About 6 months ago we announced that Kia’s partnership with the NBA will extend through the 2011-2012 season.  Kia had a great presence throughout this past season, through events such as the slam dunk contest that was held during all-star weekend, and more.  Last week, it was announced that Kia will be a partner during the 2011 NBA Draft which is being held on June 23rd.

The draft will be a live event on ESPN and Kia, designer of some of the Antioch used cars we have in stock now,  will use the time slot as a chance to highlight some vehicles, as well as the opportunity to be involved in a bunch of events that will take place along with the draft.  Let’s check out a few of them.

1. 2 NBA Community Cares Caravan Events will be presented by Kia
2. The automaker will also have two models on display outside of Prudential Center in Newark, where the draft is being held.  The models will also be accompanied by a popular NBA figure.
3. Kia’s advertisement spots will play a key role in the pre-game and post game advertising, as well as during the draft itself.  Kia has a very high presence in the NBA both now and during the season that recently wrapped up.

The caravan events that are part of the NBA cares program that further show the automaker’s pledge to making the communities better places, where children can enjoy sports, such as basketball, in a safe and developmentally appropriate setting.  One event will feature members who are part of Special Olympics participating in a basketball clinic. The other will be held at a Boys and Girls Club and will be an NBA Fit clinic.  Those excited participants in both events will be able to have some fun with famous NBA players, as well as some of the top prospects in the draft.

Kia, which manufactures the 2012 Kia Optima, Libertyville drivers will be able to check out at our store in the future, is so proud of their partnership with such a popular past time.   You can bet you’ll be hearing a lot more about their partnership in the future!

It seems that things could not be going better right now for Kia Motors.  According to sales numbers for April 2011, the automaker has set an all-time high for monthly sales.  This is great news and the success of the models can be attributed to many factors.

One factor that could possibly be making an impact on Kia is it’s presence amongst NBA fans.  The Kia Optima is official car of this season and was even the focus of the NBA all star weekend.  A new Kia Optima was used as the spotlight for the slam dunk champion’s winning dunk.  The Optima is as all around strong seller, in fact, the demand has exceeded production amounts since its release last year.

In April, a total of 6,533 Optimas were sold, compared to 2,912 the same month last year.  If you would like more information on the Kia, check out our blog for other posts and stop in now at Classic Kia, a leading dealership for new and used cars Antioch drivers can easily visit now.

Let’s take a look at some of the other vehicles that did really well in April.

• Forte: 8,535 units
• Sportage: 4,738 models
• 2011 Sorento: 12,001 units
• Soul: 10,459 models

The amazing thing to think about is that there are only 30 days in April, with most dealerships closed on Sunday’s, so that is an average of quite a few models rolling off lots each day.  In this economy and with the cost of gas rising like it we’ve seen here in the Chicago area, people are looking for a solid vehicle they can trust and they want it at a great price.  With each and every Kia model, that’s what they’ll find!

Other Factors

Kia recently showcased the upcoming 2012 Kia Rio and Rio5 at the New York International Auto Show.  Both are being praised for excellent styling, as well as great gas mileage that leads the class.  The first ever hybrid from Kia is in the works with the 2011 Optima Hybrid.  It will arrive later this year at your dealership that also features the Libertyville Kia Sorento and other fine models.

With many people out to own a vehicle with plenty of cargo and passenger space, but also one that isn’t high in cost to purchase or to fill up the tank, smaller SUVs are very popular. One option on the lot here at Classic Kia, your top Lake County dealership for Antioch used cars and beyond, fits into this category.  The 2011 Kia Sportage is available in three trims: Base, LX, and EX.

The newest models are very stylish with some standout features. The design is kind of a combination of what you might see on a crossover or a hatchback. The front bumper has the updated Kia grille design also seen on other models, such as the 2011 Optima.  All of these features work together to make this SUV very attractive.  We suggest that you come into our dealership soon and see the Sportage for yourself.

The three trims we have in stock each come with a price tag that is affordable, yet come with many safety and convenience features that drivers and passengers find essential for traveling everyday. The base starts around $19K, the LX around $22K, and the EX is the top model priced around $24K. All of these come standard with many safety features such as Brake Assist, a four-wheel ABS, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, and plenty of front and side impact airbags.

How does it drive, you are probably wondering?  The 2011 Sportage may be one of the best yet. There will soon be a turbocharged version, but the Round Lake Kia Sportage models at Classic Kia come with a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine that gives it a punch whether you’re hitting the local expressways, or cutting through some of the county’s back roads. The transmission choices are also better than in previous models.  The six speed automatic, for example, is very smooth.

Please check out the newest Sportage models today. See why this line-up is a top standout in its category.

The Soul comes available in several trims including the Basic, +, and !.  While all are great choices for the younger drivers, the + has many outstanding features that make it a top teen choice.  The Soul+ is available at Classic Kia as a 2010 model and there are 2011 + models in stock too.  It’s funky, modern design would make any teen want to drive it, since it stands out from the design of other autos in our new and Antioch used cars inventory.  It’s stylish, boxy design comes available in many cool colors such as Molten (red hue), Titanium (silver metallic shade), and Denim (blue); all set to wow your closest friends.

The Kia Soul is also very affordable.  The 2011 + model is priced just under $18K and comes with many standard features such as front wheel drive, remote keyless entry, power door locks, and a nice metal trim finish throughout the cabin.  The Soul+ also has outstanding gas mileage.  If you are driving in the city, you’ll get about 24 mpg and on the highway 30 mpg.  Fantastic numbers, since most teens would rather spend their money on movies, gadgets, and hanging out with friends instead of filling up at the pump!

Mom and dad also want their teenage driver to be safe, along with any passengers.  All Kia Soul trims come standard with plenty of front and side impact airbags, a ABS system, Electronic Stability Control, and so much more.  Kia shares in a parent’s sentiment and will work hard to make sure their precious cargo is safe at all times while in their vehicles.  Those of us here at Classic Kia also stand behind the Soul’s plethora of safety features and know how important each one is!

Your teen would be perfect behind the wheel of a Kia Soul- check one out today!

The choices out there can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve never purchased your own auto before.  There’s a lot to consider in addition to the sticker price such as cost to insure, maintain, resale value, and more.  Luckily, there are people who can help and with all the information available these days, these facts can help you make an educated purchase, as well as hopefully keep you from stressing out too much.

Autotropolis.com recently compared autos and came up with a list of Top Ten vehicles for first time buyers in 2010.  Lucky for Kia, the 2010 Forte, sold at your dealership that also features the Chicago Kia Soul, made the cut.  Let’s see what features make it good choice in this category!  From the looks at some of them, you get quite a bit of car for the price.  More for your money is always nice!

The MSRP for the 2010 Kia starts out at $13,695 and standard features include Bluetooth capability, USB and auxiliary jacks, as well as Kia’s EcoMinder indicator.  What this handy feature does is help you drive so that your Forte is getting its maximum fuel efficiency.  When the indicator light is green, you are getting the best possible fuel economy.  Sounds like a good reminder to make sure you’re driving in a way that will help you save money at the pump.   Speaking of fuel economy, the 2010 Forte gets amazing gas mileage: approximately 31-36 mpg for highway driving.

Moreover, the 2010 Forte comes with a really nice warranty program of a five-year/60K mile basic warranty.  If you opt for the Forte there are several trim options available such as the LX, EX, or SX.  Each of these have the option of either a manual or automatic transmission.  The model options all come standard with front wheel drive and many safety features such as front and side airbags, electronic stability control and traction control.

Based on all this, if you need something new and want to get a lot for your dollar, the 2010 Kia Forte is an excellent choice.  Come to Classic Kia today, a favorite dealership for Antioch. Used cars, as well as new models from Kia, are featured here!

The 2011 Kia Optima can be likened to that nearly forgotten high school companion.  You were friends, you loved their personality, and all of that, but on the outside, well, you never really took a second look.  Years later you meet again, and wow, you notice the outward change right away.  This high school friend has turned into the local hottie.  The same goes for the new Kia Optima Chicago area buyers can now opt for.  It’s more stylish and noticable than former Optima models, which were sometimes criticized for being “cheap” and “bland” looking, to name a few descriptors.

Chicago Kia Optima

The 2011 Optima is a very nice looking sedan and has a lot of great exterior features.  A driver experienced with other Optima models will mostly likely notice that the new model is longer and lower to the ground.  It is also about 2 inches wider than former with the Optima models, bringing it to 72 inches side to side.  To make the new Optima proportional in size, the company’s designers have shortened the rear deck and made the hood longer.  All of these changes result in one attractive mid-size sedan.

If you look head-on at the 2011 Optima, you’ll notice some features that make it stand out.  The grille used is now trademarked with the “tabbed” label.  The grille is then outlined by silver chrome.  Those angry looking headlights also make for a nice touch, as well as the fascia found on the lower part of the car’s front.   The back of the newest Optima features 2 tailpipes and square looking trunk; it’s overall design has been said to look a bit like a Jaguar XF.  See what you think when you check this new model out at your dealership.

When you get inside the car, you’ll notice that the cabin of the 2011 Optima is also styled very nicely.  The gauges have been designed to slant towards the driver more, to help with his or her ergonomics while behind the wheel.  The materials used for the dashboard, seating, and gauges are also better quality and the models some equipped with many nice features, such as USB and Bluetooth connectivity.  These are standard, which is a convenient touch added by Kia.

The 2011 Optima will arrive at your Chicago-area Kia dealer very soon!

The beach is deserted and the pool is closed because all of the lifeguards have gone back to school.  Summer is officially over and fall, along with school, is well under-way.  The books are cracked, the pencils sharpened and new promises about straight A’s have been made between parent and child in households across America.  The only detail left to figure out?  Transportation. 

May I suggest turning your attention to the 2010 Kia Soul.  The stylish, 5-seating small SUV is cheap, safe, and best of all your children will actually WANT to drive it.  The design team at Kia really outdid themselves with this vehicle.  For once a parent’s choice of vehicle for their children and the child’s choice of vehicle for themselves actually coincide.

So lets get to the details.  The 2011 Gurnee Kia Soul inventory at Classic Kia will have models starting at just $13,300 but the final pricetag can get into the low $20k if you really trick the thing out (they’re good kids, right?).  More importantly, the Soul has won an award given by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, being named a 2010 Top Safety Pick.  The vehicle has also been named a “Top Ten Small Cars Under $20k” by Top Speed.

Available in groovy colors such as Molten, Ignition and Alien, Kia is clearly not marketing the Soul to your Grandma.  The windows are a creative shape and the trunk space is perfect for book bags, sports bags and transporting dorm-room essentials.  For the kids – USB/Auxiliary input jacks come standard in all models and for the parents – hands free communication technology, Bluetooth, is available on all but the base model.

So before your all-star heads back to school, visit your local Kenosha Kia dealer, Classic Kia, and take the Soul for a test-drive.  If you don’t like what you find, check out the dealership’s Antioch used cars.  Kia considered both parent and child when designing other models as well, and there are currently plenty of happy drivers of Antioch used cars in other Kia models. Therefore, the Kenosha Kia dealer is bound to have the right car for you and your loved one.

Can you really find a car that has a stylish exterior and is affordable?  Yes, you can.  There are many of these types of models on the market today.  One of them can be found on the lot of your Kenosha Kia dealer that sells new and used Kia models.  A “sexy” auto that’s under $25K is the 2010 Kia Forte Koup. 

The Forte Koup has many features that make it a sound financial choice when swimming in a sea of SUV, car, truck and van choices!  First of all, the Koup has been given a fresh new design.  Its exterior is sporty and stylish and that “angry” front bumper design makes it stand out.  The grille, which proudly features the Kia logo, blends in nicely with the angled headlights.  Move to the back of the Forte Koup and you’ll find a design that is more modern and pronounced than the back bumper of other Antioch used cars.

Moreover, the two-door design helps it keep the sporty effect more so than if it had four doors, which can make for a more sedan-like design.   That simply would not fit the Forte Koup’s goal of being a great looking car.  The Koup comes in two trim models:  the EX and SX.  A base model starts around $17K and the high end, fully loaded Koup will cost you just over $19K.  A fully loaded, nice looking Koup for that amount, I don’t think you can pass it up!

The base Koup comes with standard curtain airbags and stability control to help ensure a safe ride.  It also has front wheel drive and great fuel economy of 25/34 mpg.  There are several nice colors to choose from like spicy red metallic, ebony black, and corsa blue metallic.  The top model Koup would mean you choose most all of the high end features, such as power tilt sunroof, the leather package, and much more.

If you are looking for a sassy little car and don’t want to spend a lot of cash, go see a salesperson at your Kenosha Kia dealer -they’ll help you find the right model and features to suit your needs!

A new ad campaign has been rolled out for the 2010 Kia Soul and it brings back some fun-loving, furry creatures we’ve seen before.  The hamsters used in a previous campaign for the Soul were widely accepted, so the company felt that bringing them back was a smart move!

The new campaign came out the end of May and runs through the month of July.  The “rapping hamsters” can be seen doing their thing on Comedy Central, Fuse, MTV, MTV2 and Spike.  Since social media is such a growing industry, the campaign will also stream through Pandora, Facebook, Social Vibe’s PetVille, KMA’s Kia.com. and a YouTube contest. Very cool!

The video’s song lyrics will be sung to the tune of “The Choice Is Yours”, which was performed by the 1990′s sensation Black Sheep!  The hamsters will be driving around in an urban setting behind the wheel of a Kia Soul painted a cool green color.  They’ll be singing “You can get with this, or you can get with that”, comparing the boxy style of the Soul to other Antioch used cars of similar shapes. The other cars will be represented by washing machines, cardboard boxes, and toasters.  Pretty cool concept, as the song is definitely a catchy one!

The 2010 Soul has a very unique style, compared to the design of other preowned car Waukegan models.  Depending what model you opt for, the designs are certainly appealing.  For example, the Soul Sport features red and black interior patterns.  You’ll get cloth seats that have a red trim and accents with a metal finish!

There are many other outstanding features that the 2010 Soul offers such as outstanding gas mileage.  The Soul + will give you 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway.  It also comes in many awesome paint color options.  A few of my favorites include Bright Silver, Java (a rich brown color), and Ignition (a bright orange).

Like many other Kia Antioch used cars, you’ll get all the important safety features such as front and side, driver and passenger air bags, tire pressure monitor, four-sensor anti-lock brakes, and much more.

Head to your local dealer today and test drive the 2010 Soul and many other preowned car Waukegan models!

Kia has earned another award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The 2011 Kia Sorento is following in the footsteps of the Kia Soul and Kia Forte in being recognized as a “Top Safety Pick” by the IIHS. The 2011 Kia Sorento was evaluated by the IIHS and earned the best possible rating on frontal, side, rear and rollover safety tests. Gurnee Kia dealers are extremely proud of the prestigious rating given to the 2011 Kia Sorento.

The Kia Sorento is a compact utility vehicle, or a midsize crossover SUV. The Sorento boasts a sleek stylish outside featuring the prominent Kia trademark Tiger nose grille. The Sorento is available with a plethora of features from satellite radio to a stunning interior. An Antioch used cars dealer reports that Kia is an incredible brand that promotes style and safety and the Sorento is no exception.

The IIHS “Top Safety Pick” is an incredible honor and the 2011 Kia Sorento certainly earned it. The 2011 Sorento comes full equipped with the best safety features available. The Sorento has several sets of airbags including driver and passenger advanced front airbags, side curtain and front seat mounted airbags. The Sorento also utilizes four wheel antilock brakes as well as other brake technology ranging from Downhill Brake Control to Hill Start Assist Control to keep passengers safe. Gurnee Kia dealers agree the incredible safety programs included in the Sorento greatly attribute to its new reputation.

The IIHS did not stop honoring Kia with the 2011 Sorento. Kia’s Sedona minivan also earned a few awards this year including the “Top Safety Pick.” The Sedona also earned the “Safest Minivan Ever Tested” award every year from 2006 to 2009. Drivers of used Kia’s from Antioch used cars agree Kia cars are extremely safe and fun to drive. Kia strives to be known not only for incredible automobiles but for safe automobiles and the automaker is certainly on the right track.

The Kia Sorento is just one shining example of a well performing, extremely safe automobile. The automaker boasts a wide array of safe vehicles ranging from cars to SUVs. To find out more information about Kia visit your local Gurnee Kia dealer or visit the automaker’s website.