2008 Kia Rondo Lx Wagon 4-door 2.7l on 2040-cars

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2017 Kia Sportage gets bigger and gains bulbous new duds

Anyone who's been keeping an eye on our monthly By The Numbers series of posts knows that crossovers are the kings of the automobile world in 2015. That's not likely to change any time soon, at least so long as gasoline remains relatively cheap and lenders remain willing to offer ever-longer loans with reasonable interest rates. Kia looks perfectly positioned to capitalize on the booming crossover trend with its latest Sportage. The 2017 Kia Sportage is a bit more bubbly on the outside than before, and it's got more interior room thanks to a chassis that's been stretched 1.2 inches longer than the previous model. Two powertrains will be available: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter turbo with impressive figures of 241 hp and 260 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard across the board. All-wheel drive will, of course, be optional, and Kia claims the new Sportage will be more fuel efficient than before. Kia's latest infotainment system will make its debut inside the 2017 Sportage, and it will bring both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on a seven- or eight-inch screen, though LX models will have a lesser five-inch display. We don't yet know how much the 2017 Kia Sportage will cost, but we'd bet dollars to donuts that it will be competitive with the rest of the compact crossover segment. There's a lot more information to be gleaned from the press release below. First, though, we suggest you watch the video up above to see Kia's latest cute 'ute for yourself as it struts its stuff at the LA Auto Show. Then, Sportage fans are welcome to geek out to our high-res image gallery. All-new 2017 Kia Sportage makes North American Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show Fourth-Generation Sportage Compact CUV Boasts Sophisticated Design, a Refined Premium Interior and Significant Ride and Handling Improvements - Stiffer structure, new suspension, advanced driver assistance systems, and premium materials take Sportage to the head of the class - Cutting-edge design, engaging driving dynamics and intelligent packaging stand out in a staid compact CUV segment - First Kia to offer UVO3, featuring 14 telematics services, 8 GB of music storage, access to onscreen apps and Wi-Fi tethering capability, all free of charge Los Angeles, November 18, 2015 – Kia Motors America (KMA) today unveiled the all-new 2017 Sportage at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Audi S4 drivers are the most accident-prone, insurance report says

Culling data from more than 4.6 million automobile insurance applications, researchers at the Insurify insurance comparison marketplace picked a winner — or more to the point, a loser — in its determination of the car model with the most accidents so far in 2023: the Audi S4. Why does the sporty, luxury-class German sedan rank so high (or so low)? The organization found that S4 drivers, piloting a car with almost 350 horsepower, are among those who collect the most speeding tickets, and that they get into accidents at a rate 54 percent higher than the national average. If the S4 isnÂ’t a surprise with an at-fault accident rate of 11.7 percent, consider the “family friendly” brand that appears three times on the Insurity list: Subaru. It is represented by three models, including the turbocharged WRX and XV Crosstrek, and at the better-performing bottom of the list, the Subaru Impreza, with an accident rate of 10.3 percent.  In 2023, 7.6 percent of U.S. drivers were involved in at least one at-fault accident in the prior seven years. For drivers of cars on this list, the average at-fault accident rate was 10.5 percent, meaning these drivers are 1.4 times as likely to have an at-fault accident on record. According to its statement, the Insurity data science team explored key safety features, driver behavior, and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) evaluations to pinpoint possible reasons behind these carsÂ’ high accident rates. Following is the list, counting down to the models with most reported accidents: 10. Subaru Impreza (percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident on record: 10.3 percent; MSRP base model): $19,795) 9. Kia Niro (percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident on record: 10.4 percent; MSRP base model): $26,590) 8. Chevrolet Silverado LD (percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident on record: 10.4%, MSRP base model): $34,500) 7. Subaru XV Crosstrek (percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident on record: 10.5 percent, MSRP 6. Subaru WRX.(percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident on record: 10.7% MSRP base model): $29,605) 5. Toyota GR86 (percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident on record: 10.8 percent MSRP base model): $29,900) 4. Hyundai Veloster N (percentage of drivers with a prior at-fault accident on record: 10.9 percent; MSRP base model): $32,500) 3.

2014 Kia Optima is better by a nose

Kia is showing off a slew of vehicles here in New York, including the ever-so-slightly refreshed 2014 Optima sedan you see here. The brunt of the changes surround the new front fascia, with repositioned LED lighting above the headlamp units and some new quad-LED fogs rounding of a touched-up front bumper. At the rear, Kia has reworked the taillamps, and of course, LEDs are found there, as well.
Other changes to the Optima for 2014 include the additions of two new displays inside the cabin - a 4.3-inch TFT display in the gauge cluster and a larger, eight-inch high-resolution screen that houses the navigation and infotainment data. There are also new seats inside the Optima, which are hopefully more comfortable and offer better bolstering than the decidedly flat chairs found in the current car, plus Kia has added available new safety features like blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alert.
The powertrain offerings have not changed for 2014 - base cars still get a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine while the SX models get the 2.0-liter turbo. There is, however, a new Drive Mode Select system specifically for the SX, which adjusts transmission shift points and steering weight for a more engaging dynamic, or so we're told. (The Optima Hybrid model did receive upgrades to its battery and electric motor just recently, but those changes technically hit during the 2013 model year - it is not immediately clear if the gas-electric model will receive the updates shown here).