The U.S News and World report has named the 2011 Kia Sedona as the Best Minivan for the Money for 2011. Earlier, the popular minivan from Kia has bagged awards like “Top Safety Pick” and “Safest minivan ever tested”. By providing its customers with an outstanding value and for attaining critical acclaim, Sedona has claimed the top honors. Michael Sprague, Vice President of Marketing and Communications Kia Motors America (KMA) says that the Sedona minivan is continuously recognized for offering a complete package of standard technology, convenience and safety features at a fantastic value and is one of the best cars available from Kia Motors.

The complete cost of ownership is really important to consumers in the current economic situation. Sedona’s position as a segment leader in value is strengthened due to the unique formula employed by U.S News & World Report that combines their rankings with overall costs. The “Best Car for the money” award recognizes a vehicle that garnered the most marks for overall value and appeal within its established class and this is where the Sedona ranks really well. To help shoppers identify the best cars in every category, the U.S News car rankings offer an unbiased comparison of each vehicle to its competitors.
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The all-new 2012 Kia Picanto will be available with four super-efficient 1.0L three-cylinder and 1.2L four-cylinder Kappa engines!

After releasing first official images of its brand-new city car, Kia Motors today announced further details regarding the 2012 Picanto, including the engine and transmission options to be offered in Europe.

Kia Picanto buyers across the globe will be able to choose from four fuel-efficient engines. There’ll be three versions of Kia’s 1.0L three-cylinder Kappa engine and one 1.2L four-cylinder Kappa engine available. The first three are basically the same one-litre unit running on petrol, biofuel or a mixture of the two, while the 1.2L only runs on petrol.

Kia Picanto engine outputs will range from 69 to 85 horsepower, while torque numbers will vary from 94 to 121 Nm. In the official press release, Kia also revealed engine exhaust emissions have been significantly reduced, so that regular models in the new Kia Picanto range will have a CO2 rating of 95 to 105 grams per kilometer. Kia’s fuel-stretching Idle Stop & Go technology, which will also be available on some Picanto models, will further cut the CO2 emissions and improve the car’s fuel economy.

The engines will be mated to five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, depending on model. More details about the 2012 Kia Picanto engines will be released on March 1st. at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show where the model will be put on display alongside the 2012 Kia Rio 5-door and Kia Pro_cee’d facelift.

2012 Kia Picanto / Morning (codenamed TA) interior image surfaces to the web…

After a countless number of Picanto spy shots, teaser images and even official shots revealing the stylish exterior design of the upcoming 2012 Kia Picanto, we are now getting a chance to see the car’s modern interior layout for the first time. As evident from the image, Picanto’s interior has been built from ground up and now seems to be more functional and eye-pleasing.

As revealed earlier this week, there will be two body-styles and four-engines available once the new Picanto goes on sale worldwide. Korean-market Kia Picanto will be badged as Kia morning and will initially offer only one engine option; the 1.0L Kappa four-cylinder mill with an estimated output of 82 horsepower. The 1.0L Kappa engine will be mated to either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Mated to the manual gearbox, the 2012 Picanto achieves 22 km/L and 19 km/L when coupled with automatic transmission.

Positioned below Kia Rio, the all-new Picanto measures 3.595 mm long, 1.595 mm wide and 1.485 mm tall. It is build upon a minicar platform which has a 2.385 mm long wheelbase.

According to a source close to Kia, the forth-coming Picanto has an exceptional level of standard safety and convenience features for the mini-car segment.  There are six-airbags, ABS, ESP, Brake Assist System -BAS and Hill Start Assist Control available, as well as navigation system, panoramic sunroof and a large number of other infotainment systems.

The Korean-market Picanto will be officially unveiled at the end of this month, with sales slated to commence shortly after its inaugural Korean premiere. The Euro-specs Picanto will make its official premiere at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show, where Kia will also display the 2012 Rio 5-door hatchback!

2012 Kia Picanto / Morning interior image:

2011 Kia Sportage SX introduced in Canada. Features Kia’s 2.0L GDI Turbo four-cylinder engine!

Kia Canada will soon put on sale a 2011 Sportage SX trim, which will add a brand-new 2.0L GDI turbo engine to the automaker’s line-up. Thanks to the implementation of a cutting-edge powertrain technology, such as gasoline direct injection and turbo systems, the all-new flagship engine produces the power of a V6, while at the same time, delivers the fuel economy of a four-cylinder engine.

Despite its small size, the 2.0L GDI turbo engine boasts more power than the previous 2.7L V6 engine. Kia Canada has not released the power ratings for the new turbo powerplant, but we believe the four-banger will produce the same amount of power (274-hp) as it does in the 2011 Kia Optima Turbo.

The 2.0L turbo engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger for excellent low-end torque, which peaks between 1850-3000 rpm. This state-of-the-art turbo engine will be coupled with Kia’s in-house developed 6-speed automatic transmission. The all-new six-speed automatic features “Neutral Control,” which shifts the transmission into neutral while stuck in traffic (in ‘D range’ and with brakes applied for more than 2 seconds).

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The 2011 Optima from Kia Motors America has been receiving immense recognition for its incredible style and performance. The latest feather added to the cap was it achieving the “Best of 2011″ award from Cars.com. Thanks to its creative styling and exclusive luxury features, the brand-new Kia Optima was chosen for this honor.

Michael Sprague, Vice President Marketing & Communications KMA states that the amazing style and a broad list of luxury features have helped the Optima rake in the recognition. With an aggressive design led transformation, Cars.com believes that the Optima mid-size sedan will drive the brand ahead really well. The brand new Optima has added greatly to an interesting vehicle line up for Kia Motors. The audiences are taking note of Kia’s design led transformation, the fabulous design, tremendous performance and the incredible value and that is reflected well in the award it has received from Cars.com.

The editors of Cars.com screened through more than 70 brand new or redesigned cars that had been released in 2011 before settling on their choice for the “Best of 2011″ award winner. Before making the decision on the winner, the editors had narrowed it down to a list of six.

To earn the award of the “Best of 2011″, the Optima had to defeat automobile industry heavyweights like the BMW 5 Series, Chevrolet Cruze, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Odyssey and the Nissan Leaf. Immense power, fuel economy and strong turbo and hybrid engines are offered in the all new Optima. Some of the latest technological advancements have been installed in this sporty mid-size sedan.

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Kia Motors releases first official images of the 2012 Rio hatchback, which is scheduled to make its official public premiere at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show!

These are the very-first official renderings of the all-new 2012 Kia Rio! Described as the “next big step” in the automaker’s ongoing design revolution, the next-generation Rio hatchback incorporates fresh styling, which should appeal to consumers in the 25-to-49 age range.

Styled under the guidance of Peter Schreyer, Kia’s Chief Design Officer, the 2012 Rio features Kia’s signature grille, swept-back headlights and distinctive character line which rises out of the front wheel towards the rear-end. Inside, the new Rio features attractively styled dashboard and higher grade materials. According to Kia, the new model offers a feeling of quality typically associated with larger and more expensive vehicles.

Kia also says the new Rio hatchback has grown in size, gaining a bit in length and width departments. It’s also a bit lower than the out-going Rio model. Next-generation Rio will be available as a five-door hathcback (as seen on the images) and a four-door sedan. Some sources close to Kia also suggest, the automaker is also developing a three-door variant.

“Downsizing is becoming more and more of a trend these days and a B-segment car as attractive as all-new Rio, with its driver-oriented cabin and interior trim options, will no doubt help consumers to be more comfortable making that switch.  New Rio is the “next big step” in Kia’s design revolution and we anticipate this model becoming even more popular than the current vehicle,” commented Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing at Kia Motors Corporation.

The all-new Rio htachback will be displayed at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show alongside next-generation Kia Picanto city car.

2012 Kia Rio 5-door image gallery:

First images of Kia KV7 concept car pop up to the web.

Kia Motors America has officially unveiled a new design study called KV7 at the 2011 NAIAS.

Conceived as a modern-day “activity van,” the KV7 concept challenges the notion that vans are strictly for family transportation and reveals a vision for a vehicle with the functionality to transport a large number of people and their belongings while also serving as a connected social hub for groups of friends and adventure-seekers.

The KV7 concept’s design stands in sharp contrast to the dramatically raked windshields and wedge-shaped noses found throughout the van segment, and builds on the philosophy of “embracing the box” established by Kia’s funky Soul urban passenger vehicle to create a unique and alluring design language that brings SUV-like qualities to the segment.

“From the outset, we felt the category was in need of an honest reassessment due to the fact that everyone seems so desperate to attach the word ‘sporty’ to their minivan, even though vans, at their very core are simply a box,” said Tom Kearns, chief designer, Kia Motors America. “Rather than reject the box we chose to celebrate it, just like we did with the Kia Soul, and the result is a straightforward yet sophisticated vehicle that retains the functionality vans are known for and meets the changing and diverse needs of today’s consumers.”

Unlike many concept cars, the Kia KV7 does not sit upon a hybrid ( or electric) car platform. Instead, it uses more conventional, but highly-advanced turbo-charged 2.0L four-cylinder engine, which incorporates gasoline direct injection -GDI technology. In the combination with Kia’s six-speed automatic transmission, the 285-horsepower 2.0L Theta II GDI engine delievers V6-type power and performance while maximizing fuel efficiency.

Kia KV7 concept image gallery:

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Red Kia Picanto, caught sitting at one of the Kia showroom floors in South Korea, looks absolutely stunning!

Thanks to our fellow reader and long-time Kia enthusiast, we can show you some exclusive images of the all-new Kia Picanto. The next-generation Picanto will be sold as Kia Morning in the South Korea and is slated to hit the market in the first quarter of the year, while several sources close to Kia state that the all-new Picanto is slated to go on sale in Korea as early as next month!

Thanks for the images, Ch-xx-ul!

Kia Picanto image gallery:

Kia Motors America today released its sales numbers for the month of December 2010. During the last month of 2010, Kia managed to sell 30.444 new cars and SUVs across the USA (best-ever December sales!), while year-to-date sales have eclipsed the 350.000 units for the first time in the automaker’s history.

Kia sales last month were led by Sorento crossover, the automaker’s best-selling vehicle in the States in 2010. The all-new Sorento has been Kia’s best selling vehicle ever since its introduction and its first-year sales have already surpassed the 100.000 sales mark, which is an incredible result for a new vehicle. In December Kia sold 9.801 Sorento crossovers in the States.

Kia Soul and Forte have been both selling very well throughout the year. With 6.367 and 5.694 units sold, respectively, the Soul and Forte took the second and third spot last month. The 2011 Kia Sportage followed both Kia compact cars in fourth with 2.525 units sold, while Kia’s newcomer, the 2011 Optima sedan took fifth place (1880 units sold). Kia also sold 1.226 units of previous generation Optima.

Sales of the afore-mentioned models accounted for 86.3 percent of the December 2010 sales volume revealed Kia Motors America.

How about other models? The Sedona MPV was Kia’s sixth best selling vehicle last month with 1.672 units sold. The Sedona is rumored to be replaced with the all-new model late this year or early next year. You will be able to see the first glimpse of the next generation Sedona MPV at Detroit Motor Show next week, where Kia will put on display its latest concept car called KV7. Many believe that Kia KV7 previews the replacement model for the ageing Sedona MPV…

Rio sales fell to only 900+ units from nearly 4.000 units sold a year earlier, while Borrego SUV sales tumbled to less than 300 units.

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The all-new 2012 Kia Picanto is all set for its official unveiling sheduled for the 2011 Geneva Auto Show in March!

These are the very first official images of the 2012 Kia Picanto. Scheduled to make its official premiere on Tuesday March 1 2011, the next-generation Picanto city car boasts a bolder and more mature exterior appearance. The all-new Picanto city car features significant sculpting and a very prominent rising character line.

The new model has grown in size. Kia says the overall length and wheelbase have been extended in comparisson to the current Picanto. Unlike the current generation Picanto, which is only available as a five-door model, the 2012 Picanto will be offered in two body styles revealed Kia today! The more conventional body trim will be joined by a sportier three door model.

Under the hood, there will be a choice of four four-cylinder engines with displacements of 1.0L and 1.2L. In addition to the standard gasoline and diesel engines, LPG, bi-fuel and flex-fuel variations will be available depending on local market requirements.

Stay tuned for more information!

Official images of the all-new 2012 Kia Picanto / Morning: