2003 Kia Sorento Lx Sport Utility 4-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

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2020 Kia Soul gets fuel economy ratings boost

Federal fuel-economy ratings are out for the all-new 2020 Kia Soul and show that the switch to the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine also found in the Forte sedan has turned the boxy compact crossover into more of a fuel-sipper compared to its predecessor. When operated in Eco driving mode, the EPA rates the Soul fitted with the 2.0-liter engine at 35 miles per gallon on the freeway and 29 mpg in the city for a combined 31 mpg. Otherwise, the same model is rated at 27 mpg in the city, 33 on the highway and a combined 30 mpg. Versions fitted with the 1.6-liter turbocharged seven-speed top out at 27/32/29 mpg, while the 2.0-liter offered with a six-speed manual delivers 25/31/27 mpg. The outgoing Soul fitted with the 1.6-liter engine maxed out at 28 mpg combined, while the more powerful outgoing 2.0-liter version was rated at 27 mpg combined. The ratings for the 2020 Soul easily outperform the 2019 Jeep Renegade, another compact crossover, which is rated 22/30/25 mpg in its top configuration, but are short of the 2019 Nissan Kicks, which gets 31/36/33 mpg. Kia is pairing the 2.0-liter engine with its Intelligent Variable Transmission, its version of a CVT, for the 2020 Soul as well as the six-speed manual. It offers 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The turbocharged 1.6-liter twin-scroll four-cylinder mates with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and offers 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. The standard version of the 1.6-liter makes 130 hp and 118 lb-ft. Still to come, and not yet rated, is the Soul EV, which borrows its electric motor and 64 kWh battery pack from the Niro EV and Hyundai Kona Electric, offering 201 hp and 291 lb-ft of thrust. It's expected to have a driving range of more than 200 miles, accommodate DC fast charging and go on sale sometime later this year. We still don't have pricing for the gas-powered versions, which are set to hit showrooms in the first half of this year.

Kia previews upcoming Niro hybrid crossover

Kia is gearing up to launch a new hybrid crossover. Called the Niro, it's touted as the first of its kind in South Korea. And here we have our first glimpse of what it will look like. Previewed in this pair of teaser renderings, the Niro will be a dedicated hybrid crossover. The automaker says that the powertrain will be based on a 1.6-liter version of Hyundai's Kappa engine producing 105 horsepower and 108 pound-feet of torque. That seems a little low to us for an engine that size, considering that the same size engine in the Rio produces 138 hp and 123 lb-ft, but we'll see how the final specs work out. It's slated to be paired to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission, an electric motor good for another 47 hp, and a 1.56-kWh battery pack. The hybrid powertrain will be packed into a compact crossover with what looks to be a fairly sleek design. Up front, you'll see the brand's signature tiger-nose grille, angular headlights, sculpted flanks, a relatively high belt line, and an aggressive rear end. Of course, the wheels on the final version won't fill the wheel wells quite as much, and you can expect them to be wearing narrower tires with low rolling resistance, as befits a dedicated hybrid. The Niro name was previously applied to a more rounded crossover concept unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production model with its hybrid powertrain will form part of Hyundai-Kia's endeavor to reduce its average fleet fuel consumption by 25 percent by 2020. It's slated to launch in some markets in the first half of next year. Related Video:

2016 Kia Cee'd GT Line brings new 1.0-liter engine to Geneva

The Kia Sportspace Concept might exhibit the future of the Korean brand's styling, but the Cee'd GT Line at the Geneva Motor Show is the first glimpse at two of the company's powertrain innovations – at least for the European market. The GT Line is meant as a compromise between the sporty Cee'd GT and the regular model. By taking this path, buyers get slightly angrier styling on the outside but more efficient engines under the hood. Offered in the three-door, five-door and wagon bodies, these models get LED running lights up front, lower side sills, an updated rear bumper, a revised exhaust design and 17-inch wheels. However, what really makes the GT Line something special is this is the first opportunity for European buyers to get Kia's new 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine and separately its seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The tiny mill with stop/start makes 118 horsepower and 127 pound-feet of torque in the Cee'd and is only available with a six-speed manual. Conversely, customers that want the new gearbox need to order the upgraded 1.6-liter diesel four-cylinder with 131 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque. All versions of this slightly warmer hatch go on sale in the fourth quarter across the pond. SPORTY KIA CEE'D GT LINE LAUNCHED WITH NEW ENGINE AND DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION GT Line model blends the looks of sporty cee'd GT and versatility of the conventional cee'd , inside and out Debut for Kia's all-new three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDi engine More power and torque and fewer emissions form new seven-speed DCT Kia cee'd GT Line available across Europe in Q4 2015 Kia Motors Europe will unveil a new Kia cee'd 'GT Line' specification at the 85th Salon International de l'Automobile in Geneva on 3 March 2015. In addition to a range of visual upgrades, the new cee'd GT Line signifies the arrival of Kia's all-new downsized 1.0-litre T-GDi (turbo gasoline direct injection) engine and new seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in Europe. The look of the GT, the versatility of a conventional cee'd The new GT Line offers buyers the sporty looks of the high performance Kia cee'd GT and pro_cee'd GT and the versatility of the conventional cee'd model family. The GT Line specification is available on all three cee'd body types – five-door cee'd, three-door pro_cee'd and cee'd Sportswagon.