2016 Kia Sorento

The 2016 Kia Sorento is an all-star family-hauler with standout styling and a comfortable, feature-filled cabin.

For 2016, the Sorento is bigger, has a revised control layout and a new, optional turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Like its predecessor, the new Sorento is available with standard seating for five, and it can seat seven with an optional third row.   The SUV's new face is dramatic, with an upright, studded grille; available quad-LED fog lights; and sweeping LED-accented headlights. Sculpted body sides add some muscle to its profile.

Power from the new, optional turbocharged 2.0-liter is surprisingly robust.  Even loaded with adults, it never felt strained around town or on the highway. The 240-horsepower four-cylinder is EPA-rated at 20/27/23 mpg city/highway/combined with front-wheel drive, good for a vehicle this size.  Front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel drive is optional on all Sorento models except the base L. All the engines team with a six-speed automatic transmission.  On the highway, the cabin is impressively hushed. Wind and road noise are well-checked.

Overall, passenger comfort is exceptional, with plenty of headroom and legroom in the two front rows. The Sorento really delivers in the features department, with plenty of optional creature comforts for both rows: heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, manual roll-up sunshades for the second-row windows, and plenty of first- and second-row connectivity options (USB port, auxiliary input jack, 115-volt outlet, 12-volt outlet).  The control layout is new this year, and audio and climate controls are grouped into separate planes. On top is the available UVO multimedia system's 8-inch touch-screen. The system's quick response time, large buttons and logical menu structure make short work of changing audio presets or inputting a navigation destination. Its swipe functionality has a natural, smartphone-like feel. I quickly and easily paired and connected my Android phone and launched Pandora internet radio. Two handy knobs separate the volume and station-tuning functions from the touch-screen. The climate controls are totally separate below the screen, and the large, clear buttons are ergonomically placed.

UVO also includes some interesting services, like a parking minder and My Car Zone. With the former, the vehicle's location is sent to your smartphone after you park. With the latter, parents can set curfew, location and speed limits for other (teen) drivers and get alerts if (when) those boundaries are breached.

Come take a look at Round Rock Kia 600 Jeffrey Way Round Rock, TX or give us a call at 512-617-5000 today!

2014 Kia Soul, Updates That Impress

It is refreshing when a car company takes a very popular vehicle and made it even better.  They changed the fog light positions and gave it a backpack style tailgate.  It is a much cleaner shape and the lines are a little softer.

Other improvements include LED lights on most models and chrome door handles.  There is also a panoramic sunroof on higher-spec models.  More features added inside are a circular ripple design replacing the square touches combined with the soft touch instrument panel and the leather covered steering wheel and gearlever.  All of this makes the cabin much more attractive than the previous models.

This model is a little wider than the latest version giving you more room in the cabin and improved stability.  The wheelbase and overall length have also been extended giving passengers added legroom.  They have reinforced the insulation pad and expansion foam to reduce the road noise in the cabin.  Steering is regulated by Kia’s Flex Steer system, which allows the driver to choose between three steering setups to suit the conditions. At high speeds, the ‘Sport’ setting reduces assistance to allow greater stability and feel, while in ‘Comfort’ the steering becomes lighter for parking and low-speed maneuvering. ‘Normal’ mode provides a middle ground.

The new Soul is available in five trims, ranging from the basic ‘Start’ model to the range-topping ‘Maxx’. Standard equipment is generous, and incorporates DAB radio, Flex Steer, a tire pressure monitoring system, keyless entry, air conditioning and steering wheel-mounted controls.

Come to the fun side of the street and test drive the new 2014 Kia Soul today at Round Rock Kia 600 Jeffrey Way Round Rock, TX or give us a call at 512-617-5000 today!