2014 Kia Optima Lx on 2040-cars

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2019 Kia Niro EV boasts 280-mile range

Kia first hinted at an upcoming fully electric Niro compact crossover with a concept at CES, and just a few months later, it's showing the production model. Unsurprisingly, it looks pretty much exactly like the normal hybrid models on sale now, eschewing some of the show car bits such as the grille with a message screen. It does have differences, though, such as the blocked-off, body color grille, which also houses the charging ports. It also has extra faux grilles on each end of the front bumper that have LED fog lights. They're mirrored by additional faux grilles on the rear bumper. Another difference from the show model is the estimated range. Using the WLTP estimate, Kia says the Niro EV with the 64 kWh battery will go about 280 miles on a charge. The concept shown at CES with the same size battery was estimated to have a range of 238 miles. We suspect that the latter number may be closer to the range on the U.S. test cycle. This is because the Hyundai Kona Electric with the 64 kWh battery the U.S. will get was rated for 292 miles on WLTP, but only 250 on the U.S. cycle. Also like the Kona Electric, the Niro EV will be offered with two battery choices. In addition to the aforementioned 64 kWh battery, a 39.2 kWh battery will be available providing about 236 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. If the Niro EV follows in the footsteps of its Hyundai cousin, we predict the U.S. will only get the model with the higher-capacity battery. There are still some details that have yet to be revealed, such as power, torque, and what the interior looks like. It will probably make the same 201 horsepower as the CES show car, and we wouldn't be surprised if it's the same electric motor as in the Kona Electric, since the power is the same and the battery size is the same. As such, it will probably produce 291 pound-feet of torque. Also, considering how much the exterior looks like the standard Niro, the interior will likely look basically identical, but perhaps different colors and perhaps a few extra premium features, again, a la Kona Electric. We should have all the details at the car's official debut in Paris. Related Video:

2021 Kia Seltos officially costs $23,110; trim features detailed

Kia has broadcast the Seltos' arrival in a Super Bowl commercial, but the South Korean automaker has done its usual stealth reveal of pricing, quietly uploading trims and MSRPs to the build site. Turns out the prices leaked to Motor1 last month are all correct. Including the $1,120 destination and handling charge, here are the Seltos trim steps and prices: LX AWD $23,110 S FWD $23,110 S AWD $24,610 EX AWD $26,410 S Turbo $26,610 SX Turbo $29,010 The base LX packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque running power through a CVT to all four wheels. EPA-rated mileage comes in at 27 city, 31 highway, 29 combined. Standard features include keyless entry, 8-inch touchscreen-based infotainment with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and 17-inch wheels. The S, with the same engine but front-wheel drive, ups gas mileage to 34 highway, 29 city, and 31 combined. Features get a boost, too, with a different grille and LED DRLs and taillights, mixed Sofino leatherette and cloth surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, roof rails, and heated outside mirrors. Standard driver safety kit bundles automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, and lane departure warning. Blind spot detection is an optional extra. Requesting all-wheel drive with the center-locking differential costs $1,500. The EX comes with AWD, as well as all of the S features plus full Sofino leatherette seats, heated front seats and a power driver's seat, keyless entry, push-button and remote start, climate control, power sunroof, wireless phone charging, and a USB port for rear passengers, and upgraded 17-inch wheels. Safety tech includes blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and avoidance. The S Turbo is based off the S trim but fits the a 1.6-liter with 175 hp and 195 lb-ft that shifts through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and only comes in AWD. The $3,500 premium over the S pays for the AWD, the superior engine, and much of the feature set from the EX trim except the seats; the S Turbo sticks with the synthetic leather and cloth seating. The top-tier SX Turbo goes beyond the S Turbo with LED headlights and fog lights, full Sofino leatherette, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen, Bose premium audio and "Sound Connected Mood Lamp, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and Safe Exit Assist. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

2016 Kia Optima 2.0T Quick Spin [w/video]

Kia might live under the corporate shadow of parent company Hyundai, but don't confuse the Kia Optima for a rebadged Hyundai Sonata. That hasn't been the case for years, and the new 2016 Optima is more of its own car than ever before. Yes, both cars share a 110.4-inch wheelbase and 191.1-inch length, two engines, and under-the-skin hardware components. But you wouldn't know they were related just by looking – or by driving. In addition to the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, Kia offers a 2.4-liter naturally aspirated four on the base end, and a 1.6-liter turbo-four aimed at higher fuel economy. For more on those powertrains, stay tuned for our full First Drive story coming in a few days. My drive time in the Optima focused mostly on the 2.0-liter turbo-equipped version, in loaded trim. Sure, I drove the fancy one, but this car feels so refined that Toyota should be worried. Driving Notes 2.0-liter turbo models use a rack-mounted steering assist motor, compared to the column mounted unit paired to other engines. It's a costly upgrade for Kia, but it offers better feedback and steering feel. Kia firsts include automous emergency braking, and high-intensity discarge headlamps with active cornering and automatic high beams. I didn't have a chance to try either feature, but I can tell you the adaptive cruise control works with minimal frustration. Another new item, first used on the Sorento, is Harmon Kardon Clari-fi digital music restoration, which claims to improve the sound quality of compressed music. I sampled the optional 14-speaker, 630-watt system with some 320 kbps MP3 files over the USB input and was amazed by the clarity and sound quality. The interior layout, with its horizontal swatch of buttons on the dash, is a clean and refreshing. It's a welcome break from more over-styled sedans that sacrifice swoopy contours for functionality. Kia focused on quality materials and feel. The push-button start is metal, models with the panoramic sunroof get ceiling mood lighting with rear LED reading lamps, and top-of-the-line SXL come with nappa leather. It goes a long way to justify the SXL's base price of $36,615. This car is quiet. The roads outside of Las Vegas are smooth, but the desert sun leaves the surface pockmarked. That's usually a recipe for tire noise, but I didn't hear any hum. Kia's product planners gave credit to the Michelin tires. I'll have to sample the car on some worse roads before giving a final impression.