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2018 Kia Niro bests Prius and Ioniq with IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus rating

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has recently tested the 2018 Kia Niro, and the car came out well. The organization gave it the Top Safety Pick+ award, which goes to cars that meet the organization's most stringent safety requirements. While good on its own, the Niro's new commendation also stands out because its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Ioniq, and its close competitor the Toyota Prius only received the plain Top Safety Pick award. The Niro earned this score by getting a "Good" rating, the highest IIHS bestows, in every single crash test, including the difficult small overlap test for both passenger and driver. It also received a "Good" rating for its optional HID headlights, and the optional forward collision prevention system managed to prevent a collision at speeds up to 25 mph. This brings us to a caveat to the Niro's scores, though. The highly rated headlights and forward collision prevention system are options that don't come standard on base models of the Niro. The headlights only become available on the second-highest EX trim, and are standard on the top Touring trim. The forward collision prevention system is not available on the base FE trim, but it is an option starting with the second-lowest LX trim, and is standard on Touring. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Kia Niro Hybrid: First Drive View 20 Photos Image Credit: Kia Green Kia Safety Crossover Hatchback Hybrid kia niro

Production version of Kia Imagine concept due in 2021

In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Kia Europe COO Emilio Herrera said the Imagine concept that debuted at this year's Geneva Motor Show should turn into a production model "in one or two years." Gregory Guillaime, Kia's European VP of design, said the Imagine is a "large C-segment car" intentionally blurring the distinctions between body types, a press release describing the concept as "drawing together elements of a muscular sports utility vehicle, a sleek and athletic family saloon, and a versatile and spacious crossover." Herrera didn't give any details on how the production version will differ from the concept. Flourishes like the windshield glass flowing uninterrupted into the roof and the 21 interior screens aren't likely to make it out of the studio. We do know that Kia plans a new, pure EV architecture shared with Hyundai. This will support larger, more powerful electric offerings that boast more range than products like the Kia e-Niro and Soul EV. The e-Niro is rated at 282 miles on Europe's WLTP cycle, it's said Kia wants to hit 500 miles of range. The automaker would only say of the Imagine's powertrain that it is "a low-mounted, induction-charged battery pack that powers a compact drivetrain." More importantly, the powertrain will focus on performance, "approaching electrification purely from an emotional point of view,” and pitched by Autocar as competing against EVs like the Polestar 2. As a C-segment competitor like the Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf, the chances of the Imagine making it to the U.S. are unknown. Herrera made his comments in a conversation about Europe's impending CO2 emissions regulations. At one point, Herrera explained the five methods he sees for dealing with the emissions caps, and we can already divide automakers among those five tactics. The Imagine, and other Kia vehicles with alternative powertrains on the way, are how the Korean automaker will avoid fines. The full interview is worth a read. Herrera lays out some of the difficulties in the EV landscape, such as achieving the necessary volumes, pricing, and battery supply, and explains why he doubts some competitor's claims about launching inexpensive subcompact EVs. Related Video:    

Kia recalling 377k Sorentos that can accidentally shift out of park

Kia has announced that it will recall 377,000 Sorento crossovers built between October 19, 2009 and January 31, 2013, which equates to model years 2011 through 2013. The affected vehicles may suffer failure in the brake-shift interlock mechanism. Put enough force on the lever and the interlock will crack or chip. Once that happens, the Sorento can be shifted out of park without stepping on the brakes. That's bad news for safety, and as the National Highway Traffic Safety Association bulletin notes, it's a violation the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards on theft protection. Naturally, Kia will notify owners of the affected vehicles and ask them to report to dealers for a new brake-shift interlock mechanism. Repairs will be carried out free of charge. The official start date of the recall is November 24. Read on for the official press release from Kia. RECALL Subject : Brake-Shift Interlock Mechanism Can Chip or Crack Report Receipt Date: OCT 06, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V626000 Component(s): POWER TRAIN Potential Number of Units Affected: 377,062 Manufacturer: Kia Motors America SUMMARY: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Kia Sorento vehicles manufactured October 19, 2009, to January 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, if excessive force is applied to the gear shift lever, the brake-shift interlock mechanism may chip or crack allowing the transmission being able to be shifted out of "Park" without the brakes being depressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection." CONSEQUENCE: Without requiring the brake to be pressed, the vehicle may be unintentionally shifted out of Park, allowing it to roll, which may result in a crash. REMEDY: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake-shift interlock mechanism, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC124. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.