Roll into the weekend with Broadway Kia and these great deals! You won't be able to say no!

Hey fans! Car-b-que season is here! Share with us, fans: What will we find on your 'grille' this weekend?

Is Warped coming to your town? Now is time to make sure you do all the right things so you have the best day possible. See what some of the bands have to say about surviving this awesome music festival!

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity for a two-for-one oil change! The offer doesn't last long so take advantage of it now!

Optima's Prime

There are some fights you just can't win. Many a pretender has taken on the Klitschko brothers and suffered humiliating defeats. And yet, more and more journeymen keep offering themselves up as punchbags for the Ukrainian brothers.

So in car terms, the family saloon segment is very much like the heavyweight class. It's dominated by a few heavyweights - the Mondeo, Passat and Avensis - a worthy group who've seen off all-comers, maintaining their grip on this lucrative sector.

But what impact is the new saloon from Korean giants Kia going to have? Well, on looks alone, the stylish new Optima has what it takes to dine at the top table. If you add the amazing seven-year warranty, frugal engines and low running costs, you have to give it a puncher's chance.

The Kia line up is one of the best range of cars currently available. From the award-winning Rio to the brilliant Sportage, you can't fault their credibility.The one car the Kia range lacked was a capable four-door saloon, given that the Magentis was distinctly below average. Now though, Kia has the introduced the Optima and initial impressions are very good.

Standing back and taking a good look at the new Optima, it has presence. It's a big family car with striking looks carrying Kia's 'tiger nose' front grille. It's no secret that Kia is providing value-for-money cars, but their new line-up has a more upmarket feel and shows that designers are instilling more passion into their product.

The new Optima will be powered by one engine, the 1.7 diesel in either manual or automatic. It's a frugal engine that has just about enough power to propel this large saloon. My test car was the auto offering, and if I was given a choice, I would stick to manual.The auto doesn't fit the engine very well and tends to have a mind of its own. Even when in paddleshift mode, you don't get full control
over the gearbox and it changes gear without your permission.

The Optima will never be best in class for driving experience, but the 1.7 diesel unit produces 134bhp and 325Nm of torque, which is pretty decent, but don't expect to out-run many rivals. I found the Optima to be best suited to longer journeys as comfort levels were high and the engine is less vocal at cruising speeds.The suspension is a little on the firm side and the bigger 18-inch wheel option gives more road noise in the cabin, but it's worth paying this price as they really set the car off.

On the inside, the Optima provides excellent room for all passengers, and with an above-average boot space for a car of this class, it's the perfect fit for large families. The cabin feels well made and the new Kia definitely feels more upmarket than previous attempts.

The new Optima will be offered in two trims, Ex and the range-topping Platinum. Both come with a generous amount of equipment, and at just €26,996, the Ex is real value-for-money. If you can stretch to the all-bells-and-whistles Platinum model, which I tested, you get equipment levels to match that of a premium brand.

Included in the €29,495 price tag is 17-inch alloys, cruise control, voiceactivated Bluetooth, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery with heated front seats, reversing camera, driver memory seat, UV reducing glass, rain-sensing front wipers and much, much more.

The Kia faces a real fight to join leading rivals in what is arguably the toughest sector in the industry, but I'm really excited about this car. It has a real desirability about it and it won't hit you too hard in the pocket over the years of ownership.A sevenyear warranty gives you peace of mind and competitive pricing gives this new saloon a real chance. It's never going to be the biggest hitter in the family saloon segment, but it puts up an argument that it needs to be taken seriously.

Leading rivals beware - Kia is making a run for the title.

Courtesy of Sunday World (Ireland)

Kia's Top Selling Sorento Gets a Worldwide Makeover

Kia, which continues to set sales records, is giving a makeover to its top-selling U.S. vehicle: the 2013 Kia Sorento.

Kia's hugely successful Sorento CUV will receive a host of significant improvements when the new upgraded model goes on sale later this year in most markets. Significant changes include a re-engineered body shell, enhanced powertrains for best-in-class fuel economy with lower emissions; improved ride; handling and refinement; additional convenience and safety features; and a fresh new look for the exterior.

It's a big step that Kia is taking because it is gambling on a successful vehicle maintaining its popularity. However, manufacturers seem to be learning lessons from Toyota and Honda, especially Honda, and are shaking up their products mid-term to stay fresh.

"Since its introduction in 2009, the second-generation Kia Sorento has achieved more than 620,000 sales around the world. Today, it is manufactured in Korea and the USA, attracting over 130,000 U.S. customers last year to rank as the best-selling Kia model in the States for the second year in a row," said Thomas Oh, Kia's executive vice president & COO of the International Business Division, in a news release. "We have given very careful attention to feedback from owners, and the upgraded Sorento is not just a cosmetic exercise, but a major step forward for our popular CUV."

LED Improvements
Kia's designers have created new headlamps with LED positioning lights, a new tailgate with LED rear combination lamps; new bumpers (front and rear) with vertical-axis fog lights and a larger area of body-color surface; and an expanded choice of wheels to include larger diameter (19-inch) alloys.

LEDs have become the design tool of choice for less expensive vehicles like the Sorento. It allows OEMs like Kia to make their vehicles look a lot more expensive without major investments in expensive lighting design that would previously have been cost prohibitive. It's the LED movement that is finally beginning to make cars look more distinctive.

Inside the five or seven-seater cabin, there are more soft-touch surfaces plus a new LCD instrument cluster, new center stack with 8-inch display screen, and a new console featuring a straight-gate selector with a leather-booted lever on automatic
transmission models reinforcing the vehicle's more luxurious character.

Offered in black or beige cloth or leather, the interior can be bathed in natural light through a larger optional panoramic sunroof with no center cross beam and a powered blind. This feature is one that has to be seen to be believed. It creates such an open cabin that it belies the Sorento's compact cabin size.

Kia Sales Juggernaut
Kia Motors America's momentum continues to be on a role with best-ever May sales of 51,771 units, a 7.4-percent increase over the same period last year. Year-to-date sales are up 18.7 percent, and May also saw the sale of Kia's four millionth vehicle in the U.S. (since entering the market in 1994) and extended the brand's run of consecutive monthly sales records to 21.

Courtesy of Torque News

Barely Believable Car Tip of the Week: Banish back-road dirt

In many rural areas, so-called oil roads (some unpaved, others semi-paved) are sprayed with oil to control blowing sand and dust. If you find yourself driving along one of these back roads, your windshield may end up coated with oily grime. To cut through the muck, sprinkle cream of tartar over the windshield, and then wipe the glass down with soapy water, rinse well, and dry.

Take a look at what goes down the day before Warped Tour! Free Vans, old friends, and bit of the formal stuff that keeps the tour in check. Check it out!

Today, June 20, marks the beginning of summer! What will you be doing on the longest day of the year?

AAA Names 2012 Kia Sportage To "Top Cars For Teens" List

The 2012 Kia Sportage compact CUV has been named one of the "Top Cars for Teens" by well-known and highly respected travel and transportation organization Automobile Association of America (AAA). The Sportage was lauded for its dynamics, dependability, overall value, long list of standard safety features and impressive performance in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) crash safety tests, including a "no tip" evaluation during the tests.

"We are honored that AAA, one of the most respected authorities on travel and transportation, is recognizing the Kia Sportage as a top car for teenage drivers," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing & communications, Kia Motors America (KMA). "Knowing that the Sportage, our longest-running nameplate, has been chosen not only for its attractive design that appeals to all ages, but more importantly, for its safety features, reliability and value is evidence that consumers do not have to sacrifice curb appeal for dependability."

AAA top picks are selected by AAA Auto Buying experts that test-drive and evaluate hundreds of vehicles each year. The "Top Cars for Teens" list focuses on vehicles that appease both parents and teens by combining attractive looks and performance with reliability, safety and a budget-friendly price.

About the 2012 SportageThe 2012 Kia Sportage offers value-, image- and safety-conscious consumers a striking design and a standout combination of fun-to-drive performance, the latest in-vehicle technologies, and an abundance of comfort, convenience and safety features at a tremendous value. The sleek and modern Sportage is available with a powerful and efficient 2.0-liter, 260 horsepower Turbo GDI engine that delivers class-leading fuel economy of 29 mpg on the highway. Inside the cabin, the Sportage features a host of available technology features, including Kia's new UVO Powered by Microsoft® hands-free, voice-activated infotainment system. The 2012 Sportage features a starting MSRP of $18,500.

Kia's Unprecedented GrowthKia Motors is one of the world's fastest moving global automotive brands; from 2009-2011 Kia launched more new vehicles in the U.S. than any other automaker, and under the guidance of chief design officer Peter Schreyer earned a reputation as an industry leader in automotive styling. Kia Motors America's full line of fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive cars and CUVs has earned critical acclaim and dramatically increased consumer awareness, perception and consideration for the brand. In 2011, KMA recorded its 17th consecutive year of market share growth, thanks in part to the largest increase of any major brand in perceived quality and the industry's highest brand loyalty ranking. Kia's U.S.-based manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia - KMMG - is responsible for the creation of more than 10,000 plant and supplier jobs and builds two of the company's best-selling vehicles in the U.S. - the Sorento CUV and Optima midsize sedan*. Kia's value and technology-laden lineup also includes the Sportage compact CUV, Soul urban passenger vehicle, Optima Hybrid, Forte compact sedan, Forte 5-door compact hatchback, Forte Koup two-door coupe, Rio and Rio 5-door sub-compacts and Sedona minivan.

About Kia Motors America Kia Motors America is the marketing and distribution arm of Kia Motors Corporation based in Seoul, South Korea. KMA offers a complete line of vehicles through more than 755 dealers throughout the United States and serves as the "Official Automotive Partner" of the NBA and LPGA. In 2011, KMA recorded its best-ever annual sales total and became one of the fastest growing car companies in the U.S. Kia is poised to continue its momentum and will continue to build the brand through design innovation, quality, value, advanced safety features and new technologies.

Courtesy of The Sacramento Bee

Kia gets ready to roll with 2012 Vans Warped Tour

Kia Motors will kick off its fifth straight year as the official vehicle of the Vans Warped Tour, a music festival traveling to nearly 40 U.S. cities to entertain concertgoers with live performances from some of today's most popular punk and indie rock bands.

New at this year's show, Kia will sponsor two of the tour's main stages: The Kia Soul Stage and Kia Rio Stage. These platforms will be the sets for several tour bands, including "Taking Back Sunday" and "All Time Low." The Kia Soul will be displayed on a rig between the two main stages.

The Kia Soul gained popularity after its launch in 2009, when paw-tapping hamsters helped tap into a younger demographic, said Michael Sprague, Kia's vice president of marketing & communications.

"Fresh off the viral sensation 'Share Some Soul' campaign featuring LMFAO's hit single 'Party Rock Anthem,' the poll-topping Optima Limited Super Bowl commercial featuring Motley Crue's 'Kickstart My Heart' and our partnership with music sharing service Spotify, going back out on the road again with the Vans Warped Tour was an obvious fit as a way to maintain our status as a young, current and engaging brand," Sprague said.

In addition to two main stages, fans will be able to visit the Kia Soul Lounge, an interactive tent where concertgoers can participate in body painting, get autographs, listen to a DJ or make their own beat at the Create Your Own Beat music station. The music station allows visitors to make a short 15 to 30 second beat that will be uploaded into the master beat designated for each city.

Also at the tent is a social game called Find Your Tribe that allows attendees to receive one of 10 different bandanas and a code, which is used earn the tribe points and prizes after meeting other members around the festival with similar bandanas.

Additionally the tent will serve as a chance to receive information on Kia's complete line of vehicles, including next year's Soul and Rio models. Kia VIP passes will gain festival attendees exclusive access to a private viewing area near the main stages, and Steve Guttbinder, the Kia Warped Tour blogger, will be writing about the tour along the way.

"Kia is an innovative company that understands the culture of Warped, and their support allows us to bring back two main stages for the 2012 tour," said Kevin Lyman, Vans Warped Tour founder and producer. "We are happy to have Kia Motors onboard with us for a fifth summer as the 'Official Vehicle of the 2012 Vans Warped Tour.'"

The 2012 Warped Tour will begin in Salt Lake City on June 16, visiting 13 cities over seven weeks and featuring more than 90 artists.

Courtesy of OC Metro News

Thank you Mason, Josh, and Deep for sharing such kind words! Keep up the great work team!

Broadway Kia - Three (3 out of 3) Ratings on Google+ Local

• I stopped by this dealership being in the market to buy a new car and hearing good things about Kia Forte. Eric F helped me during the visit and he proved to be knowledgeable, well mannered and low pressure when it comes to closing , which I highly appreciate in a car salesman particularly. Good first impression + a very good location (as in close if you live in dt) for a car dealership. -Deep F.
• THE BEST DEALERSHIP I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!!! I Almost Got A Car At One Of Those SHADY "Car Lots" On 82ND Street, But After I Realized They Were All A Bunch Of Jack Wagons And Trying To Screw Us Over We Decided To Go To A Real Dealership And Found Broadway Kia. And Got Amazing Customer Service From Derek And Richard... They Were Great, I We Will Defiantly Be Going Back. -Josh W.
• Fast, friendly and flexible. I went in hoping for a miracel on my trade-in, and I got it! Eric F. was knowledgable, and the sales team was quick and efficient. I'm going home in a new Rio today! Nice work, Broadway! -Mason R.
  

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Thank you Mason and Josh for sharing your experiences with us! Great job team!

Broadway Kia - Two (3 out of 3) ratings on Google+ Local

• Fast, friendly and flexible. I went in hoping for a miracel on my trade-in, and I got it! Eric F. was knowledgable, and the sales team was quick and efficient. I'm going home in a new Rio today! Nice work, Broadway! -Mason R.

• THE BEST DEALERSHIP I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!!! I Almost Got A Car At One Of Those SHADY "Car Lots" On 82ND Street, But After I Realized They Were All A Bunch Of Jack Wagons And Trying To Screw Us Over We Decided To Go To A Real Dealership And Found Broadway Kia. And Got Amazing Customer Service From Derek And Richard... They Were Great, I We Will Defiantly Be Going Back. -Josh W.

Kia built a midsize sedan that set a world record. The Optima Hybrid traveled almost 8,000 miles through the contiguous 48 states on less than 123 gallons, wow!

Take a look at this stylish Kia Sorento! It can be all yours, so stop by Broadway Kia today!

Click Here for Details!

Thank you to the author of this review for taking the time to share your experience with us! Way to go team!

Broadway Kia - (5) Star Review on Google+ Local

• I called on a used Sorento that I seen on the website... Paul Flash told me that it was at another one of his stores, and that he would check to see if it was still available.. He called me back in 10 min. and said come on down it's yours. I went to dealership thinking that this car was way to cheap and there must be something wrong!! To my surprise. upon my arrival the car was everything I hoped for and then some! Flash had the car hidden behind the dealership so that no one else would test drive it. How thoughtful!!! Inside the car on the dash was a car fax and a kellly print out... I have never seen this much integrity at a dealership in all my shopping experiences, and I have bought at least 20 used car..Thanks Broadway kia and your professional staff.....I will tell my all my friends....God Bless :) -Cily Gru
  

2012 Kia Sorento: The value leader

The new Sorento doesn't stand out for any cutting-edge technology or unique features, unless you count the new direct-injection engine. Rather, it comes along with very usable cabin electronics at a reasonable price.

What most impressed me about it was the cohesive and attractive cabin tech interface, an area where other automakers struggle. The screens for controlling navigation, the stereo, and the phone feature a consistent look, and Kia obviously has a graphic designer or two on staff, not something all automakers can claim.

The navigation system shows traffic data on easy-to-read maps, the stereo includes all the latest audio sources, and the phone system lets you dial by name using voice command. Sure, it would be nice to have advanced features, such as app integration or Google search, built into the navigation system, but all the in-dash tech works well, doing its job without fuss.

The standard Sorento is only a five-seater, but one big option package, the same one that brings in navigation, also includes a third-row seat. The Sorento is not huge, so you will have to make a choice between two extra passengers or cargo, but maybe that is an excuse to make the in-laws take their own car.

Kia offers a 2-liter direct-injection engine as an option in this Sorento, which gives better fuel economy and more power than the base four-cylinder engine. It pulls the Sorento along quite handily, although the available V-6 would make more sense for towing boats or trailers.

Courtesy of CNET.com

Thank you Darian and Kim for sharing your awesome experiences with us! Keep up the great work team!

Broadway Kia - Two (5) Star Review on Google+ Local

• Service was great. I am full KIA owner and just turned in my 2010 Soul for a 2012 Sportage that will get me through the next three years of College. Love KIA! -Darian

• I bought a Kia Soul from these guys and my experience was fantastic....My salesman whom I will send all my friends to was Paul... He treated me with respect, integrity and was generally sincere and honest...I'm a single mom and when I have been car shopping recently the salesmen have been somewhat condescending. And that turns me off... Paul was just the opposite. All the staff was friendly, courteous and their hospitality was overwhelming. The deal I got was quick and easy. If you want a easy deal call Paul first, like I did, he will give you the bottom line over the phone, And then you just go pick up your car....Thats as easy as it gets NO GAMES. -Kim

Best Cars for Families

You make decisions all day long (“Should I let the baby cry it out?” “What can I cook tonight?”), but picking a set of wheels is one of the most crucial ones you’ll make. So for a fifth year we’ve teamed up with Edmunds.com, the top online car-buying resource, to help you sort through the dozens of models to find the ideal one for your family and your wallet.

As always, safety is our primary concern. For that reason, every vehicle on our list is equipped with antilock brakes, electronic stability control, and a minimum of six air bags. Plus, a record 14 of our recommended cars earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). To help you save money, we’ve favored vehicles that get great mileage and represent the premier value in their class. We paid close attention to kid-friendly features while also keeping in mind that a smooth, stylish ride makes everyone happy.

Sedans - Kia Optima

Starts at $21,000
MPG: 22 city/35 highway

Kia continues to win converts by offering indulgent features for a moderate price. The basic Optima has heated mirrors and a glove box that keeps formula or juice boxes chilled. A spirited ride helps you forget you're driving a family sedan. Chrome exhaust tips and alloy wheels add further flair, and for an extra $3,000 you can get leather seats, wood trim, and a smart key, so you don't have to dig through your purse when you're carrying an infant or grocery bags.

Features: Steering-wheel audio controls standard, IIHS Top Safety Pick, USB jack standard, Backup camera available, Bluetooth capability standard, 5 passenger capacity, 3 car-seat capacity

Crossovers: Kia Sorento

Starts at $23,150
MPG: 22 city/32 highway

With a super smooth ride and an available third row (standard on LX-V6 and SX trim levels, an $800 option on others) that expands the seating capacity to seven, the Sorento is a great choice for growing families and carpoolers. The second-row seat is among the widest in this category, which comes in handy when you need to squeeze in three adjacent car seats. Standard appointments include large seatback pockets for your kids' books and a rear armrest with cup holders. The optional V-6 (an extra $1,300 to $1,800, depending on the trim line) is worth it if you need the 3,500-pound towing capacity. Otherwise the standard four-cylinder engine, which provides ample pickup and yields better mileage, is a smarter choice.

Features: Steering-wheel audio controls standard, All- or four-wheel drive available, IIHS Top Safety Pick, USB jack standard, Backup camera available, Backup sensors available, Bluetooth capability standard, 7 passenger capacity, 5 car-seat capacity

Raves From an Owner: "The Sorento is stable on the highway yet agile on twisty back roads. Our kids love the reclining rear seats. The third row is a plus for carpooling, and the cargo area fits all their sports gear." --Lisa Mueller; Milton, Georgia

 

Courtesy of Parents.com

 

 

Thank you Trina and Cate for sharing such kind words! Great job team!

Broadway Kia - Two (5) Star Reviews on Google+ Local

• Came to Broadway KIA directly from a different KIA dealership after they told us that there was no way we could come close to the deal we needed. Eric helped us out and listened to what we needed and were looking for. The managers Jim & Mike jumped right in and helped out as much as possible. We are very happy with the deal we got on our new Optima. -Trina

• All parties involved were courtious. Eric was low key which I appreciated. Looking forward to driving my new Soul. Which means a ton coming from a BMW owner. -Cate

Roll into the weekend with these great savings from Broadway Kia!

Thank you Shawna and Sara for writing these kind words! Great job team!

Broadway Kia - Two (5) Star Reviews on Google+ Local

• My experience at Broadway Kia was GREAT! My boyfriend and I visited Kia several times to test drive the Kia Optima and the staff was very patient and willing to answer any/all questions. I finally decided that the Kia Optima was the car I wanted and Jim worked extremely hard to get me a great price. Unfortunately they did not have the exact car I wanted (color, features, etc) on the lot. However, with a bit of patience on my part, and great communication with keeping me updated on their part, my car finally came...and I could not be more excited! Jim and April were amazing! They were so great to work with and seemed to truly care about me and did everything they could to get me in the car I wanted! I am very pleased with my purchase so far. -Sara

• We went in last saturday already having made our mind up that we were going to buy a 2012 Kia Soul if we could get a good deal. Very happy with the outcome! -Shawna
  

With its beautiful, jaw-dropping design and long list of available features, the 2013 Kia Sorento is anything but expected.

Good afternoon fans! Here is a Wednesday car care tip!

Tape saves light covers. A cracked taillight or turn-signal cover, if left alone, may allow your light compartment to fill with water and cause some real damage. A good short-term fix is to tape over the crack. Use the red or orange tape that’s made for this purpose. You can purchase it at many automotive parts stores.

Now is the time to take advantage of our June incentives! Spectacular savings are just a pen stroke away!

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2012 Kia Soul First Drive

You’ve noticed the trend of compact, boxy small truck/wagons on the freeways.  And you’ve seen the ads with the party animal hamsters. But what’s a Kia Soul really like to drive? I started finding out earlier this week when two Kias drove up to my house and only one drove away, leaving me with a shiny new Alien Green 2012 Kia Soul ! to play with for a while.

Yes, that last sentence included both the words “Alien Green” and an exclamation point – on purpose. The ’12 Soul is available in eight factory paint jobs; my tester is finished in a metallic light green the Korean automaker officially calls “Alien.” Kia’s Urban Crossover Vehicle (their term) comes also in your choice of three trim levels: Soul (base), + (plus) and ! (exclaim). I got the top shelf Soul !, augmented further by some extra bits we’ll get to in a moment. If you’ve never seen a Kia Soul, just close your eyes and imagine what a circa 2012 urban crossover that’s available in a color called Alien and a trim lines denoted by punctuation marks might look like, and you’ll probably have a decent idea as to the car’s overall spirit, anyway. This is a people hauler with attitude, made for the would-be city dweller who’s as quirky as he is practical, and as as individual as he is environmentally conscious. Soul is a car with Soul, or at least it’s meant to be.

Overview and Specs

The 2012 Soul line starts with the $13,900 base model with a six speed manual transmission (add $1,800 for an automatic) and ranges through the Soul + at $16,300 ($17,300 for the automatic) to the $19,600 Soul !, which is available only with a six speed automatic. Soul’s base engine is a 1.6 liter inline four that puts out 138 hp @6,300 rpm and 123 lb-ft of torque @4,850 rpm. Stepping up to either the + or ! line upgrades what’s under the hood to a 2.0 liter i4 that yields 164 hp and 148 lb-ft. The base engine is rated by the EPA at 27 mpg city/35 highway, while the + and ! lose a mile at 26/34. All cars pack 12.7 gallon fuel tanks to fill with standard unleaded gasoline, and claim a curb weight of 2,778 lbs.

Soul is a five-seat crossover/wagon with four doors and a rear lift gate. Behind the rear bench seat is a small cargo area with hidden storage compartment and organizer tray beneath the floor mat. Kia lists cargo volume as 19.3 cubic feet, 23.7 cu ft with the cargo tray removed, and 53.4 cu ft with the rear seat folded down. That’s a bit less than a Honda Fit but more than either a Nissan Cube or Scion xB, all of which are comparable in price, power, weight and size to the Soul.

All Souls include goodies like Bluetooth integration with steering wheel audio and phone controls, USB and Aux jacks for the CD/MP3/SiriusXM stereo, a 12V power outlet, power locks and windows, tilt/telescopic steering column, remote keyless entry, a 60/40 split folding rear seat with three headrests, and front, side and side curtain airbags. That’s a nice haul of accessories and features for a $14,000 car – while you’d think every new car in 2012 would come with tech-focused amenities like audio aux jacks and Bluetooth integration, they don’t. So it’s great to see Kia appealing to young, smartphone toting buyers with gadget-friendly features alongside folding seats and good fuel economy.

Stepping up to the + line adds, amongst other things, 16-inch alloy wheels, upgraded speakers, dual 12V power outlets, and leather wraps on the steering wheel and gear shift knob. Top line Soul ! vehicles also get stuff like 18-inch alloys, a power sunroof, LED “positioning lights” (running lights), and an Infinity audio system with more power, a subwoofer and center speaker, and multi-color speaker lights that can be set to flash in time to whatever’s playing on the sound system.

My loaner went an extra step with the $2,500 Premium Package, adding navigation, rear view camera, push button start, heated seats covered in leather, and automatic climate controls. While the car didn’t have every option box ticked off – where’s the rear spoiler ($295) and interior lighting kit ($395)? – it did come with the cargo net and rear bumper appliqué, each of which added fifty bucks to the sticker. The bottom line for my Alien Soul ! was $22,,950 including destination charges.

All 2012 Soul models are covered by Kia’s 10 year / 100,000 limited powertrain warranty and 5 year / 60,000 basic powertrain warranty. The car also comes with a 5 year / 60,000 roadside assistance plan as part of the sticker price.
First Impressions: Driving

Soul struck me as handsomer in person than I remembered it from those hamster-infested ads I’d seen on TV. Boxy though it is, the car’s distinctive grille, vertical tail lights, and rear-sloping roofline give it some flair that I personally prefer over the ultra-square look of the xB and Cube. While I’d never choose the Alien paint job for my own, it works well with the car’s black accents and chrome-on-black wheels. There’s something of a playful ruggedness to the look which somehow avoids being goofy and faux-tough, and instead comes off as playful and fun.

After a quick orientation from the Kia PR rep, I grabbed my license, plugged my iPhone into the stereo by way of the clever iPod to USB/3.5mm hybrid cable included in the car, and took my Alien Soul ! for a spin. The last thing the PR guy said to me was, “Put ‘er into manual shift mode and you can have some fun.” So I did, and I did!

Cruising around for about 45 minutes on hilly neighborhood streets and chunks of two freeways, with a quick urban pit stop, it was immediately clear that Soul is a fun little five seater with plenty of pep for everyday driving – at least in its top line, two-liter configuration. Never having driven a Soul with the base engine, I can’t compare, but the upper end model had plenty of juice to inspire confidence merging into freeway traffic, cruising along with it, and getting out in front of it with bursts of 65-80 mph acceleration. I might have gone a little faster than that, too … let’s just say the PR rep made me promise I wouldn’t break 100. He was right, though – manual shift mode added some fun to the proceedings, letting me push the four potter up closer to its 6,800 rpm redline with smooth electronic upshifts.

Soul proved itself a nimble little car during our short first date. It seemed equally comfortable cruising at 75mph as it was coasting down a curvy, hilly road and parallel parking on a busy city street. The ride was surprisingly smooth and quiet on the freeway, so long as I didn’t push it too hard. When I crept above 75 or so on the speedo, the car started to bob and weave a little as it sped atop the neglected freeways of Oakland, CA, and I felt a wee bit twitchy following the bends of the interstate at faster speeds. Likely the 18-inch alloys contributed to the harsh ride at higher speeds; such is the price of looking good. Then again, when I stayed within non-attention getting speeds, things were pretty nice.

The car also offers an Eco mode which can be enabled and defeated via a dashboard-mounted button. Turning Eco on reduced throttle response ever so slightly, so I turned it off. I mean, c’mon, this was my first drive in the car! I assume Eco helps with fuel economy, so I’ll mess around with it more later this week.

First Impressions: Comfort and Tech

Upon first sit, so to speak, the driver’s seat was quite firm and comfortable, though I wish it offered power adjustments along with the internal heaters I haven’t yet tried. To be fair, not many cars in the $20k range offer power seats, but a guy can dream, right? The A/C blew cold and offered auto temperature based control, and the power sunroof reaffirmed my belief that all cars should come with sunroofs. Gauges were easy to read, the leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob felt luxe beyond the car’s price tag, and the power mirrors were easy to adjust. Visibility through the boxy little rear window isn’t the best, but it’s passable, and while I haven’t messed with the nav system yet, the rear camera that displays on the touchscreen made parallel parking a breeze.

Last but not least, I haven’t yet paired my phone with the car’s integrated Bluetooth system, but I did have a few issues connecting it to play music through the 350 watt Infinity stereo. I’d plug my iPhone 4 in, the system would read my music library and let me navigate it via touchscreen and steering wheel controls, and then call things to a halt with a “Reconnect iPod” error a minute or two later. So I’d try again and get the same results. After this happened three times I gave up and switched over to SiriusXM radio, which worked fine. Then I tried the iPhone again for the last leg of my little outing, and it worked without complaint. So let’s chalk it up to user error for now.

Honestly, though,  I wasn’t all that impressed with the super premium sound system, even after fiddling with the three-band tone controls. The infinity didn’t sound bad, but it didn’t sound all that premium to me – it can get louder than the subwoofer-less factory system in my ’09 Prius, but I’m not quite sure it actually sounds any better. That said, I’ll fiddle with the settings awhile – and load up some Black Sheep - before I take my Alien Soul out again.

I’ll be reporting back on the Soul later this week. So if you’ve got questions about it, hit me up in the comments!

Courtesy of TechnoBuffalo

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