2015 Kia Sorento Lx on 2040-cars

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2019 Kia Sorento three-row crossover will start at $25,990

Kia's refreshed three-row 2019 Sorento will start at $25,990 and be offered in five trim levels, including all-wheel drive options, when it hits showrooms later this year. Kia first revealed the updated crossover at the L.A. Auto Show in November, showing off more refined exterior features including new front and rear fascias with updated grille, revised headlamps, new rear bumper, tail lamps and a revised lift gate. Seven-passenger seating and a 7-inch touchscreen interface with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration will both be standard in the 2019 model, while the optional 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine is no more. In its place is the carry-over base 2.4-liter inline-four with a revised six-speed automatic, plus an optional 3.3-liter V6 with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. A diesel version is also forthcoming. Inside the Sorento there's a new steering wheel, shifter knob and revised air vents and gauges. Options include the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems package on the EX, SX and SX-L trims, which bring lane-keeping assistance and driver-attention warning technologies, and a premium Harman Kardon surround-sound system. The fully loaded SXL trim starts at $44,690 for front-wheel drive and $46,490 for all-wheel drive and includes LED headlights with high- and low-beam assist, LED fog lights, wireless phone charging and front parking sensors, among other perks. A Magna Dynamax intelligent all-wheel-drive system is available on all trim levels except the base front-wheel drive L and features a 50-50 locking center differential and torque vectoring. The new Sorento's starting price is right in line with its 2018 predecessor and keeps it priced competitively with three-row crossover competitors like the Subaru Ascent, which starts at $31,995, and the Volkswagen Tiguan, which starts at $24,595. Sales of the Sorento fell 13 percent in 2017 to 99,684, making it Kia's fourth top-selling vehicle behind the Optima, Soul and Forte. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Kia Sorento: LA 2017 View 12 Photos Image Credit: Kia Kia Crossover kia sorento subaru ascent three-row

2020 Kia Niro electric car gets a $590 price hike

Kia Niro EV shoppers will need to budget a little more for the purchase, the South Korean automaker raising the price on its only U.S.-market electric car by $590. Cars Direct spied an order guide saying that after a $1,120 destination charge, the base Niro EX electric will climb from $39,620 to $40,210. The only other trim, the EX Premium, goes for $45,120 for the 2019 model to $45,710. The prices don't include the potential $7,500 federal tax credit or other incentives the hatchback still qualifies for. Adjustments to the EV MSRPs compare to price increases of $990 and $1,190 for the two trims of the 2020 Niro PHEV, and a mix of price drops and increases of several hundred dollars for the standard Niro's rearranged trim line.     Around this time last year, the Niro EV cost $1,500 more than the Hyundai Kona EV, now the Kia and Hyundai are separated by $1,900. The Niro EV's 64-kWh battery can power its 201-horsepower motor up to 239 miles of EPA-rated range, the Kona EV, with the same mechanical specs, is EPA-rated for up to 258 miles. Kia didn't make any changes to the 2020 Niro EV other than price. The whole Niro lineup, however, debuted its new refresh at last year's L.A. Auto Show. That brought tweaks to the front fascia such as new headlights and fog lights and a grille with diamond-shaped inserts, the electric Niro distinguished from the other two powertrains by getting a single chevron fog light instead of dual chevron lights, omitting the chrome underlining on the grille, and picking up blue accents around the lower intake. In back, there's a redesigned housing for reflector units in the bumper, and more blue highlights. Inside, a redesigned, seven-inch digital instrument cluster sits behind the steering wheel, and new optional driving aids include lane following and lane-keeping assist. Meanwhile, the wait continues for the Kia EV we really want, the fun and less expensive battery-electric Soul and its 243-mile EPA-rated range.  Related Video:      

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.