Redesigned 2014 Kia Optima Saves the Day with Technology and Turbocharged Performance

Kia Motors America (KMA) has launched a new national advertising campaign for Hispanic audiences to coincide with this month’s arrival of the redesigned and U.S.-built* 2014 Kia Optima midsize sedan in showrooms nationwide. The light-hearted 30-second spots highlight the Optima’s easy-to-use technology features, turbocharged performance and redesigned front and rear fascias – which stay true to the award-winning original design while introducing several new styling cues – as well as the optional SXL trim which offers premium amenities such as Nappa leather trimmed seats and 18-inch chrome wheels.

“Performance enhancements and high-tech amenities are core to the redesigned 2014 Optima,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of marketing & communications, KMA. “The new spots help to increase Kia’s presence among the important and growing Hispanic demographic by placing the Optima in everyday situations people can easily identify with while highlighting our midsize sedan as not only attractive and stylish but also functional, safe and feature-filled.”

Set to a Spanish-language track from the music company, Human, “Pez” features a frantic father who utilizes the Optima’s Sport driving mode to get home in a hurry. Meanwhile, the Optima’s Blind Spot Detection system1 saves the day for a group of friends in “Cuidando de ti.”

According to the press release, the videos should be found at www.youtube.com/kia, but we couldn't find them at the time of this blog. Stay tuned with Executive Kia on our Facebook and Twitter, and we'll link you to them when they show up.

Redesigned 2014 Soul Boasts Iconic Design, Desirable Features and Improved Driving Dynamics

The iconic Soul enters the 2014 model year with an all-new take on design, driving dynamics and desirable features that totally transform one of Kia Motors America’s best-selling cars into an urban utility vehicle that is as comfortable in the city as it is on the open highway. The signature Soul design is instantly recognizable yet thoroughly fresh, with more than a passing nod to the hot Track’ster concept that was unveiled last year.  Riding on a new chassis that is stiffer, longer and wider, the all-new Soul has grown up without losing its edge, allowing for more passenger and cargo room while reducing NVH levels. A flatter torque curve and significant suspension upgrades make the 2014 Soul a nimble and agile companion in congested urban environments.  Honoring Soul owners’ fierce individualism, three unique trim levels will be available when U.S. sales are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year: Base, Plus and Exclaim.

The all-new Soul displays its own individuality through a blend of funky personality, fun-to-drive characteristics and premium upgrades intended to set it apart from the pack.  A playful color palette, including Soul-exclusive colors such as Solar Yellow, Kale Green, and Inferno Red, along with sporty new wheel designs, pump up the dynamic equation that has made Soul such a dominate competitor in the “boxy” car segment. 

Keeping what made the current Soul special while addressing areas for improvement was no easy task.  As the design team at Kia’s California studio began putting virtual pen to virtual paper, engineers in the U.S. and Korea focused on making Soul a joy to drive. Starting with a solid foundation was key, and the new body enjoys a 28.7 percent increase in torsional rigidity over the current Soul.  With the hard points set, the all-new Soul was boiled down to three focus areas: Maintaining the iconic design while adding modern cues; providing premium features and content; and improving driving dynamics to make the 2014 Soul more desirable than ever. 



Keep an eye out at Executive Kia as the 2014 Souls roll in, and be sure to check out our Facebook and Twitter for more news and updates.

Details about the Soul's incredible features below the jump.

Kia Motors Announces Plans For First All-Electric Vehicle In The United States

At the media launch of the all-new 2014 Soul, Kia announced plans to offer an all-electric version of the company’s iconic Soul urban passenger vehicle in select markets in 2014. Already one of Kia’s best-selling vehicles, an all-electric variant is a natural extension of the Soul’s urban-friendly place in the brand’s lineup of award-winning vehicles. More details about the Soul EV’s powertrain, range/MPGe, packaging and go-to-market strategy will be announced at an upcoming major U.S. auto show.

“Eco-consciousness already comes standard on the all-new Soul with 85-percent of its materials able to be recycled at the end of its lifespan, and the Soul EV will further demonstrate Kia’s engineering capabilities as well as our commitment to producing vehicles with reduced environmental footprints,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director of product planning, KMA. “The Soul has always been a terrific choice for drivers in urban environments, and the all-new version’s blend of technology, refinement, style, improved dynamics and value has allowed us to create a car that is as efficient as it is fun to drive.”

Kia Motors was recently ranked by Interbrand as one of the “50 Best Global Green Brands,” and Soul EV will be the second alternative-fuel Kia vehicle to be offered for sale in the U.S. The award-winning Optima Hybrid was introduced in 2011 and for 2013 sees a number of enhancements including numerous powertrain refinements for smoothness and drivability, including a more robust 47 HP electric traction motor, a stronger Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) and a more powerful 47 kW Lithium Polymer battery.

Check out our Souls at Executive Kia and be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for news and updates.

Redesigned 2014 Kia Sorento Earns 5-Star Safety Rating from US Government

Kia Motors America’s (KMA) top-selling CUV, the redesigned 2014 Sorento, has earned the highest possible overall safety rating – five stars – from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  The new Sorento was recognized for its outstanding performance in frontal and side impact crash tests, as well as high marks in rollover testing.

“Built on an all-new platform, the redesigned Sorento utilizes Kia’s advanced safety equipment and technologies to provide a high level of occupant protection for drivers and their families as measured by the U.S. government,” said Orth Hedrick, executive director, product planning, KMA. “Already a compelling entry in the compact CUV category, earning a 5-Star rating from NHTSA makes the Sorento an even stronger contender within its segment while underscoring Kia’s overall commitment to delivering safety and exceptional value to our customers.”

In addition to NHTSA’s 5-Star rating, the 2014 Sorento has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).  It is built at Kia’s manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia and is available in four trim levels.

Keep on eye on Executive Kia as the 2014s arrive, and be sure to check us out on Facebook and Twitter for further news and updates.

Grab Our Coupon for a 2 for 1 Oil Change

If you've got a family, and you're like most of the world, you've got two cars. We'd place good odds on one of those cars needing an oil change soon. We'd place even better odds on the other still needing one from a couple months ago. We're right, aren't we?

Well regardless of why you need two oil changes, if you do, now's the time. There's a coupon on the Executive Kia Facebook page for a 2 for 1 Oil Change! You'll find it under Offers.

While you should never put off getting an oil change, we'll bet you're glad you did now.

Check out the Executive Kia website, and be sure to not only grab the coupon from our Facebook, but to check us out on Twitter too.

Kia Announces New Sportage

Kia’s longest running nameplate offers an enhanced 2.4L powertrain for greater efficiency and equips drivers with UVO eServices for advanced voice-activated telematics control.

The 2014 Sportage advances Kia’s brand to the next level with an array of design enhancements as well as a host of comfort and convenience features.  Building upon the already award-winning platform, Sportage now offers – 2.4L GDI I4 (LX and EX) and 2.0L Turbo GDI (SX) powertrains – for enhanced efficiency.

Keep posted as the 2014s arrive on the Executive Kia website, and stay up to date on our latest specials and deals via our Facebook and Twitter.

Kia Motors Launches Campaign to Raise $3 Million for Schools

Kia Motors America and DonorsChoose.org recently launched a Back-to-School giving campaign to raise $3 million of support for high-need public schools across the country. For the second year in a row, Kia will make a matching contribution for each donation to eligible DonorsChoose.org projects during the month of September, empowering “citizen philanthropists” to make a difference in the lives of students who need it most.

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural campaign – which raised more than $2.1 million and benefitted nearly 500,000 public school students – Kia has partnered with dealers in six metro areas across the southern United States to increase the company’s total financial commitment by 50 percent.

Be sure to stay up to date at the Executive Kia website, our Facebook, and our Twitter.