Largo Area Kia Dealer Reviews the 2013 Kia Sportage
It is possible to get a sporty SUV that is stylish and luxurious. Take a look at the 2013 Kia Sportage, starting at $20,000 for the base model. This SUV provides sports handling and more luxurious options than expected for an SUV. If you want to test drive the 2013 Kia Sportgage, come to your Largo area Kia dealer.
2013 Exterior Features
There is no mistaking the 2013 Kia Sportage for anything but a Kia because of the signature grille design across the front of all Kia vehicles. The lines of this vehicle are all angular and masculine. You can take this SUV off road if you like, because there is 7 inches ground clearance under the SUV.
Interior Features
On the inside, the 2013 Kia Sportage wows with LED lighting for both trim levels. It also features surprising blue seats. Passengers in the front and back seats can enjoy the panoramic sunroof – or can pull the included sun shade if it’s too bright of a day! If you need more room for cargo and less room for passengers, the backseat can be folded down flat. You will have 54.6 cubic feet of cargo space when the seats are flat.
The 2013 Kia Sportage comes standard with air conditioning, steering wheel controls, four speakers and satellite radio, and under floor storage in the back. On the SX, you receive power-folding side mirrors as a standard option, and can add it on to the EX if desired.
At the SX and EX trim levels for the 2013 Kia Sportage, you can upgrade to a push button start system, a cooling box, infotainment system, and a back up warning system to eliminate back up car accidents.
Power and Performance for the 2013 Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is an all wheel drive vehicle that offers a six speed automatic transmission as the standard option. The base model allows you to switch to a manual transmission if preferred.
When choosing engines for your Kia Sportage you have two options. A 2.0 liter turbocharged engine with 260 hp and gasoline direct injection for improved fuel economy and no reduction in power; or a 2.4 liter four cylinder with 176 hp that will pass cars and climb hills with no issues.
Fuel economy for both engines are decent, with the 2.4 liter offering 20 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway and the 2.0 engine offering 20 mpg in the city and a slight reduction of fuel efficiency of 25 mpg on the highway.
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If you can’t see out your windshield, you can’t drive safely. Your windshield wipers play an important role in ensuring visibility when the weather is less than ideal. A dirty windshield or one that is covered in rain, snow or ice all increase your risks for being involved in a car accident. If you try to spray windshield wiper fluid on your windshield and discover your wipers are not working properly, try the following trouble shooting tips from your Clearwater area Kia dealer:
Do You Have Enough Windshield Washer Fluid?
The first step to troubleshooting windshield wiper issues is to check that your washer fluid tank actually has fluid it in. The most common reason you can’t get the fluid to spray on your windshield is because you’ve run out of it! Open the hood of your car and look for your windshield wiper fluid reservoir. They’re usually easy to spot, but if you can’t find it, check the owner’s manual to find out where it is located.
If you have to refill your fluid, make sure you “prime” your windshield wipers if they don’t work immediately. Sometimes you will need to press and release the button a few times in a row in order to get the liquid flowing back through the tank into the lines that carry it to your windshield.
Scrub the Wiper Nozzle Area
Sometimes the nozzle of the windshield wiper becomes clogged from dirt. Use an old toothbrush and scrub the nozzle area to remove any dirt that may have built up. You can also use a can of compressed air, such as those used to clean a computer keyboard, to spray the dirt out.
Pump or Fuse Needs Replacing
If there is no sound when you push the button to spray windshield wiper fluid, it could be the fuse needs to be replaced or the washer pump itself needs to be replaced. Start by checking your car’s owner’s manual to see where the fuse box is and where the windshield wiper pump fuse is. Replace the fuse and try the spray button – if there is still no noise and no spray, you probably need to bring your car to a service station to have the washer pump replaced.
Clean the Fluid Reservoir Tank
The tank under the hood that holds the washer fluid can get built up with algae or dirt. Removing the reservoir tank to clean it can sometimes help the fluid move from the tank to the windshield wipers.
Certified Kia Pre-Owned at St. Petersburg Kia
Many car buyers need to shop for a vehicle based on their budget. With the average new car priced in the $28,000 range – and the average used car priced in the $15,000 range – it’s no surprise that many car buyers choose to purchase a pre-owned car. Even if you can afford a newer, more expensive model, you may just prefer a used car since they have already depreciated rapidly and will maintain their value better than a new car. St. Petersburg Kia offers Certified Pre-owned Kia vehicles. Here’s what you need to know about the Certified Kia Pre-owned program:
Certified Pre-Owned Kia Vehicles Inspection Process
All certified pre-owned Kia’s must go through rigorous inspections before they gain their certification. In fact, vehicles undergo a 150-point inspection prior to being listed as a certified pre-owned Kia vehicle. With this level of inspecting, you should feel confident that your used Kia purchase is just as reliable as a new Kia.
Limited Powertrain Warranties
You may worry that purchasing a used car instead of new leaves you unprotected, but all Certified Pre-owned Kia vehicles have a limited powertrain warranty. The limited powertrain warranty provides coverage for ten years from the date of purchase or until 100,000 miles.
View the CARFAX® Vehicle History Reports™
Before you buy a Certified Pre-owned Kia, you can view a CARFAX report ™ for the vehicle you’re interested in. The information contained in CARFAX reports is from an independent company and does not come from Kia itself. You can find out whether the car has been involved in car accidents with previous owners or if it was used as a rental car, for example. While considered reliable, Kia does not take responsibility for any inaccuracies that may be in the CARFAX report.
Additional Coverage Provided to Certified Pre-Owned Kia Buyers
In addition to the peace of mind that comes from buying a thoroughly inspected vehicle with a powertrain warranty and CARFAX® report, Certified Pre-owned Kia cars come with roadside assistance and travel breakdown coverage.
Roadside assistance – if you should break down, you have roadside assistance for ten years from the date of sale on a Certified Pre-owned Kia. We doubt you will really have to use it, but if you do have a problem it is nice to know you’re covered and prepared.
Travel breakdown coverage – when you’re on a road trip and traveling away from home, for ten years after you purchase a Certified Pre-owned Kia, you are covered for a variety of breakdown services under the Travel Breakdown Coverage.
Families have enjoyed the small to midsize crossover SUV from the Kia Sorento family, and the 2014 Kia Sorento will continue to deliver on those expectations. The standard model has a powerful four-cylinder engine, but buyers can upgrade to a V6 engine if desired. If you’re interested in the 2014 Kia Sorento, visit our St. Petersburg Kia dealership and take it for a test drive and see what you think of the sporty handling.
Upscale Crossover SUV
The 2014 Kia Sorento and its redesigned cabin, additional features, and changes t o the exterior moves the vehicle to an upscale category of SUVs. The top of the line, SX limited model, is packed so full of features it can display a sticker price of almost $40,000. The SX with all-wheel drive will start with a price tag in the $34,000 range.
2014 Kia Sorento Engine
The midsize crossover has a completely redesigned cabin and competes with the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V with its four-cylinder engine; while the V6 version competes nicely with the Dodge Journey and Chevy Equinox crossovers.
Both the four-cylinder and V6 engines feature a six-speed automatic transmission, and the option for all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive.
2014 Kia Sorento Interior Design
Inside the Kia Sorento, buyers can choose an optional navigation system featuring an 8-inch touchscreen for connecting with the UVO eServices and premium Infinity audio system. You can select a panoramic sunroof, back-up cameras and blind-spot monitoring systems, and ventilated front seats. The upholstery is trimmed with leather while the steering wheel and rear seats are both heated for comfort.
Test Driving the Kia Sorento
The 2014 Kia Sorento will be available at our St. Petersburg Kia dealership in the spring, although the SX Limited edition will not be out until summer. Before making a car buying decision, it is always recommended that drivers take several vehicles for a test run. It is the only way to see how you feel when you are behind the wheel, and to get a good understanding for how the vehicle handles in relation to your own driving habits. Sometimes, you can look at a vehicle and love it – but not like the way it feels when you drive it. Make sure you test drive any vehicle you are considering before you make the purchase to be sure you choose one that meets your needs.
2013 Kia Soul Wagon Available at St. Petersburg Kia
Known for being more “hip” and “fun” than your traditional wagon, the 2013 Kia Soul Wagon offers a 6-speed manual transmission and seating for five in a practical four door, hatchback design. The vehicle offers an impressive and confidence boosting 10 year/100,000 powertrain warranties. The best way to get a feel for a vehicle and see if it is one you would be interested in owning is to visit our St. Petersburg Kia dealership in Florida and take it for a test drive.
2013 Kia Soul Wagon Changes
The 2013 Kia Soul Wagon did not undergo a ton of major design changes, but the vehicle did gain new Bluetooth connectivity for the base model with manual-transmission, and power-folding outside mirrors for the “!” trim. All trim levels of the 2013 Kia Soul Wagon feature a revised Kia badge.
Quality Economy Passenger Vehicle
The 2013 Kia Soul Wagon is an inexpensive option for families and individuals, but inexpensive doesn’t mean it’s cheaply made or lacking in bells and whistles. Bring your iPod along for the ride, because the 2013 Kia Soul features an iPod hookup, quality audio system and satellite radio. The audio speakers are even illuminated, giving your interior a fun and unexpected touch not generally seen in vehicles at this price point.
Also available are two-tone interior color schemes and a print upholstery – giving the 2013 Kia Soul Wagon a “hip” image.
While the 2013 Kia Soul is an economy wagon, you have the option of spending a little more to get a little more. In the top of the line Kia Soul, you can choose 18-inch alloy wheels, upgrade the headlights, add fog lamps, a sunroof, running lights, upgrade the audio package, and power-folding outside mirrors.
If purchasing the “!” trim level, you can go with a premium package which includes a keyless ignition and entry system, heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a touchscreen navigation system with real time traffic updates.
Fuel Economy Magic
The 2013 Kia Soul scores highly on EPA’s fuel economy testing, with 25 miles per gallon city driving and 30 miles per gallon highway driving, and buyers can choose an optional eco package to give the 2.0 liter engine the same mileage as the 1.6 liter. The fuel economy is enhanced by low rolling resistance tires, and technology that literally shuts the engine off when you stop at a light and then starts it again when you take your foot off the brake pedal.
Drivers can face a wide variety of obstacles and challenges when on the road, from a minor roadside situation to a full-on emergency. While we can never predict every possible situation we could face, there are a number of common scenarios drivers experience that you can actually prepare for. Being prepared helps reduce anxiety and helps you take action to remedy any negative situation. One way to prepare for common situations on the road is to keep a fully stocked car emergency kit available at all times. Here are some suggestions for what to keep in your car emergency kit from a Kia dealer near Clearwater:
Car Emergency Kit: Items for the Vehicle
Even a well maintained vehicle can experience unexpected maintenance issues. Keeping the following items in your car emergency kit will help you get back on the road faster:
- Fuses that fit your Kia (in case a headlight goes out or the lights in your dash, for example)
- Road flares or emergency caution sign/cones to alert other drivers in case you break down on the side of the road
- Jumper box or cables, to give your battery a boost if your car won’t start
- Travel-size tool kit (screwdrivers, scissors, etc)
- Fluids for your vehicle, things like windshield washer fluid, oil, transmission fluid and antifreeze. Keep a jug of water handy too, in case of overheating.
Car Emergency Kit: Items for People
In addition to keeping items handy for minor repairs for your car, you can also keep a number of things around to help people in minor situations, including:
- Aspirin or pain reliever
- Flashlight
- First aid kit (bandages, cleansing wipes, burn ointment, gauze)
- Drinking water, nonperishable snacks (in case you are stuck waiting for help for long periods of time)
- Sunscreen
- Clean rags or a roll of paper towels
- Road atlas (in case your GPS fails and you don’t know where you are!)
These items can be kept in your trunk at all times to minimize the negative effects of many common roadside emergencies. If you are going on a longer road trip through colder areas during the winter months, you might also want to include a blanket and perhaps a pair of gloves for each passenger in case you break down and need to wait for help. You don’t want to count on your heater working if your car is out of commission, particularly when traveling through cold weather states.
When you are ready to get your first car or replace your existing car, one of the first decisions you have to make is whether you want to buy a new or used car. Our Tampa Bay area Kia dealership offers both new and used Kia vehicles to buyers, and each person makes their decision based on how much they plan to spend on their car purchase, what kind of warranty they want, and how confident they are in used car maintenance needs. Here are some considerations to help you make your decision between new or used Kia vehicles:
Used Kia Vehicles
Many drivers prefer used vehicles over new, since a new car loses so much of its value the second it is driven off the showroom floor. Used Kia vehicles also make it possible for drivers to get more features and bells and whistles for less money – which helps people who want the technology but need to stick to a budget. Buying a vehicle that is even just one year old can offer considerable savings over buying the same vehicle in the latest model.
If you decide to buy older used cars, you will want to keep in mind that while the price tag gets lower the older the vehicle is, you’ll also tend to have more maintenance issues with older vehicles. If you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, having extensive car maintenance needs can result in having to pay more over the life of the car in repair expenses than if you had just purchased a newer car in the first place.
New Kia Vehicles
If buying your vehicle with a car loan, you’ll generally get a better interest rate when you buy a new car. For people who will make a loan payment, many prefer a new car for the lower interest rate and because they’re going to make payments on the vehicle anyway, they figure they may as well go top of the line!
Newer cars should not have any maintenance concerns beyond the typical oil and filter change for many years and miles – and if you do have problems, it will be covered under the warranty for three to five years or for so many miles. New cars are good to go, while a used car may need a new battery soon after you buy it, brakes, rotors, transmission or other costly maintenance sooner – and more frequently.
Coming soon to our St. Petersburg Kia dealership in Florida are the all new, 2014 Kia Forte Sedan’s. Previous models of Kia Forte vehicles were known for a loud engine, particularly at higher speeds, and a harsh suspension but both of these have been improved and the 2014 Kia Forte Sedan will feel like an entirely different car to those of you who have traveled in the previous models.
Kia Forte Design Changes
The Kia California Design Center created a new, streamlined design for the 2014 version of the compact, economy car. The front of the vehicle has a more aggressive look, and a roof with an extreme slope followed by a short deck. The appearance looks good – and offers a drag coefficient of .27 which offers great gas mileage.
The interior of the Kia Forte has just slightly less space than it had previously, but the decrease is so minimal that the average driver or passenger would not notice. The trunk space is larger than both the Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze vehicles, offering total volume of 14.9 cubic feet.
Forte Models and Speeds
The Kia Forte base model is an LX with a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine. You have an option with the LX for a six-speed manual or an automatic; whereas the EX version is only available as a six-speed automatic. The Kia Forte EX has a 2.0-liter, GDI four-cylinder. The speed isn’t overly impressive with either model, especially since the transmission shifts so smoothly so you don’t really feel the speed, but what you will probably appreciate is the way the power is delivered to the front wheels in a smooth and quiet way.
Interior Technology
The Kia Forte offers the hands-free infotainment system standard on the EX model, with a 911 connect for emergencies and roadside assistance. Your car receives maintenance notifications as they are needed, and you can connect with Siri, Twitter, and Pandora radio all free for the first 10 years or 100,000 miles.
2014 Kia Forte Pricing
Official pricing has not yet been released, but The Kia Forte LX with a manual transmission, satellite radio, power windows and mirrors, and air-conditioning will run around $16,000 while the EX version with a back-up camera, cooled glovebox to keep your candy from melting, and a sliding center armrest will start around $19,000.
You will find the new 2014 Kia Forte at our Florida Kia dealership around mid-March.
Car shopping is an exciting time, especially if you’re in the market for a new Kia. An affordable car is at the top of just about every car buyer’s must-have list. Here are some tips for saving money on a new Kia from our St. Petersburg Kia dealership in Florida, which should help you get the lowest possible price on your new car:
Prepare and Get Your Homework Done
The best part about car shopping is browsing the inventory of cars in our showroom but if you want to make educated decisions and get the best price, you will want to prepare and do your homework before you visit us. Use online car forums to research what people are saying about the different Kia vehicles you’re interested in. Reviews and comments from real people driving the vehicles can help you make a decision about which model will work best for your situation.
You can also research price ranges of the different models of Kia vehicles so you have a better idea whether there may be negotiation room on the sticker price of cars you are interested in.
Check Insurance Premiums Before You Buy
When you are shopping for a new Kia, it’s a good idea to compare car insurance premiums for the different models you are interested in before you make your decision. Insurance premiums vary depending on the type of car you drive, and in some cases the cost can vary drastically and may lead you to choose a car that is less expensive to insure to keep your ongoing expenses for car ownership down.
Compare Car Financing Options
If you are unable to buy a car from our St. Petersburg Kia dealership with cash of your own, chances are you are probably looking to get a car loan. You have a variety of options when it comes to car financing, including getting a loan through our dealership financing, your own bank or credit union, or through another car loan lender.
Take a look at all of your options for financing the cost of a car. You want to get the lowest possible interest rate on the loan, since this can save you hundreds or even thousands over the life of a car loan. If you check several options for car loans in a two or three day period, it will only count as one inquiry on your credit report, since it is expected that car buyers would shop around to find the best deal.
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Warranties include 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain and 5-year/60,000-mile basic. All warranties and roadside assistance are limited. See retailer for warranty details.