Tag: kia

NHTSA reportedly opens Kia Soul investigation after steering shaft failure

Filed under: Budget, Safety, Hatchback, Kia

2010 Kia Soul – Click above for high-res image gallery

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has opened an investigation into a potential problem with the Kia Soul. According to the Los Angeles Times, the government safety watchdog is looking into an incident where the steering shaft in one vehicle separated from the steering wheel and then blocked the brake mechanism. The problem resulted in a total loss of control. It’s unclear as to whether or not anyone was harmed in the incident from the LAT report. Typically, the federal government doesn’t investigate single incidents, but in the case of the Soul, the problem presented itself on a fairly new vehicle and was so serious that NHTSA has elected to investigate. The hatch in question is a 2010 model and had just 4,300 miles on the clock when the problem occurred.

Kia hasn’t commented on the situation other than saying that it is waiting for NHTSA’s findings. The 2010 Kia Soul has been one of the Korean automaker’s best-selling vehicles, with over 37,000 of the boxy econocars sold so far.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Kia Soul

Photos by John Neff / Copyright (C)2010 AOL
[Source: Los Angeles Times]

NHTSA reportedly opens Kia Soul investigation after steering shaft failure originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Kia Optima configurator goes live with estimated pricing starting at $18,495*

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Kia

The 2011 Kia Optima doesn’t go on sale until sometime this Fall, but the configurator is now live on Kia.com. The new Optima brings Kia design to a whole new level, with a sleek coupe-like profile that should be backed up by some pretty impressive performance when equipped with the new 2.0-liter direct-injected turbo.

Kia hasn’t released official pricing yet for the new Optima, but in an odd move, it is listing estimated prices on the configurator. The base, 200-horsepower 2.4-liter LX model with a six-speed manual is listed at an affordable $18,495 (*sans destination charges, which are likely to add $695), while the least expensive model with the 274-hp 2.0T engine is the $23,895 EX. A maxed-out SX with the premium and technology packages comes in just shy of $30K, which actually strikes us as pretty reasonable based on what we’ve seen so far of the car. That means that the 2011 model is more expensive that the staid but surprisingly competent current model (which starts at $17,995), but we’re thinking the better-looking sheetmetal is worth it alone, not to mention all of the other equipment and material upgrades. Appreciate the tip, Matt!

Gallery: 2011 Kia Optima

[Source: Kia]

2011 Kia Optima configurator goes live with estimated pricing starting at $18,495* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Economy kills Kia Soul’ster

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Kia

Kia Soul’ster concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

If you’ve been crossing your fingers for a production version of the Kia Soul’ster concept from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, prepare to be disappointed. According to a report from Ward’s Auto, Kia says that expanding the Soul lineup beyond the current five-door hatch would prove to be more difficult than you might think. Earlier reports stated that Kia was keen to the idea of building an open-top Soul, but changing economic times seem to have crushed those plans.

The Soul has done extremely well for itself since going on sale in early 2009, but since this is a niche vehicle that would only appeal to a very narrow segment of the market, the business case for building new variants doesn’t make sense at this time. Kia’s director of product planning, Orth Hendrick, tells Ward’s that the Soul’ster, specifically, would have to be developed as an all-new model, due to its vast structural differences from the standard Soul.

Come 2012, the Soul will undergo its mid-cycle refresh, and we’re expected to see more upscale content, as well as slight changes to both the front and rear fascias. In the meantime, those of you who are super hot for a Soul’ster will just have to scan the local used car lot for a soft-top Isuzu Amigo, instead.

Gallery: Kia Soul’ster Concept

[Source: Ward’s Auto]

Report: Economy kills Kia Soul’ster originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Kia Sportage to start at $18,295*

Filed under: Crossover, Kia

2011 Kia Sportage – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Kia Sportage is one great-looking crossover, and with a starting price of $18,295 (*$18,990 with destination) it’s rather affordable as well. Kia announced Tuesday that its longest running nameplate will start well below the $20,000 mark while sporting standard features like a six-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, power everything, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, MP3 inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.

At $20,295 ($20,990 with destination) the mid-level LX model adds outside mirrors with LED turn signal indicators, keyless entry and privacy glass. Another $3,000 ($23,990 with destination) adds 18-inch alloy wheels and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Standard safety features include six airbags, four-wheel ABS and electronic stability control.

The Sportage appears to be a screaming deal – though it’s starting price is $1,300 higher than the outgoing model, it’s a much improved vehicle – and its 176-horsepower 2.4-liter will deliver an impressive 22 miles-per-gallon in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway. A far more powerful 270+ horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter Sportage variant will be available later in the model year. Hit the jump to read over Kia’s press release.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Kia Sportage

[Source: Kia]

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2011 Kia Sportage to start at $18,295* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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