Attention all parents – I have good news for you! You no longer have to drive a minivan to get convenience and peace of mind in a family-sized vehicle. Our generation deserves a much cooler, much funkier, and all-around much more fun vehicle to drive and I present to you the 2010 Soul from Kia! Springfield IL families will come to love the Soul, which is a funky hatchback, and will soon realize that is the perfect choice for families. In fact, it’s so great for families that it was named a Best Budget Family Car of 2010 by Parents.com!

So just what makes the Kia Soul such an ideal choice for families? Let’s start with convenience. When I’m running errands with the kids, I need a vehicle that makes loading and unloading (of kids and groceries) a breeze. With the Soul’s boxy design  I don’t have to worry about hitting my head when buckling in the kids, and with the trunk space and easy rear hatch groceries now seem like a piece of cake.

Another convenient feature of the Soul is its upholstery. Anyone who has kids knows that spills are an inevitable part of the driving experience but Kia wants you to know that just because your kids spill doesn’t mean your seats have to look worn down. They’ve suited the Soul with the most durable upholstery and have made clean up a breeze.

Moving on from convenience, let’s touch the peace of mind that the Soul can bring to you and your family. Family is the most precious cargo and it’s critical that it stay protected. Since the Soul comes standard with stability control and earned the title of Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, you can be assured that your family will in fact be protected.

Just how budget friendly is the Kia Soul? It starts at just $13,300! A Sport version is available with leather steering wheel, keyless entry, alloy wheels, and door-mounted speakers with pulsing lights for a still reasonable $18,000. Beyond that price tag, the Soul will save you money at the pump with its fuel economy ratings of 24/31 mpg city/highway!

This budget-friendly family vehicle is available at Extreme Kia, one of the leading Kia dealerships in IL. Stop in and talk to one of their friendly sales staff to learn more today!

There are a lot of things to consider when buying a new vehicle. For the family minded there are safety features to consider, and for the trendier crowd it’s all about style. My husband being the “trendy family man” that he is has certainly done his homework when looking for a vehicle for our family, but somewhere between the Cadillac Escalade and the Lexus RX I had to take over the reigns and find the perfect car that we could get on a nurse’s salary. We recently walked into one of our local Kia dealerships in IL and low-and-behold I found the perfect crossover. The new 2011 Kia Sorento has everything I could ever want in a crossover.  The Sorento has good cargo and passenger space, Optional flat-folding third-row seat, and USB, Sirius, and Bluetooth are standard.

It’s remarkable how much better the 2011 Kia Sorento is than the previous generation. It debuted in one of the toughest segments in the market, battling not just compact crossovers like the Honda CR-V, thanks to its price, but also larger crossovers like the Ford Edge, because of its overall size. A few years ago my sister bought a Sorento from one of her local Bloomington Kia dealerships and I just don’t remember it being as stylish as the 2011 model. My absolute favorite thing about the all new Sorento is the optional 3^rd row seating. I’m not quite ready to trade in my sporty car for a minivan just yet and with that extra seating I won’t have to. Not to mention in June it was named a “top safety pick” after crash testing by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Another thing worth pointing out is the fact that it is the first Sorento built in a U.S. factory. The newest Sorento, a second-generation model, was built in West Point, Ga. My husband and I were amazed when we learned that this crossover starts at around $20,000 but after visiting our Kia Dealership I found the perfect vehicle at the perfect price, now all that’s left to be done is pick out which color!

Car buyers looking for an incredible crossover with lots of options,  all for a reasonable price,  should look no further than the newly designed 2011 Kia Sorento. The Sorento is back longer and leaner with an attractive exterior and a comfortable interior. A Kia Springfield, IL dealer is confident the new Kia Sorento will be one of the best selling crossover vehicles on the market. Kia automaker is on the rise and the Sorento is one of the most promising vehicles available.

The engine has been amped up for the Sorento this year. The 2011 Kia Sorento features a 3.5 liter V6 engine combined with a six speed automatic transmission. This model churns out about 274 horsepower. The Sorento is also available in a four speed 175 horsepower model available. The Sorento is capable of reaching about 25 miles per gallon in fuel efficiency, a great feat for a crossover vehicle.

The Kia Sorento has always been a stylish and attractive crossover vehicle. The Sorento boasts the look of a modern powerful SUV without the imposing size and gas guzzling downside. The Sorento offers a smooth ride on 18 inch wheels that will accommodate families as well as individuals. On the inside, the Sorento has many features from a sunroof to leather seats.

Car drivers and car riders will enjoy the amenities installed on the 2011 Sorento.  The Sorento now includes a 10 speaker audio system and a navigation system. The Sorento also features heated front seats for additional comfort. Kia Springfield, IL drivers are stunned at the versatility of this automobile. The Sorento has a base price of $29,095. The completely loaded Sorento with all the extra amenities included is priced around $34,925. This price net offers the option for many different types of car drivers to invest in the Sorento.

The 2011 Kia Sorento is a great crossover SUV option. Kia offers reliability and safety in an affordable, good looking package. Kia is one of the fastest rising automakers this year and this sterling record will only continue to increase over time. Visit your local Kia Springfield, IL dealership for more information on Kia vehicles including the brand new 2011 Kia Sorento.

Over the past two years, many car companies have struggled to find success because of the recessed global economy.  Kia, on the other hand, continued to grow as a company and did very well in comparison with many of the other top automakers.  As a result, Kia is planning to release two next-generation models on the market this upcoming year.  The all-new 2011 Sorento is a fresh take on the SUV, and the 2011 Optima is Kia’s first attempt at a budget luxury automobile.  Because of Kia’s excellent record in the past few years expectations are very high for both cars.

The Kia Optima has always been a quality vehicle for its low base price range.  The car has come with standard features and amenities that are at a much higher level than other cars in the Optima’s range.  For 2011, Kia is now boosting the exterior design of the car in order to strike a better balance with the car’s highly-rated interior.  Also expected is a broader range of efficient engines, including a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder and a hybrid option.  Look out for the 2011 Kia Optima sometime during this fall.  The starting price is estimated at $17,995.

The Kia Sorento is now officially Kia’s crossover which means trashing the traditionally heavy parts for a sleeker design in hopes of gaining better fuel economy.  Also, Kia added a broader range of engine options with the Sorento including the debut of a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, as well a 270-horsepower 3.8-liter V6 option.  The 2011 Kia Sorento is on sale now and has an estimated starting price of $22,000.

Bloomington Kia Dealerships are a great place to check out the new and exciting vehicles that Kia is offering for 2011.  Also, while you are there do not forget to check out many of the quality pre-owned vehicles that Kia has to offer.  For example in Bloomington, Kia Soul 2010 can be found at unbeatable prices and you could find yourself driving it home today!  Kia has found new and innovative ways to provide quality automobiles at affordable prices and is a company that will have your back for the future.

Without a doubt, one of the most exciting vehicles currently available at your favorite Bloomington Kia dealerships is the Kia Sorento. Today I’m here to share with you why this mid-size crossover is such a special vehicle.

The 2011 Kia Sorento encompasses both the brands signature design cues as well as its distinct combination of value, safety, and style. When it went on sale in early January, Kia surely had high hopes but no one could have predicted how well it would actually do. In May, it became the best-selling vehicle for five-consecutive months with 8,166 units sold and the CUV helped Kia to set all-time sales records. Since that time, it has continued to help Kia’s year-to-date sales rise and rise.

The Sorento is both a well-equipped and well-appointed CUV and with best-in-class horsepower, it’s perfect for the fun, dynamic, and discerning driver. When it comes to safety, the Sorento has earned many accolades for its resumé. Of the Sorento’s safety, Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing for Kia Motors America says “The 2011 Sorento is an example of Kia’s ongoing and rapid vehicle expansion, demonstrating that buyers can have an affordable, well-equipped and attractive CUV without sacrificing impressive levels of crash protection.”

Foremost among the recognition is the “Top Safety Pick” designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the compact SUV category. (It should be noted that this is the fourth new-generation Kia vehicle to be given this honor!) In order to achieve this distinction, the Sorento has electronic stability control and earned “Good” ratings (highest possible) in front, rear, side, and rollover impact crash tests.

Beyond the title from the IIHS, the 2011 Sorento earned “excellent” ratings from Consumer Reports thanks in part to its firm ride and smooth automatic transmission. The overall score of 82 put the Sorento third among small and midsize SUVs and CUVs tested by Consumer Reports. You really can’t go wrong with the Kia Sorento!

If you would like to learn even more about the award-winning Kia Sorento, visit the leader among Bloomington Kia dealerships. These dealers also have a great selection of other Kia vehicles such as a Bloomington Kia Soul. 2010 is a great year to buy a car so visit your favorite Kia dealer, Extreme Kia, today!

Kia will continue to sponsor the Vans Warped Tour this summer. Kia has successfully sponsored this event in the past, and concertgoers genuinely enjoy visiting the Kia Soul Lounge while at the Warped Tour. Kia uses this event to get in touch with young car drivers and promote quality Kia automobiles. Kia has the reputation of creating safe, innovative vehicles and car buyers both young and old visit Kia dealerships to invest in this great brand.

The Kia Soul Lounge, which will appear at every stop on the Vans Warped Tour, contains several activities for fans to participate in. The tent will feature a live DJ as well as a Confessional for concertgoers to express themselves and an airbrush tattoo artist. Fans may also be drawn into the Soul Lounge by the two biggest acts on the tour who will be performing acoustically as well as signing autographs at designated times.

While in the Kia Soul Lounge concertgoers will of course be able to check out the newest Kia automobiles. Kia will provide fans with information on Kia’s most innovative vehicles, including the new “personalizable Soul” and the Kia Sportage 2010 model, as well as provide an opportunity to win a brand new Kia Soul. Kia will also hand out wrist bands to a few fans which will give them access to the VIP riser where they can watch their favorite bands up close and in style.

Kia is determined to give fans the best Vans Warped Tour experience possible. The automaker rounds out their additions with the Kevin Says stage. This stage uses solar power to provide local bands with the opportunity to play their music for the huge Warped Tour audience. Kia is certainly providing Warped Tour concertgoers with incredible opportunities to listen to music, express themselves, and find a brand new safe automobile.

Not only does Kia provide us with several stylish safe cars, several of which have been honored by the IIHS, this automaker truly cares about its customers. Kia is demonstrating how much they want to provide an extraordinary experience for potential Kia car buyers through their efforts at the Vans Warped Tour. Visit your local Kia dealership for more information on Kia automobiles.

When you hear someone talk about the Kia Soul you probably think of cute, little hamsters wearing sunglasses and bobbing their head to a catchy tune- It’s ok you’re not alone. Well, the great commercial isn’t the only thing people are talking about. For the second year in a row the Kia Soul 2010 was named one of Kelly Blue Book’s “top ten coolest cars under $18,000”. The Soul is known for its funky style and cutting edge technology, not to mention the affordable price tag. Kelly Blue Book chooses the top ten cars based on criteria that most consumers would use- safety, fuel economy, interior size, comfort and technology. They also factor in that little “extra something” that separates the average from the awesome. Beyond those essential criteria, Kelley Blue Book also considered how much fun a car is to own and drive. As great as it is to be a part of the KBB list, that’s not all Kia Motors is proud of these days. The Kia Soul 2010 has been listed for four other awards already his year including “Best Family Cars for 2010” by Edmunds.com and Parents Magazine, “Best Hatchback of 2010” by Cars.com, and “2010 Top Cars for Families” by Motherproof.com.

Kia dealerships in IL are making sure the word is out on this hot little car and people are listening! “Soul continues to draw more customers into Kia showrooms because of its cool factor and overall value package,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. “It’s reassuring to know one of the largest and most credible automotive consumer sites recognizes Soul for all it has to offer to a wide array of consumers, including design, practicality, technology features, fuel economy and the Kia brand’s core, standard value package.”

There is a Kia Soul for just about anyone. Soul is available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, as well as four special editions, including the recently unveiled Soul Ghost.  Pricing for the versatile five-door begins under $14,000. Kia Motors has really come out with some outstanding new models over the past couple years and they are now going toe-to-toe, as far as reliability and customer satisfaction, with other major car companies like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan. It will be interesting to see what Kia has in store for us in the years to come.

This May Kia Motors America officially announced the new advertising campaign, “This or That” for the Kia Soul 2010.  The “This or That” campaign is a renovated version of the award winning campaign created by David & Goliath which featured the lovable Hamsters. Fortunately, the famous Hamsters are back and better than ever.  The Soul is a fresh and highly customizable passenger vehicle and the campaign tries to incorporate those traits with its creative theme and classic rap song “The Choice is Yours”.  The spot will run on Comedy Central, Fuse, MTV, MTV2, Spike, and other channels through July.  The campaign will also have a presence online at sites such as Pandora, Facebook and a YouTube contest.

“Given the success and popularity of the hamsters in the initial Soul launch with a spot that won Nielsen’s Automotive Ad of the Year, it made sense to bring them back for a new campaign,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA. “We know the Soul target audience is digitally savvy and that they viewed the first commercial multiple times online, so the newest experience is rich with details in the hamster world and integrated Soul content for them to discover during repeat viewings.”

“”Hamstar™” logoed clothing, as seen in the spot, will soon be available for purchase by fans at www.hamstarclothing.com ”. (check soon for details)

The actual commercial features the Hamsters cruising on through a cityscape behind the wheel of a green Kia Soul.  It is expected that this is one of the color ways that you can expect to see at your local kia dealerships.  The lyrics in the song, “You can get with this, or you can get with that” play off of the myriad of options that customers get to choose from before purchasing their Soul.

The Kia Soul is unique and really is aimed at the young and young-at-heart members of society by offering a great mixture of style, value, and personalization options.  A buyer can choose from an Audio Upgrade Package, speaker lights, mood lighting, or black cloth seats with glowing inserts, and those are just a few of the options available.

When I was a teenager, my parents lectured me every night before going out. “Drive safe, Johnny!” I inevitably rolled my eyes and said “Mom, I’ll be fine! You worry too much.” Little did I know that I would one day be that over-concerned parent myself and now as a husband and father, I can finally appreciate where my parents concern came from all those years ago. My kids aren’t driving yet but my wife totes them around all day and if they weren’t in a safe vehicle I would never have any peace of mind. That’s why my wife and I chose the Kia Sorento, which recently became a “Top Safety Pick,” the highest honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

To earn the “Top Safety Pick” designation from the IIHS, a car must undergo a rigorous set of tests. The designation is given only when said vehicle receives “Good” (the highest possible rating) in all four crash tests – front, side, rollover, and rear impact. Additionally, the vehicle must have electronic stability control.

In the case of the Sorento, it meets all of the above criteria plus more! The CUV comes with safety features such as driver and passenger advanced front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, side curtain airbags, front active headrests, a four-wheel Antilock Brake System, electronic brake distribution, hill start assist control, and downhill brake control. With all of this, there’s no other choice for my family and me!

If you’re not a CUV person, there are many other Kia vehicles that have earned this safety distinction as well. Among some of the recipients are the 2010 Kia Soul, 2010 Forte, and the 2006-2009 Kia Sedona minivans.

All of these vehicles and more are available at your local Kia dealerships.  Safety will continue to be a key factor in my car buying decisions and that’s why I will continue to go to Extreme Kia where I can get “Top Safety Picks” like the 2010 Kia Soul or 2011 Kia Sorento! And while I’ll still say “Drive safe” to my wife every time she leaves, I know I’ll have the peace of mind that she and the kids will be protected if the worst case scenario were to ever happen.

Fuel prices have been on everyone’s mind for quite some time now. Everyone from families, automakers and even the government are ready for some big time changes. Starting this year with 2011 models, the federal government’s fuel-economy standards are going to change dramatically, the biggest change since the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) law was created in 1975. The average fuel economy for cars must improve from the current 27.5 mpg, where it has been since 1990, to 37.8 mpg by 2016. The truck standard has to rise from 23.5 mpg to 28.8. What does this mean for Kia dealerships in Illinois? As of 2008 Kia’s average is 33.6 average fuel economy for cars and 24.2 for trucks. Just as they do today, the rules will allow automakers to average their fuel economy across a number of models. A guzzler that doesn’t meet the standard can be “canceled out” by one or more vehicles that better the mpg standard. The Kia Sportage 2010 has an average fuel economy of about 22 MPGs, which is pretty good considering the line of much more fuel efficient vehicles they offer. The government’s 2016 fuel-economy numbers of 37.8 mpg and 28.8 mpg are projections because, unlike today, when every car and truck fleet must meet the same mandated average, the future requirements will be instead based on the size of each vehicle in a manufacturer’s fleet. Smaller volume automakers that sold fewer that 400,000 cars in 2009 will get a break on the requirements while “specialty automakers” such as BMW and Porsche will reportedly get longer lead-in times. Automakers will also get some sort of incentive for the first 200,000 plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles built by 2016. These standards are said to be equivalent to taking 58 million cars off our nation’s roads for a year, representing a savings of 1.8 billion barrels of oil.

Naturally, all of this is going to cost some extra money. If the Feds are right, automakers will spend about $51.5 billion over the next five years putting the standards into effect and the average price of a new car will rise by $985 by 2016. On the plus side, savings are expected to be even greater, with the average consumer will net an extra $3,000 in their wallets per in fuel savings over the life of the vehicle.

While car dealerships in Illinois are excited about the changes coming in the next few years, some say the government is being a bit unrealistic. Rest assured, this overhaul of CAFE was carefully considered, involved extensive input from automakers, and—with the new size-based standards—takes into account customer choice in a way that the old system never did. And if gas prices once again head toward $4, customer demand for fuel economy will likely outstrip these regulations.