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2017 Kia Model Year Preview and Updates

Kia continues its growing market momentum on the strength of three all-new intros and/or updates, along with its selection as a top pick by Consumer Reports. Kia's Niro - pictured above - is an all-new hybrid, combining a fairly conventional crossover profile with front-wheel drive and up to 50 miles-per-gallon. Also of note: Later in the '17 calendar year most dealers will receive the all-new STINGER GT, first introduced at the '17 Detroit Auto Show. KIA CADENZA: Kia's upsized, upscale Cadenza presents a near-luxury ownership experience without the penalty of a near-luxury price point. Its new platform is stronger, lighter and more rigid, while the interior is dramatically upscale. Finally, the Cadenza boasts Kia's first application of an eight-speed automatic in a front-wheel drive powertrain. FORTE: Kia's sedan and hatchback enjoy freshened styling and a new, 2.0-liter base powertrain. There is also the optional availability of a whole suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking, rear cross traffic alert, forward collision warning and Dynamic Bending Light, which allows your lights to follow the direction of your steering wheel. K900: Kia's large, rear-wheel-drive sedan is unchanged for 2017. NIRO: Kia's all-new hybrid crossover is an outlier in the hybrid segment, with the high hip point and generous greenhouse of a crossover and a projected EPA estimate of 50 miles per gallon (combined) efficiency. It is powered by a normally-aspirated 1.6-liter four and electric motor, delivering a total system horsepower of 139, and 195 pound-feet of torque. OPTIMA: Following a redesign in 2016, Kia's midsize entry enjoys package refinements, standard 18-inch wheels on SX trim, a new value package on the 1.6T and new colors. More significant is the addition of both an Optima Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. The Hybrid promises to be 10-percent more efficient, while the plug-in will offer an estimated electric-only range of 27 miles. RIO: New colors and a discontinued four door SX highlight the changes. SOUL: Kia's two-box box adds new alloy wheel designs, Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross Traffic Alert on Plus and Excalibur trims. And news of two new colors pales when compared to the Soul Exclaim's new turbo powerplant, connected to a seven-speed DCT transmission. SOUL EV: UVO eco is now on EV and EV+, while all trims receive an upgraded fast charge and a second-generation Pedestrian Warning System.

2018 Kia Stinger GT First Drive Review | Sleeper of the year

MOJAVE, Calif. — The sunbaked sign at the Hyundai/Kia Proving Grounds clearly indicates the speed limit on the banked oval: 120 miles per hour. But after a few perfunctory triple-digit parade laps, the Kia representative in the passenger seat isn't having any of it. With a wink and nudge, he discreetly permits us a few extra, unrestricted goes around the big course. Never one to turn down track time, we push the 2018 Kia Stinger down the 6.4-mile oval until I see an indicated 164 mph on the straight — the fastest we've ever driven anything built in Korea, let alone many of the contenders in the Stinger's crosshairs. Game on, Kia. The early days of Kia's attempt to conquer the American car market were dominated with an appliance-like sense of economy, one reflecting a scrappy catch-up mentality opposed to the disruptive, luxury challenging tactics du jour. Subsequent attempts to globalize the brand have taken on a definitively more inspired, international flair, and the new Stinger is the strongest harbinger of that direction to date. The movement originated when Hyundai/Kia plucked design boss Peter Schreyer from Audi, eventually moving him up in an unprecedented promotion to one of manufacturer's three group presidents. Not only did Schreyer inject a sleek, contemporary look to the lineup, his promotion proved the brand was dead serious about creating striking designs. The Stinger's styling does not disappoint. Apart from the familiar Tiger Nose grille and the letdown of non-functional (ie, ornamental) "hood vents," the five-seater's proportions and surface treatments feel sharp and fresh, purposeful and clean. Measured from bow to stern, the Stinger is roughly mid-class among its competitive set, while offering the practicality of a sportback design that enables decent rear legroom and 23.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity. But its considerable 114.4-inch wheelbase is among the lengthiest in its class, edged out only by the Audi A7, Porsche Panamera, and BMW 6 Series Grand Coupe. That said, the upper end of Kia's self-ascribed competition might be a bit of a stretch (sorry, pun intended) considering the unlikelihood of Porsche die-hards cross-shopping the $85,000 Panamera against this new kid on the block. The other side of Kia's modern story involves the snagging of performance whisperer Albert Biermann from BMW's M performance division.

2020 Kia Forte GT revealed at SEMA adds turbo engine, manual transmission

We figured it was coming soon, but the performance version of the Kia Forte just dropped at SEMA. Named Forte GT, this 2020 model sedan takes the redesigned for 2019 Forte and turns it up a few notches in the fun department. Replacing the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four banger. It makes 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, which is identical to the power it makes in the Hyundai Elantra Sport and GT Sport. A "sport-tuned" dual exhaust is added to give the car some aural appeal too. Buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, also the same as the Elantra. We hope you're noticing a trend here. The torsion bar rear suspension is replaced with a fully independent suspension design, making it that way for all four corners. Thicker sway bars and larger disc brakes are used all around as well. To keep it stuck to the ground, Kia is offering Michelin Pilot Sport summer tires as an option — that's pretty sweet. All of these changes follow the same pattern as the Elantra did when Hyundai introduced the Sport trim for that car. The Hyundai doesn't offer this aggressive of a tire package though. Of course, there are exterior changes here, too. New 18-inch two-tone wheels are exclusive to the GT. A shouty (and questionable) gloss black and red accented grille with GT designation is the most obvious switch-up. There's more gloss black on the mirrors, side sills, rear spoiler and turn signals. Black sport seats with red contrast stitching, a flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminum sport pedals differentiate the interior from the normal Forte trims. Kia is also making a less exciting Forte "GT Line" trim car, which is essentially a GT appearance package. You'll get almost all the go-fast look parts, but the mechanicals are identical to the standard Forte. This means the 2.0-liter, CVT and torsion beam rear go back in. The baby Stinger theme is carried on with this car in its name and even the GT1 and GT2 option packages available for these two new trim levels. Both the packages offer differing levels of Kia's driver assistance technologies, as well as tech like a Harman Kardon audio system and heated/cooled seats. While we can safely say the new Forte is no Stinger, this GT trim is an extremely welcome addition, especially the continued option for a manual transmission. Related video: