Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in and Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

As South Koreans demanded for some fuel-efficient vehicles in tough times, Hyundai and Kia responded to these times with their latest PHEV offerings for the general public. For Hyundai, they have the Ioniq Plug-in for those who are living the urban lifestyle. For Kia, they have the Niro Plug-in Hybrid, Korea's first PHEV crossover made for the outgoing people. Let's take a look at these two PHEVs offered for the Korean motoring public and why they are significant to them.

2017 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in

First off, let's look at the Ioniq Plug-In, the third addition to the Ioniq range consisting of the normal hybrid model and the electric model that runs only on electric power. With prices start from 33,730,000 Korean Won until privileges applied to its pricing to make it 27,300,000 Won his is by no means the best of both worlds for the third Ioniq because with this one, they can do both things; refuel and recharge, and this is the future done right by the Koreans.

With the Kappa GDi 1.6L petrol engine producing 105PS of power coupled with the 44.5kW electric motor and a 6-speed Double Clutch Gearbox unheard from most PHEVs, this Ioniq can get through 0-100kph in 10.6 seconds and 80-120kph in 7.6 seconds, so this PHEV is very spritey with life. In EV mode, it can travel up to 46km of driving range, and fuel efficiency, it promises a combined rate of 20.5km/L. Not bad for a PHEV that weighs around one and a half ton. Because this is an Ioniq, its aerodynamic styling plays a crucial role in attaining its fuel efficiency status and that is a good thing. Even though this is just Korea's take on the Prius PHV, the Ioniq Plug-in handles like a dream and once you get a hold of it, it feels like you can forget about the stubborn image of what a PHEV looks like because the world needs a better one, not another one as you may.

Of course, because this is one of the most advanced PHEV vehicles ever made, the Ioniq Plug-in comes with Hyundai Smart Sense consists of Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist System, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Smart Cruise Control. Simple as that.

2018 Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid

Now, let's take a look on the Kia Niro Plug-In Hybrid, Korea's first PHEV crossover SUV ever built. With prices start at 33,050,000 Won before government subsidy applied, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid might be the ideal fuel-efficient crossover fit enough for your quiet Sunday drives.

Like the Ioniq Plug-in, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a Kappa GDi 1.6L petrol engine producing 105PS of power coupled with the 44.5kW electric motor and a 6-speed Double Clutch Gearbox, and like the Ioniq Plug-in, you can refuel it or recharge it with the available 220V charger.

In EV mode, the Niro Plug-In Hybrid can travel up to 40km of driving range and with both the engine and the electric motor armed, it can travel up to 840km of driving range. In other words, that gives it 18.6km/L of combined fuel efficiency. Easier said than done.

With these PHEVs offered to the Korean motoring public, fuel efficiency and ecology never felt so alive and when the Japanese offered us fuel efficiency PHEVs that are too regular to drive on a day-to-day basis, the Koreans sure know how to liven it up with a little bit of driving fun that is unheard of from most PHEVs and with cars like the Ioniq and Niro, they really are heading on the right direction.

Kia Stinger

For years, Korean cars have been one of the most redundant cars on the road because not only it is cheap but also horrid not by looks but by the performance they wouldn't get their hopes for. Now though, things have changed as Kia's brand new high-performance sports saloon will challenge all your ideas about Korean cars.

2018 Kia Stinger

This is called the Stinger and by some hunch, it could be Korea's answer to the Alfa Romeo Giulia and some well-known European imports known to many with the price that is very reasonable enough to start with. So, why did Kia decided to make a sports car that promises to upset the Europeans and, more importantly, change the Korean car company's image for the better of it? Good question though but let's go to the part why Kia want to change its image with the new Stinger.

You see, Kia Motors are getting bothered by most people who drive Kias hiding the fact that they actually drove one. Cars, mostly the ones in the current Peter Schreyer-design era like the Forte, the K5, the K7, the K3, even the latest Sorento and the Sportage, you name the rest, often get their KIA badges swapped by some unknown and unofficial aftermarket ones so they believe that what they're driving isn't a Kia but the fact is they are. To respond to such atrocity, they've developed the Stinger, which is a new sports car that will change the way they think about Kias without doing the unthinkable.

2018 Kia Stinger

To make sure the Stinger will not go down in the same fate as the other Peter Schreyer-designed Kias, they made a specially-made badge on the front rather than the usual KIA badge on it. See the letter "E" on it? Sounds misleading but it's a warning shot for speedo boys driving Kias saying "Don't change my emblem, bro!" So, job done for Kia but while the design is heavily inspired from the 2011 GT Concept, it looks more like a K5 on steroids with the rear view that looks conspicuously similar to the Dodge Dart. You can almost never tell the difference between yours and the next guy's car.

2018 Kia Stinger interior

The story doesn't stop here as the interior looks like it came from modern-day Mercedes saloons and if your sights are all Mercedes to you, you can get badly confused thinking that you're driving a Mercedes-Benz in case you're wondering. Even though this is a sporty four-door coupe much like Mercedes's CLS or BMW's Gran Coupe offerings, this is surprisingly luxurious at so many levels and accommodating up to five passengers isn't too shabby either with its ample headroom and legroom good enough to be called a proper saloon car.

2018 Kia Stinger

Now for the coup de grace of the Stinger, the performance, and because it runs on a totally new architecture that can accommodate both rear-wheel and (wait for it) all-wheel drive powertrains, the terms comfortable, quiet, rigidity, and lightweight do come to its vocabulary and perhaps no wonder Kia poached an expert from BMW to make sure it handles like a European sports car. In fact, the Stinger is one of the cars that were tested and tuned on the Nurburgring, which is too surprising for a car made from the land of Korean dramas and K-Pop that behaves like a total diva. It is!

As you may think that because it can be offered with an all-wheel drive system, you may have feared that it's going to have some breakneck understeers too struggling to handle in such conditions but fear not because having torn the pages from the latest Ford Focus RS, the Kia Stinger has Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control system that promises rear-wheel drive agility with adaptability on any road condition so not only it's good enough to take on any weather forecast, it's also intoxicating to drive like a total addict.

The Stinger comes with three exciting engine choices ranging from the 2.2L CRDi-VGT engine with 202PS of power output, 2.0L Turbo GDi engine with 255PS of power output, and the fiery 3.3L Turbo V6 engine producing 370PS of power and 52kgf-m of torque, propelling the Stinger to a 0-100kph time of 4.9 seconds. All three engine choices are mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox with Centrifugal Pendulum Absorber torque converter to help reduce torsional vibrations through the drivetrain as well as its four-piston Brembo brakes with ventilated discs to make it stop with a bit more feel.

For safety, the Kia Stinger comes with a wide array of active safety systems such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and for the first time in a Kia, a driver monitoring system that warns the driver when it's time to pull over for a break if it senses drowsiness or other possible scenarios. That sounds like bothersome to us but oh well...

The Kia Stinger is priced from 35,000,000 to 48,800,000 Korean Won, which makes it very affordable to own than any European imports, despite the fact that it is the most costliest Kia to own today, more costly than the K9. So, is this the Kia you've been waiting for? Don't scoff but for a car that promises to be Korea's Giulia to the world, it needs to prove its worth against the competition until its prime time for the challenge. Nevertheless, the Stinger changes the way we think about Kias and despite its misleading "E" badge, it's a forewarning to speedo boys everywhere that warns them that this could be the most promising Korean sports car to enjoy since the deceased Hyundai Genesis Coupe. This is a brave new world for Kia's newest sports saloon that will challenge all your ideas about Korean cars.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Deep Chroma Blue, Panthera Metal, Aurora Black Pearl, and High Chroma Red.

Photo: Kia Motors

Third-generation Kia Morning/Picanto

Kia Motors starts the year 2017 with a brand new car and this is none other than the all-new, third-generation, Kia Morning (Picanto) compact hatchback, and because this is an all-new model that succeeds where the previous less-adored generations left off with new stuff that will take lots of time to learn more from this full model change. So, let's find out what's what about the all-new Morning.

2017 Kia Morning

2017 Kia Morning

Focusing on the exterior, the new model's design sees a much better improvement compared to the previous model. When I said improvement, look closely at the new exterior design. It feels like it came from the latest K5 judging from a sharper take on Kia's signature Tiger Nose grille as well as the headlamps look very similar to the K5 as well. As for the back, it's very reminiscent of the Hyundai Accent, although it's even sharper to look at compared to the previous model. As a result, the new Morning's design promises to be something special for the customers, although what this car does is yet to be felt.

2017 Kia Morning interior

Inside, it still remains skeptical hidden beneath its exciting design. Even if you are toying around with the new tech with smartphone connectivity, climate control, new instrumental cluster, sporty interior coordinates, and much more of what this new car can offer, especially with its five-seater capability and added space for some usual shenanigans, you are still wondering what will this new car be hidden beneath its exciting new design, unless if you can go deeper to find out.

2017 Kia Morning

If you can go deeper through this car, the all-new Morning sees a much major improvement compared to the last model. The body is now 44% made out of a super high strength steel plate with 67m of structural adhesive for the car's body as well. Not only it feels slightly lighter than the previous model but it is more durable and more robust than the previous model, making this foundation a much stronger base in an event of a collision.

Apart from the more durable bodywork, the Morning is powered by the brand new 1.0L Eco Prime Kappa 3-cylinder engine with the firsts from this category such as cooled EGR, OVC on the CVVT, and separate cooling flow stop valves. With these new engine features, it produces 76PS of power and class-leading 15.4km/L of fuel economy (or perhaps higher or lower depending on the variant). It can be mated with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The new Morning comes with the category's first features such as Torque Vectoring Brake Based system, which transfers the power to the outer wheel while braking for better handling, Straight Line Stability, which controls the unstable phenomenon of leaning to the left or right when braking in the event of braking on the straights, Vehicle Stability Management +, and Autonomous Emergency Brake, With numerous active and passive safety features offered, the new Morning is all about being prepared in the case of the inevitable.

With prices starting at 10,750,000 Korean Won (P460,000/$9,300), it still is one of the most affordable cars ever offered in South Korea, although some small price to pay for delivery charges and optional extras you are gunning for. Still, with the robust backbone, a more efficient petrol engine, and some new tech, the new Morning really is a compact car that can really ring in the new year with a bit of pop rather than a bang. Yep, Kia really is starting a New Year with pop with the arrival of the Morning's full model change.

Available colors: Crystal White (Black/Metal), Crystal White (Lime Point), Milky Beige (Black/Metal), Milky Beige (Red Point), Aurora Black Pearl (Metal Point), Aurora Black Pearl (Red Point), Sparkling Silver, Shiny Red, Titanium Silver, and Aries Blue.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia All New K7 Hybrid

2017 Kia K7 Hybrid

2017 Kia K7 Hybrid interior

With the addition of the hybrid variant of Kia's second-generation K7 (Cadenza), customers now have a choice between a petrol, a diesel, or a hybrid, making this new model truly a diversive one that caters specific customers in terms of luxury, convenience, comfort, performance, and economy.

This new hybrid model carries the same trick from its little brother, the K5 Hybrid, such as the Active Air Flap on the front, which automatically engages when travelling at high speeds, allowing this car to absorb air through the engine compartment. Under the hood, the new model comes with a vaguely similar Theta II 2.4L petrol engine connected to an electric motor and a li-ion battery as well as being mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox which sounds very engaging compared to Japanese hybrid saloons mated with a rather bland CVT gearbox for reasons we don't understand. The engine produces 159ps of power output while the electric motor produces 38kw of power, overall, the combined power output is 210PS, which upsets the Honda Accord by a wide margin. For a hybrid car, the fuel efficiency of the new K7 Hybrid is a combined 16.2km/L, which is .2km/L more than the previous K7 Hybrid. What an improvement, this new model is.

To differentiate it from the normal K7, the hybrid variant comes with full-LED headlamps, chrome outside mirrors and a hybrid emblem at the back. For conveniences, it still comes with premium stuff such as an HUD, smart trunk, Krell premium sound system, and other concessions of comfort. It also comes with similar safety tech from the normal variant such as Smart BSD, Emergency Auto Brake, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Around View Monitor, and many others.

The new K7 Hybrid starts from 33.15 million to 36.85 million Korean Won.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia K5 Plug-In Hybrid

The powerhouse lineup of the brand new Kia K5, consisting of petrol, diesel, and hybrid variants, got upped with the addition of the plug-in hybrid variant. With the PHEV variant now added, the whole K5 range is complete...almost.

2017 Kia K5 Plug-In Hybrid

2017 Kia K5 Plug-In Hybrid interior

The new K5 Plug-In Hybrid offers the same fuel-efficient stuff you get in the regular Hybrid model but now with added range courtesy of its 9.8 kWh lithium polymer battery pack that can be recharged within various amount of hours courtesy of its 220v charger that can be plugged at home or can be charged at most charging stations anywhere.

It's powered by a 2.0L Nu GDi petrol engine that produces 156PS of power output, which is connected to an electric motor that joins together with the engine produces 50kW of power, resulting to an overall power output of 202PS and combined fuel efficiency of 16.4km/L. 44km in all-electric mode. It's mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, just so you know.

Just like the regular Hybrid, the K5 Plug-in Hybrid still has the most clever aerodynamics for a fuel-efficient saloon. There's the Active Air Flap, which automatically engages when travelling at high speeds, allowing this car to absorb air through the engine compartment for cooling measures.

Like all variants, it comes with safety features such as Auto Emergency Braking and Advanced Smart Cruise control, just to keep this car safe on the road ahead.

The new K5 Plug-in Hybrid starts at 39,600,000 Korean Won, which is more expensive than the normal Hybrid variant of the K5 but for such pricing, this range-extending variant of the K5 is a key turning point for Kia's fuel efficient vehicles right from their portfolio. Things are shaking up in the world of PHEV cars with this newest variant, though.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia Niro

As if the crossover dilemma didn't had enough problems for the rest of us, the Koreans that brought us the Sportage and the Sorento gave us a little compact crossover that some say it would be the South Korean equivalent to the Honda Vezel. Enter Niro.

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro, so oddly named, they named after someone from Tinseltown and apart from its odd name, this compact crossover is slotted below the Sportage and if things get any worse for us, the Niro is a hybrid that uses the same tech as the Hyundai IONIQ. Before explaining more about the Niro's hybrid stuff, let's talk about the design.

On keen observation, the Niro looks if its been a mashup between the Soul and the Jeep Cherokee from behind but despite its odd looks, the Niro isn't half bad full stop when you take it outside on the city center or the highway or whatever you come across because from every angle, the Niro blends its peculiarness with futuristic charm.

2017 Kia Niro interior

Step into the Niro's interior and it feels very futuristic indeed thanks to its high-tech intstrumental panel, well-organized center panel, and blue-and-black accents to make it well-tailored for a compact crossover. Although this is a five-seater crossover, the Niro can accomodate up to 1,425 liters of boot space with the rear seats folded, opening up for more possibilities in terms of your next day off or two and. With the rear seats present, the Niro can accomodate just the shopping stuff from the establishments but with the rear seats folded, it's garage-sale capable.

The Niro comes with other conveniences in store to make life easier for the tech-savvy owner such as wireless charger, heated steering wheel, climate control, KRELL premium surround sound system,

2017 Kia Niro

The Kia Niro may look like your average crossover but because it has some Hyundai IONIQ know-how, expect some misery in store and time to meet the cause of the Niro's misery. It's a Kappa 1.6L GDi engine connected to a 32kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery while mated with a 6-speed double clutch gearbox. With this hybrid powertrain, it provides a total output of 141PS of power and 265Nm of torque. Fuel economy is around 19.5km/L, which is nowhere near as good as the hybrid-powered Honda Vezel.

But unlike the Vezel, the Niro behaves like a city car thanks to its clever suspension system and disc brakes, meaning that despite being a Korean-made, it behaves almost like a European compact and it feels okay to be accommodated with. It sure is a fine daily driver's car but some are concerned that the Niro may suffer the same bellyup as what happened to the Honda Vezel with the hybrid powertrain on it. Gets worse, it might suffer some throttle loss but it's too early to tell until you drive one.

2017 Kia Niro

Because the Niro is dubbed as the "Smart SUV", it features some smart tech that lives to its name Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Brake, Lane Departure Warning System, and Blind Spot Detection. For safety puposes, the Niro comes with a rigid body and seven airbags.

Should you buy one? The Niro is priced at 23,240,000 Korean Won and it's bizzarely more expensive than the Sportage but despite the pricing, if you are feeling worrysome that the Sportage's diesel powertrain take the rap by the authorities because of diesel scandals, best to consider this hybrid for such reason. The Niro sure is a nice alternative to those diesel powered Kia SUVs but like the Honda Vezel, you really don't hold much hope.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Metal Stream, Ridge Espresso, Gravity Blue, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

A weekend with my sister's Korean crossover

Last weekend is something I worth remember for because I was given a chance to be inside my sister's new car for the first time and I never felt so happy to be part of this day out with me and my family in a Korean crossover I'm particularly fond of.

This Korean crossover I'm talking about is none other than the Kia Sorento, on its third-generation. Yes, I am sorta familiar with this generation but this third-generation Sorento is somewhat different to what is offered in South Korea because this particular Sorento is basically a US-spec version and it is offered with petrol engines exclusively on this market.

The one my sister had is a basic-entry LX model and under the hood is 2.4L GDi DOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine, which produces 185HP of power and 178 lb-ft of torque with an EPA estimated mileage of 29 MPG highway, mated with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Apart from that, the features of this model my sister Elise got are rear-view monitor, USB/AUX connectivity, aircon, radio, climate control with heating/cooling functions on the interior, some stuff I know, but anyway, no time to jot down what's what because my sister got this car as a birthday present from our brother-in-law.

According to Kia, the LX model of the Sorento costs 26,400 Dollars but I'm not sure how did they manage to finance on this car or how much will they pay annually since there are some theories I'm proposing; is it by lease? Easy finance? Jury's out but I'm not sure how long will this new car will last with my sister's family onboard now that she's got two kids.

The key to my sister's crossover. Never mind the keychain I've bolted to it because it looks so cute when I strap it on. Anyway, what I'm going to do is sit back and whistle while my sister drives her new crossover utility vehicle that we're on it.

Apologies for some idol trash listening on my sister's car audio but all I can say that the USB connectivity on her car does work. In fact, she doesn't even bothered by all those idol trash I'm listening to.

Anyway, we stopped by at Westfield Southcenter for some obvious stuff we're doing such as shopping, eating, and in the case of me, spending a few minutes at the arcade. Round 1, to be precise. While there, I finished shopping for some stuff that I'll be needing at this month's convention happening within a few weeks...probably during this month's Holy Week to be precise.

With the day at the Westfield Southcenter truly finished, we went back home and during the trip back home, I was surprised by just how comfy the new Sorento is and I feel like I want to be in this car as long as I please, if my sister wishes to do so.

On the next day...

Me and my family are using this new car once again, only this time, we're going to the Clarion Hotel, the place we often used for special occasions (and made me bored easily) for the 64th wedding anniversary of our grandparents.

We arrived at the Clarion Hotel for the very occasion but I guess I should fast forward back home so I can tell just how good this car is.

In my evaluation, I have to say it performs better than the previous cars we had; be it a saloon that my Dad often used to go to work or shopping at places like the Salvation Army or Bartell Drugs or the minivan my sister's family used for their family bonding purposes, and even if I'm in the very position I may find it uncomfortable, like the front seat I'm sitting on has been raised to accommodate baby boy's legroom, the ride still compensates very well.

Well, I have to thank my big sis for letting me riding on this new Korean crossover and by upholding my promise to her, I had a little parting gift just for her.

I hope you like my parting gift. It's a keychain of THE IDOLM@STER's Miki Hoshii, donned in her 10th anniversary costume, although this costume never seen the light of day from last year's 10th anniversary concert of THE IDOLM@STER due to the fact that Miki Hoshii's seiyuu didn't make it alongside Ritsuko's and Yayoi's. I hope this will serve as a token of my gratitude to her after letting me having a ride on her new Kia.

Kia Mohave (2016 minor change)

Kia's flagship SUV, the Mohave, has been around for eight years when it was first launched in 2008 and despite its scarcity, the Mohave's becoming less of an instant classic apart from its stagnant look that's left unchanged through the years. For the year 2016, the Mohave received its minor change to keep their flagship offroader refined, recharged, and reloaded for whatever.

2016 Kia Mohave

2016 Kia Mohave interior

Although the recent minor changed remained as stagnant as ever, the revised Mohave featured a refined front grille some LEDs front and back. On the inside, it's been heavily revised with a new instrumental panel, well-trimmed seats, an updated software on the sat-nav to comply with Kia's UVO2 telematics system, and more concessions of comfort that will make the new Mohave more luxurious than ever. Besides, it's basically a seven-seater, meaning it can be used for multiple uses; be it a family mover or an escort or a good car for your next road trip with your mates. They can be folded to accommodate numerous luggage scenarios.

There's big changes occurred behind its stale exterior and that includes the all-new Euro-6 compliant V6 S2 3.0L diesel engine that generates 260ps of power and 57.1kg.m of torque, while mated with an all-new 8-speed automatic gearbox, a first for a Korean full-size SUV. When you put your foot down, the diesel engine sounds more chunkier than ever and it's as beefy as a beef jerky with all that torque more than enough to dig a moat, well almost a moat. Oh, and the fuel consumption for this new engine is around 10.7km/L.

The 2016MY Mohave is now more tech-savvy and more safer than ever thanks to added features such as Around View Monitor, Hill Ascend Control, Electronic Stability Control, Forward Collision Warning System, High Beam Assist, and much more.

The 2016MY Mohave starts at 40,250,000 Korean Won

Available colors; Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Gravity Blue, Platinum Graphite, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Second-Generation Kia K7

Since its launch in 2009, the K7 introduced Kia Motors a new naming scheme where all good saloons will have a K at the beginning. Don't know why but they want to sound their cars like they're the kings on the road...um...really? Anyway, the K7 (known as the Cadenza in the global left-hand markets) has now regenerated and we can expect more tech and more performance than the previous model.

2017 Kia K7

Here it is, ladies and gentlemen, and at first glance the new look for the new generation is somewhat very sharp as a rapier indeed and when gazing through its reworked Tiger Nose grille and the Z-shaped headlamps and taillights, it sure knows where it starts and where it ends in terms of design flow and between you and this car, it's like winning a game of checkers every time you say "king me".

2017 Kia K7 interior

2017 Kia K7 interior

Inside the new K7, it's all neatly organized according to plan and it's very reminiscent to a posh European saloon if you carefully examine the details. From its well-tailored upholstery, high-tech center console that manages stuff in your car including its sat-nav, the new side-by-side center armrest, the device that adjusts the front passenger seat, the new Krell Premium Sound system, and the HUD that doesn't point things out in the sunshine, you could really tell that the new K7 feels like a luxury saloon and spacing wise, it's an improvement over the previous model in terms of rear legroom and the trunk spacing. Of course, there's now a smart trunk offered on the new K7 and with the smart key in your pocket, you can open its trunk automatically without pressing the button from your keys. Ain't science grand?

The science doesn't stop there because while this new K7 promises to be technologically advanced, it's been given a host of safety features such as Smart BSD, Emergency Auto Brake, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Around View Monitor, and many others. Those tech features sounds so good for a Korean car but some skeptics felt unsure on how all of these tech features work while driving the new K7 on the road.

2017 Kia K7

So, what's under the hood for the new K7, per se? Well, it comes with three different engine choices; a powerful Lambda II 3.3L GDi producing 290PS of power, a well-balanced Theta II 2.4 GDi, and the first-ever R 2.2 e-VGT engine with a fuel consumption of 14.3km/L. All three engines are mated with an all-new 8-speed automatic gearbox.

In terms of dynamics, the new K7 feels hardly improved at all especially when its now reinforced by its ultra high-strength steel frame as well as being fitted with front MacPherson Struts and rear multilink suspension. Feels classy and as comfortable as a European business saloon but it doesn't had the fun factor to keep its sports saloon status afloat. Overall, it's far average for a car who just can't wait to be king.

The new K7 starts at 30,900,000 Korean Won, which is somewhat more than the previous model and when you look that up to the pricing of its rival, the Hyundai Grandeur, you will be shocked that this is a million Won more. Sounds costly, but the new K7 feels like a cut price solution if you can't afford a Mercedes C-Class or an Audi A4, or a BMW 3-Series, because above all, this car can't wait to shout "King Me" to the Europeans...well, the handling feels a bit kinky compared to the Europeans.

Available Colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Platinum Graphite, Gravity Blue, Aurora Black Pearl, and Pluto Brown.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia All New K5 (JF) Hybrid

The hybrid version of the Kia K5 (known as the Optima in the global market) has been reintroduced in the latest generation and the new K5 Hybrid features an upgraded powertrain as seen on the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid as well as some unique aerodynamic features that will make this hybrid saloon quite noticeable to some.

2016 Kia K5 Hybrid

When the new generation Kia K5 was launched, it's been offered with a wide array of petrol and diesel engines available and with the inclusion of a hybrid model, there are different K5 models to choose from and for this hybrid model, it combines fuel efficiency with clever aerodynamics that is quite surprising.

One such example is the new Active Air Flap on the front. When travelling at high speeds, this unique aerodynamic feature automatically engages, allowing this car to absorb air through the engine compartment for cooling measures, That's scientific, yet very clever for a hybrid car of this magnitude.

Just like its Hyundai Sonata Hybrid cousin, Kia's new K5 Hybrid comes with a 2.0L Nu GDi engine, which produces 156PS of power, connected to an electric motor and Li-ion battery. Mated with a six-speed automatic gearbox, it promises  17.5km/L of fuel consumption, that is depending on the size of the alloy wheels.

And like the normal K5, the new K5 Hybrid comes served with safety features such as Auto Emergency Braking and Advanced Smart Cruise control, keep the car in momentum for the road ahead.

The K5 Hybrid starts at 28,240,000 Korean Won plus additional costs for optional extras depending on the variant. With the hybrid now in the new Kia K5 range, expect a plug-in hybrid model coming very soon.

Photo: Kia Motors

Fourth-generation Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Sportage

Shortly after its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt International Motor Show, this all-new, fourth-generation, Kia Sportage managed to slip in through Korean dealerships following its world premiere to the massive motoring public in Europe and for this new model, this new model claims to be more attractive than the previous model with its new look, new tech, and greater quality.

2016 Kia Sportage

2016 Kia Sportage interior

To getting to know more about the Sportage, first, let's get to know more about its design and for this new model, feels like there's some mixed results involved here. From the front view, it looks like an oversized version of its little brother, the Soul, while the side view looks oddly similar to its previous-generation Sportage, while on the back, it looks like they've stole it from the not-for-Japan Toyota RAV4. The new exterior looks very questionable, right? And now, let's take a look on the interior and some might jump through conclusions that it was plagued by its uniformity that most interiors of present-day Kia models had but take a closer look and be the judge of it. Practicality-wise, the new Sportage promises to be more convenient than the last one thanks to rear folding seats, 1,492 litres of boot space, and seating variations that will accommodate any luggage-related scenarios. It even has high-tech features such as the UVO II telematics system, smartphone connectivity, and a smart tailgate.

2016 Kia Sportage

Bear that in mind that the new Sportage uses the same underpinnings as the latest-generation Hyundai Tucson, meaning that the engine choices offered in the Sportage are the same as the Tucson such as the e-VGT R2.0 diesel engine connected with either a 6-speed manual or automatic as well as the smaller e-VGT U-II 1.7L diesel engine that develops 141PS of power and 34.7kg-m of torque,  mated with a 7-speed double-clutch gearbox. Fuel economy for the 2.0L model is expected from 12.4 to 15.0km/L while the 1.7L model can expect 15.0km/L of fuel consumption, although driver verification is strongly advised to figure out how fuel efficient is these variants.

 

One thing that drivers will notice is the Drive Mode Select button which allows the driver to switch between three driving modes; SPORT, NORMAL, or ECO. When in SPORT mode, it firms up the suspension and makes it sharper to handle but for a car like this, let's call it as sharp as your recently-sharped pencil rather than a knife. Other things you might be keen about are the 4WD Lock button and the Idle Stop and Go system which turns off the engine while pulling at a set of lights.

For added safety, the new Sportage comes with driving aids such as Auto Emergency Brake, Blind Spot Detection, Electronic Stability Control, Lane Departure Warning System, Static Binding Light, and Advanced SPAS which allows this one to park hands-free.

The MSRP for the new Sportage starts at 21,790,000 Korean Won, which sounds like a lot less compared to the Tucson even though they got the same stuff, but anyway, it's a smart buy for a crossover well-tailored for any occasion.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia All New K5 (JF)

2016 Kia K5

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the all new Kia K5, better known to the world market as the fourth-generation Kia Optima, and while it looks nearly the same as the previous model, it's an entirely new model that is ready to have everyone interested on having one of these more than its Japanese and European rivals.

2016 Kia K5

For this new model, there are two designs to choose from; the MX model for those who are looking for something civilized and the SX model for those who want to live out a sporty lifestyle after office hours. Most models do come with 2.0L petrol, 1.7L diesel, and a 2.0L LPi but exclusively for the SX model; two turbocharged direct-injection engines are available such as a 1.6 T-GDi and a 2.0 T-GDi. What bothers me the most that the 2.0L T-GDi engine is now designed from the ground up and it produces 245PS of power, which is 26PS less than the previous model's 2.0L turbo engine. That's quite of shame for power-loving car enthusiasts. The 1.6L T-GDi engine, which is new to us, produces 180PS of power and that's not bad for a small engine of that size.

For 2.0L variants, a 6-speed automatic gearbox is standard, but on models equipped with smaller engines from a 1.6L T-GDi to a 1.7L diesel, they're equipped with a new 7-speed double clutch gearbox, a first for a Kia.

2016 Kia K5

Because the latest-generation K5 (codenamed JF) uses the same underpinnings as its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata (LF), it has multilink suspension setup which allows this saloon to handle like a European car, as a theory. For safety reasons, the new K5 has a brand new Auto Emergency Braking system which detects incoming objects on its twelves and triggers and automatic braking in an event of a pre-collision. It also comes with an Advanced Smart Cruise control which detects the distance to the car in front of the separate acceleration/braking distance while driving. Useful for highway driving.

2016 Kia K5 interior

Like the previous model, the interior comforts aren't so bad and it's very tech-savvy as well thanks to its convenient features such as an available JBL surround sound system, rear-view camera, available sat-nav with a touch-screen, and the UVO telematics sytem which allows your smartphone act as a carkey for your K5.

The new K5 begins at a reasonably 22,450,000 KRW which is surprisingly cheap than its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata, but you'll gonna need more moolah if you want to spec it out to your liking. Still, you can afford one than any other European midsize saloons, making it a great value for your buck. If there are doubts, you'd better be off with models with a 7-speed DCT, even the one with the smaller 1.6L T-GDi engine, because while the new dual-clutch gearbox is questionable, that small engine feels nippy and it's easy to live with.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pluto Brown, Gravity Blue, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia Morning/Picanto Mk.II (2015 minor change)

2015 Kia Morning

The second-generation Kia Morning (Picanto to the world market) has been around for four years since its early 2011 debut and now, it has been given a minor facelift to keep it fresh for what's ahead for the second-generation model.

For this facelift, the updated second-generation model features a slightly revised front rear bumpers with new fog lights, refreshed signature grille, new alloy wheels, and that's about it. No further changes on its interior though. It still looks pretty much the same as the pre-facelifted one.

2015 Kia Morning interior

2015 Kia Morning interior

For the first time, the 2015 minor change Morning offers a turbocharged 1.0L 3-cylinder engine as well as a Bi-Fuel variant. The turbo model produces 106PS of power and 14kg-m of torque while mated exclusively with a CVT gearbox. Fuel economy is a shy 14.0km/L.

The 1.0L Bi-Fuel, on the other hand, is powered not just on petrol but on LPG as well. It retains the same 78PS power output as the regular 1.0L engine while mated with either a 4AT or 5MT but fuel economy figures can vary depending on the source of fuel it runs. Running on petrol, fuel economy may be about 15.8km/L but running on LPG alone will return about 13.2km/L of fuel economy.

Let's not forget that in the normal 1.0L 3-cylinder engine, the fuel economy is about 15.2km/L for the 4AT variant and 16.2km/L for the 5MT variant.

2015 Kia Morning

The 2015 minor change Kia Morning now starts at 9,500,000 up to 14,400,000 Korean Won, depending on the variant.

Available Colors: Galaxy Black, Bright Silver, Milky Beige, Original White, Titanium Silver, Alice Blue, Dazzling Blue, Celestial Blue, Signal Red, and Cherry Pink

Photo: Kia Motors

Kia All New Sorento (UM)

2015 Kia Sorento

The Kia Sorento is now on its third-generation and the Korean carmaker says that this new model is moving upmarket with its new features that makes this new model a class ahead from its rivals. I was surprised by this one but I want further explanation about the latest generation. Without further ado, let's investigate what's what...

Okay, now tell me. What's new?

Well, this is a totally new model just like the Hyundai Santa Fe DM two years ago but unlike the Santa Fe, the new Sorento has a clean muscular design that really stands out more than its previous model. Looks like its image of being a crossover has now been sharpened to give you a glimpse of the future ahead from the Korean carmaker. However, sharp-eyed spotters might think that the new rear design looks more like a Toyota S#q#### . (Sorry, vowels blocked for search engine reasons)

Dimensions?

Well, the new model is now bigger than its previous model. You can see that the new Sorento has gained 95mm of length and 5mm of width but the height has dropped from the previous model's 1,700mm to 1,685mm. Thanks to its added length, the All New Sorento has a wheelbase of 2,780mm, 80mm more than the last one.

What's it like inside?

2015 Kia Sorento interior

2015 Kia Sorento interior

In the previous model, the interior looks okay but it can be somewhat lacking. On the new model, its "bold and premium" character really pulled it off and this new interior really does suit its personality very well. Because it can fit up to seven people, the new Sorento really suits well as a family car for everyday use. If there are any downsides, I believe that the 3rd row seats doesn't have enough room but no matter.

You can also expect a wide variety of conveniences such as the heated/cooled seats, cluster ionizer, heated steering wheel, wide panorama sunroof, smart tailgate, UVO 2.0 eServices, JBL sound system, and so much more to bring out the best for its premium taste.

Did you know that you can fold the 2nd and 3rd row seats for added luggage capacity that is fit enough for factory-fresh shipments the clients awaiting for these? This car supposed so...

Hey, there's something new about that body, right?

Oh, you're right. I almost forgot. The new model is now constructed from Advanced High Strength Steel that has 60kg of tensile strength but it's 10% lighter than the last one. It also comes more than twice as much of ultra-strong hot-stamped steel than the last one, by about 10.1%, sharply strengthening the pillars.

What's it like to drive?

2015 Kia Sorento

The new model now matches the same level of driving from its European counterparts...well, almost. For engine choices, it still retains the same diesel-only lineup as the last one. It comes with a 2.0L 4-cylinder and 2.2 4-cylinder. The 2.0L diesel produces 186PS of power and 402Nm of torque. Fuel economy is about 13.5km/L if you would go for the 2WD model. The 2.2L diesel, on the other hand, delivers 202PS of power, 441Nm of torque, and 13.4km/L of fuel economy, should you go for the 2WD model. Both of these engines are bolted to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

It still comes with a not-so-bad fully-independent suspension setup but with some minor alterations. On the rear multi-link suspension, the subframe has gained bigger bushings to better isolate it from the interior and the larger shock absorbers have been mounted vertically behind the axle line to enhance body control motion. That all seems fine but because it comes with a brand new electric motor-driven power steering system, it's starting to get more responsive and more agile than the last one while retaining its ride quality most luxury SUVs have.

It's a good thing it doesn't feel as cheap as a second-hand Korean SUV from the last decade but still, the best of Europe are still edging on such competition and the new Sorento tries to brave through this obstacle like handicapped darts.

Should I buy one?

The new Sorento is now priced from 2.765 million Korean Won up to 3.685 Korean Won (around $28,000 to $36,300) so not only it's becoming more affordable to own than the previous model, it's affordable to own than the Hyundai Santa Fe but that's only for the entry-level model. For a top tip, you can have this than the Hyundai Grandeur diesel because why? It has more room, more seats, and it has 4WD optional. The Grandeur doesn't have that so this can be a decent chauffeur-driven car if you're a celebrity or a politician of a certain province.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Imperial Bronze, Metal Stream, Platinum Graphite, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors Corporation