2006 Kia Sedona Lx on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Kia leads J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study for 2022

For the first year ever, Kia leads J.D. Power's annual Vehicle Dependability Study with a score of 145 problems per 100 vehicles. Buick (147) and Hyundai (148) round out the top three. The highest premium brand on the list is Genesis, with a score of 148. It's common for so-called "mass market" brands to lead this particular study, according to J.D. Power, as "premium" brands "typically incorporate more technology in their vehicles, which increases the likelihood for problems to occur" and aren't necessarily built to a higher standard that less-expensive brands. The highest-rated single nameplate is the Porsche 911. It's the third time out of the past four years and the second year in a row that Porsche's quintessential sports car has taken top honors. Porsche as a brand sits in seventh place (162) just behind Lexus (159) and ahead of Dodge (166). At the very bottom of the list is Land Rover with a dismal score of 284; the SUV specialist held the same unfortunate distinction on last year's list. Ram (266), Volvo (256), Alfa Romeo (245) and Acura (244) also performed poorly. The overall industry average score sits at 192 — mass market brands average a score of 190 while premium brands sit 14 points lower at 204. While Tesla is unofficially included in some of J.D. Power's results, the agency says the sample size it has access to for this study is too small to include. As has been the case for the past several years, infotainment systems dominate the list of problems reported by owners. Popular (or unpopular, depending on your point of view) complaints include built-in voice recognition (8.3 PP100), Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity (5.4 PP100), built-in Bluetooth system (4.5 PP100), not enough power plugs/USB ports (4.2 PP100), navigation systems difficult to understand/use (3.7 PP100), touchscreen/display screen (3.6 PP100), and navigation system inaccurate/outdated map (3.6 PP100). While problems with the car's infotainment and technology packages are indeed bothersome, it's important to remember that such issues aren't usually leaving owners stranded with an immovable vehicle like a broken transmission or blown engine would. Culling infotainment complaints from the results would reduce the average problem-per-100-vehicle score by a staggering 51.9 points. The vehicles included in this study are from the 2019 model year. That means owners have had three years to get to know their cars and trucks. It's the 33rd year that J.D.

Kia provides first details on Soul EV arrival, specs

When Bob Dylan and his guitar-driven poetry embraced the amp in the mid-Sixties, he famously endured cries of "Judas!" from at least one dejected folkie. The Voice Of A Generation had gone electric, and apparently not all of his concert-goers were ready for the transition. We suspect the Kia Soul and its dancing hamsters will have an easier time of it.
In early October, Kia confirmed what had already long been rumored - the Soul is going electric, too, and now it's revealing some initial details and specs. The automaker's mega-popular 'box' car will be the company's first EV sold in North America - or indeed, anywhere outside of its home market (Kia has offered its tiny Ray EV to government fleets in Korea in limited numbers). For the moment, officials aren't saying exactly when the Soul EV will hit its North American dealers, but it has pinned down the "second half of 2014," for global overseas deliveries to begin, so it's fair to assume the car will carry a 2015 model year designation.
Kia is touting "class-leading range" in excess of 120 miles

Kia introduces sleek Novo Concept at Seoul Motor Show

As you've no doubt noticed, we're deep, deep into coverage of the 2015 New York Auto Show. But despite the glitz and glamor of the Big Apple, our attention is also draw to Asia today, where Kia has introduced the handsome Novo Concept at the 2015 Seoul Motor Show. Powered by a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder and with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission shipping power to the front wheels, the Novo's powertrain is not unlike what we saw yesterday in the 2016 Optima. Of course, that's the extent of the technical details, as the Novo is far more of a design exercise than a tech demonstrator. Taking its name from the Latin for "to make new," the Novo was designed by Kia's team in Namyang, South Korea. Billed as a four-door coupe – as is the trend nowadays – the Novo rides on a version of the company's C-segment platform, giving some idea of its size. Kia's hallmark "tiger nose" grille is flanked by laser headlights, and is the most obvious tie-in to the brand's current design language, while other elements, like its fastback profile and pillar-less greenhouse are add some spice to the visuals. Those compact rear doors are hinged at the rear. Meanwhile, a vertical side grille, reminiscent of the early Jaguar XF, meets a strong shoulder line that extends from the headlights and terminates in the middle of the rear door. Kia has released a spate of images of the new car, which accompanies the company's design-oriented press release. Head down and take a look. Related Video: KIA NOVO FASTBACK CONCEPT PREMIERED AT SEOUL MOTOR SHOW Coupe style for Kia's latest concept Minimalist interior with high-tech features 1.6 litre turbo GDi engine and seven-speed DCT Delivering a bold and exciting, coupe style with a driver-focused cabin, Kia's latest concept car, the Novo, has been unveiled at the 2015 Seoul Motor Show. Giving clear hints at future Kia styling and strategy the Kia Novo is aimed at modern urbanites with stressful jobs and frantic schedules. Interpreted by Kia's designers, the name 'Novo' represents the concept of making something new and fresh. Taking its name from the Latin 'novatus' the Kia Novo concept establishes a calming, focused environment in which drivers can refresh and rejuvenate as they transition from one life commitment to the next. Fittingly, 'novatus' also provides the origin of the English word, 'innovation', which the Novo concept brings to life with thoroughly innovative styling and high-tech interior features.