The Design of Kia

Ever wondered why Kias look so cool? It's all about the award-winning design choices. In 2007, Peter Schreyer, Chief Design Officer for Kia Motors, had this to say about Kia's image:

"In the past, the Kia cars were very neutral. When you saw one on the road, you didn't really know if it was Korean or Japanese…I think it's very important that you are able to recognise a Kia at first sight."

 
Peter Schreyer then introduced a newly designed grille for Kia Motors. This new design, called the "tiger nose," gave Kia a distinct image that helped set it apart from other cars.

Peter Schreyer is now the president of Kia Motors, as well as the Chief Design Officer for both Kia and Hyundai. He has won many awards for his designs over the years, and was named one of the Men of the Year in 2011 by Top Gear.

Come on in to Executive Kia and take a look at our lineup of gorgeous, award-winning cars.

Need New Tires? There's a Coupon for That.

Grab our “Buy Three Get One Free” tire coupon on the Executive Kia Facebook page, then come and see us about swapping your tires out.

Not sure if you need new tires? Let’s take a look!

Modern tires have “wear bars” that run side to side. If you can see a bar across the gap between the tread of your tire, it’s time to get them replaced. It should look something like the photo on the right.

If you can’t tell or you’re not sure if your tires have “wear bars,” then check out this handy penny trick.

This coupon expires at the end of the month, so hurry in and get your new tires!

2013 Kia Sportage Ranked One of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars for 2013

Pens, paper and books are easy. However, choosing a car during your back-to-school shopping may be a little more daunting.

Last week, the 2013 Kia Sportage was named one of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2013 by Kelley Blue Book! The crossover ranked number six on the list, standing apart from competitors for its styling and combination of fuel economy and performance, all at a "student-friendly price."

This award is based on Kelley Blue Book’s evaluations of vehicle attributes, including fuel economy, safety, style, versatility and value.

The list, which is published annually by KBB.com, seeks to help college students and their parents make the most informed purchasing decisions when choosing the best car to meet their wants and needs. The Kia Soul topped the Best Back-to-School list in 2012, making the 2013 Sportage the second Kia vehicle to make an appearance on the Kelley Blue Book list two years running.

To see all of our great back to school deals, visit http://www.executivekia.com/!

Reviews of Kia's Newest Best Seller: The Kia Cadenza

The Cadenza is unlike anything Kia has made in the past, and critics are taking notice. Read some of the amazing things people have to say about Kia's most luxurious model yet:

"[...] the Cadenza offers a wealth of standard and optional high-end features along with sharp styling that manages to make it stand apart from the crowd without looking strange." - Edmunds

"Now Kia's rivals have another vehicle to watch out for in their rearview mirror: the all-new 2014 Cadenza." - MSN Autos

"[...] the 2014 Kia Cadenza's unique mix of price, features and materials makes it a viable alternative to players on both the mainstream and luxury-brand sides of the divide." - Kelley Blue Book

"One of Kia's core focuses has been offering value to customers, and even with a starting price of $35,100, the Cadenza still represents plenty of that kind of thinking." - AutoBlog

These are only some of the amazing reviews of the Kia Cadenza. Don't believe the hype? Just come in and test-drive one!

Visit the Executive Kia website to check out our inventory and schedule your first drive.

Cars.com Names the 2013 Kia Optima the Most Affordable Midsize Sedan

Cars.com has named the 2013 Kia Optima the most affordable midsize sedan! 

Contenders for the top spot had to be equipped with equipment such as, automatic transmission, cruise control, a USB connection, Bluetooth, power windows, a power driver's seat and a rearview camera. Taking into account these features and the five-year estimated fuel cost, Cars.com compiled a list of 10 midsize sedans, ranked from most to least affordable, with the Kia Optima taking the top spot.

In addition, the 2013 Kia Optima Hybrid LX placed fifth on the list. 

Come test-drive your Kia Optima today at Executive Kia!

Puzzle Pieces for Autism

Puzzle Pieces for Autism is a month long fundraising and awareness event being held throughout Connecticut to help the state’s families and individuals living with Autism.

The Executive Auto Group has teamed up with Radio 104.1 to support the efforts of Autism Services and Resources Connecticut (ASRC). ASRC is a statewide, non-profit organization that supports families, educators, and the entire autism community – across the diagnosis, needs, challenges, and age ranges.

This August we’re bringing the individuals and businesses of Connecticut together to show the communities support and promote autism awareness statewide.

We’re asking friends, families and professionals from across the state to celebrate the wonders of those on the autism spectrum and embrace the uniqueness in all of us by decorating a puzzle piece. For every puzzle piece that gets decorated, Executive Auto Group will donate $5 to help the efforts of ASRC.

We encourage you to paint, draw, color, glue and decorate your puzzle piece however you see fit. Use your imagination and make it your own. The blank puzzle pieces will be available all month long and can be picked up at any one of our 9 locations throughout the state.

Every Sunday we invite people to join us at one of our dealerships and decorate a puzzle piece with us. We will have all the supplies you need to make your puzzle piece unique.

On August 25th we will invite everyone back for our big gallery show event which will be held at Fiat by Executive in Wallingford. We will display all of the decorated puzzle pieces so people can see how the community came together. There will be live music, food and prizes so you don't want to miss it! 

For more information on this amazing event, visit http://www.puzzlepiecesforautism.com/!  

Monday Maintenance Tip: You've purchased your dream car, now what?

You finally did it. You found your dream car, and after negotiating and paperwork, you're ready to take it for a joy ride. But before you speed off the dealership lot, be sure to keep some things in mind. Taking care of your car and following a few simple rules during the break-in period can significantly help your car in the long run.

The break-in period is the amount of driving time it takes a car's piston rings to settle into place, ensuring there will be a tight seal that won't leak oil. Most cars typically have a break-in period suggestion between 600 to 1,200 miles.

Here are some things to remember after your car purchase:

Read the owner's manual. There's a lot of good stuff in there. It is important to know your car's break-in time, suggested speed, maintenance schedule and more.

Drive slowly. Be sure to keep your speed under about 50 mph or to the speed recommended by your manufacturer. Varying your speed and avoiding hard and sudden accelerations will improve your vehicle's piston ring seating.

Avoid heavy loads. Don't take the family on a cross-country trek the week you get your new car. Keep the weight off your roof rack and hitch, so the drive train is not stressed.

Check and change your oil. During your first few drives, metallic residue is produced by your new engine. We suggest getting an oil change at the end of your break-in period to get rid of this residue and give your car a nice clean start. 

We know that it's hard to resist the rev of a new engine, but by having patience and keeping your foot off the acceleration, you can keep your car running at it's best long after the new car smell fades away.