Kia Soul Named Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year! | Keffer Kia Mooresville NC

What better way to enjoy a more active lifestyle than with a car that suits that lifestyle? Take the 2015 Kia Soul for instance, which was recently named the Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year, for the third time in a row, at the 11^th annual Active Lifestyle Vehicle awards. The 2015 Kia Soul is a fun and funky urban passenger vehicle that is perfectly suited to a fun and funky urban lifestyle.

Nina Russin, founder of the Active Lifestyle Vehicle program, noted that the Soul’s “cargo area, [which is] versatile enough to meet the needs of triathletes, cyclists, skiers and kayakers,” was a huge factor in being chosen this year. That with the Soul’s compact frame, easy maneuverability, style and design made it a clear stand-out over other candidates.

The Active Lifestyle Vehicle of the Year is chosen by local media and athletes, who rated the Kia Soul the best in the urban category in static and dynamic evaluations. Unsurprisingly, the 2015 Kia Soul is one of Kia Motors America’s best-selling cars, with more than 115,000 units sold already this year.

Thanks for the award (again)! We are so honored that the 2015 Kia Soul was picked as an Active Lifestyle Vehicle for this year, and Kia will continue on in our efforts to make the most attractive and versatile vehicles, suitable for all drivers and lifestyles.

 October 29th, 2014 Posted in Events, Motor Shows & Awards,Vehicle Models 

This Striking Kia Forte EX Sedan Gets Extra Tuning Love From the Owner | Keffer Kia Mooresville NC

For the lasts in our series of interviews with Kia owners, we head to West Orange, NJ to chat with Chris Quiros, a full-time student at Rutgers.

When Chris isn’t hitting the books, he loves to play sports and find time to tinker with his Kia Forte.

This is the first car that he has ever owned, and he has been a happy Kia customer since 2011.

What he particularly enjoys about the ownership experience is how deeply it has pulled him into the car world.

He immediately fell in love with the unique design of the Forte, and how there were few other cars like it in his area.

It also helps that the Forte seems to be a vehicle that seems more the willing to be modified, which is a hobby Chris has grabbed with both hands.

Chris has received a lot of attention thanks to his choice of ride. He is constantly being asked what type of car it is, with many surprised that such a cool looking vehicle is a Kia.

His favorite story, though, is evading a ticker after being pulled over. The trooper got into a conversation about the card and the modifications that Chris had made, and was so impressed that he allowed Chris to go without getting that ticket.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of all for Chris is that he has actually become so deeply passionate about modding the car.

He loved the car just the way it was, but soon found himself making little changes here and there to personalize it a little more.

He has tinkered with the wheels, spoiler, and color to begin with. If you want to know what else he has done, take some time to read the full interview.

Kia Forte Specs

• Engine: 2.0L Theta II
• Color: Snow White Pearl
• Trim: EX
• Model Year: 2012
• Tire Size: 225/45/17
• Average MPG: 26mpg
• Miles driven so far: 53000 miles

   

Kia Owner Interview

1. Share your thoughts on your Kia car ownership experience!

I’ve enjoyed owning a Kia. It was a great experience and it really got me deeply into the car world

. It’s a very unique car that I don’t think i would’ve have done all this to if it was a Civic or any other typical car I see in the streets. I barely see any Fortes on the street which is why I did a lot for this unique and amazing car.

2. What do other people say about your car?

I’ve gotten so many compliments from people. Many had no clue what it was and after telling them, they were very surprised.

Especially when being pulled over by a trooper. He was surprised and speechless after I told him what car this was. He didn’t believe me, which also led me to evading a ticket haha.

3. How long have you owned your ride?

I’ve owned my Forte since about August of 2011 – little over 3 years now.

4. Honestly, what was your intention when you bought your Kia?

My honest intention when i bought this was really in no way of changing it the way I did. I thought I’d be driving it like any other car.

No mods or appearance changes but something about this car after owning it, made me do the things i did to it.

   

5. What do you like the most about your ride?

The thing i like most about my ride is it’s beautiful look, form and style the car was made. It really helped when changing the appearance of it especially the wheels, the color, spoiler, etc.

6. What is it that makes your ride look unique?

I think the color theme, the wheels, and the headlights are what make this car really unique and stand out.

7. What accessories have you installed so far / do you have any future plans?

The things I’ve done so far are OBX headers, Short Ram Intake, Custom made headlights, LED tail lights, XXR 527 Chromium Black Wheels, Window Tints, CF vinyl Hood and Roof, new horns, conversion of the koup bumper onto the sedan, kenwood aftermarket radio, lightweight pulley, footwell lights, Viper full security and alarm, lowered on ARK springs, and magna-flow cat-back exhaust.

My future plan is to purchase a turbo kit for her in the next few years.

Thanks for participating in the Kia owners interview! Enjoy your Kia ride!

- See more at: http://www.kia-world.net/forte-ex-sedan-tuning/#sthash.gbfzrRO0.dpuf

Kia's Working On a Small Crossover Hybrid Vehicle | Keffer Kia Mooresville, NC

There is an all-new sub-compact crossover vehicle coming from Kia sometime in 2016, and some members of the media were invited to the Kia design center in Namyang to get a look at a full-scale model! The new vehicle is as yet unnamed, but it will be a hybrid model (a plug-in version will come a little later) that will be set to steal away some of the sales currently enjoyed by the Toyota Prius. No-one in attendance were allowed to take any pictures at the event, but word has it that the new car carries some elements seen in the Kia Niro concept crossover, albeit with a style that is a little more subdued. The profile is reminiscent of an SUV, although its low ride height gives it a crossover personality. Plastic cladding appears around the wheel arches and bumpers, with the finished car set to appeal to a global audience. A new design theme will be featured in the interior, which consumers will get to see when it appears in the new Kia Optima redesign in 2015. The 4,350mm long crossover vehicle is a litter longer than the current Kia Soul, but shorter than the Sportage SUV. Head of overseas marketing for Kia, Spencer Cho, says that the size was chosen to meet the needs of the consumer. He says that Kia listened to the complaints made by Prius owners, using that feedback to correct elements that hybrid owners felt weren’t quite right with their Prius. Hybrid-Electric Powertrain Powertrain details for the new car were not made available, but Cho did reveal that the platform will feature a combines 1.6L GDI petrol engine and an electric motor that will help improve fuel economy. Cho said that the current Prius gets 57mpg US, and that the next model should hit 60mpg US. He noted that Kia is shooting for over 50 mpg US for their model. Stay tuned as we bring more news and information on the upcoming Kia crossover vehicle! - See more at: http://www.kia-world.net/kia-small-crossover-hybrid-vehicle/#sthash.PfvkYujr.dpuf

Next Generation Kia Sorento Teased

By Keffer Kia |

Kia Teases Third Generation Sorento W/ Video

Just recently the 2015 Kia Sorento has been introduced, is available with a starting MSRP of $24,300 and is capable of an estimated fuel economy of 19 city/ 27 highway mpg. This current generation of Sorento have rounded off, smoothed out, more subtle curves. Its chrome accents, grille, headlights, and other exterior details that give it the athletic facial structure with a twinge of luxury.

Looking ahead into the future, we have discovered that it’s official, Kia teases the third generation of Sorento with a video, to give a sneak peak of what they have planned. Kia isn’t saying or showing off much yet, but they have released this digital image of what we may expect the next Sorento to look like. Hard to tell, but by the looks of things, the next-generation Sorento won’t quite be so mellow in design, but instead will be showing off some new curves.

As shadowy as the image may be, so not to give too much away, you might have noticed that the windows look narrower which is in account of the lower roofline and higher beltline design. The Sorento’s face will now be showing off its “tiger-nose grille” to better suit its newly rounded off shoulders and overall most muscular build compared to previous models.

Be sure to check out the video below and see how Kia created this teaser design of the third generation Sorento. It gives more clues to the body stylings we can expect to see in the near future. In fact, Kia plans to fully unveil the next-generation Sorento at the end of this month.

Until we learn more about the third generation Sorento, we invite you explore the current models we have available here at Keffer Kia. The Sorento is Kia’s best-selling SUV, and we invite you to test drive this smooth and refined ride.

Updates For 2015 Kia Cadenza

By Keffer Kia |

2015 Cadenza Will Redefine Kia Brand

Aside from the all-new K900 that is soon to be released, the Cadenza is the leading luxury vehicle within Kia’s vehicle lineup, and for 2015, the Cadenza will utterly redefine luxury for Kia sedans. According to a recent press release sent out by Kia media, the company believes that the 2015 Cadenza will redefine Kia brand.

In order to revise and upgrade the Cadenza, Kia needed to find ways to take premium to an even higher level. The three overlying categories that Kia is making certain the Cadenza is fully equipped with, and ahead of the competition on, are luxury, technology and convenience.

The 2015 Cadenza will be offered in two different trim levels, the Premium and the Limited. The Limited trim in particular has been overhauled to include physical body improvements including an all-new grille and gender garnish in addition to interior upgrades.

Flex Steer now comes standard as well as Kia’s 360-degree camera system, Surround View Monitor, that gives an overhead view of the vehicle, new LED lighting and analogue clock design, as well as accenting chrome trim pieces throughout the sedan’s body.

Both trim levels, the Premium and the Limited will gain an eight-way power adjustable passenger seat as well as a 12-way driver’s seat. Drivers who opt for the Technology package (which comes standard on the Limited trim) will receive a slew of advanced safety technology including: Rear Cross Traffic Alert which notifies a driver while in reverse of any passing-by traffic, 19-inch alloy wheels, a “radar-based Advanced Smart Cruise control System, Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning system, electronic parking brake, and water-repellent Hydrophobic front side windows for improved visibility during inclement weather.”

This is all the information that Kia has currently released on the 2015 Cadenza, and until more information becomes available we welcome you to explore the abilities of the 2014 model, and encourage you to try it out on a test drive before holding out, and considering the up-coming 2015 Kia Cadenza.

Accessorize Your Soul To Fit Your Lifestyle

Available Kia Soul Accessories

The Kia Soul is all about practicality and individuality, and how do you make an already unique car stand out even more while also making your life easier, you accessorize. Rather than Soul surfin’ the internet for just any items and accessories that are cheaply made or don’t fit, check out the available Kia Soul accessories specifically designed to fit seamlessly to your Soul.

To give you a better idea of the items available for this urban hatchback, we have selected a few of the most popular Soul accessories that consumers have been most satisfied with.

Technology:

Interior lighting- light up the night with vibrant floor lighting to set the driving mood, whether you’re getting amped up for a night on the town or taking a mellow drive back home after a long day.

Remote start-from up to 800-feet away you’ll be able to start your Soul, especially recommended for those in colder climates to prevent sitting there watching your windshield defrost slower than Internet Explorer loads.

Auto-dimming mirror with compass and HomeLink- it’s always helpful to know what direction you’re headed in, especially with a digital compass located in a convenient place. Also, when glancing up into your mirror, you won’t have to worry about squinting to see beyond the bright and piercing glare of reflecting headlights; meanwhile, HomeLink is always there as a backup should a problem ever arise.

Exterior:

Puddle lights- give your Soul that night club look with LED puddle lamps located beneath your vehicle to illuminate the bottom and entrance to your vehicle.

Roof Bike Attachment- save your cabin space for cargo and passengers by safely securing your bike atop the roof of your Soul.

Interior:

Sport pedals- don’t just get the look, but the feel too with the Soul sport pedals. Experience a more interactive drive, and when lifting your foot from pedal to pedal, the rubber pads prevent any slipping while the brushed metal gives it a professional look.

Floor mats, all-weather- never worry about tracking ice, snow, or sand across the carpet of your Soul with custom-fitted rubber floor mats that not only protect but make for quick and easy cleaning.

Feeling the Summer Heat? Your Car Battery is Too

July 8, 2014

If the heat of summer is wearing you down, it is likely taking its toll on your car battery too. Contrary to popular belief, summer highs rather than winter lows pose the greater threat to battery life, according to the non-profit Car Care Council.

Sooner or later all batteries have to be replaced. Excessive heat and overcharging are the two main reasons for shortened battery life. Heat causes battery fluid to evaporate, thus damaging the internal structure of the battery. A malfunctioning component in the charging system, usually the voltage regulator, allows too high a charging rate, leading to slow death for a battery.

“When most motorists think of dead batteries that cause starting failure, they think of severe winter weather, but summer heat is the real culprit,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Many battery problems start long before the temperatures drop. Heat, more than cold, shortens battery life.”

Colder temperatures increase the thickness of the engine oil, making the engine harder to turn over, causing the battery to have to work more. These factors lead to harder starting.

To get the most life out of a battery, the Car Care Council suggests the following simple steps:

• Be sure the electrical system is charging at the correct rate; overcharging can damage a battery as quickly as undercharging.

• If your battery is the type that needs to be topped off, check it regularly, especially in hot weather. Add distilled water when necessary.

• Always replace a battery with one that’s rated at least as high as the one originally specified.

• Keep the top of the battery clean. Dirt becomes a conductor, which drains battery power. Further, as corrosion accumulates on battery terminals it becomes an insulator, inhibiting current flow.

Driving habits such as frequent engine on/off cycles will cause more wear on the starter than a simple back and forth to work. Other factors include driving and weather conditions, mileage, vehicle age and excessive electrical draws like in-vehicle entertainment systems. Check the battery if you notice headlights and interior lights dim, accessories that fail to operate, or the “check engine” and/or battery light illuminated.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a free copy of the council’s popular Car Care Guide or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.