. All the ergonomic controls seem to be in the right position and there are soft touch materials where you would like them to be. Standard equipment is impressive with auxiliary input jacks, Bluetooth, power windows and locks and a tilt and telescopic wheel.

The 2014 Forte is also the first car in its class to offer a heated and ventilated drivers seat (passenger only gets a heated seat), and a heated steering wheel.

A well thought out interior for the most part (our only complaint was that the center arm-rest is a bit too low to be comfortable, despite this one being of the sliding variety), with decent space for both front and rear seat passengers, and the trunk is quite commodious as well. Should make most people quite happy.

Those who like gadgets will also be quite happy with the new (optional) UVO entertainment system, which now consists of eService. This new system allows for you to use apps like Google Maps, 911 Auto Connect, Interactive Roadside Assistance, Parental Controls, Twitter, Pandora and a whole host of other apps. In short, the new UVO system is more like a tablet than an infotainment system.

However, while gadgets certainly attract car buyers these days, one should not buy a car just based on its electronic content. What makes one car better than the other should be based on how it drives. So how does the new Forte drive?

The short answer is, quite well. But lets get into the details. There are two engines on offer, a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder, with Multi-Port Injection (MPI), and a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder, with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). These new engines replace the former models 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter engines.

The base motor, which is found in the LX trim, produces 148-hp and 131 lb-ft of torque and can be had with either a six-speed manual gearbox (with hill-start assist) or a six-speed automatic. The GDI motor, which is found in the EX and SX trims, produces an impressive 173-hp and 154 lb-ft of torque, but sadly will only be offered with the six-speed automatic, though you do get steering-wheel mounted pedal shifters in SX trim.

There's even more stuff to play with on the steering wheel, in fact we counted no less than 15-buttons on the wheel (and that is not counting the shift paddles). One we found of interest is for what Kia calls "Flex Steer." What this button allows you to do is to choose between three stiffness settings for the steering input. In "Comfort", it is very light and agile. In "Normal" it is, umm… normal, and in "Sport" mode, the steering stiffens up.

As for wheels and tires, the base LX gets 15-inch steelies, with optional 16-inch alloys. The EX gets 16-inch alloys with 17-inch alloys as an option, while the SX gets the 17-inch alloys as standard.

Our tester was an EX trim with the optional 17-inch alloys, wearing some sport-sized 215/45R17 rubber all around. While the handling is not this Fortes, umm… forte, ride comfort certainly is. This is a comfortable compact car. You can drive over ruts and potholes on the road, and while you can tell that you went over something, you wont feel it. It is quiet also, thanks to excellent sound deadening from wind and road noise, the new Forte is one of the quietest compact cars we have ever come across.

It is also one of the quickest to come to a stop, thanks to standard fitment of four-wheel disc brakes. Along with the usual safety measures, there's a Brake Assist System (BAS), which will recognize when you are braking under a panic situation and apply maximum braking force. In case there is a crash, its dual front advanced airbags, together with front-seat mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags will do their best to keep your organs in their rightful place.

For a car designed to handle the daily chores, Kia has covered many of the desired traits and wrapped them in attractive packaging.

Courtesy of Auto Guide

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2013 Kia Soul offers great mix of features and value

No matter how you feel about those rapping wannabe gangsta hamsters, the 2013 Kia Soul offers an interesting mix of good looks, technology, functionality, efficiency and refinement, in an incredibly affordable package, and does it in a way that attracts a wider spectrum of buyers than those hamsters are aiming for.

In spite of new engines and tweaked styling received in 2012, it’s still an inexpensive box-shaped runabout with Gen Y firmly in its crosshairs. But it’s surprisingly suitable for anyone — no matter what their age — who appreciates youthful styling, fuel economy, daily practicality, coupled with useful standard features like Bluetooth, iPod, and USB connectivity, and the best warranty on the planet.

While the Soul attempts to stand out in a sea of sameness — in spite of its basic shape — there are plenty of options and accessories to seriously personalize it. Kia makes no bones about what the Soul is — and is not: It’s a car — not a cute-ute, or “compact utility” as that segment is labeled, and certainly not an SUV, crossover, or minivan surrogate. Mechanically, it’s your basic small sedan, with no all-wheel or four-wheel drive offered.

Model Lineup: The 2013 Kia Soul comes in three models: Soul, Soul+ (Soul plus), and Soul! (Soul exclaim).

The Soul features an inline, 138-horse, 4-cylinder, 1.6-liter engine and comes with air conditioning, power windows and door locks, 15-inch steel wheels, black trim, body-color door handles and mirrors, AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 stereo, USB and auxiliary inputs, Bluetooth with steering-wheel controls, 6-way manual drivers seat, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, 60/40 split folding rear seat, remote keyless entry, and variable intermittent wipers. The base Soul comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, but a 6-speed automatic is available.

Options include alloy wheels and an ECO package that includes idle-stop-and-go start-stop system, power mirrors, alloy wheels, luggage under-floor tray, illuminated visor mirrors with extensions, and low rolling resistance tires. Accessories include illuminated sill plates, cabin lighting, auto-dimming mirror, floor mats, cargo net and rear spoiler.

The Soul+ upgrades to the 2.0-liter engine, and adds 16-inch alloy wheels, stereo tweeters, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Soul logo inserts on the upholstery, and metal-finish trim. The 6-speed manual is standard, but it’s available with the 6-speed automatic. Options available only on automatic versions include a power sunroof and fog lights, 350-watt Infinity/UVO by Microsoft entertainment system with rear camera and HD radio, and the ECO package.

The top of the line Soul! offers only the 2-liter and 6-speed automatic, and adds 18-inch alloy wheels, body-color trim, LED running lights, projector headlights, sand and black interior with houndstooth upholstery inserts, standard UVO, and more. The main option is the premium package that includes navigation, XM traffic, leather seating trim, heated front seats, climate control, and push-button start/Smart Key.

Safety equipment on all models includes six airbags, active front headrests, LATCH seating system, electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and a tire pressure monitor.

Walkaround: With rear windows that are narrower than those in front, it appears there’s a rear downward slope to the roof, but it’s a clever optical illusion because of the rising beltline below the windows. There’s also a black, horizontal, ding strip on the doors that’s both functional, and adds to the strong straight-line design.

The corners on the Soul are nicely rounded, taking away some of the hard edge of its box-like shape, with help from strong, chiseled wheel wells. The smile-like grille is small, and no bigger than necessary to suck in fresh air for the engine. The stylish front lighting elements are new, and include LED running lights and projector headlamps.

Big vertical LED taillamps outline the rear pillars, and complete the wraparound look. The rear window and liftgate are clean and smooth, with an indented handle and a stylish chrome Soul badge.
The 16- and 18-inch alloy wheels are larger than what’s often available in this market segment.

Interior: Everything inside the Soul is simple, clean, functional, and ergonomically positioned. The front bucket seats are more comfortable than I thought they’d be — especially after a couple of long jaunts. They offer plenty of legroom, and enough headroom for six-plus-footers.

Rear seat legroom is tight, but fine for kids or adults of average height, and the 60/40 rear seats easily fold flat. There’s a handy compartment under the trunk floor, and below that a space-saver spare tire. There’s 19 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat, about four under the floor, totaling 53.4 with the back seats folded down.

The interior vinyl and cloth trim is above average, and there are bottle holders in the front door pockets, plus cupholders in the console, which also offers a deep storage compartment. There’s a surprisingly large dual-level glovebox, map nets on the front seatbacks, and grab handles over every door. There are auxiliary audio, iPod, and USB port connections, and two 12-volt outlets.

The steering wheel boasts the usual standard controls, while the three-ring instrumentation is clean, with an eave over the gauges so they’re readable in the sun. The modest center stack features business-like knobs and buttons that accommodate the revised shifter and UVO/Microsoft entertainment system, which includes a rear camera.

There’s throbbing-to-the-beat rims of changing colored lights surrounding the front door speakers. This can be turned on and off, and you can program the way it reacts to sound — a quick way to amuse yourself while stuck in traffic.

Under The Hood: The 2.0-liter inline-four (which our test model was equipped with) got a much-needed upgrade during the 2012 model year refresh. Power was increased by 16 horses to 164, and torque by 11 pound-feet to 148. The base powerplant is a 138-horse, 1.6-liter (up from 122).
Kia upgraded the transmissions as well last year. The six-speed automatic is smoother, even when shifting down a couple of gears for acceleration and highway passing, with mileage improved by 1-4 mpg whether automatic or manual, to 27/35 mpg for the 1.6-liter and 26/34 mpg for the 2.0-liter.

Behind The Wheel: I found the Soul nimble, and fun to drive. There’s sufficient power available, although the transmission will run a gear up all the way up to redline before shifting under heavy acceleration. If that’s your driving style, you’ll pay for it with lots of engine noise. Road noise is also a factor, but no worse than any other vehicle this size, and this low to the ground.
Handling and braking are more than adequate for this class of vehicle, and there is that level of utility that makes this a surprisingly adaptable daily driver.


Bottom Line: The Kia Soul offers simplicity, four-door upright hatchback versatility, great gas mileage, and styling with personality. It’s easy to drive in urban settings because of its nimble size, and with every single option available — not to mention Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty — this car is an enormous value.

Courtesy of KPBJ.com.

The Kia Sportage, A Not So Techie Review

So far I have really enjoyed all of the Kia cars I have driven. I would be happy to own any of them, especially the Kia Sorento! The Kia Sportage is another fantastic car!

Here is the fantastic red Kia Sportage that I drove for 7 days! My kids loved it, look closely and you can see that Emma can not contain her excitement!

The Kia Sportage was described to me by the Kia people as the Sorentos little cousin. I can totally see why. It still has a ton of room, but does not feature the 3rd row seating that the Sorento has. Even without the 3rd row seating option there is plenty of room for my family of 5 to travel most comfortably.

It has a lot of get up and go! Comparing it to the Suburban, this is so much easier to get out into busy traffic in. It goes when you want it to go!

Now, out of all the Kias I have driven, I have enjoyed the interior of the Kia Sportage the best. It is set up nicely and looks great! I have to say that this is an ideal family car, especially if you like to go out and do things…like camping, travel, etc.

I am very much in love with Kia right now. I would be happy to own one of these cars, especially the Kia Sorento or Kia Sportage, as I feel they would work best for my family with the way they are set up, room as well as being 4 wheel drive.

Thank you Kia, once again for letting us drive this awesome car to see what we thought of it.

All opinions are my own and no compensation was received.

Courtesy of Not So Average Mama