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Top 10 Cars under $15,000 from MSN Autos

Chicago Kia Dealer Hawkinson Kia in the Matteson Auto Mall has a HUGE inventory of the Kia Forte

It is no surprise that American consumers are looking to save money wherever thy can these days. In terms of automobiles they are buying, that means people are seeking quality and value from the shallow end of the pool, rather than in the luxury or near luxury markets. The Kia Forte falls into that category.

MSRP: $13,695 ▪ Horsepower: 156 ▪ mpg: 25 city/34 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manualInitial impression: Looks seriously sporty, and it's aggressive, balanced and composed on the street.

The Forte has made great strides for Kia since it hit showrooms in 2009. No longer a second-class citizen, Kia's compact offering is a profound stylistic and mechanical advancement.

The 2010 Kia Forte is an all-new compact sedan, offered in LX, EX and SX trim levels. The LX and EX are powered by a 156-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder combined with either a standard 5-speed manual transmission or an optional 4-speed automatic. The sporty SX is powered by a 173-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or an optional 5-speed automatic with Sportmatic manual-shift mode. The optional Fuel Economy Package, available with the 2.0-liter engine, includes the five-speed automatic transmission, Motor Drive Power Steering, low-rolling resistance tires and aerodynamic enhancements to achieve a fuel-economy rating of 36 mpg highway.


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Hawkinson Kia in the Matteson Auto Mall / Chicago Kia Dealer

Hawkinson Kia in the Matteson Auto has a huge inventory of Kia's top selling models!


Kia Motors posts strong increase in global sales

KIA Motors Corporation recently announced global sales figures for passenger cars, recreational vehicles (RVs) and commercial vehicles for March 2010, show a total of 177,351 units sold, representing a year-on-year increase of 41 per cent.
According to reports, in March Kia posted impressive double-digit year-on-year sales increases in all sales regions.

The Korean auto, company now touted as the world's fastest growing, says it recorded 98.0 per cent increase in China (28,792 units sold), 55.7 per cent in general markets (35,114 units sold), 33.4 per cent in Europe (40,471 units sold), 26.5 per cent in Korea (38,015 units sold) and 23.6 per cent in North America (34,959 units sold).
Cumulatively, through the first three months of 2010, Kia's global sales increased by 46.9 per cent year-on-year and reached 471,010 units, the company said. China experienced the highest gain of 147.8 per cent based on sales of 90,131 units to date in 2010.

Kia's best-selling model in overseas markets for the month of March was the C-segment Cerato (known as Forte in some markets) with 32,283 units sold. The B-segment Sportage compact SUV and Rio compete for second with 17,029 and 16,970 units sold, respectively.


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Hawkinson Kia in the Matteson Auto Mall / Chicago Kia Dealer


It's clear that budget-minded Kia is serious about reinventing its lineup. The Korean upstart is now fielding capable players in most every segment. The next hurdle is to create inspiring vehicles that inject some fun into getting from point A to point B. In this regard, the nifty new Kia Soul hatchback wagon is helping to lead the charge.
With funky styling and four-cylinder power, the compact Kia Soul is gunning for mainstream economy-car shoppers who want something different. Indeed, the Kia hatchback is avant garde in its approach, boasting a swept-back exterior design with interesting angles and a neat cabin filled with distinctive shapes and vibrant colors. It gives Kia a long-overdue injection of, well, soul to complement its well-earned reputation for competence and value.
Current Kia Soul
Spread across four trim levels -- base, +, ! and Sport -- the Kia Soul compact hatchback is feature-rich given its affordable price. Standard features include antilock brakes, stability control, air-conditioning, full power accessories, satellite radio and a USB jack. Higher trims are eligible for niceties like alloy wheels, Bluetooth, premium audio, a sunroof and a two-tone interior. The Sport model also features a sport-tuned suspension and unique bodywork.
Under the hood, the base 1.6-liter engine makes do with just 122 horsepower and a mandatory five-speed manual transmission. Souls on a higher plane get a 2.0-liter four with 142 hp and either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. In performance testing, a Soul Sport with the manual got from zero to 60 mph in 8.8 seconds. Fuel economy is a bit below average for a four-cylinder economy hatchback.
In reviews, we've noted that the 2.0-liter engine is definitely the one to get, though the five-speed manual feels rather rubbery and vague with either engine. The Kia Soul's power steering is a bit numb, but it's precise enough when you need it to be. The Sport model's sporty ride adds some entertainment on twisty roads, but even the base suspension tackles turns with surprising verve. Ride quality is generally satisfactory; however, the bigger wheels you get (and they go up to 18 inches), the more you'll feel every bump in the road.
As expected, the Kia Soul represents impressive value, yet it also shines thanks to its practical yet playful design, which breaks the dull monotone stranglehold of its rivals. The tall cabin is user-friendly, with generous headroom and high-mounted seating that gives passengers a commanding view plus a fair amount of legroom. However, there's not a lot of space for cargo compared to what you'll find in some competitors. Nonetheless, the Soul's boxy design is convenient for hauling large items.
Overall, we think highly of Kia's new Soul, and recommend it to anyone looking for an affordable yet desirable economy car.


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2010 Kia Sportage Review

The 2010 Kia Sportage is a good little crossover SUV.

The Sportage's long-standing midpack status dates all the way back to the model's U.S. introduction in 1995, when it broke new ground as one of the first truly compact sport-utility vehicles. Unfortunately, that original version was also rather crude, and it was quickly eclipsed by more refined entries from Honda and Toyota.
Kia went back to the drawing board and rolled out an all-new Sportage in 2004.

Built on a more carlike unibody platform, this second-generation Sportage was a dramatic improvement over the previous version.

There is one area where the Kia Sportage does manage to one-up its competitors, however, and that's the value proposition it offers.

Compare its list of standard features with the Honda and Toyota, then take a look at their respective MSRPs and you'll discover that buying the Sportage can save you thousands of dollars. Figure in Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and this Korean crossover begins to look even better. As such, the Sportage is best suited for buyers whose first concern is finding a relative bargain.

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Hawkinson Kia in the Matteson Auto Mall / Chicago Kia Dealer

2010 Kia Rio

Best Bang for your Buck!!

Review

This little car is amazing. It has have plenty of room! MPG are 30.4 after 2k miles of mixed driving with AC on. Not too shabby at all! Amenities are bar none for this class.

Favorite Features are leather wrapped steering wheel with mounted audio and cruise controls. USB jack and auxiliary jack for my music listening convenience! Nice red stitched sport cloth. Great little peppy/sprightly engine, nice stereo, great 16 inch rims! FUN TO DRIVE!

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Kia Optima Coupe: Early Look at Future Two-Door


Kia's Optima sedan is all-new for 2011.
Optima sedan was unveiled at the New York auto show.
SANTA MONICA, California — Kia introduced its redesigned 2011 Optima just last month at the 2010 New York Auto Show, and now Inside Line has photo illustrations of the new Optima sedan less two doors, a shape that could become the Optima coupe.
Built on a new platform, the 2011 Kia Optima sedan is longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model, and its newly stretched dimensions look even more appealing in coupe form.
An Optima coupe (or Optima Koup, as Kia might choose to follow the same marketing direction established by its Forte Koup would likely offer the same powertrain choices available for the Optima sedan. The midsize sedan presently comes equipped with either a 200-horsepower direct-injection, 2.4-liter inline-4 or a 274-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4. The sedan comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional six-speed automatic with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The 2011 Optima sedan arrives in dealers later this fall. A coupe version would likely follow a year later.

Inside Line says: Kia has finally taken a sharp turn down style avenue, so what better way to spotlight its fresh Optima than by adding a good-looking coupe — Kelly Toepke, News Editor

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Edmunds.com Top Ten Lowest Priced SUV's

The Kia Sportage has come a long way. When it was first introduced in the U.S. in the mid-1990s, it was a cute but relatively unimpressive mini-SUV. It was underpowered, its interior was cheap and it was plagued with quality issues. Although Kia revised and updated the Sportage through the years, the modest changes weren't enough to keep it competitive. In 2002, Kia dropped the model from its lineup and went back to the drawing board. The company finally introduced a new and much-improved Sportage a few years ago.
Current Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV available in two trim levels: LX and EX. The Sportage offers the kind of performance and refinement usually associated with the small SUVs from Japanese automakers. Both trims are equipped with a healthy list of standard amenities, such as alloy wheels, air-conditioning, a six-speaker CD stereo with auxiliary and USB audio jacks, full power accessories and tinted glass.
The Kia Sportage may not look too big from the outside, but the interior has plenty of headroom and legroom, both in the front and the back. The rear seats split and fold flat for a level cargo floor and a maximum of 67 cubic feet of storage. Fit and finish is impressive, and the Sportage provides a surprising number of safety features for its class. There are a total of six standard airbags, including front- and side-impact airbags for driver and passenger, and side curtain airbags for front- and rear-seat occupants. Traction control and four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard on all trims.
The LX is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine capable of 140 horsepower. It comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, and a four-speed automatic is available as an option. Most Sportages with this engine are front-wheel drive, though Kia does offer 4WD on manual transmission-equipped models. As an upgrade for the Sportage LX, Kia offers a 173-hp 2.7-liter V6. It comes standard with the automatic transmission and can be had with FWD or 4WD. The EX trim is available only with the V6.
In road tests and reviews, our editors have found the Kia Sportage to be a competent SUV overall. It has earned high marks for its long list of standard safety gear, impressive warranty, comfortable interior, sporty handling and strong value. The main drawback to the Sportage is its powertrain. Even with the V6, acceleration is no more than adequate.

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Edmunds.com reviews the Kia Forte

In recent years, some of the most improved players on the automotive playing field have been entry-level compact sedans. Many of these so-called economy cars now offer levels of style and equipment that rival larger and more expensive four-doors. A good example is the Kia Forte sedan, a sharp-looking replacement for the outdated Spectra. While it's hardly the MVP in this segment, the Forte is a strong candidate for most-improved honors.
Underneath its crisp if somewhat derivative sheet metal, the Kia Forte is related to the Hyundai Elantra. The engine lineup consists of a base 2.0-liter inline-4 on LX and EX models, and a larger 2.4-liter four on the top-level SX. Notably, the EX model can be had with a Fuel Economy package that includes a five-speed automatic and other economy-minded features. All Fortes come standard with Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls and Kia's 100,000-mile warranty -- nice touches at this price point.
Amid the growing crowd of compacts, this affordable Kia holds its own. We consider the Forte a legitimate alternative to traditional segment leaders due to its eye-catching style, competitive feature content and good value.
Current Kia Forte
The Kia Forte debuted for the 2010 model year. A compact sedan that's surprisingly well equipped, the Forte comes standard with four-wheel disc brakes, ABS, stability control, Bluetooth, satellite radio and a CD stereo with auxiliary and USB jacks and steering-wheel controls. Upgrading from the base LX trim level to the EX model adds alloy wheels, air-conditioning, full power accessories and cruise control, plus the availability of leather trim and heated seats. The EX is eligible for a Fuel Economy package that adds a five-speed automatic transmission, low-rolling-resistance tires and electric power steering. The sportier SX trim features the larger engine, 17-inch alloy wheels, firmer suspension tuning, a telescoping steering wheel and various interior upgrades. A sunroof is available on the EX and SX.
The LX and EX come with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes a healthy 156 horsepower. A five-speed manual is the standard transmission, and a four-speed automatic (five-speed with the EX Fuel Economy package) is optional. The SX comes with a 2.4-liter four good for 173 hp, and its standard manual transmission has six forward speeds, with a five-speed automatic being optional.
In reviews, our editors have praised the Kia Forte's tidy styling, noting that its Civic-like face and Lexus IS-style taillights are derivative but nonetheless sure to grab their share of attention. We've also praised this Kia's clean and pleasant cabin layout. On the road, however, the Forte is a mixed bag. The Forte SX supposedly has a sport-tuned suspension, but ample body roll and vague steering conspire to take some of the fun away as speeds increase, and LX and EX models are even less athletic.
Ride compliance is adequate, but large bumps and ruts can deliver jolts, and tire roar is sometimes intrusive. The four-speed automatic's gearing is too tall, so we'd advise going with the manual or the Fuel Economy package's five-speed automatic. On the bright side, the Kia Forte delivers competitive fuel economy, and its value equation is a strong selling point.

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Kia Forte



Recent Consumer Reviews from Edmunds.com

We think Kia has a winner!

Vehicle
2010 Kia Forte Koup SX 2dr Coupe (2.4L 4cyl 6M)

Review
Picked this car up just over two weeks ago and I love it. I almost got a VW and decided for the money and other factors the KIA was the best value. So far so good. It's handling is awesome, accelaration is pretty good, a turbo would do this car wonders.
Favorite Features
HANDLING!!!! Styling, acceleration, comfort, features up the ying-yang

Review
I chose to buy SX sedan 6spd. It took me a while to get used to the soft clutch and sensitive gas pedal, but it's a well worth effort. Car handles well for a non-sports car and it really accelerates! The ride is a bit bouncy. I get about 30 - 32 mpg on 75% highway/25% city driving. If you push it a little, the mpg suffers a lot. The instrument panel is not fancy, but very simple/easy to view. I love the voice recognition-enabled bluetooth. The rear trunk sits very high compared to other compacts, but the space is huge. Maybe due to visibility, but this car feels larger than other compacts. The front buffer is a magnet for bug splashes and multiple rock dents into the plastic bumper.
Favorite Features
Decent power/handling. Bluetooth. Acceptable space in the rear. Audio control on the steering wheel. Center console's height is just right to rest my right elbow to take brief rests. SAT radio (free 3 month trial). Trip computer w/ instant mpg indicator (helps control my lead foot)

Review
With 4000k miles in 2 months since driving it off the lot, I have only great things to say about this car! Everything. Absolutely everything is awesome! It looks sharp, like a Lexus and drives like a sporty Cadillac with room to spare! The bluetooth and Sirius rocks especially now that msnbc is on channel 90. I spend more time in my car than my house and feel like I'm not missing out on anything! The fully reclining front seats let me catch some needed z's in sweet comfort, and when I need some zip, it's there big-time without hesitation! For the price, it doesn't get any better than this! The fun is free!
Favorite Features
Bluetooth, Sirius radio, 6-way adjustable drivers seat, gas mileage, 4 doors! 10yr/100k mile warranty, manual shift option that comes with automatics.

Hawkinson Kia in the Matteson, IL Auto Mall has the best selection of Kia Forte's in the Chicago, Orland Park area


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Kia's meteoric rise to genuine respectability over the past few years has been something to behold. While GM and Chrysler were going bankrupt, this Korean upstart was busy transforming its value-centric reputation by churning out a series of all-around impressive cars. First came the likable Rondo family vehicle, and then the funky Soul hatchback, and more recently the jaw-droppingly competitive Forte economy sedan. Now Kia has turned its attention to its venerable family SUV, and at this point no one should be surprised to hear that the 2011 Kia Sorento is one of the best affordable crossovers on the planet.
Ostensibly a follow-up to Kia's outgoing body-on-frame SUV of the same name, the new Sorento is really an entirely different product, from its carlike unibody construction to its on-road-biased available all-wheel drive (the old Sorento had off-road-ready 4WD with low-range gearing). It competes in the affordable crossover segment, which has been dominated for years by two models: the Honda CR-V and the Toyota RAV4. Kia has clearly studied these icons closely, because the Sorento shares some of their most notable virtues. To wit, the Sorento's elegantly simple dashboard layout is a nod to the CR-V, and the Sorento's strong V6, third-row seat (standard on EX V6) and ample dimensions are all pages out of the RAV4's playbook.
Indeed, our initial impressions of the Sorento leave us struggling to come up with things that need improvement. There are no obvious foibles here, none of the beginner's mistakes that we'd expect from a company that only started selling cars in the U.S. in 1994. The base four-cylinder engine isn't as impressive as the rest of the vehicle, but even so, its underwhelming performance likely won't be a deal-breaker for those on a tighter budget. Kia is really making moves these days; the 2011 Kia Sorento is just the latest example

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Kia U.S. Coverage 2010 Kia Soul Recognized on 'Coolest New Cars Under $18,000' List by Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com [Trading Markets (CA) (Online), 6/23/2009] Kia Motors America (KMA) today announced the all-new 2010 Soul urban passenger vehicle was named to the 2009 Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000 list by Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information. The Soul joined Kia Motors' ever-expanding lineup in March and was lauded for being cool, affordable ride with a growing emphasis on personality, versatility and technology. "Soul's personality really has made an impact with consumers and the media, who are realizing you don't have to spend a lot of money to make a statement," said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. "We are pleased that Soul is being recognized for its playfulness and versatility but also that it is appreciated for its economical attributes that affect real world purchase decisions."…Soul stands out from the crowd with modern, unique styling aimed toward the young and young-at-heart and offers a unique combination of style, value and personalization options. An available Audio Upgrade Package includes speaker lights that can pulse to the beat of the music or add mood lighting to the interior cabin, enhancing the overall personal lounge feeling. The Soul+ offers funky black cloth seats with "glowing" Soul logo inserts while the Soul! trim comes with a distinctive sand-black interior with houndstooth-patterned inserts, and the Soul sport presents a bold red-black interior trim with red-trimmed cloth seats and metal-finish interior accents. Hawkinson Kia has Chicago's best selection of Kia Souls