Product Reviews Net » KIA http://www.product-reviews.net Information on the latest gadgets, technology, news and product reviews Sun, 27 May 2012 07:22:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Kia KH, an unlikely BMW rival http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/02/13/kia-kh-an-unlikely-bmw-rival/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kia-kh-an-unlikely-bmw-rival http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/02/13/kia-kh-an-unlikely-bmw-rival/#comments Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:30:52 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=148706 Kia has been around since 1944 but it’s only now that we have started to see some huge strides in not only the design of their vehicles but also the technology to make them perform and handle better, as well as being much safer as well. Put these cars on their own and they perform pretty well but put them up against the likes of Audi, BMW or VW and things are very different, but this could all be about to change.

There is to be an all-new Kia codenamed the KH and could be an unlikely rival to BMW because it’s going to be the first Kia to come with rear-wheel drive. It’s hard not to see the importance here, as having the power going to the rear wheels gives the car a completely different dynamic when it comes to driving, something that BMW has been doing for years.

We cannot be certain if the Kia KH will be coming to the US but it needs to if the company has any hope of achieving the sales they are hoping for, although we do know the likes of Korea and Europe will get the new model. The growth that Kia has been experiencing lately has been astounding and it’s because of cars like this that has helped them achieve this.

Looking at one or two sketches of the KH here we can’t help but think of the BMW 7 Series and Maserati-esque grille when we look at the front end of the car, mixed with a bit of Aston Martin for good measure. We are certain that a few car fans will be thinking this is a blatant copy of BMW’s model but the finished design should look very different to what we are seeing now.

BMW must be a little wary of Kia’s new vehicle because it will be a fraction of the price of the 7 Series, although there will still be some people who will say you pay for what you get – not sure that’s being said as often in these hard times?

Why should this sketch surprise us because back in December BMW’s chief designer Christopher Chapman left the German company to go and work for Kia instead, so yes we could begin to see many more cheaper cars looking like a Beamer.

The jury is still out if this is a good thing or not because having a cheaper version of a BMW on our streets could begin to affect sales of the real thing becasue passersby may have to do a double take if a top businessman is driving a Kia and not a BMW.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2012/02/13/kia-kh-an-unlikely-bmw-rival/feed/ 1 Kia Optima & Sportage: Best New Model in 2011 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/02/17/kia-optima-sportage-best-new-model-in-2011/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kia-optima-sportage-best-new-model-in-2011 http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/02/17/kia-optima-sportage-best-new-model-in-2011/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:05:11 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=122273 Kiplinger’s Personal Finance has voted both the 2011 Kia Optima and Sportage “Best New Model”, which is considered to be a great honor. The Optima won the title in the category $25,000-$30,000, while the Sportage was named the best new crossover. This does show how far the auto brand has come, going back just a few years they were made fun of, but not anymore.

The transformation of the company has certainly had a huge impact on the designs of these new Kia vehicles – have to wonder what is next for them? DailyFinance mentions that winning awards like this must give the company more confidence, and they are on to something there. Whenever you ask consumers what Asian vehicle would they like, chances are it will be a Toyota, Honda or Nissan – soon the next answer will be a Kia.

This is not the first award that the 2011 Kia Optima and Sportage has won, back in December they won the 2011 iF product design awards. Car Pages say that the judging panel were impressed with how eco-friendly, innovative, and also the quality of the workmanship on both models.

The 2011 Kia Optima is a medium size sedan and comes with a streamlined body, and offers a choice of either a standard gas engine, turbo and hybrid. There are three trims that you can choose from, these are the LX, EX and SX.

The 2011 Kia Sportage is a CUV and gives you the feeling of safety, which is important if you have a family. If you thought that this model was exciting then wait until the Sportage SX is launched later this year, there will be more power from the engine, but expect to pay a few more dollars for the privilege.

Has your perspective changed on the new range of Kia models?

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2011/02/17/kia-optima-sportage-best-new-model-in-2011/feed/ 2 Paris Motor Show: Kia Pop Concept – Unconventional features http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/30/paris-motor-show-kia-pop-concept-unconventional-features/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=paris-motor-show-kia-pop-concept-unconventional-features http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/30/paris-motor-show-kia-pop-concept-unconventional-features/#comments Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:14:46 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=110013 Over the past few years both Kia and Hyundai has been designing cars that are less boxy and more groundbreaking, and the Kia Pop concept is certainly proof of that. We know that this is still only a concept, but it has certainly turned a few heads at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

We first learned of the cars existence in August, but back then we did not have much to go in. We can now tell you that the Kia Pop electric vehicle measures just three meters and only has three seats for the driver and two passengers.

You can clearly see by the images over at AutoBlog that the entire roof is made from glass, this allows you to see that funky interior. The panel along with the display readouts is to be made from transparent OLED – if the EV makes it to production that is.

The Kia Pop as you know is an electric vehicle, so will have a limited range of just 100 miles, but will have a top speed of 87mph. For more details on this ore more visit our 2010 Paris Motor Show page.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/30/paris-motor-show-kia-pop-concept-unconventional-features/feed/ 0 New Kia Sportage 2011: Sharp-Looking Interior and Exterior http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/25/new-kia-sportage-2011-sharp-looking-interior-and-exterior/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-kia-sportage-2011-sharp-looking-interior-and-exterior http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/25/new-kia-sportage-2011-sharp-looking-interior-and-exterior/#comments Sat, 25 Sep 2010 18:49:37 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=109433 We recently spoke about how far Kia has come with their vehicle designs, which you can clearly see with the 2011 Optima. The next vehicle that will turn heads from the Korean motor company is the 2011 Sportage EX, you can clearly see from these images on Car and Driver that the car could be mistaken for a German design – well that’s what David Undercoffler from LA Times believes.

Undercoffler confirms on what we pointed out in our earlier post about Kia updating their entire lineup to something much more stylish and head turning. Would you agree with Undercoffler that both the interior and exterior is sharp looking?

Most of the new styling is thanks to one man, Peter Schreyer, the designer who came from Audi back in 2006. This is where all that German design comes from then. Looking at some of the lines, you would be forgiven for thinking that you are looking at parts of an Audi body panel, something that Kia will be very happy with.

David does make me laugh when he thinks that you will have to repeat yourself many times by saying to passengers “Yes, this is a Kia.” The 2011 Optima like the Sportage should start at $20,000 – so is certainly within most budgets. We can certainly see these new range of Kia vehicles eating into the Toyota and Honda market.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/25/new-kia-sportage-2011-sharp-looking-interior-and-exterior/feed/ 0 Kia Optima 2011: Interior and Full Review http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/25/kia-optima-2011-interior-and-full-review/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kia-optima-2011-interior-and-full-review http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/25/kia-optima-2011-interior-and-full-review/#comments Sat, 25 Sep 2010 17:55:17 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=109431 Kia has worked hard in recent years, and it seems as if all that hard work is paying of with some nicely designed cars. However, the Kia Optima has been showing its age of late, so it is now time for a new version. The 2011 Kia Optima has not only seen an upgrade to its exterior, but the interior has also had a refresh.

Colum Wood from AutoGuide has spent some time with the new sedan and has offered his own review of the car – and what a review it is. We thought that we would pick up on a couple of key points on why Wood believes that this is one family sedan that you should buy.

Go back 5 years and a Kia would not turn many heads, but now heads are turning, as consumers can often mistake these for well designed Honda or Toyota vehicles. Let us point something out here; the interior of the car is like the TARDIS from Doctor Who, as you will pay more attention to the inside than the outside.

Colum Wood picks up on the fact that Kia has designed the interior for the driver, which means that most things will be practical. The brightly lit instrument cluster is what impressed Wood the most with its “Simple yet elegant” design.

We are not certain how much Kia will sell the Kia Optima for, but Wood believes that prices should start from $20,000. Visit AutoGuide to read a full review.

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/25/kia-optima-2011-interior-and-full-review/feed/ 4 Kia Recall 86,000 Vehicles: Include Soul, Sorento and More http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/07/kia-recall-86000-vehicles-include-soul-sorento-and-more/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kia-recall-86000-vehicles-include-soul-sorento-and-more http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/07/kia-recall-86000-vehicles-include-soul-sorento-and-more/#comments Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:21:12 +0000 Jamie Pert http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=108082 The Korean automobile manufacturer Kia has recently announced a global recall of 86,000 vehicles, affected models include the Kia Soul, Sorento, Mohave and Cadeza.

The recall caused Kia’s co-chief executive to resign, a breakdown of affected models shows that the 36,00 Kia Souls are affected, also 33,000 Sorentos, 8,900 Cadenzas and 8,000 Mohaves, interestingly the recall does not affect China.

According to CarAdvice the recall is due to a potential fire risk, this is to do with the wiring for their adjustable speaker and lighting system,

Kia suggest that this problem has not resulted in any accidents and is a voluntary recall, if you think you own an affected model you should contact your local dealer or check out their contact pages.

Source: Reuters

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/09/07/kia-recall-86000-vehicles-include-soul-sorento-and-more/feed/ 5 Kia Pop EV Concept: Zero-emissions like Nissan Leaf http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/08/18/kia-pop-ev-concept-zero-emissions-like-nissan-leaf/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=kia-pop-ev-concept-zero-emissions-like-nissan-leaf http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/08/18/kia-pop-ev-concept-zero-emissions-like-nissan-leaf/#comments Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:19:00 +0000 Peter Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=106780 The 2010 Paris Motor Show begins next month and you can be certain that the trend will be electric vehicles. We have news for you that Kia will be there offering us more details on the Pop Concept, which is a zero-emissions car just like the Nissan Leaf.

Autoblog was sent a press release today announcing this 10-foot three seater, but not much else. The only other information we have for you is that the vehicle will be designed as though it is something from the future – very fitting as we approach the release of the new Tron movie.

We are not certain if Kia will put the driver in the middle, but it looks to me that this would be their only option – so will be a little like driving the original McLaren F1 – well without having all that power and grip at your disposal.

The 2010 Paris Motor Show begins on September 30th and runs until October 17th, so not that long to wait for all the details. What do you expect from the Kia Pop EV Concept?

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]]> http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/08/18/kia-pop-ev-concept-zero-emissions-like-nissan-leaf/feed/ 2 2011 Kia Sportage: Review and Lease Deals http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/08/13/2011-kia-sportage-review-and-lease-deals/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=2011-kia-sportage-review-and-lease-deals http://www.product-reviews.net/2010/08/13/2011-kia-sportage-review-and-lease-deals/#comments Fri, 13 Aug 2010 10:55:13 +0000 Daniel Chubb http://www.product-reviews.net/?p=106481 The 2011 Kia Sportage has just started arriving at dealers, with cars.com reporting that over 1,500 dealers are showing new inventory for the Kia, but what kind of deal can you get?

In his article, David Thomas reports that Kia normally pushes cash incentives like a cash-back deal on their new cars but the Kia Sportage is not showing these deals, and instead you can opt for a low lease offer.

Leasing is not for everyone, so you may wish to go the low APR route that starts at 1.9%, view the cars.com article for more details.

The Kia Sportage features a good price, and has an interior full of technology, contemporary styling, and sporty handling. The video below shows a test-drive of the 2011 Kia Sportage, Scott Newell reviewed the Sportage when he took the car for a ride around San Francisco.

With more than 200,000 Kia Sportage’s sold over the years, can the 2011 model keep up the tradition? Watch the video review below, and let us know your thoughts on the 2011 Kia Sportage.

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