Kelley Blue Book is like a bible for the auto world.  I’ve referenced it and I am sure you have a time or two, especially when you wanted to see the trade in value for your preowned car Waukegan.  If KBB votes your car, truck or SUV as a cool model, then you must be driving something great.  This is the case for the 2010 Kia Soul, as KBB has named it one of the “Top 10 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000″.  

KBB chose the Soul for the second year in a row and used several criteria for creating it’s top 10 list.  They considered fuel economy, comfort, technology, safety, and interior size- those items that most everyone takes into consideration when buying new or Gurnee used cars.  But, they also added another “cool” criteria.  The 2010 Soul combines fun-to-own and fun-to-drive in a great way that makes it worthy of making the “cool” list.

The 2010 Soul, according to a top Kia staffer, keeps drawing shoppers into their favorite Kia dealer.  It’s funky design as well as being a great value, are big selling points with interested buyers.  Having something a little different than your mainstream preowned car Waukegan sedan or coupe keeps the line up fresh, attracting buyers of all different ages and walks of life.

The Soul comes in several different trim options:  The base, +, !, and Sport.  Yes, that’s correct, the plus sign and exclamation point are not typos, but actually “Names” give to Soul trims.  Kind of fits this model, since it’s quirky and fun!  The base Soul comes with a 1.6 liter four cylinder engine that gives 122 HP.   Stepping it up to another trim you’ll get the pleasure of a 2.0 Liter, inline-four that ups HP to 142.   Not bad driving!

The 2010 Soul also comes with antilock brakes, stability control, front side and side curtain airbags.  The interior is also pretty cool.  You can get upholstery that glows in the dark and/or colorful seating to spice up the common black, gray and white interiors found in other Gurnee used cars!

Come and check out the 2010 Kia Soul for yourself- see if this modern, boxy style fits you!

Kia has been hard at work producing some great models in the recent years.  They opened up their first ever United States plant down in the West Point, GA where the new 2011 Sorento is rolling off assembly lines.  Yup, they’ve got a lot to be proud of right now.  To add to their success, one Kia sedan was a recent IIHS “Top Safety Pick”: The 2010 Kia Forte.

The 2010 Kia Forte is currently an attractive buyer’s option at your new and preowned car Waukegan dealer, Classic Kia!  The IIHS awarded the Forte this honor since they scored “good” in the front, side, rear and rollover impact crash tests.  “Good” is the highest rating based on the system used.  This is news to my ears.  Now that I’m toting around a toddler, safety in a vehicle is  more important to me than ever.

What are some features found on the Forte that help make it safe to drive?  First, all cars have to be equipped with Electronic Stability Control to be considered for a “top safety pick” award.  The ESC is an important element that’s been perfected and researched over the past 20 years or so.  It detects if a car is veering away from it’s intended path and applies the brakes to get the car driving where it should go.  The ESC measures the steering wheel’s angle to help figure out where the driver is going to help get them back on track.  It can apply the brakes to individual wheels.  Technology has come so far, much different than what you’ll find on older models in local Gurnee used car lots!

The 2010 Forte also has plenty of front and side airbags and the active front headrests.  The anti-lock brakes are a necessity, especially in the harsh winters we face in Chicago!  The Forte also has a system that monitors tire pressure, helping avoid a blowout, which could end you up in a serious accident!

The Kia Forte  from Classic Kia is definitely a safe sedan to own, as are many other new and  preowned cars on our Waukegan lot. Stop by today and we’ll  give you even more safety information on your favorite Kia models and for our Waukegan and Gurnee used car shoppers!

A new addition to the Kia Forte lineup is in the works to hit your Gurnee used cars dealership.  The exact launch date has not been set (it will be later this year), but the new model is a 5 door hatchback that will have some great features.

There are  similarities to other Forte models, such as the same 2.0 Liter and 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engines that can be found on the Forte Koup and sedan.  The hatchback will also offer the option of a manual or automatic transmission, as opposed to the 2010 Chicago Kia Soul, which is only offered as a 5 speed manual.

The hatch back option will give the lucky owner plenty of cargo and storage space.  The 5th door will help give easy entry to store and organize luggage for trips, sporting equipment, or other hobby needs.  This is one feature that I really enjoy about hatchback models.

The Kia Hatchback, which might be called the Forte5, went on display at the New York Auto Show on April 1st.  It is an attractive looking vehicle that I think might be a big hit at your Gurnee used cars store.    The front area is very similar looking to the sedan version, but the back styling looks like the Optima’s.  Even though the model at NYC’s Auto Show isn’t 100% production complete, the design is clean and user-friendly.  Not too flashy, but nice enough to catch your eye.

The closer to the “Forte5″ comes to production and later launch at Kia dealerships, the more information we will have on pricing, upgrade features, etc.  For now, visit your local store for the newest Chicago Kia Soul, Optima, and Forte sedan, just to name a few.  Kia autos offer quality and performance, but won’t kill your wallet!  Who can argue with that??

The new Kia Optima debuted at this year’s New York Auto Show and has already created an incredible buzz. This new take on an already popular model is a sleeker more modern design created by Kia design chief Peter Schreyer. The new Optima also incorporates the new popular features favored by Kia which are “longer, wider, and lower.” Local Kia dealers, like Gurnee used cars in Illinois, are excited to see this updated design in their showrooms.

Recently, Kia has released several models with common features. One of these new features designed by Kia is the Tiger Nose grille. This sharp edgy grille is included on the newest models of the Kia Forte, Kia Sorento, Kia Sportage, and now the new Kia Optima. The new Kia Optima also has a longer wheelbase which will provide more space and contribute to the “longer” goal Kia wants to attain. Also, SX models have a rear spoiler and a panoramic moonroof which add to the sleek new look of the Optima.

Along with an attractive exterior, the Kia Optima also has incredible safety features. These advanced features include ESC and ABS brakes and a Microsoft backup camera. The Optima also offers its riders options of Satellite Radio, a cooled glove box, heated front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel and cooling front seats. The Kia dealer, Gurnee Illinois residents confess, is the best place to find a quality automobile and the new Kia Optima will be another great reason to purchase a car there.

Since the new Kia Optima debuted just this month details are still difficult to completely nail down. It is currently speculated the new Optima will feature either a 2.4 liter 200hp engine or a 2.0 L Turbo 274hp engine. It is available in either a 6 speed automatic or 6 speed manual transmissions. Kia dealers in Gurnee believe the new Optima will be an incredible success due to its new modern look and incredible interior and exterior features.

Kia strives to produce quality automobiles and is doing just that with the new Kia Optima. To find out more about any Kia automobile including the Kia Optima visit your local Gurnee used car Kia dealer.

The future has arrived; think back to films like the Fifth Element or Minority Report and I am sure you were thinking “Wow, will we ever live in a world that futuristic?” Well folks, we are almost that high-tech as the new Kia Cadenza brings us one step closer. 

We have been hearing about this concept for some time, cars automatically parking themselves and finally this technology is within arm’s reach. The Kia Cadenza comes equipped with a Parking Assistance System (PAS), which serves as eyes that monitor the front and back of the vehicle. Equipped with ultrasonic sensors, the PAS is capable of detecting obstacles surrounding the vehicle and it will respond to them when the vehicle is close to an obstacle, with warning sounds.

How does this magical luxury feature actually work? Depending on how far away the sensors detect the obstacle, an alarm will sound at timed intervals, as the distance between the vehicle and the car lessen, the alarm sounds will emit more sounds in less time. Essentially the closer you are the more beeps you will hear.

Aside from the auditory aid there will be a visual aid warning you in the form of graphics that will appear on the cluster monitor. A warning light will provide appropriate and accurate warnings to the driver. The Cadenza has a total of six sensors to help safely and successfully park your vehicle, with two in the front and four in the rear. Who knows, very soon the car might just drive itself. Antioch used cars dealer Classic Kia can’t wait to offer you competitive prices on the new Kia Cadenza when it hits lots.

In addition, Gurnee used car dealerships are excited about the PAS, but they are also interested in the new Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS).  Cars are slowly, but surely, morphing into HAL 9000, the new Kia Cadenzas have a mind of their own and are capable of recognizing car lanes.

The new Cadenza will trigger warnings when the vehicle diverges from a lane by checking with a camera that recognizes lanes in front of the car. Sounds like this might become annoying; every time you change a lane your car is going to bother you with a warning signal, right? Actually the system will only warn you if you deviate from a lane without using your turn signals. The LDWS and the PAS are excellent safety features allowing drivers to be more confident and comfortable when driving and parking their cars.

These new systems open up a whole new realm of possibilities when it comes to electronically controlled features.

Tis the season….For auto shows, that is.  In April, the New York International Auto Show kicks off with many amazing cars, trucks, and SUV’s hoping to wow the general public.  One new model for Kia, the Magentis, will be there and it looks great!

This exciting new model will replace the Optima here in the US and a few other markets.  It truly is a beautiful looking sedan, with  “long and lean” styling.  The roof-line is sloped and flows elegantly into the rear trunk space.  Compared to other Gurnee used cars, it is longer, wider, and will be a bit lower.  As a result of these characteristics, there will be more cargo and passenger space.  These are never a bad thing when you own a car!

The Magentis ( I love the name) is scheduled to arrive at your Kia dealer Gurnee in the fall of 2010.  Powertrain wise, it is said to be the same as the 2011 Sonata.  It will come in a choice of four or six cylinders.  If you opt for the four, you’ll find a 2.4-liter with 200 horsepower and 186 lb.-ft of torque.  The 6-cylinder engine will have more of a punch that the current engine found in the Sonata, which gives 249 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.  Sounds like this mid-size sedan will get around very well.

As you’d probably expect, Kia also plans to develop a Magentis hybrid.  Specific details of this are not out, but there will a Magentis hybrid concept on display at New York’s auto show.  Sources say the hybrid version will start being manufactured in December 2010, then going on sale at your Kia dealer Gurnee sometime in 2011.

Since this sedan is being unveiled in April, there will be plenty more to say about it the closer it gets to being on sale this fall.  If you are craving a Kia right now, your local dealer has many Kia Gurnee used cars and new Kia models waiting for you!

Kia appeared at the Detroit auto show – not featuring a new product, but rather new technology. This new technology was a hands-free in-car infotainment system, called Uvo (meant to stand for “Your Voice”).  Based on Microsoft’s auto software platform, Uvo allows drivers to use voice commands to control their phone and music functions while on the road. Uvo also includes a USB port which enables drivers to store songs to 1 GB of memory, which Kia calls “the jukebox.” This newly offered technology is available with the 2011 Kia Sorento, making the new model even more valuable and interesting to consumers. Car shoppers can buy their Waukegan Kia Sorento at Waukegan cheap used car dealerships. Kia Sorentos can also be found at Gurnee used car dealerships, as well as other new and used car dealerships across the nation.

Uvo is controlled by voice commands through a 4.3-inch touch screen display, and also includes a rear view camera. Kia also claims that the voice recognition will be more advanced, as compared to other competing systems. With more accurate comprehension by Uvo, drivers are guaranteed to hear their favorite songs by specific command. Although Kia has not yet revealed a price on the Uvo system, it will be available with the 2011 Kia Sorento in the summer of 2010 and other Kia models later this year. The Kia Sorento was featured at the Detroit auto show along with the Kia Soul and Kia Forte. Consumers are advised to visit a Waukegan cheap used car dealership, Gurnee used car dealership, and other new and used car dealership locations in their area to find these Kia models, due to fill up lots in early 2010.

Sure to compete with Ford Motor’s Sync system, the new Kia Uvo system will prove to help Kia thrive even more during these difficult times for the U.S. auto industry. In 2009, Kia’s sales were up nearly 10% at a time when the U.S. auto industry’s total U.S. light vehicle sales dropped 21% (more information found at Autodata). Although both Ford’s Sync and Kia’s Uvo systems are very similar, the new Kia Uvo system is sure to boost Kia sales with their new technology.

Leading provider of vehicle pricing and information, NADAguides.com, has awarded the 2010 Kia Forte and Kia Forte Koup the Car of the Year title for 2009. The group points out the duo’s “best in class” features, stylish interior and exterior design, claiming the Kia models were standout vehicles when compared to other top contenders. Car dealers ranging from Waukegan used car and new car dealers to Gurnee used car dealers anticipate the process of the prize-winning pair to fill their lots.

The NADAguides.com editorial team recommends buyers pay attention to the low price point, Best in Class features, and a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty when local buyers make a decision concerning the Waukegan Kia Forte. According to this informational website, the 2010 Kia Forte and Forte Koup carry the full package regarding design, features, price, performance, and fuel economy when compared to its competitors. NADAguides.com claims the pair leaves a lasting impression in all these categories and more. Car shoppers near Waukegan used car dealers and Round Lake used car dealers can find the award-winning duo at those locations, as well as at other Kia dealerships nation-wide.

Details about these models include two unique engine options: a 2.0L DOHC 4-cylinder producing 156 hp or a 2.4L DOHC 4-cylinder making 173 hp. Both engines deliver on performance, and with an EPA estimated 25 city/34 hwy mpg for the 2.0L and 23 city/31 hwy mpg for the 2.4L, the fuel economy package is another asset of the Kia Forte in Waukegan, Gurnee, and many other surrounding areas. Interior features include the Bluetooth hands-free calling, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 radio with Sirius satellite radio and iPod connectivity are standard, allowing the music-loving driver to truly appreciate the models.

For those concerned about safety, the 2010 Kia Forte and Kia Forte Koup carries 4 dual front, side, and full-curtain airbags, and a 4 wheel anti-lock braking system and electronic stability control. At a low base price of $13,695, these models are well-deserving of their 2009 Car of the Year title, while maintaining a valuable status amongst competitors. For a full range of details about the 2010 Kia Forte and Kia Forte Koup, buyers can visit NADAguides.com, or visit their local Waukegan or Round Lake used car dealer.

OK. I’ll tell you what I was doing. Or if you look below, I’ll show you.

Visit Hamsterdam!

Of course, you don’t get a lot of feedback on the vehicle by launching hamsters into oddly repetitive traffic. But I have visited an area dealer for a Chicago Kia Soul test drive previously. There are a lot of things to love about the Soul and very little to dislike. Obviously, you need to be the type of person looking for a vehicle that delivers lots of interior space while providing excellent fuel-economy and remaining sized for life on the go in an urban environment.

Also good if you’re the type of person who is looking for a fun car, a car endorsed and driven by hamsters.

If you’re hopeing to get a look at a Chicago Kia Soul or perhaps take one out for a spin, check out the Waukegan Kia dealer, Classic Kia.