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Classic Kia

Kia Celebrates Five Successful Years of US Production

When you’re looking at a new 2015 Kia Sorento near Libertyville at our dealership, did you know it was actually made right here in the United States. Though Kia may have originated in South Korea, today many of its models are produced in our country by American hands. Recently, Kia just celebrated five years of producing cars at Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. more On November 16, 2009, the Kia plant in Georgia produced their first car. It was a 2011 Kia Sorento crossover painted white. To honor this first car, the Kia plant celebrated its five years in business by rolling out a new 2016 Kia Sorento crossover. Earlier this month on November 12, 2014, the plant also celebrated the completion of 1,500,000 Kia automobiles.   Originally, the plant in Georgia started with only one shift of 1200 team members. That is on the lower side for a manufacturing plant, which can sometimes turn out vehicles 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Of course, the demand for the plant soon grew in 2010, and 800 more jobs were created for a second shift.   Following in 2011, Kia decided to add the midsize 2011 Kia Optima to the production line, requiring a third shift. During this update, Kia invested $100 million to expand the plant and boosting production capacity to 360,000 models a year. In total, Kia created 3000 jobs at the plant. If you factor in local suppliers, the job total goes up to 14,000.   To see the results of American’s hard work, come to Classic Kia. We are located at 425 North Green Bay Road in Waukegan, where we have the 2015 Kia Sorento and 2015 Kia Optima in stock right now.

Classic Kia

The New 2015 Kia Sedona Minivan Has Been Fully Redesigned

Families coming to our Gurnee-area Kia auto dealer will certainly want to check out the new 2015 Kia Sedona. This year’s minivan has been full redesigned with sleek styling, a versatile interior, peppy performance, and plenty of modern features. Whether you have been a fan of this minivan in the past or just now considering one, you are in for a treat. more A major change this year for the 2015 Kia Sedona is its slick design. While the previous 2014 Kia Sedona was no slouch in the looks department, the new Kia minivan is even more attractive thanks to styling that makes the vehicle look more like a sporty crossover SUV. The big grille in front certainly makes a statement and proves the model is no joke. Inside the cabin, the sporty flairs continue with a front area that looks more like a cockpit than just another car. It’s also as fun to drive as it looks. That is thanks a big 3.3L V6 engine that produces a speedy 276 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. All models are front-wheel drive and come with a six-speed automatic. There’s also enough power here to tow up to 3500 pounds, making this Kia minivan quite versatile. Besides performance, the 2015 Kia Sedona is packed with available features. There’s full Bluetooth connectivity, plush leather upholstery, heated seats, satellite radio, and quite a bit more. One of our favorite features is the optional cooled glovebox that can keep drinks and food nice and chilly on long car trips. To learn more about the new model, please contact our Kia dealership. We’ll be happy to share more facts and schedule a test drive!

Classic Kia

Now is the Time to Prepare Your Kia for Winter Driving

Our Kia dealership is in Waukegan, Illinois, where we have faced our share of bad weather the past couple winters. Here’s hoping this winter is not as bad as the last; as a car owner, though, you have to be ready for anything. That is why now is the time to get your Kia model prepared for winter driving. more Here are some tips to help you get through the winter: Tires: Check your tires to make sure your treads are still in good shape. If you have a car without all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, you may want to consider snow tires (our Kia parts department can help with those). Lights: Test your lights while parked. Make sure they all appear bright and in line. You’re going to encounter a lot more night driving with shorter days, and it’s harder to see through snow. Windshield Wipers and Fluid: Consider getting special winter blades to cut through snow and ice along with winter wiper fluid that doesn’t freeze. Be sure to also check your washer nozzles, which can get clogged. Wash and Wax: Protect your car from road salt by getting it washed and waxed. You’ll want to also do this periodically during the winter. Finally, bring your car to the Classic Kia service center in Waukegan. We can take a look at your battery, brakes, and the rest of the car to get you tuned up for winter. Remember that any problems you are facing now are only going to get worse as the weather gets colder.

Classic Kia

2015 Kia Soul Wins Active Lifestyle Vehicle Award

Classic Kia now has the new 2015 Kia Soul at our dealership. This is one of our most visually striking and unique vehicles. Drivers looking for a fun car that’s a little out of the ordinary love it and so do the critics. Recently, the 2015 Kia Soul received the Active Lifestyle Vehicle Award in the urban category, marking the third time the small wagon has received the honor. more Nina Russin, who is the founder of the Active Lifestyle Vehicle Awards, praised the car in a number of ways. She especially pointed out the cargo space, which is big enough to meet the needs of all sorts of active people. With the rear seats up, there is 19 cubic feet of cargo space, but that jumps up to 61 cubic feet when they’re folded down.   The 2015 Kia Soul offers two different performance options. The standard is a 1.6L four-cylinder delivering 130 horsepower with 118 lb-ft of torque. These are very fuel efficient models and can get up to 30 miles per gallon on the highway.   Drivers who want more of a thrill can upgrade for the 2.0L four-cylinder. These engines up the power to 164 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque, which makes them quite fun to drive. They’re still efficient too and can get up to 31 miles per gallon highway.   With a quirky style all its own, fun colors, great performance, plenty of space, and lots of modern features, the 2015 Classic Kia is a terrific all-around urban vehicle. We encourage you to contact our Kia dealership to schedule a test drive or head into our Gurnee-area car dealership to learn more.

Classic Kia

A Close Look at the Luxury-Oriented 2014 Kia Optima Limited

With the most recent 2014 Kia Optima, Kia has bucked the trend of the bland, basic family midsize sedan. The most recent 2014 Kia Optima features a bold design statement with stylishly manicured sheet metal and a comfortable and sleek interior to boot. For the most best of the best, though, you’ll want to get the 2014 Kia Optima Limited in Waukegan at Classic Kia. more The 2014 Kia Optima Limited is the top tier trim for the midsize sedan. This model gives you upgraded performance and all of the features in other trims, plus a few more. It also has unique exterior and interior trim that differentiates it from the other 2014 Kia Optima models.   Starting off is a more powerful 2.0L four-cylinder engine that has been turbocharged for an output of 274 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. While that power is in line with a traditional V6, the lower weight helps to keep fuel economy as high as 31 miles per gallon on the highway.   Besides performance, the 2014 Kia Optima Limited has more features like plush leather upholstery, an eight-inch touchscreen display with navigation, blind spot monitor, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, plus a panoramic sunroof. This is truly a modern, luxury sedan.   At Classic Kia in Waukegan, Illinois, we stock a wide range of 2014 Kia Optima trims and color choices. Visit our location at 425 North Green Bay Road to see the 2014 Kia Optima Limited in action along with the rest of our new Kia inventory.

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Kia Unveils the Redesigned 2016 Kia Sorento

Currently at Classic Kia, your trusted dealership near Kenosha, the 2014 Kia Sorento is in stock! This is a very spacious crossover utility vehicle that is great for bigger families always on the go. Of course, we are always looking ahead to what is coming next, which is why we were very excited to learn more about the redesigned 2016 Kia Sorento. more Recently, Kia showcased the all-new 2016 Kia Sorento—it will arrive at our Kia dealership sometime next year—at an auto show in Paris. While there are some facts yet to be revealed, attendees and press got to know quite a bit about the new model, which has been reworked from the ground up.   For one, this model is going to be bigger than the current generation crossover. The vehicle is about four inches longer and the wheelbase has been stretched 3.2 inches. It also looks to be lower to the ground, giving it an imposing stance accented by brand-new Wolf’s Eye headlamps and new LED taillights.   Beyond the aesthetic differences in the exterior, the body itself has been reinforced to be stronger than the current model. The suspension system has been revamped to improve handling, so the 2016 Kia Sorento should feel sportier. A total of five powertrain options will be available worldwide, but Kia didn’t say which will be featured in the American release.   On the inside, passenger and cargo space has been increased thanks to the larger dimensions. Kia has also increased comfort by reducing cabin noise and adding softer materials in the cabin.   We are very excited about this new model and will share any developing news here on the blog. If you’re looking for a new family vehicle, there’s no need to wait. Contact our Kia dealership to schedule an appointment, and our team will be happy to show you all of the current options.

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A Look at the New 2015 Kia Soul EV

You can find the new 2015 Kia Soul near Libertyville at Classic Kia right now, and soon it will be gaining a new, alternative-energy sibling. Kia is preparing to release their first regularly produced electric car: the 2015 Kia Soul EV. The model will run entirely on electric power, eliminating your need to ever go to a gas station. more So why did Kia pick their unique hatchback line for their first electric car? When the Kia Soul first entered the market, it was part of a trend of squarish hatchbacks. While the models it competed with have largely exited the market, the Kia Soul has become one of the automaker’s most popular models. When they were redesigning the vehicle for its second generation, they designed the car with an electric model in mind.   Powering the vehicle is a lithium-ion polymer battery that fits under the seats for better weight distribution and doesn’t suck up cargo space. Power is sent to an electric motor that produces the equivalent of 109 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque, which gives the electric car plenty of fun driving energy.   The 2015 Kia Soul EV has an electric range of 93 miles, which can vary depending on driving style and other factors. When you need to charge the vehicle, there are three different ports, including a 120-volt port that you can use to plug into any outlet. A 480-volt quick charger works best, and can get the car to an 80% charge in about 30 minutes!   Visit our Waukegan dealership, just a short drive away from Libertyville, to see the 2015 Kia Soul and learn more about the upcoming electric model!

Classic Kia

The 2015 Kia Sorento Passes NHTSA Crash Tests With Five-Star Score

If you are looking for a spacious family vehicle, come to Classic Kia. We have the new 2015 Kia Sorento, which is built safe for families, at our Kia dealership near Gurnee. Recently, the vehicle underwent government crash testing and received top marks. more The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration puts new vehicles through a battery of tough crash tests each year to set safety standards and help consumers. They’re also a critical part of the car recall process. After putting the 2015 Kia Sorento through their tests, they gave it an overall five-star safety score. That is broken down into five stars in the front and side crash tests and four stars in the rollover tests.   So far, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has not put the crossover through their unique set of crash safety tests, but we are sure they would come up with similar results. After all, the 2015 Kia Sorento has a number of great safety features like front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. There’s also the Uvo telematics system that lets the user call for roadside assistance and will automatically call for help after a crash.   The 2015 Kia Sorento fits the gap between compact and midsize crossover SUVs. That extra size provides enough room to add an optional third row or upgrade to a V6 engine, features not commonly found on compact SUVs. By staying smaller than a midsize, the 2015 Kia Sorento is easier to handle and can get up to 27 miles per gallon on the highway. Contact our Kia dealership today to learn more!

Classic Kia

The 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid Will Help You Cut Down Your Gas Bill

When drivers come to our 4Waukgena Kia dealership in Illinois looking for a new vehicle, fuel economy is one of their key criteria in selecting which model is right for them. With gas prices as high as they are these days, Classic Kia can’t blame them. If fuel economy is important to you, consider the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid in Waukegan at our dealership. more The 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid features the same cutting-edge design as the standard 2014 Kia Optima. Between the two models, the biggest difference is what is under the hood.   In order to be a hybrid car, a vehicle combines a standard gasoline engine with an alternative energy motor. For the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid, that means a 2.4L four-cylinder gasoline engine that is paired with an electric motor. While you will still need to gas up the sedan from time to time, there is no need to plug in the vehicle to take advantage of the electric motor.   With the two power sources, the model features an output of 199 horsepower and a beefy 235 lb-ft of torque. That is enough juice to take the sedan from zero to 60 miles per hour in 8.7 seconds.   What is even better about using the hybrid powertrain is fuel economy. 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid EX models are rated at an efficient 35 miles per gallon city and 39 miles per gallon on the highway. Those numbers increase slightly to 36 miles per gallon city and 40 miles per gallon highway with the 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid LX.

As Usual, the New 2015 Kia Soul Commercial is Awesome

It honestly is a little ridiculous how much Kia dealerships like us here at Classic Kia love when a new hamster commercial hits the airwaves. We just can’t get enough of those adorable hip-hop furballs, and we’re thrilled to share that Kia has just released a new hamster spot for the 2015 Kia Soul EV featuring some surprising new characters: lady hamsters! more Basically, our three anthropomorphic protagonists start off in a science lab, doing all sorts of futuristic calculations in an experiment intended to turn the Kia Soul into the new Kia Soul EV. They’re completed nerded out, with suspenders, bowties, and thick-rimmed glasses, and the experiment is going amazingly until a rogue pet hamster gets into the test chamber as the lasers start firing. This, of course, turns the tiny hamster into a full-grown hamster babe. It doesn’t take the boys long to round up a whole slew of female pet hamsters to send into the science machine, and before long there’s enough of a gang there to institute a complete (and completely awesome) dance routine. Naturally, there’s an Adam Levine song blaring in the background, making the whole thing just overwhelmingly entertaining and fun. That’s the modus operandi of the Soul, though, so it makes sense that the new TV commercial would match that in tone. We’re very excited to stock to the 2015 Kia Soul EV later this year, but if you have any questions while you’re waiting, give us a call or stop by any time. As the hamsters continue to prove, it’s about as fun a vehicle as there is in the auto industry today.

Details Emerge for New Kia Sorento

Over the course of the last month, we’ve been a given a ton of information about the forthcoming third-generation 2015 Kia Sorento, which will arrive here at Classic Kia later this year. A few weeks ago, Kia released the first image of the vehicle, and in the meantime there have been plenty of other details leak about the redesigned crossover. To summarize: the new Kia Sorento looks like it’s going to be really, really nice. more From an aesthetic standpoint, the new Sorento looks a lot like the Kia Cross GT concept vehicle from last year’s Chicago Auto Show, but even then we all had a sense that this would be the case. Essentially, we’re looking at a new front end with a more aggressive grille, as well as new sheet metal curves and wraparound taillights. The vehicle itself is 3.7 inches longer, 3 inches wider and half an inch lower, which means more interior space than the outgoing version, and there are loads of new technological features in the new Sorento, including an updated UVO hands-free eServices infotainment system and advanced safety tech like forward collision alert, rear cross-traffic alert, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and around-view exterior camera. There will be plenty of engines and trims to choose from, meaning there’s going to be a version of this vehicle for pretty much everybody, but generally speaking we’re just excited to see a new generation of a best-selling crossover like the Sorento. Obviously, the 2015 model year version is offering a lot of neat improvements, and we can’t wait to get it on our lot later in the year!

2014 Kia Soul Among Coolest Affordable Vehicles

When buying a new vehicle, everybody wants to get the most bang for his or her buck, but for reasonably affordable vehicles, that bang typically comes in the form of things like fuel efficiency and safety features and trunk space. Coolness doesn’t always come on the menu, especially when the consumer is on a budget, but as Kelley Blue Book recently pointed out in a list of the Top 10 Coolest Cars Under $18,000, there are plenty of cool vehicles out there for people that would rather not spring for an Italian sports car worth more than their house. more Naturally, the 2014 Kia Soul was among those mentioned, and all it takes is a cursory glance at our quirky crossover to figure out why. While it’s true that the 2014 model year Soul didn’t get a drastic makeover from the outside in this next-generation version of the vehicle, the look is still undeniably trendy. Inside, meanwhile, Kia engineers really supped things up, using higher-quality materials and adding tons of great new features like a panoramic sunroof and updated UVO eServices package with streaming radio to create what KBB.com calls “a higher level of refinement.” To be perfectly frank, the entire ad campaign for the Soul has always been geared to illustrate how cool it is, and customers have, as a result, been more than happy to ask loads of questions about it when visiting their friendly neighborhood Kia dealership. We’re happy to answer all of those questions, obviously, and even take you out for a test drive so you can get a good idea of how much “cool” one can really get without having to choose between it and your kids’ college educations.

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