News & Reviews- Make: Kia

Cadence is defined by Merriam-Webster as the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion of activity. Likewise, the 2017 Kia Cadenza is defined by the beat of its 290 horsepower V6, and the rhythmic motion produced by galloping along country roads.

So what better place to introduce a vehicle that combines power and motion than an equestrian themed resort in Loudon County, Virginia? Yes, the Salamander Resort served as a first-class launching pad for Kia's first-class mid-size luxury sedan.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class, BMW 5 Series, Lexus ES/GS, Audi A6, Lincoln MKZ/MKS, Tesla Model S, (Hyundai) Genesis G80, Cadillac CTS/CT6, Jaguar XF, Infiniti Q70, Acura RLX, and Volvo S90: There's a ton of competition in the class of luxury vehicles base priced between $40-70k. All have qualities that endear them to followers and conquest owners. The Germans sell you on driving dynamics and safety, the Japanese sell you on luxury without second mortgages to pay for it, the American brands Read Full Story

I can never figure out why some Kia models don't lead their respective segments in sales. Obviously the brand has an image issue, something it's been working hard to overcome with stunning new designs, impressive quality, features galore, and competitive driving dynamics, but even if these attributes weren't shining as brightly as they do, the value offered in vehicles like this Sportage should have buyers queuing up in front of Kia showrooms just so they don't miss getting one.

In an effort to win yet more customers to the brand, that compact SUV has been totally redesigned for 2017, and I tested a top-line Sportage SX to see how it measures up. Opting for the SX means Kia's trademark black mesh grille gets flanked by auto on/off directionally adaptive projector HID headlamps with integrated LEDs and auto high beams, two quads of LED fog lights at each corner, an aluminum-look skid plate below, 19-inch machine-finished alloys with black painted pockets down each side, LED turn Read Full Story

You know how some companies just have a thing for good design? Apple has long been noted for its style leadership, as has Jawbone, Bang & Olufsen, Dyson, Braun, and the list goes on. We can now add Kia to this list, but to be perfectly candid with respect to this South Korean brand, style wasn't an inherent trait. A look back to some of their previous models is all that's needed to remind anyone of that fact, although the Sorento has been one of their more appealing products since it arrived in 2003.

I dubbed the 2003 Sorento "great looking" in a review that followed its Canadian launch program, and even recommended it to my brother and his wife who purchased a fully loaded one and enjoyed it for more than a decade without problem. After testing the second-generation 2011 model I called it an "extremely stylish design." True, not my most creative literary work in either case, but at least straight to the point and notably positive. My notes for this all-new third-generation Read Full Story

Kia entered the minivan segment back in the early aughts when many others were getting out, and to its credit the South Korean brand has won a lot of sales that GM and Ford have missed out on. The first generation was a decent van, plenty powerful and quite roomy, but it lacked some key features competitors offered, a problem remedied with its second-generation. Despite big improvements, sales tapered off each year, the entire minivan segment mostly at fault. In an attempt to swim instead of sink, rivals Honda and Toyota redesigned their vans with newfound style, both the reimagined Odyssey and surprisingly sporty Sienna debuting in 2010 as 2011 models with reinvigorated sales following. It's taken Kia some time to respond, but now with the all-new and dare I say best-dressed 2015 Sedona they're finally reaping results where it matters most.

From a Canadian high of 4,772 Sedona sales in 2004, it must have been a depressing state to experience that much improved second-generation Read Full Story

While starting from the ground up is probably the best way to go about building an electric car, Kia's Soul is nevertheless an ideal vehicle to electrify. It has enough cabin roominess and cargo capacity for real practicality, while doling out a significant dose of unique style.

Kia actually claims the compact model was initially designed to accommodate electrification, with the Soul EV only requiring some structural strengthening and a beefier suspension to manage the extra battery weight. It loses a bit of rear legroom and cargo volume in the transition, but the South Korean company's innovative plug-in nevertheless becomes the go-to EV for active-lifestyle pragmatists.

Kia also revised the funky five-door model's styling with blocked out body-colour grille openings up top and down below, the ventilation from the conventionally-powered model's mesh grille inserts not needed anymore as there's no longer a radiator to cool, and the aerodynamic benefits of closing them Read Full Story