Did You Know Facts: Kia Edition

Since I’ll be posting a few articles this week that are Kia themed, I figured this would be a good time to kick off a NEW SEGMENT on Adam’s Autos! From time to time now, I’ll be posting interesting facts about various cars, brands, etc. that you may have not known. It’s another way for me to bring you relevant and interesting content, while staying true to the theme of this site. So without further ado, let’s get rollin’!

1. Did you know that Kia was initially

a bicycle company?

Yes indeed! First founded in 1944, Kia was a steel tubing and a bicycle parts manufacturer. The company’s first bike rolled out in 1950, and the brand’s first car, the Brisa, was introduced in 1974.

2. Did you know that Kia launched in the United States with just four dealerships?

Shocking, but true. Kia’s launch into the American marketplace in the 90's was turbulent, as their cars were only available in limited places and also sold primarily on price only. Now, the brand is well established and sells cars for many good reasons. Which leads me to my third fact…

3. Kia was recently ranked the highest brand in initial quality in 2016.

This may come as a surprise to some, but with only 83 problems per 100 vehicles last year, Kia beat out brands such as Porsche, Toyota, BMW, and even sister-brand Hyundai in initial quality ratings! The industry average was 105 in 2016. It was the only non-luxury brand to clinch the honor in the past 27 years.

Research, Research

The advertisement I made to pitch the 2017 Forte S to
millennial buyers. Its very well equipped for $25,000,
but many were still weary...

The final fact I listed was actually part of some research I performed for a project a few months ago in college. I analyzed what millennials’ perceptions of the Kia brand are and if they felt their models were affordable for our age group. I also surveyed other ages of individuals, and my findings were interesting. After showing a video about the 2017 Forte to my focus group, I discovered that nearly all individuals except a couple felt that a $25,000 car was too expensive for a young professional. Part of their reasoning behind this is that there would be other bills besides the car note to pay, such as student loans. I created my own advertisement for the 2017 Kia Forte S, which can be equipped with features such as a 10-way power memory driver’s seat, heated seats, a sunroof, HD Radio, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, and much more for just over $25,000. I hoped this would give more of a visual representation to my target audience.

Online Data Shows...

Even more interesting, however, were my online survey findings. Based on the results I pulled, 67% of online participants felt as though $25,000 WAS reasonable for a young professional to afford, totally opposite of my focus group. This online survey was taken by mainly millennials as well. Among other important factors cited by survey participants, many said that performance was a key attribute they look for in their new car purchases. As many of you may know, Kia will be coming out with the 2018 Stinger, a dedicated sports car, this coming fall 2017. If you want more info on that, look back to one of my prior posts on the 2017 NAIAS. (Link: http://www.adamsautos.org/2017/01/my-fave-5-coolest-rides-from-naias-2017.html) This model may possibly satisfy some of those potential buyers. Additionally, most individuals in both the focus group and from the online survey felt as though features such as Bluetooth, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and various safety technologies were necessary.

Regardless of the survey, online or in person, many individuals were surprised that Kia had won high quality awards recently. Does that change your perception of the brand in some way? Did you already know about these awards? There’s always options outside of “the usual bunch”, and Kia definitely intends to continue moving upmarket from the looks of it.

I intend to make one final Kia week post soon, so stay tuned!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

New Kid on the Block: 2017 Kia Niro

Welcome to Kia Week on Adam’s Autos! Being one of the fastest growing brands out there currently, its only right that I take a moment and analyze some of their newest, most innovative models.

Let’s face it: Hybrids aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, and small crossover SUVs are one of the hottest selling segments out right now. Therefore, Kia’s decision to introduce an all-new model that slots between the Soul and Sportage in size and somehow incorporates both of the aforementioned elements should come as no surprise. Enter the 2017 Niro, “a new kind of crossover” according to Kia themselves.

Kia's new Niro crossover is literally just that: A crossover between a traditional small SUV and a highly-efficient, practical hybrid. Can it successfully garner up the sales figures that some more established players in this segment have over the years?

So, besides the obvious fact that this car is new and somewhat special in its execution, what else is special about it? I recently had two chances to get up close and personal with the Niro crossover: Once on a trip to Texas for the holidays, and again at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. My personal pictures of the Niro (in grey) on this post are from Texas.

Initial Thoughts

The slits in front of the wheels are functional.

Based on my initial impressions from both encounters, the Niro seems to be solidly built and a strong value in its relatively small segment. While I wasn’t initially a fan of the front-end design of this model, when you consider that many automakers seem to associate the word “hybrid” with “funky design”, the Niro’s face becomes a lot more simplistic and attractive. One rather unique exterior design cue is that the vertical slits just in front of the wheels near the fog lights on the front of the car are functional, and direct air to the brakes to keep them cooler and are also said to improve aerodynamics. This design treatment can be found on the 2017 Kia Optima and Forte, too. Why, if it weren’t for the “Eco Hybrid” badge on the rear hatch, you literally wouldn’t even be able to tell that this model is a hybrid, honestly. That is, until you look at its gauges on the inside, which give you all the useful info you need to know about how fuel-efficient you’re driving, as well as energy flow and battery charging status readouts.

Its What's Inside That Counts

The Niro's interior had a decent amount of leather and soft-touch surfaces given its starting price of just under $23,000. I also was a big fan of the contrasting ice blue stitching found on the seats, steering wheel, and shifter. Overall, a nice effort here.

Speaking of the interior, the model I viewed in Texas was a fully-loaded Touring model. There was no exterior badging that I saw designating the trim level on this early production model. Leather seats, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation (Kia’s UVO infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay is standard on all trims), and Harman/Kardon premium speakers with a subwoofer were just a few of the features included on that model. Other available features include a non-panoramic style sunroof, HID headlights, wireless cellphone charging, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking as part of an advanced technology package. It should be noted that some of these features can be added via a similar package to even the more basic LX model for just over $25,500, which when coupled with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, becomes an incredibly strong value. I’m quite impressed. The only thing that would've made this overall package somewhat stronger was the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD), as the Niro would've truly had a distinguishable edge over its competitors then.

The most notable "hybrid"
badges were on the rear and front fenders.

What's Underneath?

Under the hood, the Niro is powered by a new 1.6-liter Atkinson cycle engine which makes 103 horsepower on its own. Its supplemented by a 43 horsepower electric motor, which will likely provide great low-end torque. Speaking of torque, expect to get 195 pound-feet of it. The only available transmission is a 6-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic transmission), which compliments the “uniqueness” of this model well since other hybrid competitors use CVTs (continuously variable transmissions). A 1.56 kWh lithium ion polymer battery is standard. While I haven’t had a chance to drive the Niro myself yet, from what I understand, most dynamics are nicely balanced, and due to the vehicle’s battery pack being placed UNDER the rear seat, there’s no major loss of interior space or comfort. Interior room was pretty acceptable. But what's key is that this vehicle's design allows for overall day-to-day handling to remain intact, too. "Sport" and "Eco" driving modes are offered, and Kia has also designed a unique system called “Predictive-Energy Control”, which actively analyzes road conditions and adjusts performance accordingly to help maximize the Niro’s efficiency. “Oh you fancy, huh?”

Innovation!

Kia has also apparently engineered the Niro to be quieter than other hybrids, namely the Toyota Prius and Ford C-MAX. Foam filled A and B pillars, a rigid body structure, a standard acoustic windshield, and a steering wheel damper are just a few of the ways Kia accomplished this goal. The info sheet on the Niro in this article is from the 2017 NAIAS and provides additional info on key points about this new model. Click on the images for a larger view. 

However, fuel economy is one area where your results may vary considerably with this crossover. On the very base FE (starting at $22,890), fuel economy is rated at 52 city/49 highway/50 MPG combined, which is just shy of the Prius, but in a crossover! However, you can choose NO options on this model, so I would move up from there unless fuel economy is your main concern. On LX and mid-range EX models, fuel economy is rated at 51 city/46 highway/49 MPG combined, still very good for a small crossover. However, Touring models like the ones I saw are rated at 46/40/43, which is a much more noticeable deficit over the base FE model. This is likely due to additional features being added to the car, in particular the larger 18-inch wheels you get on Touring trims.

Thoughts?

So how do you feel about the new Kia Niro? Would you ever consider a hybrid? While it may not be the outright king of MPGs, its certainly the king of small crossover MPGs now. Plus, the Niro does give other competitors an excellent run for their money, overall. Combine the Niro with Kia’s Optima Hybrid, Optima Hybrid Plug-In, and Soul EV, and it’s clear that the Prius, C-MAX, and other competitors should stay alert! Because Kia has them on their radar.

More Kia week soon!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Fresh Out The Box! Stop, Look & Watch! Its The 2018 Equinox!

The 2018 Chevrolet Equinox is here! I quite liked this Orange Burst color and its fuel economy ratings are acceptable. From the side, I see aspects of the 2018 Traverse's design that have been carried down to the new Equinox, too.

Its ALLLLLLLLLL THAT! Well, maybe for some people anyways. But its hard to deny that the all-new 2018 Chevrolet Equinox has a fresh look that not only brings it more in line with its brand's new design language, but it makes it appear more upscale as well, even in lower trims. This particular example I saw the other day at Feldman Chevrolet in Lansing, Michigan was a more basic LS model in the new Orange Burst Metallic color. I've seen orange as a color on Chevy products in the past (my dad wanted an orange Avalanche some years ago) and always thought it looked tacky, but I must say, on this new Equinox it doesn't look half bad. The interior color was grey cloth, but grey, black, and even brown colored leather is available on higher trim levels.

Trims & More

The 2018 Equinox's interior looks
to use better materials than the 2017 model's.

Speaking of trims, the 2018 Equinox is offered in four: L, LS, LT and Premier. This is definitely less confusing than Chevy products of the past, which offered numerous trims under one "trim", such as 1LT, 2LT, 3LT, 1LTZ, and 2LTZ. One engine is available from the get-go, with two other options coming later, one of which is quite unique. A 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder making 170 horsepower and 203-lb-ft. of torque is standard on all trims. A 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder seen in other GM products will be available (I assume) soon on the top-end Premier trim, and will make around 252 horsepower. What's truly interesting, is that a new-to-North America 1.6-liter turbodiesel-four engine will be offered as well in this generation of the Equinox, making it the only diesel-powered small SUV of its kind on sale right now in the U.S. due to VW's crisis (unless Mazda eventually fires back with their new 2018 CX-5 that was just redesigned as well). All engines except for the 2.0-liter turbo will be paired to a six-speed automatic transmission, but a GM developed nine-speed transmission will be standard on the 2.0. Expect the diesel-powered model to achieve EPA fuel-economy ratings of 40-mpg or more possibly.

On Sight

At first glance the side profile of the car definitely looks more sporty, and the taillights will remind you of the redesigned Cruze, especially the hatchback model. However, looks don't always equal substance, so it needs to be backed up with more. And Chevrolet says this new Equinox weighs 400 pounds less than the outgoing model due to high-strength steel being used more strategically. This should translate to a more nimble driving experience, although the previous Equinox based on my own experiences wasn't awful in that regard. My mother owned a 2011 model, and while it rode smooth, was very roomy, and even handled above average, it was the power department that was the issue.

2017 Equinox; I really didn't like the
refresh they did to this model... Also, our 2011
Equinox seemed too underpowered. It was black,
just like this one.

We had constant engine troubles out of our 2.4-liter 2011 Equinox LS. So much so, until we had to just get rid of it entirely and we got an older, more reliable car (a Buick Lucerne CXS) to replace it! You could floor it and its like nothing would happen... Well, you'd clearly HEAR it, but that's about it. However, I feel as though this issue will be rectified in this generation Equinox. I can't help but notice that the engines this time around make much more torque, which is great, since a 1.5-liter, or even the old 2.4-liter engine in a car of this size without proper tuning will likely prove too weak to move the vehicle out well. Couple that with the "active eco" mode that you had in older four-cylinder Equinoxes, and it felt like you were driving a tortoise that had zombies strapped to its feet. To add insult to injury, we were never able to match the EPA's advertised 22 city/32 highway rating in our 2011 Equinox either... Thus, I recommend going for the stronger engine options in the Equinox. If you're looking at a pre-2018 model, this would be one of the V6 engine options (note: a 3.0 V6 was offered before the 3.6 V6). However, for 2018, you would of course have to go for the 2.0-liter engine, which makes less horsepower than the outgoing 3.6 V6, but will be paired to a better transmission.

Changing Seasons

Overall, the Equinox has come full circle. The new model looks more solid and upscale than the 2017 on the exterior, its interior still looks to be roomy and have less plastic all over in higher trims (although the standard subwoofer is now gone, which is disappointing), and what's more is that its well equipped even in lower trims. Starting at $24,475 with the L model, the LS model that I stopped to look at stickered for $27,010 and comes standard with OnStar with 4G LTE Wi-Fi, a 7-inch touchscreen with Chevy's MyLink infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a rear backup camera, Chevy's teen driver alert system, cruise control, and the expected array of modern safety features such as frontal, side, and curtain air bags, traction control, and stability control. Some available or standard features on top trims are rear cross traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, HID or LED headlights, LED taillights, power seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, and a hands-free power liftgate. All-wheel-drive (AWD) is available on all trims except the very base L, but is expensive and adds nearly $4,000 to the price tag... If you live somewhere where you don't absolutely need AWD, then I'd probably skip it. You'll enjoy slightly better fuel economy, too.

What do you think of the 2018 Equinox? Have you ever driven any of the older Equinox models, and what was your experience? Which model's styling do you like best, 2017 or 2018? Undoubtedly, it looks as if the new Equinox is poised to take a bigger chunk out of its competitors' sales and redefine its own image. I look forward to fully testing one myself someday to note all of the intricate differences! Seasons change, but Chevy's Equinox has come better prepared than ever before to weather the elements.

Until next time, there's only one thing to do: ROLL ON!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

3-In-1 = Automotive Fun: Ford Knows How to Fiesta, Porsche’s Green Machine, & GM Sells Opel

2018 Ford Fiesta ST – Less May Just Be More

Ford's 2018 Fiesta ST is packing some additional sport that seeks to make it an even hotter hatch.

Hot hatches are in high demand these days, so Ford’s recent announcement that a new Fiesta ST is on the way should come as no surprise. At first glance, I couldn’t really see a whole lot that was different between the 2017 and 2018 Fiesta ST. However, what’s truly changed is underneath the car’s surface. Ford has replaced the previous 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Power from the all-new aluminum 1.5-liter Ecoboost is rated at 197 HP and 214 pound-feet of torque, and 0-60 is rated at 6.7 seconds, a time that is similar to the outgoing model. What’s unique about this setup, aside from the fact that this powertrain is now lacking an extra cylinder, is that the engine can deactivate a cylinder to save fuel. Supposedly, this process occurs so smoothly until it doesn’t affect performance. I find this to be somewhat frivolous, since a three-cylinder engine is likely to already be highly fuel efficient, despite its performance aspirations. Also, three-cylinder engines are known to feel quite different when driving them when compared to a four-cylinder engine. That’s another topic.

Big Content, Small Package

A manual transmission coupled with new drive modes and a rethought interior ought to make the 2018 Fiesta ST even more appealing to those who see premium performance in a small package.

Now, if you were hoping that this subcompact would eventually switch to rear-wheel drive, then you’re going to have to keep dreaming. The 2018 Fiesta ST will continue to be a front-wheel drive car, but will offer a manual transmission for the performance heads. In addition to this, the Fiesta ST will continue to offer a torque-vectoring system that will work to reduce understeer and new drive modes (Normal, Sport, and Track), which should further spice things up. These modes will alter various mechanical aspects, such as the traction and stability control systems, throttle response, power steering system, and exhaust settings. Liquid Blue will be a new exterior color for the 2018 Fiesta ST, and more personalization options will be available for the interior. Recaro sports seats and Sync 3 are just a couple of the things that can be found on the inside of this new model.

What do you think of this redesigned hot hatch Fiesta? After being officially unveiled at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show, expect Ford to release the new Fiesta ST in early 2018.

___________________________________________________________________________

Porsche’s Green Machine: 2018 Panamera Turbo-S E-Hybrid

The Porsche Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid seeks to give luxury, performance, and efficiency all a new look. Can it do it?

Porsche isn’t the first company you’d think of when you hear the word “hybrid”, but you might just think of them when you hear “performance”. Now, the company wants you to mesh the two images together, because the new Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid seeks to be the best of both worlds. Serving as the new top-end model in the Panamera lineup, the Turbo S E-Hybrid will come with a twin-turbo V8 engine combined with an electric motor, good for a total 680 horsepower. This makes this new Panamera the second most powerful Porsche ever, behind only the 918. Definitely impressive! By itself, the electric motor makes 136 HP. A 14.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack will provide an electric-only range of 31 miles and can be charged in 6 hours through a standard 3.6-kilowatt onboard charger, or 3 hours through a 7.2-kilowatt charger connected to a 240-volt outlet. An 8-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is all-wheel-drive. Thus, power delivery will likely feel very linear.

These lime green brake calipers really accent the Panamera's rims well.

Performance Comes Standard

As you’d expect, a slew of performance-enhancing features come standard on this model, such as ceramic brakes, torque vectoring, an anti-roll active suspension system, and essentially every modern luxury and safety feature you could possibly want I’m sure. I particularly like the green brake calipers if I do say so myself. These performance features do their job apparently, because Porsche says that the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid will do 0-60 in 3.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 193 MPH. Given the power boost provided by the electric powertrain, I’m willing to bet that it’ll be even faster than that and that the off-the-line torque will be strong. However, acceleration may be occasionally blunted by the fact that this car will weigh over 5,000 pounds and comes in two lengths. There’s a 5.9-inch longer wheelbase version (the Executive) that comes with standard rear steering and more luxury features, such as power rear seats and four-zone climate control. Yes, this hybrid Panamera seeks to be the ultimate efficiency and luxury package.

Wallets Beware

…However, all this power and luxury comes at a price. And it’s a relatively steep one, so prepare your wallet. The regular-length Turbo S-E Hybrid starts at $182,450, and the Executive at $195,850. This money will get many of the aforementioned features, however there’s STILL options available. Hey, you gotta pay the cost to be the boss! Looks like Tesla has some hungry competition it seems like.

Would you consider the 2018 Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid? Expect this model to release in the second half of 2017.

___________________________________________________________________________

Transaction Approved: GM Sells Opel

General Motors has owned Vauxhall since 1925 and Opel since 1931. However, a major shake up has just recently been finalized.

This is a PSA! GM has officially sold Opel and Vauxhall to France’s PSA. And no, the brands were not sold through a “public service announcement”. A couple weeks ago, General Motors entered into discussions to sell its Opel and Vauxhall brands to PSA Group, parent company of Peugeot and Citroen. This decision comes as GM seeks to offset declining sales in Europe, but this is still interesting given that GM has owned both brands for nearly a century. The deal was recently finalized. GM’s other brands are hardly relevant in Europe, as Chevy only sells the Corvette there now and Cadillac has hardly any market share. Thus, selling these two brands could be a sign that GM is willing to throw in the towel on the European market.

What's Down The Road?

GM had a small stake in PSA at one point in time, but then sold this stake in 2013. However, the two automakers continued to jointly develop products even after this sale took place. Further cost-cutting will likely happen because of this latest sale, and that means jobs will certainly be lost. But what’s more interesting to me is that Opel has been a key source for sending European products to North American roadways, first through the Saturn brand, and now through Buick. If this sale means the end of that process potentially, Buick could be in some long-term trouble. Many products, such as the Regal (the Opel Insignia in Europe), have been very well-rounded and good sellers for Buick in North America. My mother’s 2013 Regal has been fantastic, and is a very sporty car to drive. My 2008 Saturn Aura has been a wonderful car, too. I hope there’s some way that this product arrangement can continue in the future, since it hangs somewhat in limbo right now. GM seems to have unloaded many decent brands in the last 10 years or so…

Have you purchased any of the “Americanized“ Opel products, and what is your opinion on this sale? How do you think Opel and Vauxhall will fare under PSA Group’s ownership? We will see how things go as time continues to pass.

That’s all for now, stay tuned for more content later! Until next time: ROLL ON!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Rare Rides!

Here's some cars you don't see every day in America! I saw these on a business trip to the Mahindra Headquarters in Michigan as part of my internship awhile back.

In this first picture, the white car with its hood up is the 2016 Ssangyong Tivoli, manufactured by the South Korean Ssangyong Motor Company. The interior shots are from the Tivoli, too. Its powered by either a 1.6-liter unleaded gas or diesel engine, paired to a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. An extended version is available. The minivan-like vehicle next to it is the Mahindra Xylo, manufactured by Mahindra & Mahindra of India. It’s a right-hand drive vehicle, and powered by two turbo-diesel engines (2.2 & 2.5) paired to a 5-speed manual transmission only.

Crossover Takeover

2015 Renault Grand Scenic (Front)

In the second picture shown below, the blue van is the Dacia Lodgy, manufactured by Romanian automaker Dacia. However, its built in both Morocco and India. Three small displacement engines are available, but only with manual transmissions. The silver SUV is the 2015 Renault Grand Scenic, manufactured by French company Renault. The "grand" version seats 7 passengers and is available with primarily diesel engines. A redesign came out for 2016.

Coming to a Roadway Near Us? Maybe?

I've seen a Renault or two on American roadways before, but they're very, very uncommon. The others I'm almost positive you'll never see, period. Especially since brands like Kia and Hyundai are already so prominent in North America, thus making a brand, like say Ssangyong, less relevant here.

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.