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2021 Kia Telluride Nightfall Edition is a stealthy appearance package

The Kia Telluride has made quite the splash here in the U.S. The stylish, versatile and well-equipped crossover won the hearts of much of the Autoblog staff, as well as those of buyers. Now, going into its second model year, the 2021 Telluride gets a broody appearance package full of black elements with the Nightfall Edition. The Nightfall Edition will be available on the EX AWD trim equipped with the premium package, as well as the SX AWD and SX Prestige package. Unique to Nightfall is a new, black radiator grille design and 20-inch black wheels with black lug nuts and center caps. Rounding out the look are roof rails, window trim, lower door side molding, skid plates, front bumper side air duct accents and exterior emblems all in gloss black. The Kia logos get a unique dark finish. The SX models’ LED headlights and fog lights get black inner bezels. They also get body-color door handles, which are already standard on the EX. 2021 Kia Telluride Nightfall Edition View 20 Photos The Nightfall package is available on a number of different paint colors, but thereÂ’s now a new Wolf Gray thatÂ’s exclusive to the Nightfall Edition. We donÂ’t yet have pricing details for the 2021 Telluride Nightfall Edition, but weÂ’ve reached out to Kia, and will update the post when we have those figures. It will be available at dealerships “in the second half of the year,” Kia says. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.    

Kia Forte Koup is dead, long live the Honda Civic

A combination of cheap gas and high demand for crossovers means customers looking for a small, economical coupe are few and far between. Cars Direct confirmed that due to slow sales, Kia is killing off the Forte Koup after moving all 2016 models. That leaves the Honda Civic coupe standing alone in a segment that was formerly rich with competition. The only other option is moving into larger, less practical models like the Subaru BRZ, Chevrolet Camaro, and Ford Mustang. Koup sales must have been a small portion of the Forte's overall volume, as the model had its best year ever in 2016. Kia sold more that 100,000 Fortes and is making even bigger gains through the first quarter of 2017. It seems Kia's decision to cancel the Koup has been a long time coming. It was the only variant of the Forte lineup to not receive a significant refresh for 2017. Looks aside, it was hard to make a case for the Koup when going head to head against the Civic. In almost every category, the Honda beats the Kia. The Civic is slightly less expensive, more fuel efficient, and more powerful. The interior was roomier and far more refined, and at the back end the Civic will have a better resale value. It's hard to make a case for a car that's really starting to show its age. Now might be the best time to buy one, as dealers are sure to offer incentives to move the aging models off the lot. Related Video: News Source: Cars Direct Kia Coupe kia forte kia forte koup

2020 Kia Tellurides recalled for seatbelt problem

Just over 30,000 2020 Kia Telluride SUVs are being recalled in the U.S. due to a seatbelt installation problem. Year to date, Kia hasn’t sold much more than 30,000 Tellurides, so the recall applies to nearly every Telluride on the road right now. Documents posted on the NHTSAÂ’s website explain that the wrong seatbelt assemblies may have been installed in certain Tellurides. Instead of American-spec assemblies, Kia says the Middle East-spec seatbelt assemblies may have been installed on some Tellurides. HereÂ’s why thatÂ’s an issue: Kia states that the seatbelts in the passenger seat, second row and third row may not be equipped with an automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature. In case you werenÂ’t familiar with the terminology, automatic locking retractor belts are seatbelts that lock into place once theyÂ’re snug to whatever theyÂ’re holding — they lock into place, instead of allowing a passenger to tug them back out again. This is necessary for securing child seats into place via the seatbelt, because you donÂ’t want there to be any give or movement in a crash. U.S. regulations require that every forward-facing seat that isnÂ’t the driverÂ’s seat has the ALR feature so that a child seat can be properly secured in it. Kia says “If a non-ALR seat belt is used to secure a child seat in the front passenger, second or third row seats, it may not tightly secure a child restraint system, increasing the risk of injury to a child seat occupant in a crash.” As of now, there are no reported deaths or injuries as a result of this issue. Owners of these potentially affected Tellurides will have to bring their vehicles into the dealer to be inspected. If they have the non-ALR Middle East-spec seatbelts installed in them, Kia will change them out for American-spec belt assemblies free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin Aug. 30, so owners should expect a notification in the mail soon. This recall is the first experienced by the popular Telluride SUV.