Kia has come a long way in the last 60 years!

From Kia's humble beginning making bicycles to their state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia.

Stop in for an oil and filter change for only $34.95!

Neglecting oil changes is hazardous to your engine's health, especially if you drive under severe driving conditions, which most people do. So, treat your car to a little pick-me-up today. Stop in for an oil and filter change for only $34.95! Hurry in, this offer is only good through December 31st.  To print the coupon, simply visit our coupons tab located on our Facebook page.

Don't forget to take advantage of our amazing service specials going on right now!

No wasting time...These offers are only good till December 31st!

 

See the full gallery on Posterous

Click here to learn more about our specials.

Soul is top-selling Kia car!

The boxy Kia Soul is still funky-looking and still has dancing hamsters in its award-winning television ads.

But for 2012, the youthful Soul is restyled for a more high-tech look, has more powerful, yet more fuel-efficient engines, new six-speed transmissions and more features, including an infotainment system with voice recognition. Kia even offers 18-inch wheels now.

This model year, the five-door Soul also adds Idle Stop and Go (ISG), which automatically turns off the engine when the car is at idle, such as at a stoplight, and then automatically restarts the engine when the driver's pressure on the brake pedal lets up. The ISG, which is commonly found on gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, helps conserve fuel.

What's not changed: The front-wheel drive Soul hatchback retains its industry-leading warranty coverage, which includes 10 years/100,000 miles for powertrain and five years/60,000 miles for limited, basic car coverage.

And it still comes standard with lots of safety equipment, such as traction control and electronic stability control, six air bags and antilock brakes.

Best of all, the Soul, which is a recommended buy of Consumer Reports magazine, remains priced below many competitors.

Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is $14,650 for the base Soul with 138-horsepower, 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission.

But the lowest retail price for a 2012 Soul with automatic is $1,800 more, or $16,450.

The 2012 Soul is offered with a larger, 164-horsepower, 2-liter four cylinder with a starting MSRP, including destination charge, of $17,050.

Competitors include the boxy-styled, Nissan cube, which has a starting retail price of $15,500 as a 2011 model with 122-horsepower, 1.8-liter four cylinder and six-speed manual transmission. The competing 2012 Scion xB has a starting retail price of $17,030 with 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder and manual transmission.

Note that the federal government's top fuel economy ratings of 27 miles per gallon in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway for the 2012 Soul with base engine are better than the fuel ratings for the cube and xB. For example, the 2012 xB's mileage rating is 22/28 mpg.

The Soul has become Kia's top-selling car, with sales topping 92,600 through the first 11 months of this year. This is up 52 percent from the same period a year ago.

No doubt buyers are attracted by the Soul's value for the price.

Standard equipment on all models includes ample cargo space, Sirius XM satellite radio (buyers must subscribe to keep this satellite radio beyond the complimentary tryout period), dual-level glovebox, air conditioning, power door locks, outside mirrors and windows, as well as USB/auxiliary jacks.

The test Soul, a Plus model with the larger four cylinder and six-speed automatic transmission included Plus standard features like keyless entry, Bluetooth phone connectivity, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, audio controls on the steering wheel, two powerpoint outlets and metal-look interior trim — all for $18,050.

At just 13.5 feet long from bumper to bumper, the test Soul fit easily into compact parking spaces and handled nimbly in tight spots.

But inside, the feeling was anything but tight. The 5.3-foot-tall Soul provides 40.2 inches of headroom in the front seat and 39.6 inches in the back seat, so even tall riders don't feel constrained. This is akin to the headroom inside a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox sport utility vehicle.

This ample headroom isn't achieved by forcing riders to sit low to the pavement. Rather, it's the product of a roofline that doesn't slope much until it's behind the back seats. In the test Soul, passengers had good views out of the vehicle and to the traffic ahead, though we still couldn't see over or beyond big pickup trucks or vans.

Be aware, though, that three adults in the back seat sit close to each other, even if the generous 39 inches of rear-seat legroom meant no one's knees touched the front seatbacks.

Note that rear seatbacks are split 60/40 and fold down to extend the 19.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats to an SUV-like 53.4 cubic feet. It wasn't difficult to load items inside since the flat cargo floor was at thigh level on me and the rear bumper was not obtrusive.

The uplevel, 2-liter, double overhead cam, four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing provided commendable power, even with the Soul's cargo area filled with suitcases and shopping bags.

I did hear the four-cylinder buzziness at times when pressing the car to accelerate on uphill road sections. But the engine response and power delivery was pleasing, not at all lagging. Torque peaks at 148 foot-pounds at 4,800 rpm, and the Soul weighs less than 3,000 pounds and can feel sprightly on the roads.

Without trying at all, I averaged 29.1 mpg, which is just over the combined city/highway mileage that the federal government estimates in combined city/highway travel.

The tester did not include the automatic engine shutdown and restarting feature. Note that Kia engineers add a more durable starter and alternator with this feature to ensure those stop/starts don't require earlier starter and alternator replacements.

Fit and finish on the test Soul was excellent, and fabric seats were comfortable in summer heat and pleasant looking. But, I could have used some additional lumbar support in the Soul's front passenger seat when I sat there over a three-hour trip.

Source: cbsnews.com

The 2012 Kia Optima was recently named a Consumers Digest Best Buy!

Today it can be yours for only $21,355. Plus, you will receive up to $1,500 in rebates and 2.9% APR for 60 months! Hurry in, this offer ends January 3rd. 

Click here to learn more about this offer and to view our other great deals.

2013 Kia Forte Sedan Sketches Emerge

Sketches that have leaked online purport to provide an early look at the 2013 Kia Forte. According to Kia World, the sketches show a redesign for the Forte sedan that will be officially revealed sometime in 2012.

The leaked photo reveals a Forte sedan that is much more rounded and modern than the current model. In the profile sketch, the Kia appears to have a sloping roofline similar to the Hyundai Elantra, and is vaguely reminiscent of the Kia Ray concept from 2010. The front grille, headlights, and taillights are all in tune with the latest Kia designs, like those seen on the Optima sedan.

The current Forte sedan was launched in 2009; the car also is available as a two-door coupe and four-door hatchback. Regardless of body style, power comes either from a 156-hp 2.0-liter inline-four, or a 173-hp 2.4-liter inline-four engine.

The Kia Forte is currently built on the same platform that underpinned the prior-generation (through model-year 2010) Hyundai Elantra, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Forte once again adopted the Elantra’s underpinnings. If so, it could mean a bump in the Forte’s fuel economy ratings. The new Elantra uses a 148-hp, 1.8-liter inline-four engine that returns 29/40 mpg (city/highway) whether mated to a manual or automatic transmission.

We reached out to Kia to see whether a 2013 Forte is indeed on the way, but did not receive a response before deadline. If a Forte makeover is nigh, we imagine it will debut at a major auto show some time in the next six months.

Source: motortrend.com

With our Variable Discount, the more you spend, the more you'll save!

Stop in now through the end of December to get your car tuned up and ready for the winter. With our Variable Discount, the more you spend, the more you'll save!

Print your coupon today.

115 Winners of 2012 Top Safety Pick

ARLINGTON, VA — The list of winners of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award is longer than ever this year, with vehicles in nearly every size category the Institute evaluates earning accolades. From minicars to sedans to pickups, consumers have a record number of choices among 2012 models.

In all, 69 cars, 38 SUVs, 5 minivans, and 3 pickups earn Top Safety Pick. The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on ratings in Institute evaluations. The ratings, which cover all 4 of the most common kinds of crashes, help shoppers pick vehicles that offer the highest levels of crash protection. Because the federal government now requires all 2012 and later passenger vehicles to have electronic stability control to help drivers avoid loss-of-control crashes, ESC no longer is a requirement to win as it was in prior years.

The winners' circle includes 18 new recipients for 2012, while 97 models that previously qualified for the 2011 award carry over to 2012.

"For the second year running a record number of models qualify," says Institute president Adrian Lund. "It's tough to win, and we commend auto manufacturers for making safety a top priority."

That commitment to protecting people in crashes is evident in the fast pace of design improvements automakers have made during the past year. Initially 66 vehicles qualified for last year's award as less-than-perfect rollover ratings held back many contenders. Later the number climbed to 100 as manufacturers redesigned roofs to make them stronger or introduced new models to win. The Institute's rolling test schedule allows for recognition of additional winners throughout the year, so many 2012 models qualified for a 2011 Top Safety Pick.

Again this year every major automaker has at least one winner. Subaru remains the only manufacturer with the distinction of earning awards for every model it builds. Subaru picks up 5 awards, including one for the redesigned Impreza, a small car.

Toyota/Lexus/Scion has 15 winners for 2012, more than any other auto manufacturer. General Motors is next in line with 14, followed by Volkswagen/Audi with 13, and Ford/Lincoln and Honda/Acura with 12 awards apiece.

Honda improves: Ten of the 18 new additions are Honda/Acura models, including the midsize Accord sedan, which hasn't earned Top Safety Pick since the Institute toughened criteria to win the 2010 award by adding a test to assess roof strength in a rollover crash.

Vehicles rated good for rollover protection have roofs more than twice as strong as the current federal standard requires. The Institute estimates that such roofs reduce the risk of serious and fatal injury in single-vehicle rollovers by about 50 percent compared with roofs meeting the minimum requirement. A new federal standard for roof strength will phase in beginning with 2013 models.

Roofs on the 2009 Honda CR-V and 2010 Pilot scored marginal ratings in prior Institute tests, while earlier models of the Accord, CR-Z, Fit, and Insight rated acceptable. Now all of these 2012 models earn good ratings and Top Safety Pick.

"Honda/Acura deserves credit for most-improved status," Lund says. "The automaker buckled down and upgraded roofs on 10 models that missed winning last year because of rollover protection. Now, the automaker has winners in the minicar, small car, midsize car, small SUV, midsize SUV, minivan, and large pickup categories."

Another midsize sedan, the Toyota Camry, earns its first-ever Top Safety Pick. Last year, the Camry missed the mark because of a marginal rating for seat/head restraints. The Toyota Yaris also earns its first Top Safety Pick award. Toyota upgraded the roof and seat/head restraints of the 4-door hatchback model to win. Good ratings secure the Yaris a spot alongside 3 other minicars, the Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, and Honda Fit, as 2012 winners.

"It's great to see the Accord and Camry, 2 of the top-selling midsize cars in the U.S. market, join the Top Safety Pick ranks this year," Lund says. "The Accord previously won the 2009 award but has been missing from the list since then."

With fuel efficiency and reduced emissions on many buyers' wish lists, the winners' circle includes more green choices. Toyota's all-new Prius v is among them. Roomier than the original, the v hybrid brings to 15 the number of winners available as hybrids. The plug-in electric Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf, winners in 2011, also earn this year's award.

For drivers who need to haul loads, the Ford F-150, Honda Ridgeline, and Toyota Tundra are good choices in the large pickup category. Small pickups continue to be shut out. None the Institute has evaluated qualify for the award.

"When we launched Top Safety Pick in 2005, consumers had 11 models to pick from. Six years later, finding a winner that fits most budgets and lifestyles is easy," Lund says. "It's a testament to the commitment automakers have made to going above and beyond minimum safety standards."

About the award: The Institute awarded the first Top Safety Pick to 2006 models and then raised the bar the next year by requiring good rear test results and ESC as either standard or optional equipment. In 2010, the Institute toughened criteria by adding a requirement that all qualifiers must earn a good rating for performance in a roof strength test to assess protection in a rollover crash.

The Institute groups winners according to vehicle type and size. Lund advises consumers to keep in mind that size and weight influence crashworthiness. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford better occupant protection in serious crashes than smaller, lighter ones. Even with a Top Safety Pick, a small car isn't as crashworthy as a bigger one.

How vehicles are evaluated: The Institute's frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle's overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a 50th percentile male Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on 2 instrumented SID-IIs dummies representing a 5th percentile woman, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle's structural performance during the impact.

In the roof strength test, a metal plate is pushed against 1 side of a roof at a displacement rate of 0.2 inch per second. To earn a good rating for rollover protection, the roof must withstand a force of 4 times the vehicle's weight before reaching 5 inches of crush. This is called a strength-to-weight ratio.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a 2-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry — the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average-size man.

Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall because they can't be positioned to protect many people.

ALL 115 WINNERS

Minicars
Fiat 500 built after July 2011
Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback
Honda Fit
Toyota Yaris 4-door hatchback

Small cars
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Sonic
Chevrolet Volt
Ford Focus
Honda Civic 4-door
Honda CR-Z
Honda Insight
Hyundai Elantra
Kia Forte sedan
Kia Soul
Lexus CT 200h
Mazda 3 sedan and hatchback
Mini Cooper Countryman
Mitsubishi Lancer except Ralliart and Evolution
Nissan Cube
Nissan Juke
Nissan Leaf
Scion tC
Scion xB
Scion xD
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Toyota Corolla
Toyota Prius
Volkswagen Golf 4-door
Volkswagen GTI 4-door

Midsize moderately priced cars
Audi A3
Buick Verano
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200 4-door
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Toyota Camry
Toyota Prius v
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Volkswagen Passat
Volvo C30

Midsize luxury/near luxury cars
Acura TL built after September 2011
Acura TSX sedan and hatchback
Audi A4
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes C-Class
Volkswagen CC except 4-wheel drive
Volvo S60

Large family cars
Buick LaCrosse
Buick Regal
Chrysler 300
Dodge Charger
Ford Taurus
Toyota Avalon

Large luxury cars
Audi A6
BMW 5 series except 4-wheel drive and V8
Cadillac CTS sedan
Hyundai Equus
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti M37/M56 except M56x 4-wheel drive
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes E-Class sedan
Mercedes E-Class coupe
Saab 9-5
Volvo S80

Small SUVs
Honda CR-V
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

Midsize SUVs
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Durango
Dodge Journey
Ford Edge
Ford Explorer
Ford Flex
GMC Terrain
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Venza

Midsize luxury SUVs
Acura MDX
Audi Q5
BMW X3
Cadillac SRX
Infiniti EX35
Lexus RX
Lincoln MKT
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes GLK
Mercedes M-Class
Saab 9-4X
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Large SUVs
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Volkswagen Touareg

Minivans
Chrysler Town & Country
Dodge Grand Caravan
Honda Odyssey
Toyota Sienna
Volkswagen Routan

Large pickups
Ford F-150 crew cab models
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra crew cab model

Source: IIHS

Kia has recently won the 2012 Engine of the Year award thanks to its 1.6 petrol unit

While Europeans and Asians are busy giving cars with the “classic” Car of the Year award, the North American automotive market is obviously stranger and it’s giving the South Korean based automaker Kia the 2012 Engine of the Year Award, thanks to the 1.6 liter petrol unit. According to the car manufacturer, the engine that “won” the award has a 1.6 liter displacement and it has an inline four-cylinder layout, offering a great report in fuel consumption and performance.

The 1.6 liter four-cylinder direct injection engine made by Kia is developing a total output of 139 horsepower and it was developed out of older 1.4 liter and 1.6 liter units which used to power the Kia Cee’d and the Hyundai i30. Despite its main competition constantly upgraded its engine lineup, downsizing its units and fitting them with turbochargers, the South Korean based automaker Kia has remained faithful to naturally aspirated engines this whole time and thanks to the chain distribution, which was constantly used until a few years ago on most models, its vehicles can do over 200.000 kilometers without having major problems.

Source: inautonews.com

2011 NBA Preseason Begins Friday, Dec.16th! What NBA team are you most excited to watch this year?

The NBA today released its 2011 preseason schedule, a 30-game slate that tips off Friday, Dec. 16, with four games and continues until Thursday, Dec. 22, when two games wrap up the preseason.

NBA TV will broadcast at least 10 preseason contests live including Florida’s intrastate rivalry when the Orlando Magic hosts the Miami Heat Dec. 21 (7 p.m. ET), with Marv Albert and Mike Fratello calling the game and Craig Sager providing courtside reporting. For the other games, NBA TV will provide one of the local telecasts.

Kia NBA Tip-Off ’11 is scheduled for Christmas Day with five games on the slate. The Boston Celtics visit the New York Knicks to tip off the season at 12 p.m. ET. We then present a double-header when the Dallas Mavericks host the Miami Heat in a rematch of The Finals (2:30 p.m. ET), followed by the Chicago Bulls visiting the Los Angeles Lakers (5 p.m. ET). The day rounds off with a pair of games when the Oklahoma City Thunder hosts the Orlando Magic (8 p.m. ET), and the Los Angeles Clippers visit the Golden State Warriors (10:30 p.m. ET).

2011 NBA preseason schedule:

Date Game Location Time (local)
December 16 Philadelphia @ Washington Verizon Center, Washington, DC 7:00PM
December 16 Chicago @ Indiana Conseco Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN 7:00PM
December 16 New Orleans @ Memphis FedExForum, Memphis, TN 7:00PM
December 16 Cleveland @ Detroit The Palace of Auburn Hills, Auburn Hills, MI 7:30PM*

December 17 New York @ New Jersey Prudential Center, Newark, NJ 2:00PM*
December 17 Milwaukee @ Minnesota Target Center, Minneapolis, MN 7:00PM
December 17 San Antonio @ Houston Toyota Center, Houston, TX 7:00PM*
December 17 Sacramento @ Golden State Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA 7:30PM*

December 18 Boston @ Toronto Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON 1:00PM
December 18 Orlando @ Miami AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL 6:00PM
December 18 Oklahoma City @ Dallas American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX 6:30PM*

December 19 Atlanta @ Charlotte Time Warner Cable Arena, Charlotte, NC 7:00PM*
December 19 Utah @ Portland Rose Garden, Portland, OR 7:00PM
December 19 LA Clippers @ LA Lakers Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 7:30PM*

December 20 Washington @ Philadelphia Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA 7:00PM*
December 20 Detroit @ Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland, OH 7:00PM
December 20 Indiana @ Chicago United Center, Chicago, IL 7:00PM
December 20 Dallas @ Oklahoma City Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK 7:00PM
December 20 Phoenix @ Denver Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7:00PM
December 20 Golden State @ Sacramento PowerBalance Pavilion, Sacramento, CA 7:00PM

December 21 Miami @ Orlando Amway Center, Orlando, FL 7:00PM*
December 21 Minnesota @ Milwaukee Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 7:00PM
December 21 Memphis @ New Orleans New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA 7:00PM
December 21 Portland @ Utah EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT 7:00PM
December 21 Toronto @ Boston TD Garden, Boston, MA 7:30PM
December 21 New Jersey @ New York Madison Square Garden, New York, NY 7:30PM
December 21 Houston @ San Antonio AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX 7:30PM
December 21 LA Lakers @ LA Clippers Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA 7:30PM*

December 22 Denver @ Phoenix US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ 7:00PM
December 22 Charlotte @ Atlanta Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA 7:30PM

* Denotes games televised by NBA TV

Source: PhilBoxing.com

Stop in now between January 3rd and receive up to $2,500 in rebates!

Stop in now between January 3rd and receive up to $2,500 in rebates and 2.9% APR for 60 months on the 2012 Kia Sorento! Recently named a Consumer Digest Best Buy and a 2011 IIHS Top Safety Pick; making the 2012 Kia Sorento a great car for your anyone in your family.  Learn more about this vehicle special. 

We would like to thank Julie for sharing her experience with us. Great work team!

"We purchased a used 2009 Kia Sedona. When we bought the van, they had exactly what we wanted, i.e. color, leather interior, large model, etc. Luckily, it was the last one and a pretty good price as well. We also showed up 15 mins prior to closing time and the staff worked with us until we were finished and even traded in our old vehicle at the same time. We drove out of the lot almost an hour past closing with our new, used van. I have been happy with it since. I am very impressed with the service as they will give a free wash anytime for no reason. You don't have to have a repair done in order to get a wash like other dealerships. Plus, our first oil change is free, which we have yet to use. Thanks Kia of Puyallup for making our car buying experience successful and pleasureful. The only thing I would suggest is a popcorn machine :) for the customers while they wait and maybe water." - Julie

Four Kia Vehicles Named Consumers Digest “Best Buys”

Consumers Digest just named four Kia vehicles “Best Buys” – the 2012 Kia Optima, 2012 Sorento, 2012 Soul, and 2012 Sportage. This latest recognition comes after Kia Motors America (KMA) announced the company’s best-ever October sales and setting its 14th consecutive monthly sales record.

“Kia’s design-led transformation continues to attract new customers to Kia showrooms with stand-out design, fuel efficiency, a host of standard amenities as well as residual values that continue to outpace the industry,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. “Receiving four ‘Best Buy’ designations from Consumers Digest reflects the increasing awareness and consideration for the Kia brand, which we expect to continue with the 2012 Rio 5-door and Soul, now arriving in showrooms.”

Vehicles chosen as Consumers Digest “Best Buy” deliver the most value for the money in their classes based on purchase price and cost to own relative to criteria such as comfort, performance, and utility.

Source: kiainthenews.com

Treat your car to an Oil and Filter Change for only $34.95!

Stop in between now and the end of December and treat your car to an Oil and Filter Change for only $34.95! Changing your vehicle's oil is one of the most important things you can do to avoid problems down the road.

Simply print the coupon located in our Facebook coupons tab and make an appointment today. Your car will be happy you did!

Kia Sorento takes the brand to a whole new level

As the Kia Sorento enters its second model year, you would think that the company would only make minor improvements to the 2012 edition. That’s especially true given that the 2011 model won many accolades.  In 2011, the Kia Sorento was selected as a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. It was the first vehicle built at the company’s Georgia manufacturing facility. And it was the first Kia vehicle to sell more than 100,000 units in a model year.

With the changes for 2012, it’s clear that Kia was not about to rest on it laurels with the Sorento. The 2012 model year includes the addition of an available 2.4-liter, four-cylinder GDI engine that offers significant gains in horsepower and fuel efficiency. The GDI engine puts out 191 horsepower, while delivering fuel economy of up to 32 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2012 Sorento also offers additional cutting-edge technologies such as Kia’s new UVO that is powered by Microsoft’s voice-activated infotainment system. Greatly aiding driver connectivity, convenience and safety, UVO is standard on Sorento EX models.

Also new for 2012, and standard on all Sorento trims with cloth seating, is the YES-Essentials seat fabric. It provides anti-bacterial, anti-soil and anti-static properties for added longevity and livability. 

The 2012 Sorento also introduces new convenience, comfort and luxury features that are available across all trim lines. They include power-folding side mirrors, a heated wood-trim steering wheel, memory driver seat and side mirror positioning, a power passenger seat, and a cool ventilated driver’s seat.

It offers standard convenience features such as air conditioning, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, SiriusXM Satellite Radio capabilities with three months of complimentary service, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth wireless technology, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. 

“They are all pretty much loaded with a lot of features,” said Eric Halleen, president of Halleen Kia, which recently opened its new Kia showroom and facility on the North Olmsted Auto Mile. “And I think you’ll find that the interior feels a lot more upscale, especially in this model.”  The Sorento is available in an LX, EX and SX trim level, and pricing begins at $23,150 for the LX trim. 

In terms of handling, the Kia Sorento has plenty of power with its available four-cylinder. The Sorento I drove had a V6 that put out an impressive 276 horsepower. It also had all-wheel drive with a locking center differential that evenly distributed power to all four wheels at low speeds. This makes the Sorento SX ideal for the sever weather conditions in Northeast Ohio. 

The top-of-the-line edition does have some excellent styling in the cabin, including leather seating and accents. It also has ebony wood treatments and softer touch materials that really give it the feel of luxury. There are small chrome accents around the instrument cluster, on the door handles and climate controls, and around the cup holders.

It’s such attention to design detail that takes the Sorento and Kia brand away from its home as a value-oriented brand and into the realm of everyday and even upscale branded vehicles.

Source: cleveland.com

December Winterize Special

Stop by Kia of Puyallup now through the end of December and take advantage of our Winterize Special. We will replace your engines antifreeze, check belts & hoses, check heater operation and also check for leaks. All for just $49.95!  Print your coupon now.

December Winterize Special

Stop by Kia of Puyallup now through the end of December and take advantage of our Winterize Special. We will replace your engines antifreeze, check belts & hoses, check heater operation and also check for leaks. All for just $49.95!  Print your coupon now.

Thank you John for this great review on our dealership!

"My wife and I purchased the 2011 Kia Optima and were very satisfied with our salesperson and sales team. The financing was easy and the facilities at kia of Puyallup have been great. I am really enjoying the free carwashes and friendly service:)." - John

2012 Kia Sportage SX: A compact SUV with lots of sport and value

The “S” in SUV supposedly stands for sport, but given the lumbering size and weight of most full-size SUVs the sporting component can be in short supply. The growing compact SUV segment provides more maneuverability, but often at the expense of horsepower. Passenger/cargo capacity is obviously less in the smaller vehicles, but how often do big rig owners really utilize all that available space?

The Kia Sportage SX is a compact SUV with surprising amounts of sport, space, and value in a handsome, affordable package. The SX is the top-of-the-line performance model thanks to an impressive turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine that’s backed by a smooth, efficient 6-speed automatic transmission.

Walkaround: The Kia Sportage was redesigned for 2011, so 2012 models are virtually the same. That makes any leftover 2011 models an excellent buy. Styling is consistent with the chiseled looks currently popular with compact Asian sedans and SUVs. The large diameter alloy wheels and performance tires are placed at the far corners. That maximizes interior space and enhances the SUV image. Our SX was painted a handsome, expensive-looking Black Cherry. A black leather interior further boosted the impression that the Sportage should cost much more than it did.

Interior: Kia designers do an outstanding job of interior packaging. Compromises have to be made to maintain their highly competitive prices, but the fit, finish, space utilization, comfort, content levels, and feeling of openness far exceeded our price point expectations. Our SX had the optional Premium/Leather Package. The thick, contoured steering wheel had excellent auxiliary controls and a tilt/telescopic function, so finding an optimum driving position was easy.

A large, centrally located speedometer and well-placed switchgear complimented the ample storage areas. Legroom is abundant for both the driver and front passenger. As long as the front seats aren’t all the way back there is ample second row legroom. Rear door size is good, which eases ingress/egress.

The Premium Package includes a panoramic sunroof, which fills the interior with light. The front sunroof part opens for added mild weather ventilation, while the fixed rear roof glass greatly enhances the rear seat experience. This is another example of features generally expected in much more expensive vehicles.

Cargo capacity is good, but not spectacular. The rear seats don’t fold completely flat (it helps to remove the headrests), but the main cargo area is flat. The cargo floor is level with the hatch opening, so loading is easy. There is added compartmentalized storage underneath the floor along with useful cargo loops. The hatch opens high enough for all but the tallest owners.

Under The Hood: The turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4 engine is the heart of the SX model. Kia has extracted 256 horsepower and 264 lb-ft of torque from a mere 122 cubic inches. The standard Sportage engine is the 2.4-liter (146.5 cubic inches) I-4, which produces 176 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. The 2012 Sportage SX AWD is EPA rated at 21 city and 26 highway miles per gallon. The 2WD version does better at 22/29, but Pacific Northwest drivers are much better served with the AWD Sportages — better suited to our weather/road conditions and much better resale-wise.

AWD Sportages don’t have a low range, but there is a dashboard switch for the locking center differential. It locks in a 50/50 front/rear power distribution. There is also a Hill Descent function (very welcome on slippery hills) and traction control. Both features have dashboard switches next to the locking differential switch. This level of sophistication trails off-road marvels like Land Rovers, but provides excellent traction for the types of conditions encountered by most drivers. The Sportage has good ground clearance and short overhangs for optimized approach angles. We’ve driven Sportages on rugged dirt/mud forest roads and never come close to being stuck.

Behind The Wheel: The combination of compact outer dimensions and spritely engine make the Kia Sportage SX a fun ride. It’s not a sports car, but it belies its utilitarian heritage. The SX has sport-tuned suspension with high performance shock absorbers and lower profile 18-inch tires on handsome alloy wheels.

Handling is improved in the SX (compared to other model Sportages), but as in all sporty vehicles you can expect additional ride harshness and road noise. We had no complaints with the performance/harshness tradeoff, but we always prefer performance and driver control to numbness.

Power application of both the engine and six-speed automatic transmission were excellent. We thought the highway ride was great. The Sportage was easy to use and comfortable both on long freeway stretches and around town.

Whines: The heated and ventilated driver’s seat was an unexpected luxury, but the front passenger only gets the heated function. Family harmony and spousal equality would be better served if both front seats had hot and cold buns. The driver also gets power lumbar support, while the passenger doesn’t.

Rearward vision could be better if the rear pillars were thinner and if the rear window was larger.

Bottom Line: We liked the Kia Sportage SX — a lot. Our constant refrain is that you could put badges from considerably more expensive brands on Kias and no one would question it. The point is that the Kia value proposition is incredibly strong. And, beyond value, the Sportage SX is comfortable, highly functional, and fun to drive.

Source: KPBJ.com

A big thank you to Kelli for writing this review. We love hearing from our customers!

"I just purchased a 2012 Kia Sorento. The salesman, Joe, was top notch and I would recommend to anyone. I am the type of person that walks when pressured into a sale so was nice to actually be able to lead the way to what I wanted and not what they wanted me to buy. The post sale follow up was great, having received several calls to assure I am 100% satisfied. I would recommend the dealership and sales personnel to anyone." - Kelli Gay