2014 Kia Forte Ex on 2040-cars

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Kia Stinger moves upmarket for the 2021 model year

Kia is giving the rear-wheel-drive Stinger a mid-cycle update that brings an updated design, a nicer interior, newer in-car technology, and a handful of powertrain tweaks. The sedan will reach showrooms by the end of 2020. Stylists played it safe when tweaking the front end, which receives redesigned lights that look darker than the current model's. Out back, the new-look lights are connected by a light bar, and the turn signals are made up of 10 individual LEDs arranged to resemble a checkered flag. Some variants are offered with bigger exhaust tips and a wider air diffuser, while new wheel designs and paint colors round out the exterior overhaul. Buyers will have two additional exterior packages to choose from. The first one, called Dark Package, adds a gloss black diffuser, black exhaust tips and black emblems. The second one, Black Package, bundles 19-inch matte black wheels, blacked-out trim, black mirror caps, and a trunk-mounted spoiler. Kia specifically pointed out the Black Package will be offered in North America, but it didn't reveal if we'll get the Dark Package. Kia explained it devoted a considerable amount of energy to making the Stinger's cabin feel more luxurious. It added nicer materials (like metallic trim on the steering wheel), a frame-less rear-view mirror, and, on some models, contrast stitching on the door panels as well as on the dashboard. The firm's newest infotainment system is displayed on a bigger, free-standing 10.25-inch touchscreen propped up on the dashboard. We'll need to be patient to find out what has changed under the hood. Kia alluded to a new powertrain lineup, but it won't reveal what's on the roster until a little bit later in 2020. As of writing, the Stinger's entry-level engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged to 255 horsepower. Motorists who want quicker acceleration can select a twin-turbocharged, 3.3-liter V6 that develops 365 horsepower. Could there be a step up to the Genesis G80's 300-horsepower 2.5-liter turbo-four and 375-hp 3.5-liter turbo V-6? Rear-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission come standard regardless of cylinder count, and all-wheel drive is offered at an extra cost. Kia noted the updated Stinger will go on sale in South Korea during the third quarter of 2020. Sales in other global markets — including, presumably, the United States — will start shortly after, and additional details will be released in the coming weeks.

2017 Kia Sportage First Drive

It's hard to get excited about most mainstream crossovers, but the truth is this is one of the hottest segments of the market right now. The automotive space is saturated with a glut of these profit-making, two-box, semi-practical, soft-roading vehicles, and the tide isn't likely to abate soon. At first blush, Kia's redesigned 2017 Sportage isn't the most eye-catching of new products, but it's poised to do very well in the ongoing CUV wars. Progress in this kind of battle is often measured in inches of space, and the 2017 Sportage grows both inside and out. The new Kia measures the same 73 inches wide as its predecessor, but it gains 1.2 inches on the wheelbase, and 1.6 inches in overall length. There's more room overall for passengers, and there's 18-percent greater cargo space in back. Plus, the luggage floor can be moved down into a lower position to make more vertical space when needed. The Sportage was penned by renowned designer Peter Schreyer (he of first-gen Audi TT fame), but the end result is a bulbous-looking crossover, especially when viewed from the front – it's like a chipmunk with too many acorns in its cheeks. The "tiger-nose" grille – a hallmark of Schreyer – was moved up to accommodate the "ice-cube" fog lamps, while the headlights sweep back along the sides of the car. The A and C pillars are thinner, allowing occupants better visibility from inside the car, but from the outside, the rear three-quarter view looks blocky and cut up. The rear doesn't seem to match the rest of the car, either – it's more svelte and understated. Looking past its exterior design, the new Sportage is marginally, uh, sportier, thanks to a new, lighter, stiffer body, a redesigned suspension, and new engine tuning. Kia is mostly chasing improved fuel efficiency with its latest powertrain updates, as both engines have slightly lower outputs than their predecessors but have marginal improvements in fuel economy. The entry-level 2.4-liter inline-four (same as the Optima and Sorento) puts out 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque – decreases of only 1 hp and 2 lb-ft – and can be had with front- or all-wheel drive. Step up to the top-of-the-line SX Turbo and you get a 2.0-liter turbo-four that puts out 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque (that's 20 hp and 9 lb-ft less than before). Kia estimates the 2.4/FWD combination will return 23 miles per gallon city, 30 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined, while the 2.0T/AWD will score 20/23/21.

Kia America shuffles executives

Kia announced a sudden and massive shuffle of its most senior executives in North America, including the resignation of its CEO and new roles for some of his top lieutenants. The biggest change is the departure of Byung Mo Ahn, who had until now served as both CEO of Kia Motors America and head of the company's manufacturing operations in Georgia, as well as a group vice chairman. Ahn is stepping down from all three positions with immediate effect, but will stay on in an advisory capacity. In his place, Jang Won Sohn moves from his previous post as a senior vice president at the home office to take over Kia Motors America. The task of running Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia will fall to Hyun Jong Shin, currently the plant's executive vice president and chief operating officer. Along with those replacements, Kia promoted Michael Sprague (pictured) to the newly created position of COO and executive vice president for Kia Motors America – a step up from his current title as EVP of sales and marketing. He reports directly to Sohn and takes over responsibility for product planning as well as sales, marketing and service. KIA MOTORS AMERICA STATEMENT REGARDING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES Effective immediately, the Group Vice Chairman and CEO of Kia Motors America (KMA) and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG), Byung Mo Ahn, has left these positions and will become a company advisor. Jang Won Sohn, formerly a Senior Vice President at KMC, assumes the position of President and CEO of KMA, and Hyun Jong Shin, formerly KMMG's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, assumes the position of President and CEO of KMMG. Michael Sprague, formerly KMA's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer and EVP of KMA, reporting directly to Mr. Sohn, and will serve as the central point of contact for all sales, marketing, service and product planning functions.