A Safe Bet.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), an independent group that tests the safety of new vehicles, has awarded its Top Safety Pick awards to a half-dozen new Kia cars and crossovers.

For the 2020 model year, the Telluride , Sorento, and Sportage crossovers received the Top Safety Pick rating. On the other side of the showroom, the Soul, Stinger, and Forte earned the same plaudits. It is worth noting that these models only get the designation when equipped with front crash prevention features and specific headlights.

“Kia has always made safety a top priority in our vehicles and we are proud to be recognized again by the IIHS for this commitment,” said Elias El-Achhab, Chief Operating Officer for Kia Canada.

To qualify for a Top Safety Pick, vehicles must earn ‘Good’ ratings in the notoriously brutal driver- and passenger-side small overlap front crash test, the moderate overlap front crash test, plus tests determining the crashworthiness of the side, roof and head restraints. A rating of ‘Advanced’ or ‘Superior’ in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention is required as well. Finally, it must pass muster in terms of its headlights, earning an ‘Acceptable’ or ‘Good’ headlight rating.

It’s the latter measure that flummoxes most manufacturers, especially those who fit snazzier peepers to higher trims of certain vehicles. This is why a top-shelf Limited model might earn a Top Safety Pick but the lower-tier base model might not and why we called attention to the required presence of front crash prevention features and specific headlights to earn the award.

Some, but not all, trims of these models have these items as standard equipment. If the Top Safety Pick designation is important to you, make sure to do your homework before signing on the dotted line and all will be well.

Some vehicles are awarded a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The extra ‘+’ is given when those pesky headlights – bright ones which earn an ‘Acceptable’ or ‘Good’ rating – are fitted as standard equipment. By the way, ‘Good’ is the highest rating a car can receive in any individual test. Scientists aren’t known for their superlatives, after all.

Kia has been on a tear as of late, introducing dandy new vehicles at each end of the size spectrum, ranging from the large-and-in-charge Telluride to the city-friendly Seltos. Just three months ago, the brand celebrated selling its 1 millionth vehicle in Canada since launching in this country in 1999. That first year, Kia sold 1417 cars. Last year, about 76,000 Canadians drove a new Kia off the lot.

2020 Niro HEV and PHEV Receives Exterior and Interior Enhancements

• New headlights, grille and wheels highlight exterior changes
• More Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and added tech upgrades

TORONTO, Feb. 13, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today Kia Canada Inc. (KCI) unveiled the enhanced Niro Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid. The popular and award-winning compact crossover receives several exterior enhancements for its mid-cycle refresh, including available LED headlights and fog lamps, a new diamond-pattern grille and dual chevron-shaped LED daytime running lights. The rear faux skid plate is wider and more pronounced, the available rear LED combination lights have more technological appeal than previous, and there are new 16-inch and 18-inch alloy wheel designs.

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“We’ve incorporated modern design elements to elevate Niro’s uniqueness, most noticeably the chevron-shaped LED lights that make for a ‘surprising’ feature not typically seen on most vehicles,” said Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing at KCI.”

Inside, the new Niro display is more streamlined, incorporating an available re-styled 7-inch instrument cluster with improved drive mode graphics and standard 8-inch touchscreen display, or optional navigation with a 10.25-inch screen and Harman/Kardon premium audio system, all with the easy to use interface Kia is famous for. Optional electronic parking brake and available mood lighting with six different colours wrap up the interior mods.

Enhancing the Niro’s full suite of available Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are newly added Lane Following & Lane Keeping Assist and High Beam Assist all of which were introduced earlier on other Kia models and now make their way to the 2020 Niro line up.

Powertrain and exterior and interior dimensions and capacities are unchanged from the previous model. This means that the Niro Hybrid’s leading fuel economy of 4.7 L/100kms combined continues and that the liberating 42 kilometres of all-electric range on the Niro PHEV will keep your time between fill-ups at the gas station to a minimum.

Both the 2020 Niro Hybrid (HEV) and 2020 Niro Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) are arriving at Kia dealerships now and are on sale and ready to be experienced.

Pricing of the 2020 Niro Hybrid (HEV) is set at:
L HEV	$26,595
EX HEV	$28,995
EX Premium HEV	$31,495
SX Touring HEV	$34,995
Pricing of the 2020 Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) is set at:
EX Premium PHEV	$35,695
SX Touring PHEV	$37,995

About Kia Canada Inc

Kia Canada Inc. (KCI), established in 1999 and celebrating 20 years in Canada, is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) based in Seoul, South Korea. Kia’s full line of award-winning vehicles offers world-class quality and customer satisfaction through a network of 195 dealers nationwide. The company employs 170 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters, various locations across Canada and at its regional office in Montreal, Quebec. Kia’s brand slogan “The Power to Surprise” represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation. From compact to crossover to industry-leading EV’s, every Kia delivers an extraordinary combination of precision engineering, outstanding performance, innovative features, and advanced safety systems. Having sold over one million vehicles, popular Canadian models include the Soul, Forte, Sportage, Sorento, Stinger and the new Seltos To learn more about the Kia advantage, visit kia.ca or find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram. Sharing is caring!

Urban-Ready Crossover Joins Kia’s Bold Utility Lineup

Source: Globe Newswire

• Combines modern styling and sophistication with safety and smart technology that enables your urban life
  
• Right-sized; slots between iconic Soul and sleek Sportage
  
• Powered by efficient 2.0-litre or spirited 1.6-litre Turbo four-cylinder engine
  
• Available all-wheel drive
  
• Well-appointed interior laden with smart technology to enhance the on-road experience approaches Telluride levels of refinement
  
• Well-equipped, starting at just $22,995

For the Real Life

Complementing Kia’s robust SUV lineup, the Seltos slots between the popular Soul and Sportage models, providing a premium and tech-savvy cabin, a choice of two well-tested engines and an available all-wheel drive system. Get a warm start to your commute, thanks to the available UVO Intelligence telematics system that allows you to pre-condition the interior temperature of your car when you start it using the UVO app. When you see all it has to offer, it’s no wonder the 2021 Kia Seltos is poised and ready to become a true contender in the fastest-growing segment in Canada when it goes on sale in the spring of 2020. The All-new Seltos. Real you-enabled.

Safety Features

Safety is always a priority. With that in mind, the all-new Kia Seltos comes equipped with an abundance of passive and active tech, to help you stay safe and connected on the road. The standard Blind Spot Detection Warning system keeps you safe from the things you can’t see while driving and paired with the Rear-Cross Traffic Alert and rearview Camera it helps alleviate rear blind spots to make parking much safer.

Going on a road trip or simply commuting to work? The available Smart Cruise Control system adapts to the speed of traffic by sensing the distance and speed of the vehicle in front of you. This feature helps to maintain safety in unpredictable highway driving conditions.

Smart Technology

Stay connected with a long list of standard features, including Bluetooth, Android Auto and Apple Carplay connectivity. Leading amenities make driving more comfortable and connected on any adventure. Available technologies, such as the 10.25-inch multimedia interface with UVO Intelligence telematics, the 8-speaker Bose premium sound system, and the available Heads-Up Display, standard Heated Front and available heated Rear Seats, and Air-Cooled Front Seats, put the All-new Kia Seltos in a league of its own.

Distinctive Design

Similar to the Telluride’s design theme, the Seltos is a marriage of bold design and delicate details and stands apart from rivals with its strong, upright stance. The tall front end and up to 7.2-inch ground clearance translate to a tough attitude and an adventurous spirit. Its assertive presence is spearheaded by Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille that includes unexpected diamond-like detail. Chiselled surfaces and well-drawn lines lead back to a distinctive profile.

In terms of comfort and space, the Seltos is actually one of the larger vehicles in the Entry SUV segment. The overall length of 4,370 mm, height of 1,615 mm, and a 2,630 mm wheelbase help to generate one of the best interior packages in its niche. First-row headroom of 1,017 mm, second-row legroom of 965 mm, and 752 L of cargo space behind the second row, are all very impressive and sure to come in handy on weekend getaways.

Pricing

MSRPs for the All-new Kia Seltos 2021:

•         Kia Seltos 2021 LX FWD @ $22,995

•         Kia Seltos 2021 LX AWD @ $24,995

•         Kia Seltos 2021 EX AWD @ $27,595

•         Kia Seltos 2021 EX Premium AWD @ $30,595

•         Kia Seltos 2021 SX AWD @ $32,595

Learn more at kia.ca/seltos

Source: Motor1

Kia has updated its all-electric e-Niro small SUV for 2020 with the introduction of a new high-end trim level.

Despite its designation, the new ‘4’ model replaces the original First Edition variant as the sole option for e-Niro ownership. However, the number reflects the high level of standard equipment, in line with the hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions of the Niro.

LED headlights also make the list, along with ambient lighting and a battery heating system that helps the car maximise the capacity of its 64 kWh battery pack. The front seats are heated, too, as is the steering wheel, and you get automatic air conditioning thrown in. That’s in addition to the keyless entry and start, wireless phone charging and a JBL sound system.

On the safety front, there’s cruise control that automatically maintains a safe distance to the vehicle in front, as well as a system that helps to prevent the car wandering out of its lane if the driver’s attention lapses. Similarly, there’s collision avoidance technology that applies the brakes if it detects an impending accident in a bid to prevent or mitigate the crash.

As with the old First Edition car, the e-Niro 4 will feature a 201 bhp electric motor, which allows a relatively unremarkable top speed.

The arrival of the new ‘4’ model comes a year after the car was first launched to noticeable critical acclaim. In its first year on sale, the e-Niro won Car of the Year at the 2019 What Car? Awards and has been named a ‘Game Changer’ at the 2019 Autocar Awards. It was also named the Best Electric Car at the Business Car Awards 2019 and grabbed the Eco Award at the 2019 CarWow Car of the Year Awards. Auto Express named it the Best Affordable Electric Car at the 2019 New Car Awards and Driving Electric announced the e-Niro as Electric Car of the Year 2019.

Source: Globe News Wire

• Telluride’s sophisticated styling, unmatched levels of standard equipment and smooth ride and handling contributed to Kia’s well deserved win
• Award recognizes vehicles that best represent safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence and performance of intended function

Kia Canada Inc. (KCI) – Kia Canada’s latest SUV – the Telluride – has been awarded 2020 SUV of the Year by MotorTrend. With its comfortable and functional interior for up to 8 people, the Telluride stood out as a well-rounded product that meets the needs of today’s modern family, while its terrific value solidified it as a winner in the SUV segment.

“The Telluride has been exciting the showroom since day one,” said Michael Kopke, Director of Marketing, Kia Canada Inc. “It’s suite of family & safety enabling technology as well as the attention to detail is really second to none making it a fierce competitor in the SUV segment.”

The 2020 Telluride’s bold design and sophisticated exterior accents convey a spirit of adventure and possibility. That sentiment is strengthened by its engineering, delivering an enjoyable and confidence-inspiring driving experience. The 3 row mid-size SUV offers impressive interior luxury and an upscale cabin, complemented by an array of advanced technology and safety systems¹ featuring standard Blind Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist,  Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, , Driver Talk, multi-Bluetooth Connectivity, 10.25” Multimedia Interface with UVO Intelligence Telematics and more.

“This year’s MotorTrend SUV of the Year competition was one of the most competitive we’ve ever had, which makes Kia Telluride’s win all the more significant,” said MotorTrend Editor-in-Chief Edward Loh. “Telluride absolutely nails our awards criteria – it’s gorgeous, spacious, technology-laden, and offers a great ride for an astonishingly fair price. Congratulations to Kia and the Telluride team.”

With a more than a 20-year history, the MotorTrend SUV of the Year award is one of the most sought-after honours by global automotive manufacturers. SUV of the Year judges are comprised of MotorTrend staff as well as two guest judges, Johan de Nysschen, former head of Audi of America, Infiniti Motor Co., and Cadillac division and Tom Gale, former head of Chrysler design. Vehicles are evaluated against six key criteria: safety, efficiency, value, advancement in design, engineering excellence and performance of intended function to determine the finalists and ultimately, the winners.

Kia Canada Inc. (KCI), established in 1999 and celebrating 20 years in Canada, is a subsidiary of Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) based in Seoul, South Korea. Kia’s full line of award-winning vehicles offers world-class quality and customer satisfaction through a network of 198 dealers nationwide. The company employs 170 people in its Mississauga, Ontario headquarters, various locations across Canada and at its regional office in Montreal, Quebec. Kia’s brand slogan “The Power to Surprise” represents the company’s global commitment to surpassing customer expectations through continuous automotive innovation. From compact to crossover to industry leading EV’s, every Kia delivers an extraordinary combination of precision engineering, outstanding performance, innovative features, and advanced safety systems. Having sold close to one million vehicles, popular Canadian models include Soul, Forte, Sportage, Sorento and Stinger. To learn more about the Kia advantage, visit kia.ca

Source: Auto Guide

There are plenty of reasons to love the Kia Stinger, a sports sedan that’s been steadily converting skeptics to full-fledged enthusiasts thanks to its uncompromising blend of utility, performance and luxury.

For anyone who might still need convincing, our friends at Kia Canada have come up with five key stats about the Stinger that may surprise you. Check out the video below to learn more.

Source: The Car Guide

Kia introduced the next-generation Forte sedan for 2019. Now, it’s the Forte5 hatchback’s turn to benefit from a complete redesign.

And you know what? We Canadians have access to this five-door model, but it isn’t sold in the U.S. The Car Guide recently flew to Victoria, B.C. to attend the media launch and test drive the new 2020 Kia Forte5.

Naturally Aspirated or Turbocharged

The Forte5 comes standard with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission that simulates eight conventional gears. It is rated at 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. For the vast majority of drivers, this is ample enough and you won’t get the impression of sitting on a turtle.

In terms of driving dynamics, well, this Kia handles like a typical compact car. It’s no sports car by any stretch, but steering is responsive and the low centre of gravity—lower than your favourite crossover or SUV—makes it fairly agile.

A more athletic GT model is also part of the lineup, though we could only test it in four-door configuration (a separate review is coming up). Under the hood, you will find a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder that produces 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission connects the engine to the front wheels. With this combination, the Korean automaker is taking a shot at the acclaimed Volkswagen Golf GTI/Jetta GLI and Honda Civic Si.

The bad news is that our Forte5 GT is not available with a six-speed manual gearbox. South of the border, the Forte GT sedan offers one and it’s a precious asset for a car with sporty aspirations, even though this type of transmission is nowhere near as popular as it used to be. Kia Canada is leaving the door open, though, so we might get it later.

Generous Cargo Room

The aforementioned Civic and Golf come with a hatchback. Same thing for the Mazda3, Toyota Corolla and Hyundai Elantra. Naturally, the Kia Forte follows suit.

Aesthetically, the Forte5 is almost a carbon copy of the sedan from the rear doors forward. The only difference is the roofline. Viewed from the side, the car also shares similarities with the late Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, especially in the rear.

A look at the specs reveals that the 2020 Kia Forte5 boasts more cargo room (741 litres) than its main rivals such as the Corolla Hatchback (503 litres), Mazda3 Sport (569 litres) and Civic Hatchback (727 litres).

Neat Interior

A few years ago, you could find higher-quality and better-executed interiors among the competition, but this isn’t the case anymore. Both the sedan and hatchback variants of the new Kia Forte compare favourably to most other compact cars on the market. Only the Golf and Mazda3 stand a cut above.

Sure, the cabin is dark and lacks fancy touches, but the controls are easy to reach, whether on the centre stack or the steering wheel. As for the infotainment system, we found it quite user-friendly. What more could you ask for?

Less Popular Than its Cousin

While the Kia Forte is a great product, it continues to trail the platform-sharing Elantra in terms of car sales. Last year, the former sold 14,399 units across Canada, good enough for 10th place on the charts, while the latter found 41,784 takers and landed in the top 3 overall.

The 2020 Forte5 has an edge with regard to pricing. The base EX model starts at just $22,245. While that’s more than the $17,695 asked for an entry-level Forte LX sedan with manual transmission, buyers get a larger number of standard features and amenities. Meanwhile, the turbocharged Forte5 GT retails from $29,995.

On the other hand, fuel economy is below average with city and highway ratings of 8.6 and 6.0 L/100 km, respectively. The Corolla Hatchback is a lot more efficient (7.5 and 5.8 L/100 km) and the sportier Civic Hatchback boasts more interesting numbers, too (7.7 and 6.0 L/100 km). Maybe Kia engineers should do their homework again.

Kia Owners Reported Fewest Quality Issues Within the First 90 Days of Ownership Among All Non-Luxury Auto Brands in the U.S.

• Kia’s reported problem levels improved by two points over last year to secure the top spot over all non-luxury automakers and second among all brands, luxury and non-luxury

• Four Kia models included among the top 10 vehicles in the industry, the most of any brand

• The Rio subcompact, Forte compact, Sportage SUV and Sedona minivan each topped their respective segments

(Mississauga, ON) June 19, 2019 –— For the fifth consecutive year, Kia was named the number one non-luxury automotive brand today by J.D. Power in the 2019 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), with a reported 70 problems per 100 vehicles, a two-point improvement over last year’s results.

Kia’s continued success in IQS was led by having four models – Rio, Forte, Sportage and Soul — included among the top 10 vehicles in the industry, the most of any brand. In addition, Kia had segment-topping performances from Rio (Small Car), Forte (Compact Car), Sportage (Small SUV) and Sedona (Minivan).

“Ranking as the highest mass market brand in J.D. Power’s U.S. Initial Quality Study for five consecutive years is a tremendous honour for Kia and demonstrates the brand’s established commitment to quality and the customer experience,” said Elias El-Achhab, VP & COO, Kia Canada Inc. “As we celebrate our twentieth year here in Canada, we will continue delivering award-winning vehicles and working to ensure that our customers are getting the industry’s top quality products and unmatched customer experience when they choose Kia over the competition.”Paragraph

The annual report analyzed responses from 76,256 respondents with regards to 257 vehicle models across 26 segments. Vehicles were evaluated on driving experience, engine and transmission performance and a broad range of quality issues reported by vehicle owners.

June 19, 2019 –— For the fifth consecutive year, Kia was named the number one non-luxury automotive brand today by J.D. Power in the 2019 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), with a reported 70 problems per 100 vehicles, a two-point improvement over last year’s results.

Kia’s continued success in IQS was led by having four models – Rio, Forte, Sportage and Soul — included among the top 10 vehicles in the industry, the most of any brand. In addition, Kia had segment-topping performances from Rio (Small Car), Forte (Compact Car), Sportage (Small SUV) and Sedona (Minivan).

“Ranking as the highest mass market brand in J.D. Power’s U.S. Initial Quality Study for five consecutive years is a tremendous honour for Kia and demonstrates the brand’s established commitment to quality and the customer experience,” said Elias El-Achhab, VP & COO, Kia Canada Inc. “As we celebrate our twentieth year here in Canada, we will continue delivering award-winning vehicles and working to ensure that our customers are getting the industry’s top quality products and unmatched customer experience when they choose Kia over the competition.”

The annual report analyzed responses from 76,256 respondents with regards to 257 vehicle models across 26 segments. Vehicles were evaluated on driving experience, engine and transmission performance and a broad range of quality issues reported by vehicle owners.