Kia Sportage SX (2011) [Reviews]

On the heels of his 2011 International Truck of the Year recognition ICOTY jury, announced the Kia Motors America (KMA), the launch of the all-new 2011 Kia Sportage SX compact CUV is expected to arrive in dealerships later this month. As part of Kia's design-led transformation, Kia Sportage become a strong player in the Kia range, providing power and fuel economy first class. SX models are a solid and up the ante with a more powerful four-cylinder turbo engine, exterior styling enhancements and unique interior options. For 2011 Sportage SX FWD (FWD) has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $ 25 795, while all-wheel drive (AWD) models are equipped with a starting MSRP of $ 27,295.

The Kia Sportage SX ends in 2011 as a second car Kia Optima Turbo in the U.S. to feature the powerful 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI and adds exterior and interior of the unique features and luxury appointments to provide consumers with high performance and high value CUV. In combination with a highly efficient six-speed automatic transmission, the new Kia Sportage SX 256 horsepower while maintaining the best fuel economy in its class of 27 miles per gallon on the highway, better than any other turbo equipped compact CUV on the market today. In addition to improvements in the powertrain, which employs Kia Sportage SX sport suspension features firmer shocks and rate of strut for improved handling and dynamic performance compared to non-SX models.

"Sportage offers the ideal combination of performance, fuel efficiency and usefulness of requiring a compact CUV buyers," said Michael Sprague, Director of Marketing and Communications Director, KMA. "With the addition of more powerful GDI turbo engine, unique interior appointments and a better performance, Kia Sportage SX makes the CUV already attractive even more fun to drive."

Outside, the SX models will receive a unique 18 "alloy wheels, signature grille SX, dual exhaust, and a special half threshold lists. Complement external updates SX-specific interior appointments, increasing the complexity of the interior spaces, including the threshold standards aluminum, and an elegant new indicator cluster controls. Available exclusively Sportage SX, orange and blue interior color packages offer more interior color options for potential buyers. pack includes orange orange stitching on the steering wheel, center console and seats, combined with the 'orange door panels and ventilation holes. unique blue seat fabric patterned blue interior and is included as part of the blue color of the package.

More powerful, fuel efficient engine SX

Kia Motors 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI engine offers significant performance with a powerful turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces up to 256 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft. of torque. The Kia Sportage SX turbo design uses a double entry, providing greater combustion efficiency, more available power at low rpm and reduce turbo lag compared with traditional solutions only scroll turbo systems.
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Twin-scroll design with two valves actuated exhaust inlet is responsible for feeding the exhaust stream through separate paths through the turbine. By using a common manifold, the exhaust cylinder separate travel more efficiently through the turbine of the turbocharger, to avoid disruption. The result is a system that improves efficiency and the pressure distribution, lowers the exhaust temperature and the cylinder and prevents the loss of exhaust energy. The volume of air in each cylinder is increased, resulting in more power.

Kia Sportage LX and EX trim comes standard with a 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing continuously (CVVT), giving more power (up to 176 hp) and improved fuel economy (22/31 city / highway) than the 2.7-liter V6 engine above.

Kia Picanto (2012) [review]

The new Kia Picanto, when its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show 2011, is a renovated and redesigned stand-out style of a complete re-position as one of the vehicles more competitive worldwide, "City Car" segment.

When you show that to convey a sense of stability and maturity, the powerful new engines and reduce CO2 emissions by 90 g / km, a high specification and security features, Kia Picanto offered for the first time the possibility to choose the kind of five-door body and 3 doors.

"The new Kia Picanto is a small car, an adult," said Lee Nam-soon, Director of Overseas Marketing, Kia Motors Corporation. "It 'a perfect machine, so a high quality package, which offers numerous special functions, and reduce the number of choices, which raises a fundamental understanding of the patterns of the segment to the next level.

"We expect global demand for cars in a segment to be in the region of 2.4 million units per year over the next six years and we are confident that the new Picanto will allow us to capture a greater share of this market," says Lee.

"The first generation of Kia Picanto marked our debut in the segment A in 2004 and continued to more than 1.1 million copies sold worldwide over the next seven years, with sales in the UK for a total of 77 810. I'm sure that this new little Kia will become even more popular than the current vehicle, "concluded Mr. Lee.

UK consumers benefit from the next generation of Kia Picanto has reduced CO2 emissions, fuel economy and cost of ownership, when the model goes on sale in 2011.

More space and more style

Kia Picanto is the latest to join an exciting and stylish Kia family. Kia has taken a bold new step in the latest version of its smallest model. Nature of the automobile has changed, "cute" and "female" mature and beautiful, to turn the heads of the High Street, with its beautiful, sexy and dynamic design language proportions. With a greater sense of stability and strength, emphasizing the muscular wheel arches and a large set of alloy wheels.

The front of the Kia Picanto expresses the same force and refinement say that their older siblings, Sportage and Come and share with them the network of "tiger nose", the same firm. Kia Picanto days lights focus the high level of design sophistication and high technology.

This is a bold front-end supports a strong body of sculptural and dynamic, reflecting the strength and maturity of the Kia Picanto and gives the car a real "presence of the prize" on the road. A powerful feature of the body along the side of that dynamic tension profile of the car and well combined with the outside door handles. This is just an example of attention to detail that sets a new Picanto of its competitors.

Looking back, the design theme of the new Kia Picanto focuses on modernity, with its large rear tail lights framed in the unique graph with the support of a strong proactive defense.

3-door model, with its unique treatment of the C-pillars, bumpers and grill, offers exciting outdoor theme extends Kia Picanto appeal to a wider audience when it goes on sale by 2011.

Graphic composition of the 3-page front door Kia Picanto is subtly molded to improve the sporting qualities of the vehicle. The term is more aggressive, the message is more alive - this car is looking for action! Also behind the visor insert contrasting highlights the width of the car and force. Everything is polished to create a car with a completely different character of the 5-door.

Although more elegant, the new Kia Picanto 3.6 meter will also be a very practical machine. Outside, the entire length of the vehicle increased by 60 mm and the wheelbase has increased by 15 mm. These increases, and some clever interior packaging, have been improved interiors for people (in the front legroom is up to 36 mm) and the luggage capacity increased by 27% to 200 liters.

Attention to detail of the exterior design has improved the aerodynamics of the new Kia Picanto, reducing its sales fell just 0.31 Cd - better than most of the A-segment cars.

Projection-style headlamps and LED tail lights are available with a choice of steel or alloy wheels up to 15 inches - bring added sophistication to the exterior appearance.

Kia expects the new 3-door model to account for about 30% of Kia Picanto for sale. The sporty 3-door will be key in driving sales "conquest" of new groups of younger consumers.

Increase comfort 'big car' milestone

Manufactured exclusively for Seosan Kia factory in Korea, Kia Picanto new found maturity is reflected in the d�cor that sets a new benchmark for point-in-class choice of materials and cutting, the new Kia Picanto presented to the United Kingdom a wide range of six exterior colors.

New Picanto sophisticated interiors will offer buyers a lot of features 'big car' comfort and convenience features - many of them mounted for the first time in a car in this segment.

Interior design is the same functionality as elegant as the external control of large organized in an attractive layout and easy to use that emphasizes the width of the space and decor. Thick steering wheel frame and the two talked about signing Kia "three cylinder" instrument of a clear and precise, reflecting the consistency of a new design philosophy for Kia to use the entire product line-up.

The new Kia Picanto is also available automatic climate control, electronic folding and heated exterior mirrors with side repeaters, automatic light control, "escort" and "Welcome" mode, steering wheel audio controls, two retractable cup holders;

Other new features include the Smart Key entry and engine start / stop button, AUX, iPod and USB RDS radio CD player with MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth � hands-free voice recognition, heated front seats and a Stop and Go smart, which is promote fuel economy.

Kia Rio Sedan (2012)

Kia Motors America (KMA) is celebrating the world premiere of the all-new subcompact sedan 2012 Kia Rio and Kia Soul 2012 Full Update 2011 in the New York International Auto Show.

Scheduled to join the lineup KMA fall of 2011 - with its five-door hatchback brother unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011 - the all-new Kia Rio show ushers in the next chapter of Kia Motors transformation design led course with a catchy design, advanced technology and sophistication in the small car segment. ISG with brand new (stop-start) technology and attack power and fuel economy to 40 miles per gallon (5.8L/100km), promises to consumers Rio impressive fuel economy without sacrificing power or fun to drive performance.

"The all-new Kia Rio provides the perfect combination of world-class style, excellent fuel economy, advanced technology and great value for the car smaller and more economical in the Kia lineup," said Michael Sprague, vice President of Marketing and Communications, KMA. "With gasoline prices, subcompact is increasingly popular, with more power, up to 40 miles per gallon fuel economy and design, the new Rio brand sets the standard in the category subcompact and becomes a vehicle not only economically affordable people, but who aspire to own. "

The first class, sobriety and power

Available in the U.S. with a choice of three trims - LX, EX and SX models - the 2012 Kia Rio is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder GDI with an optional six-speed manual or six-speed transmission automatic. One of only two vehicles in this segment to offer a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine, the 2012 offers consumers that elusive combination Rio power and impressive fuel economy, achieving class leading 135HP (100 kW ) power and first-class fuel economy rating of 30/40 mpg city / highway (7.8-5.8L/100km). Kia Rio also offers technology ISG, the new Kia lineup in which the engine stops when the vehicle is moving. The engine restarts automatically when the driver release the brake pedal, thereby reducing fuel consumption in stop-start urban traffic.

Sleek and streamlined exterior

Designed Kia design studios in Irvine, California, the all-new sedan Rio sub-compact hatchback and show great carved beveled shoulder lines and an outer wedge-shaped, prominent athletic profile that expresses the strength and agility. It also reflects an aggressive recently found other Kia vehicles, such as the 2011 Optima and Sportage. Both models sport Kia Rio Kia's interpretation of the signature grille, cut the dynamic design of wireless projector, providing a new twist Kia family show that air intake is even bigger in person exude youth.

Luxuriously appointed interior

Inside the Kia Rio 2012 envelopes the driver and passengers of a bold and modern cabin, Kia will focus characterized by a horizontal measure, three-cylinder and finished two-tone trim highlights the feel and comfort. Extended wheelbase (2,570 mm), significantly improve the ability of passengers and goods for maximum comfort.

In addition to providing a comfortable cockpit, offering incredible technology also comes standard everywhere, including a sound system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capability AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat � and three months of free service, and auxiliary and USB audio input jacks for connection to MP3 players. The range-topping SX trim offers consumers UVO powered by Microsoft � in the car hands-free communications and entertainment system with rear camera display.

Show buyers subcompact car with more options than ever before, the 2012 Kia Rio offers a selection of optional upgrades with many functions combined in convenience stores, and Premium Eco.

Entirely new advanced platform

Kia Rio 2012 brings a completely new platform - longer, wider and lower than the previous generation. His aggressive attitude and the fun is enhanced by an overall length of 4366mm (sedan Rio) or 4046mm (Rio5) with a platform measuring 1720mm wide and 1455mm high. The use of steel of high tensile strength (63 percent), lightweight design offers greater torsional rigidity of Rio to improve handling, ride quality and refinement, as well as increasing capacity while reducing total weight of the collision.

Focusing on safety

The Rio 2012 is equipped with a high level of standard safety features including six airbags, three-point seatbelts for all seats, electronic stability control (ESC), a four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Management (MSM), which coordinates car ESC and ABS to help the driver maintain vehicle control at all times.

[reviews]2011 Kia Optima SX: Road Test

The 2011 Kia Optima SX delivers performance of a V6 powered car, but delivers fuel economy of a four-cylinder car, has belligerent good looks and comes with plenty of features and has extended warranty.

Cons:
The 2011 Kia Optima SX�s tires suffer from poor grip, the headroom surely will be a problem for the taller occupants and the steering of the car has a numb feel.

Preface:
Not very long ago there was a time when you say �family sedan� people thought of a boring and solemn car that woul hardly entise anyone.But the introduction of 2011 Kia Optima SX aka the 2011 Kia Optima Turbo it looks as if the days of beige is numbered. The Optima Turbo enters the market with a long list of optional and standard features, and offers adequate performance and just enough performance to get the blood pumping. The all new Optima Turbo tops our list of preferred family sedans and will appeal you as well.

As far as the external styling is concerned the 2011 Kia Optima SX makes it pretty clear that it holds something really special for you. After all the likes of Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are no more head turners. Are they? The overall attraction for the car continues within the car as well, and the cabin flaunts a very European touch and look. And this definitely should be estimated, as Kia somehow has managed to squeeze a top Audi designer on its side. Though, the 2011 Kia Optima SX strays away from its European roots with its lack of steering feel and reduced tire grip, but we thing that these minor offenses can be neglected, especially when you are buying a family sedan.




If truth be told we will like to say that the 2011 Kia Optima SX is such a good car that we think it easily can outdo its rivals in the family sedan segment. The primary rivals for the Optima having the same spirit include the likes of Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion Sport. It should be known that the Kia Optima is based on Hyundai Sonata. The rivals having the same performance and similar styling include the likes of V6-powered Mazda 6 and Honda Accord. But ultimately we think that you will find the Kia Optima as enticing as we found it.

Performance:

The power for the front-wheel-drive 2011 Kia Optima SX comes from a 2.0 ltr turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, generating maximum power of 274 bhp and 269 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The strong engine here is mated with a 6 speed smooth-shifting automatic transmission having manual shift control. The gear change for the car could be controlled using the console-mounted selector or using the shift paddles on the steering wheel, although the downshifts on the vehicle are not all that rev-matched, so it will take a bit longer than you�ll probably find in any of the performance or luxury cars.

In our performance testing, the Optima turbo sprints from 0 to 60 mph in as quick as 6.5 secs, which is rather competitive with V6 powered sedans. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the Optima SX is of 26 mpg combined of 22 mpg in city and 34 mpg on highways. We managed to get only 19.7 mpg, that too mostly in city driving.


The 2011 Kia Optima SX that we were testing came equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, shift paddles on its steering wheel and a rear spoiler. The car feels confident and sporty on the open roads, but when it comes to twists and turns the car is not all that impressive and the tires for the car starts loosing grip. Till this point, though, the Optima SX delivered respectable amount of performance which could be said sporty performance.

Comfort:
The best and the most impressive thing about the 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo is that the performance of the car didn�t come at the cost of comfort. Despite the strong suspension, the car doesn�t show any substantial harshness over the seriously worn roadway. The cabin remains immensely pleasant, quiet and calm on highways and that�s something that is highly appreciated in the family sedans. The seating position should be comfortable for average height drivers, but even if you don�t find it you don�t have to worry, as the car comes with plethora of seat adjustment settings that you surely will get you a comfortable seating position. But if you are over 6 feet, then you might find the sunroof a tad too low for comfort, and probably will want to get a tad more high thigh support from the seats behind you.

The rear seat passengers will find the car immensely comfortable, and surely won�t be having any sort of problems.

Build Quality and Styling:

The first and the probably the most striking thing about the 2011 Kia Optima SX is its aggressive and sharp styling. The car offers a significant presence, thanks to the wide expanses of the unadorned accents and sheet metal which have been tastefully incorporated. Though the styling for the car is subjective, but a lot of people agrees to the fact that the European roots of the car makes it one of the finest looking midsize sedans to have ever entered the market in a very long time.

The European feel and look of the car clearly reflects from the interiors of the car. In more than one ways it becomes clear how the inclusion of Audi�s design chief, into Kia has influenced the designing of the company. The styling is not completely an influence of Audi, but the appearance and material quality clearly is way ahead of what we are use to seeing for Kia. Most of the surfaces for the car are smooth and gives a great look and feel.

Why Should One Consider The 2011 Kia Optima SX?

The 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo is a superb alternative for the customers looking for a car having stunning looks, and striking all the right nodes in terms of performance and quality. Apart from the tire choice, it�s hard to find any defect in the Optima at all. If you are in the market for a comfortable family sedan, that can also deliver respectable performance, then the Kia Optima SX definitely should be on top of your list.