2017 Kia Sportage

The new 2017 Kia Sportage is a compact SUV that would identify as a small crossover.  It has seating for five people and is offered in three trim levels.

The 2017 Kia Sportage’s interior is the impressive run. Kia Sportage 2017 model’s dashboard has a substantial, luxurious look and includes a wide central control layout tilt towards the driver, the cockpit a sporty character fit the name. Material quality is class-competitive, and we have noticed no squeaks or rattles in our test vehicles to date. The 2017 Kia Sportage LX trim is equipped by today’s standards, but one could argue that most of what you need, including Bluetooth, a USB port, and a small touch screen gives you. The Higher finish can be provided with a high-resolution 8-inches touch screen that sharp images and fast response times have, but even the LX is eligible for an upgrade to the EX’s standard 7-inch touchscreen with Uvo infotainment functions.

Passenger space and comfort is superior for this size class. As expected in a crossover, driver and front passenger, many main and legroom, and adds power seats bottom cushions independent tilt for additional customization. Behind occupants hardly worse, however. Even with a 6-footer in the driver’s seat, can be another 6-footer down immediately astern without the problem, and he or she will receive adequate thigh support. This level of accommodation is usually associated with mid-sized crossovers, so it was a welcome surprise in the compact Sportage.

In 2017 Kia Sportage LX and 2017 Kia Sportage EX trim, the 2017 Sportage is motivated by a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque deliver. The 2017 Kia SX Turbo model gets a stronger turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder which cranks out 240 hp and 260 lb-ft. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, with four-wheel drive available as an option.

For more info, stop by Capitol Kia 13573 U.S. Hwy 183 N. Austin TX or give us a call at 512-583-1900 today!

2016 Kia Soul

When the Kia Soul first arrived, there is no doubt that most people thought it was a cute little fad but hardly took it seriously.  The styling all the way down to the Hamster ad campaign, not many people viewed it as a viable option.  That is, until people started to really take a look at it.

Once people started shopping them, they found an affordable, dependable and safe vehicle that is infused with personality, options and practicality.  There was nothing on the market like it.  Then you throw in the multiple colors offered and for a small 5-door hatchback that is much taller and roomier inside than you would ever have imagined.

Vibrant paint colors, special appearance packages, and available upscale fittings make the Soul appealing to a broad cross-section of potential buyers.  You can get a cheap drive, a whimsical commuter, a sporty utility vehicle, and even one with more than a touch of luxury and they would all still be very affordable by todays auto prices.

Kia proves that small cars can be designed to be very comfortable.  The seats are firm and supportive that look good and are very durable.  For a small car which normally has you laying back, the Soul has you sitting up high with a great view in all directions.  The wide door opening and tall seat positions make it exceptionally easy to get into and out of the vehicle.

Come test drive one at Capitol Kia 13573 U.S. Hwy 183 N. Austin, TX or give us a call at 512-583-1900 today!

2017 Kia Sorento

When Kia set out to give the Sorento a full redesign, they meant a full redesign complete with new metal, new body structure, engine, interior as well as improving an already fantastic cabin comfort and ride quality.

But it's a lot more than that, with every bit of sheet metal and every piece of trim changed. The exterior melts right into the family-crossover tapestry. From the outside, the redesign is so evolutionary that it’s easy to let your mind fill in the lines—from all but the side, perhaps. Inside, the redesign is a lot easier to see at first glance. The cabin of the 2016 Sorento has been quite dramatically tidied-up and made more sophisticated, with more soft-touch trims all around—wherever front occupants are expected to typically touch—and climate and navigation/audio controls are cordoned off into nice, neat control pods.

From the driver’s seat, it’s easy to feel that there’s been major improvement in the way this re-engineered model responds and performs. Steering is much-improved versus the previous Sorento, and previous Kias in general, and in particular there’s better tracking on center, plus better brake feel, a suspension that keeps a firm, composed ride, and an all-new body structure that’s far stiffer, with more than double the high-strength steel. Altogether, the Sorento has what Kia set out to achieve: a vault-like, German-style ride and the a heftier, more confident feel in general—even though the lineup has lost some weight.

Get more info at Capitol Kia 13573 U.S. Hwy 183 N. Austin TX or give us a call at 512-583-1900 today!

Kia’s Risk: Our Reward

In today’s automotive market a lot of car companies are playing it safe and sticking with the old tried and true without making many changes and updates for fear of losing a following.  The result is the same boring models year after year.

Guess who struck out more times than any other baseball player, the guy who also holds the record for the most home runs.  Guess who got thrown out trying to steal the most bases, the guy who has the record for the most stolen bases.  You don’t get ahead in life playing it safe.  Thank goodness for Kia.

Kia announced at the CES consumer electronics show that it plans to spend an initial 2 billion dollars on advanced driver assistance systems in the next three years as it pursues a goal of fully automated driving by 2030. The Korean carmaker also said it will be grouping all its advanced driver assistance systems under a new brand called “Drive Wise.” Henry Bzeih, chief technology strategist for Kia Motors America (KMA), spoke to automotive IT about Kia’s digital roadmap for the US. Bzeih is also in charge of KMA’s connected-car and technology planning.

Henry Bzeih said, “People at the helm of automotive companies today may be manufacturing or product-oriented, but they are also pragmatic. That’s why many automakers are reinventing their businesses. Customers are demanding it, so you have to make a commitment to technology as one pillar of your product strategy. It’s why we are investing 2 billion dollars in Drive Wise. That’s a lot of money.”

Take a trip and test drive some of this technology at Capitol Kia 13573 U.S. Hwy 183 N. Austin TX or give us a call at 512-583-1900 today!


 

2016 Kia Sedona

The 2016 Kia Sedona has a quiet and spacious interior, a very comfortable high-end seating option, a smooth ride, and a modern infotainment system.

It has a sliding seat system that moves the middle row into a compact space, freeing up lots of storage capacity. On the most expensive model, it swaps those for a pair of airline-style lounge chairs with excellent comfort--the future airport or adult-living shuttle. The 276-hp six runs very smoothly behind lots of layers of sound deadening. A six-speed automatic moves the power to the front wheels. The available electric power steering is quick and well-tuned. Ride quality is excellent, even with the top model's 19-inch wheels.  With a healthy dose of high-strength steel in the body, the Sedona posts top-tier crash-test ratings. Kia also includes Bluetooth and a rear view camera on all models.

The Kia family grille fits well on the Sedona's big front end and creates a clean look. There's no mistaking the minivan profile.  The Sedona's cabin is downright charming, with its horizontally laid-out instrument panel, its two-tone looks, and the quality materials applied to its surfaces. Among the available features are a smart tailgate that opens the hatch when the key fob is detected in close proximity for three seconds, and a dual-compartment glove box with a cooled lower area. The UVO infotainment system includes app capability from iTunes and Google Play (including compatibility with Pandora, iHeartRadio, and Yelp) plus SiriusXM Travel Link information on traffic, weather, fuel prices, and more. It also uses Siri Eyes Free connectivity and Google Local Search systems to help find and navigate to points of interest. The Sedona gets Kia's first high-power USB charging port, and there's a 115-volt AC outlet on some trims, too--a combo that all but obviates the need for a factory-installed rear-seat entertainment system.

For more information on all of the new offerings in Kia's lineup, come by Capitol Kia 13573 U.S. Hwy 183 N. Austin TX or give us a call at 512-583-1900 today!

The Winning Tradition Continues: Kia and the NBA

As has been customary as of late, Kia awards NBA players for winning certain awards and honors with a brand new version of a vehicle.  The good that comes from this goes well beyond an award.  This year the winner of the New Sorento was Lou Williams.  He won the NBA Sixth Man award.  To us, he won more than that.

The sixth man award is for the bench player that makes the biggest contribution to their team.  A substitute role for a player good enough to be a starter.  That is the epitome of Louis Williams of the Toronto Raptors.  Well after he won the award, he made a gesture that shows he is more than just a talented basketball player.  He asked Kia to send his Sorento to The Remix Project.  It is a Toronto & Chicago based organization that works to help young people from disadvantaged communities.  Lou finished the season averaging over 15 points coming off the bench.  He was the first Raptor to win any NBA award since 1999.  

Kia decided not to sit on the bench.  They plan on giving away a new Sorento to the charity of choice for all 5 winners of the NBA’s 2014-15 end of the year awards.  This is exactly what makes Kia such a special car company.  It isn’t about the publicity.  It is about doing the right thing.

Come see what award winners drive today at Capitol Kia 13573 U.S. Hwy 183 N. Austin TX or give us a call at 512-583-1900 today!