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2013 Kia Sportage SX AWD: A Wonderful Compact SUV For A Bad Weather Week

If you want more power in a small SUV Crossover, try the turbo-charged SX model in the 2013 Kia Sportage. The 6 speed automatic transmission combines with the 2-liter, 4 cylinder to push this Kia to 260 horsepower, which is enough to let your feel that this is more than a simple get-you-where-you-want-to-go vehicle.

The Kia Sportage is not a new vehicle. In fact, it was one of the first cars that was introduced to the US market when Kia opened up shop in this country. At that time, it was a straight-forward, compact SUV that could go off-road and it was priced low enough for most people to afford it. As the trend moved towards smaller and smaller utility vehicles, and more premium and luxury touches inside, the line became blurred between crossovers, body-on-car frame, body-on-truck frame, sit-high-to-the-ground, sit-high-to-the-ground, and every other combination of confusion. The little Sportage somehow made it through all the mixture and has been a consistent, low-priced compact utility vehicle.

Kia provided a new 2013 Sportage SX All-Wheel-Drive model for a week-long media test drive. It was an attractive 'Signal Red' with a black interior. It came equipped with a laundry list of included items, mostly because the SX is the top trim level available for the Sportage. In addition, it had the SX Premium Package added that included a lot of extras, which were most appreciated during the cold, wintry weather mix we experienced that week.

The Compact SUV class of vehicles is fairly crowded with entries, even if they are not necessarily designated as such. The Kia Sportage fits right into the group with a decent price, attractive exterior, good handling, and a lot of technological niceties. The downsides are that the price is not longer near the bottom of the pack and off-roading capability has disappeared.

There are three trim levels in the 2013 Sportage: LX, EX, and SX. The LX is the base entry and because it is the lowest price, is the most popular. It is outfitted with manual transmission and almost everything extra is considered an option. The mid-level trim model is the EX and includes the Convenience Package. The top trim level is the SX. The SX offers so much more, including 18-inch wheels, dual exhaust, leather seats, push-button ignition, Supervision gauges, and a lot more.

The SX test model furnished had an MSRP of $28,400 with a Navigation System and SX Premium Package added. This made the ride so much more enjoyable, especially during the extreme bad weather. The Premium Package provides heated front seats, air-cooled drivers seat, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, cargo cover, panoramic sunroof, and heated outside mirrors.

Driving and handling was more than adequate. It was not a family car by day and a race car by night. It was a crossover SUV that could take bumpy roads, icy slick surfaces, and mushy wet dirt roads equally well. The All-Wheel-Drive with a locking center differential was the key to the bad weather driving. The 2013 Sportage has a thick steering wheel which is easy to hold onto during harsh driving conditions. The wheel is both tilt and telescoping, as well as leather-wrapped.

Cargo room was less than what had been expected for a vehicle called an SUV. But remember, this is a Compact Crossover. The rear seats can be folded flat with the rear cargo floor and there is also a storage bin under the floor. Without the rear seats being used, cargo capacity is barely over 26 cubic feet.

There is not very much to complain about in the 2013 Kia Sportage. The door panels are hard plastic rather than soft padded leather. Taking the vehicle on the highway for a several hour road trip made me very aware of how hard plastic can affect your arm when you are resting it on the door panel. I liked the driver's seat height adjustment, which allowed me to raise the seat sufficiently for my height. However, the passenger seat was limited to front and back movement only.

The 2013 Kia Sportage SX is EPA rated at 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg overall. At the end of the week, I was reading just 22.4 mpg overall and that included about 50% Interstate highway driving. The possible culprit in the lower-than-expected mileage was the severe weather and muddy back roads.

Although it had a little too much hard plastic in the cabin area and not enough cargo capacity, I really did like that turbocharged engine in the SX. It really did handle those back-roads well. The cabin was very comfortable and allowed me to enjoy the ride. The technology was everything needed to make the week enjoyable and entertaining - at least when I was not doing battle with the 'thunder-snow' weather and resulting ice pellets.

Courtesy of Examiner

Maintenance Monday Tip: Tape saves light covers

A cracked taillight or turn-signal cover, if left alone, may allow your light compartment to fill with water and cause some real damage. A good short-term fix is to tape over the crack. Use the red or orange tape that’s made for this purpose.You can purchase it at many automotive parts stores.

Courtesy of Reader's Digest

Kia Optima Hybrid Review

We went to New Orleans for the 2nd time for our anniversary and this time we drove the Kia Optima Hybrid and I truly fell in love! I almost bought one back in December then went to the Forte and decided last minute that I did not want to settle and wanted the Optima so we are waiting for that wonderful time of year (TAX Time) to come around so we can buy me my first "Brand New" Car. I'm super excited because even though I've bought newer cars they have always been used! Now let me tell you all about the Optima:

SPECS:

Engine:
Type: 2.4, 4 Cylinder, Full Parallel Hybrid
Horsepower SULEV (SAE net): 166 @ 6,000 rpm
Torque: (SAE net): 195 lbs.
Transmission: 6 speed Electronically Controlled Sportmatic Overdrive

Fuel Economy:
Estimated City/Highway: 34/39
Combined: 36
Fuel Capacity (Gallons): 18.5

The best thing about this car was the Fuel Efficiency. I have never driven a Hybrid Car before and both Brian and I were extremely impressed. We drove all the way to New Orleans ( over 559.25 miles) and had to fill up only once after we got gas here in Spring Hill, TN. Another thing that impressed me was how extremely quiet the car was. I had to check a couple of times when I started the car to make sure it was on! The way it switched from regular gas to the Hybrid engine was very smooth.

Navigation System:
AM/FM/MP3?Sirius XM Audio System: Whether it's my songs on my Iphone, Pandora, Sirius, or regular Radio. Whatever your in the mood for.
Infinity Speakers: The Infinity Speakers mean you can look cool AND sound cool for the kids.
Navigation: I get lost going to the grocery store, but with Navigation I can drive all the way to New Orleans without stopping for directions.
Rear Camera Display: My love for this feature never dies. With driving in New Orleans everything was tight so this came in handy.
USB/Auxillary Input Jacks: My iPhone….aka My Right Hand
BLUETOOTH Wireless: Easy to call home and check on the kids
Smart Key & Push Button Start: For someone who has locked her keys in the car this is just…well. SMART!
Panaromic Tilt/Sliding Sunroof: Again makes me look cooler than I am

I've talked before about my love for a good navigation system. It's because they are just so convenient! Plus, I don't have one in the Expedition so it's envy as well. There's always something to listen to.

Overall Experience:
This was a car that felt good and looked good. PLUS, it's good for the environment! A 5 Star Crash Rating isn't too shabby either! Bottom line, we had a great time driving this car to New Orleans. It was just what I needed. I always fall in love with cars I review, but this one I'm making my next purchase! Like I keep saying, it's a Cool car and any reason that I look like a cool Mom in front of the kids I'll take!

Courtesy of Southern Bella's Ways To Save (Blog)

Car Care: The Do's and Don't of Car Washing

Fact: Frequent washing is the single best thing you can do to maintain your vehicleis finish and preserve its showroom shape.

Fact: Careless washing can leave the paint in worse condition than when you started.

Yes, as simple and easy as a casual driveway carwash seems on a bright Saturday morning, there are subtle pitfalls with which a careless washer could actually harm the finish, leaving scratches or stains that could require extra work to remove. Half the battle is just being aware of the potential problems. Then following through by using the right materials and techniques will make that wash as simple and easy as it should be, while also giving you the spiffy results you want. Hereis a list of some basic car-washing dois and donits that will help you keep your vehicleis finish in prime condition.

Don't wait to do a full wash if you see bird droppings, dead bugs, or other obvious contaminants building up on the paint surface. Bird droppings, in particular, have a high acidity that, if left on the paint for any length of time, can eat into the clear coat. If they reach deep enough, these scars can only be removed by sanding and repainting. Rinse this type of debris off the surface as soon as possible, using either water or an instant-detailer type of product.

Do rinse your vehicle off after a period of rainy weather if your region suffers from acid rain. The acidic chemicals in the rainwater will remain on the surface after the droplets have evaporated, leaving a mark that can permanently stain the paint.

Don't wash your vehicle when the sheetmetal is hot. The heat causes the soap and water to dry much faster than on a cool surface, which can make the washing process harder and possibly dull the finish. First thing in the morning is a good time to do a wash, or, if the vehicleis been parked in the shade for a while, the metal is likely to be cool enough to do it any time of the day.

Do hose off the vehicle before washing. A thorough ipre-rinsei will not only help cool off the sheetmetal, but will also remove loose dirt, leaves, or other debris that could scratch the paint if caught under a sponge or towel. If thereis packed-on mud, use a strong steady stream to break it up and rinse it off entirely.

Don't use a household detergent to wash your car. This is one of the most common mistakes. Dish soap, laundry soap, and household cleaners are often too harsh to use on a caris paint. They can strip off the protective wax coating and possibly dull the paintis finish. A dedicated carwash formula, on the other hand, is formulated with a milder soap that doesnit affect the protective coating.

Do wash the vehicle in sections. Wash and rinse one area at a time. This will help prevent the sudsy water from drying on the paint before you can rinse it off.

Don't use abrasive material on the paint. Whether washing or drying, never use a cloth or other material with a surface that can leave hairline scratches. A large sponge works well, or many professional detailers prefer to use a lambis-wool mitt. The thick nap of the lambis wool allows loose particles to be worked up into the wool rather than remaining on the surface. Whichever you use, apply lots of suds to help keep the paint surface well lubricated.

Do rinse out the sponge or mitt often. Itis preferable to use separate buckets for suds and rinse water, which keeps dirt from getting mixed into the sudsy wash water. Squeeze the sponge/mitt out in the rinse water and then dip it into the soap bucket for a fresh batch of suds.

Don't continue to use a sponge or mitt thatis been dropped onto the ground. It could instantly pick up large particles of dirt that, although you may not see them, could scratch the paint.

Do use a bug-and-tar remover to finish the job. Mild carwash formulas often arenit tough enough to remove road tar, grease, or similar residues. For this, a strong bug-and-tar remover is necessary. Since this type of grime will usually blacken whatever you use to clean it, itis advisable to use a separate cloth for this job instead of your sponge or mitt.

Don't use your sponge or mitt to clean the wheels and tires. Because of the brake dust and road debris that collects here, itis often the dirtiest part of the car. Again, use a separate cloth or sponge. If the residue is light, soap and water will usually clean it adequately. For more stubborn grunge, use a special wheel cleaner and brush. Be sure to use a product thatis appropriate for your type of wheels. For instance, a strong acidic product formulated for mag wheels could damage the clear coat used on most modern original-equipment rims. If in doubt, look for one thatis labeled safe for all wheel surfaces.

Do a final overall rinse. A fine spray is preferable for rinsing. In addition, spraying the water on at a low angle will help form a sheet of water that will better cover the contours of the body, plus will keep splashing to a minimum.

Don't allow the water droplets to dry on their own. Especially in areas with hard water, the tap water used for rinsing will have a high mineral content. When the water evaporates, it leaves the minerals on the paint, which creates noticeable water spots. Not only are these unsightly, but if left on the finish for a long time, they could eat into the paint and become difficult to remove. Even a iblow dry,i achieved by driving around the block, isnit going to give you satisfactory results.

Do use a chamois, terry towel, or synthetic chamois to dry the vehicle. If you choose to use a terry towel, as many professional detailing shops do, have several on hand. A natural chamois works well, but requires more maintenance. It canit be stored wet and becomes stiff when dry, needing to be remoistened before use. An artificial chamois will often absorb more water, is machine washable, and some types can be stored moist without mildewing. One way to speed up the drying process is to use a soft-rubber squeegee or similar type of product to wipe most of the water off of the surface before you follow up with a chamois or towel.

Courtesy of MotorTrend.com

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"This is a great company to deal with. The staff is very friendly and honest and the customer service is outstanding! I will definitely use this facility for future purchases and/or service!" - Sarah B.

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First Drive: 2013 Kia Optima Sx Limited

The Optima has been on the road already for some time, and in Chicago, earlier this year, Kia introduced the SX Limited, the top trim variant. As this model is not available in Europe, I was happy I could drive it when the Los Angeles auto show lured me away to California in November.

I still remember the unanimous media approval when Kia unveiled its new midsize sedan in early 2010 and as soon as the Optima arrived on the market about a year later, it made Kia sales surging.

The new Optima made waves because of its stunning new design, that was honored with the Red Dot Product Design Award 2011. The credit goes to Kia's design chief Peter Schreyer and his team. In 2006, Schreyer joined Kia as Chief Design Officer after two decades at Audi and Volkswagen and he has since coordinated design at Kia's styling studios in Korea, Frankfurt, Los Angeles and Tokyo.
At his arrival at Kia, the Soul was almost production ready and Schreyer replaced the grille by one with the ch

aracteristic hexagonal shape, which later formed part of Kia's new, recognizable 'face', known as 'tiger nose'.

But it is not only about design, when we talk about the Optima. It is also about fit, finish and performance. Since its launch, the Optima has won other prestigious awards, such as 'Best Family Car of 2012' and the 'Top Safety Pick' of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), while ranking highest in a tie with the Volkswagen Passat in the midsize car category of J.D. Power & Association and the 2012 Automotive Performance Execution and Layout Study.

When picking up the white SX Limited, I thought how well white becomes cars in sunny California. Contrary to Europe, where white is pretty exceptional. In The Netherlands we even say: "Met een witte, blijf je zitten", which translates into 'with a white one, you'll get stuck' (hard to resell).

Anyway, Snow White Pearl enhances the Optima's styling, shows its lines and makes it look larger. The SXL is based on the turbocharged Optima SX and has LED daytime running lights, chrome accented rear spoiler and lower door sills, while red brake calipers are visible through the SXL's unique 18-inc

h wheels.
In Europe, the Optima with its length of 191 inches, is considered as a large business sedan and to be honest, it does not look very 'medium' on American roads either.

The interior is well executed and offers a rich standard equipment, that is not common yet in many other models in its segment. To mention some: Nappa leather in white or black, wood interior trim, eight-way power driver seat with memory, dual zone air conditioning, full map navigation with integrated rear view camera, Nappa leather interior, electronic parking brake, instrument panel with LCD display, steering wheel with paddle shifters, metal pedals panoramic sunroof, 4-way power front passenger seat, heated/cooled front seats, heated rear seats and Infinity audio system, and not to forget the first aid kit.
The cabin offers excellent space, the driver seat - eight-way power adjustable with memory - can be easily adjusted and offers enough comfort and support. Six-feet tall passengers in the rear have plenty of leg- and headroom, but the panoramic roof eats away a little bit of space.

Even with a full size spare wheel (YEA!!!!), luggage space is excellent, but when my suitcases were

loaded, I noticed the old-fashioned hinges. Of course, they are sturdier and cheaper than hydraulic units, but they are unprotected, meaning they take space when you close the boot lid and then can easily crack your luggage.

Technically, the SXL is the same as the Optima SX and is equipped with the 2.0-liter turbo charged engine that produces 274 hp at 6,000 rpm and has 269 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm. The four-cylinder is a strong, but quiet performer and a fair alternative to a V-6 motor. Its response is quick and sophisticated and the six-speed automatic transmission is well tuned to work together with the engine and downshifts smoothly on the right moments to provide engine power, with fuel economy.
The SXL's handling has a sporty touch and there is hardly any body roll. The sport suspension does not completely flatten out bumps, but the ride is not too harsh. A softer compound rubber around the 18-inch wheels will improve this somewhat.

The steering is quick and the Optima feels well-balanced. With its front wheel drive, the car is neutral when turning into corners, but to my taste, could be a bit crispier. The stability is good and the car feels stable in the straight line, also when you push the XSL to higher speeds. When pushing the brake pedal, the Optima comes to a standstill in a smooth and straight way.
I drove the Optima on the freeways around Los Angeles and in the Beach Cities and found it such a nice 'daily driver', that I would not have mind to keep it somewhat longer than the assigned test time.

Courtesy of Google News

Josh is the best, way to go!

"This is the best car buying experience we've had. Josh Flowers is a pro! He took us through every step of the car buying experience, answered all of our questions, worked with us on our payments and made it happen!" - pappyotis

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Josh is the best, way to go!

"This is the best car buying experince we've had. Josh Flowers is a pro! He took us through every step of the car buying experince, answered all of our questions, worked with us on our payments and made it happen!" - pappyotis

Read More Reviews