LA Auto Show With Kia Motors America

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For the past couple of years, Pete and I have been going to the local auto shows with our favorite car brand, Kia Motors America, who is sponsoring this post. When we get that invite to the show, Pete and I both get excited, because that means we get an early look at the cool new autos from Kia! 

This show did not disappoint! 

The funny thing about going to an auto show, like the LA Auto Show with Pete, is that we see the cars through two different sets of eyes. Where I am focused on the number of cup holders and how easy it is for me to see over the dashboard, Pete is there to see all the stats, like how fast the car can go. And, what new tech does it have? 

This year since we have had a Kia at home, we saw some major crossover in our interests, especially with the new 2019 Kia Sorento! We have a Kia Sedona at home for all of our adventures, compliments of Kia. When we travel, they also arrange for us to have either a Sedona or a Sorento. So, knowing that we will hopefully be spending a lot of time in the 2019 Kia Sorento, we both wanted to learn as much as possible about it.

You guys, we were also totally there for the Kia Hampsters. Not going to lie, as soon as we saw them, we both made a beeline to get a picture with them. I mean the LA Auto Show is all about learning, researching, and of course, fun too, right?

Before I get into all the awesome announcements from Kia… the LA Auto Show is going on now through the 10th, so be sure to get up there ASAP. You can see the lineup of vehicles in person along with some other fun things. They have some great people there to answer all your questions.

At the LA Auto Show, you will want to make sure to see to see the all-new 2018 Stinger! 

This vehicle is show-stoppingly beautiful and we can’t wait to drive it, especially Pete! It is being delivered to dealerships right now too.

A five-passenger sportback poised to redefine a segment currently populated by European automakers, the Stinger promises to be the highest-performance production vehicle in the company’s history and is backed by Kia’s industry-leading warranty.  Offered in five trim levels (Stinger, Premium, GT, GT1, GT2) and luxurious accommodations! 

From its sleek front clip through its svelte flanks, and up to its powerful haunches, the Stinger exudes a muscular confidence.  Key to its road presence are the rear-wheel-drive proportions; a long hood and short front overhang, an extended wheelbase to deliver a spacious cabin, and a long rear overhang with strong shoulders.  The Stinger’s stance and visual balance are designed to lend the car an air of elegance and athleticism, rather than boy-racer aggression.

The wide front and rear track, along with the recessed contours along the doors, enhance the visual power of the Stinger’s shoulder line as well as its sportback silhouette.  Other functional elements of the exterior design include large air intakes and air curtains in the front, a smooth underbody, and a rear diffuser on the GT trim enhances aerodynamics, while also reducing lift. The rear valance houses four oval exhaust pipes. Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille sits proudly between complex LED headlamps.

The low-slung cabin with its steeply raked windshield and backlight sits toward the rear of vehicle, creating a fast silhouette.  Inside is a space dedicated to the thrill of driving while cossetting the occupants in luxury.  Typically a high-cost option on most competitors, all Stingers come standard with a leather-appointed interior.  Available ultra-soft Nappa leather covers the deeply contoured seats and the driver’s seat has available air-cell bladders in the seatback and width-adjusting bolsters for optimal support and comfort. 

A confident dashboard creates a strong horizontal plane for the driver to work behind.  The center console is intuitively split into two specific areas: the infotainment controls sit neatly below a large color touchscreen, while the climate and ventilation controls nestle beneath.  Front and center of the driver is a thick hand-stitched multifunction leather-wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifters; the GT trim gets a “D” shaped steering wheel.  The large gauges are ringed in metal and accentuated with sweeping red needles.  An available color TFT screen between the gauges relays performance data such as cornering G-forces³, lap times and engine-oil temperature, along with ancillary information such as the trip computer, driver settings, navigation and diagnostics⁴.  Aeronautically inspired spoked circular vents are found front and rear and a tasteful satin chrome ring encircles the cabin.  The effect is a feeling of cocooned intimacy, enhanced with warm and inviting available multi-color LED ambient lights that softly illuminate the finely crafted interior. The long wheelbase allows for generous front and rear leg room and the low seating position provides ample head room front and back.

The 2019 Kia Sorento is all that we imagined it would be!

We were so happy to be there, front and center, for the unveiling of the refreshed 2019 Sorento SUV at the Los Angeles International Auto Show.

Refined, rugged and roomy, the Sorento remains as capable as ever, but touts a number of visual and feature enhancements, inside and out. Aside from new front and rear fascias, which help achieve a more sophisticated appearance, the cabin is now decidedly more upscale and integrates newly-added technology, including Driver Attention Warning, Lane Keep Assist1 and QuantumLogic™ Surround Sound. In addition, the Sorento now pairs its available 3.3-liter V6 with a new 8-speed automatic transmission for an even smoother and more seamless driving experience.

I’m most excited for the 7-passenger 3-row seating that is now standard on all trims. That pushes this into an even easier choice for those of us with a family of five. The newly-added Driver Assistance Systems, Harman Kardon-audio with QuantumLogic™, and wireless charging also caught my eye.

In addition to everything that makes this vehicle great on the inside, and nice to look at on the outside, it also has a pretty impressive driveability.

So impressive that the 2019 Kia Sorento SUV was able to make its way through Moab’s treacherous Hell’s Revenge, which is one of the most challenging and obstacle-laden off-road trails in the world! I don’t plan to ever take any vehicle on that crazy adventure, but we were blown away that it was able to take that on and look so great doing it!

The 2018 Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

Pete was especially looking forward to seeing Kia’s alternative fuel car line-up and we really loved hearing the announcement about the 2018 Niro Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) at the LA Auto Show. As Kia’s third plug-in model, the Niro PHEV offers the same crossover utility, fun-driving and winning design of the Niro hybrid, but with an estimated 26-miles of All-Electric Range.

It is anticipated to arrive in retailer showrooms by the end of this year!

Being able to casually see inside the vehicles, get in, and sit behind the wheel and learn more about your favorite cars… plus discover new ones, is the best!

Our video (above) has, even more, fun from the LA Auto Show!

Have you driven a Kia lately?