Like most car shoppers, you hear things about this different automakers. There could be some valid information there, but not everything said on the street is true. Kia cars have been showing up on American lots for more than 20 years, and they're distinctly different than the competition. Keep reading to learn three common myths people have about the Kia brand and how we debunked them. Affordable Cars Aren't Innovative Kia is one of the most affordable brands, but it still manages to load its cars with all the latest gadgets. Take a look at the 2018 Niro FE, for example. This stylish crossover touts a 7-inch color touchscreen loaded with Kia's UVO connectivity for only $23,340. Wirelessly charge your phone while it plays your favorite tunes through Kia's Clari-Fi technology, and revel in concert quality sound. All UVO equipped Kia vehicles feature push-button roadside assistance and 911 Connect that calls for emergency services if the airbags deploy. UVO's advanced voice recognition lets you make calls, while curfew, speed, and zone alerts help parents keep track of new drivers. From vehicle diagnostics to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, budget-minded buyers love Kia's innovations. more They Are Unreliable J.D. Power and Associates ranked Kia highest among brands for overall initial quality — three years in a row. Its highest-ranking models in their respective segments for the 2017 model year include the Cadenza family sedan, the compact Forte, the eco-friendly Niro crossover, the versatile Sorento SUV, and the funky fresh Soul. That's six award-winning, reliable Kias, according to the experts over at our trusted source for car ratings. Not that we're counting. Even the brand-new, luxurious and athletic Stinger already boasts an above-average predicted reliability rating. U.S. News and World Reports picked Kia as one of their top 10 most reliable cars in January, and also named the Kia Soul its 2017 best compact car for the money. That sounds pretty reliable to us. If you need more proof, Consumer Reports ranked the 2017 Kia Niro third overall with an average predicted reliability score of 71. They Won't Last Every new Kia — yes, especially those at Gunther Kia's showroom — offer buyers an industry-leading 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. What automaker would extend its protection plan that long if it wasn't confident your new car is going to last? One satisfied Kia owner on CarGurus.com reported his faithful 2007 Kia Sportage racked up 188,640 miles and was still going strong after nine years of service. Other owners declared their Sportage reached over 283,000 miles. Just to be on the safe side, you might want to consider that extended warranty. The keys to your new Kia might take up residence in your pocket until your grandkids are old enough to drive it. Everyone has that friend of a friend that's a car expert. They're always ready to hand out that unsolicited advice about what automaker's badge to park in your garage. Look at the facts and make up your own mind about Kia.
The 2018 model cars are beginning to hit the market, and many people are excited about what new offerings are coming. Kia is no exception with several new models coming to the market for 2018. By reworking these popular models and adding new ones, Kia can offer you more of what you want in a new vehicle. Here is what to look forward to as these three Kia vehicles get ready to join the 2018 lineup. 2018 Kia Rio and Rio 5-Door In 2018, Kia is reworking the Kia Rio so you can have a better vehicle at an affordable price. Kia added in several changes to improve its overall performance, focusing on a sportier feel. The body has been slightly reshaped for a more streamlined look and feel. Kia also improved the suspension with better tuning and components. That way, you will get superior handling alongside all the other performance improvements. more The inside of the Rio has been upgraded with new technologies, including autonomous emergency braking and improved wireless device connectivity. If you are looking for more storage capacity and accessibility, you can try the new 2018 Kia Rio 5-Door. The added hatchback makes it more versatile while still getting much of the same improved performance. 2018 Kia Stinger For higher performance and luxury enthusiasts, Kia is introducing the new Kia Stinger. It is a luxury and performance car with many of the amenities you would expect from a top-of-the-line vehicle. It won several awards at the North American International Auto Show for its appearance and new features. The interior of the Stinger is designed for style as well as comfort. The Stinger comes with the latest Kia safety and luxury technologies. As far as performance, the Stinger is tuned to have some of the best performance, including Dynamic Stability Damping Control suspension and a twin-turbo V6 engine that will give you 360 horsepower and beyond. If you are into luxury and performance in the same package, the Kia Stinger is the right choice. 2018 Kia Optima The Kia Optima is a well-known sedan for its performance and luxury. One of the best features of the Kia Optima is its engine, and there is a range of different options to choose from. The SX trim offers a 2.0-liter Turbo engine with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the best control. But if you want real power with a better fuel economy, then opt for the LX 1.6T trim, which provides a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The overall look and feel of the Optima have been changed to a sportier design. Above all else, the 2018 Kia Optima maintains its notoriously high safety scores. Kia's lineup is expanding in the 2018 model year, and the additions will likely make your shopping experience much easier. Despite having many options to choose from, Kia gives you the right balance of value and cost. Ultimately, the best way to decide which Kia model is best for you is to experience it in person at Gunther Kia. The 2018 models are coming onto the market soon, so stop by to learn more about them.
When it comes to maintaining your Kia, there are many exterior components that you'll want inspected for spring. Wondering which ones are at the top of the list? Here are six that you should never neglect as springtime rolls around. The Tires Changing temperatures can cause your tires to lose pressure easily, so they should always be inspected after winter. Keep in mind: Under-inflated tires don't perform as well as properly inflated ones and are very dangerous. The tire tread should also be inspected for wear, bulging, and bald spots. These conditions may signal the need for a tire rotation, wheel alignment, or tire replacement service. more If you're curious about the condition of your tires, an easy way to test tread depth is by doing the Abe Lincoln Penny Test. Simply stick a penny into the tread of a tire. If the top of Lincoln's head shows, your tires are worn and may need replacement. To confirm, always check with an automotive professional. The Windshield Wipers Chilly winter weather can do a number on windshield wipers and cause them to lose their effectiveness. If you notice that your windshield wipers are cracked, torn, cut, chattering, or streaking you'll want to have them replaced in time for spring and summer showers. If you do need new wipers, you can select ones that are optimized for warm weather conditions. This would also a great time to have your windshield washer fluid topped off. The Paint As the seasons change you may notice minor scratches, dings, or chips in your Kia's paint. If you do, be sure to have the damaged areas touched up and repaired. The spring is also a good time to have the exterior of your Kia thoroughly washed and waxed. This will not only make your car sparkle, but will also seal in the shine, protect the finish, and make future washes easier. The Shocks and Struts Although the shocks and struts are located underneath the vehicle, it's still just as important that they be inspected for spring. During the check, these components should be examined for leaking, rusting, dents, or any other signs of physical damage. If your vehicle rolls or sways when turning, sits lower in the front or rear, loses control on a sudden stop, bounces or slides sideways on windy roads, or the front end or back-end dips when braking, the shocks and struts may need replacement. The Undercarriage In fact, inspecting the entire undercarriage of your vehicle in preparation for spring is very important. If you live in a cold climate, road salt can get stuck to the undercarriage, corrode the metal, and cause rust to form. This is most likely to affect the exhaust system, muffler, coil springs, and hydraulic brake system. If you don't live in a cold climate but do live near the ocean, your vehicle's undercarriage may be at similar risk due to salt water, so you should still make it a point to have the undercarriage inspected. Ensure that your Kia stays in tip-top shape by having the tires, windshield wipers, paint, shocks and struts, and undercarriage inspected for spring.
Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.