Explore Your Car - 2018 Updates in Popular KIA Models

KIA is constantly making upgrades and improvements to its range of cars, whether it be added features, additions, design improvements or engine specifications. It’s always interesting to see how these changes develop over time, as they are often made as a response to feedback from the previous year and to ensure various models are appropriate for their target market. While 2018 has seen fewer changes than last year, there has been some addition to some of KIA’s biggest car models. This article will have a look at a few of the changes, updates and improvements that we saw between last year’s and 2018’s KIA cars.

KIA Soul

The 2018 KIA Soul was actually very similar to last year’s model, with only a few minor changes being added. This followed the transition between the 2016 and 2017 models, which included the lower price-tag, a bigger engine and various other refinements. Sales numbers improved significantly and KIA has decided to stick with what works in the case of its funky, small SUV. The 2018 model has been highly reviewed, with critics often remarking that it has incredible value for its price. 

One of the biggest changes in 2018 is the additional colour offered, which is called Wild Orange. Always an option if you’re feeling adventurous! Some of the additional gadgets packed into the 2018 Soul include an upgraded infotainment system, which caters to both Apple and Android devices - automatic climate control is also included in this. Some of the other features include heated back seats and steering wheel, and LED lighting on the outside of the vehicle.

KIA Sportage

Again, the Sportage saw big changes from 2016 to 2017, mainly in terms of its appearance. It was made longer, making the interior more spacious. There were also a bunch of improvements made to handling, suspension and steering, with software and infotainment upgrades included to boot.

This time around, the changes have been less dramatic. The 2018 Sportage resembles the 2017 model with the same long body and styling. However, this model has added safety features and introduced lower trims, as well as improving on various standard features. This has had the effect of bumping up the base prices slightly, although the consumer has more choice in terms of options packages.

KIA Optima

KIA’s award-winning midsize sedan, the Optima, remains one of the most competitive models in the segment. The 2018 version has seen various improvements and has largely been rejuvenated, with technology and safety upgrades coming without a significant bump in the price.

The five trim levels on offer include the stylish, all-new KIA Optima S, which was not present in the 2017 line-up. It comes with a sports bumper, spoiler, LED tail and fog lights, with a panoramic moonroof to top it off. The 2018 Optima improves on its predecessor’s safety and entertainment features. Added to the long list of features are Rear parking assist, Blind Spot Detection and a Cross Traffic Alert system, all included as standard. Add to that Kia UVO eServices technology as standard - with a touchscreen and Apple/Android connectivity for all your infotainment needs.

Come down to Chadstone KIA and check out the all-new Optima, Soul and Sportage today! You can browse through our website or get in touch with us directly for more information. 

Kia Marketing Campaigns for Euro 2016 in July is A Big Success

It’s been a busy month in July for Kia, who have organised some very interesting marketing and social media campaigns surrounding the 2016 Euro Cup.

One of the world’s most important football or soccer competitions, the UEFA Euro Cup 2016 wrapped up earlier this month, with plenty of people tuning in late at night to catch the action. It was Portugal that got the job done over to the hosts France, and what a tournament it was!

The official sponsors Kia organised a bunch of activities around the event, including the ‘Champ into the Arena’ five-on-five amateur tournament, in which literally thousands of different teams competed from all around the world. The winner from each participating country was rewarded with an all expenses trip to France to compete against the world’s best. The quality of competition was extremely high, exceeded only by the Euro Cup itself.

Another successful campaign surrounding this every-four-year event was the ‘Carry your Dream’ social media campaign, which encouraged children to post content that demonstrates how crazy they are about soccer and what it means to them. Fifty-one of the best entries were selected as official match ball carriers at the event in France, meaning they would take the ball out onto the pitch and hand it to the referee!

Keep an eye on other special offers and exciting campaigns organised by Kia through 2016, and of course, don’t forget to check out the huge range of Kia cars that can be seen on the Chadstone Kia website.

Kia Soul - The Scintillating One

The Boost of Kia Car Sales in Australia

Kia Cars - Big on Style and Big on Standard Features

If there is one brand of car right now that has seen an incredible turn of fortune over the past few years in terms of popularity, that award goes hands down to Kia. This modern car manufacturer company seems to have tapped into a booming market of people wishing for an affordable, modern and simple vehicle that also comes with all the bells and whistles. But how did this relatively small car company become one of the most in-demand car brands in Australia today? Why is Kia so popular? Here’s why.

Kia didn’t get off to the best of the starts when it started importing vehicles into Australia; there was huge competition from other brands that had already established themselves in the country for their particular classes. Kia had the right ideas when it came to producing a relatively cheap vehicle when they manufactured a few entry-level budget cars for Ford to be sold in Australia, but it wasn’t until roughly 10 years ago when Kia started to produce their own vehicles to sale abroad.

The Korean car manufacturer produced a number of cars such as the Kia Rio that was positioned in a market filled with similar cars that didn’t really stand out from the crowd. Being a bit more inexpensive that its rivals, the Rio was a popular car for what it was, and allowed Kia to hone their skills in creating a full line-up of vehicles that fits for a relative newcomer to the market.

Bold Design, Reliable Functionality

Everything changed in recent years when the Kia Soul was launched that was packed with features as cool as its exterior look. We all knew then that Kia was going to a different direction from the already over-crowded market and would have a hit-or-miss effect on its customers. Thankfully for Kia, the Soul took off big time and with a number of interesting and funny commercials backing the launch, Kia had finally come into form as one of the small car manufacturers to watch, and respect.

The Kia Cee’d was always known as a positive little car that had huge ambitions to become one of the best little run-arounds you could get for your money, and the newer models bear that fruit of the company's design and research. The Pro C’eed 2015 and 2016 models are well respected as functional and fun vehicles that put up a mighty fine challenge to other vehicles in its class from the likes of VW.

A Modern Range of Vehicles

The Kia Rondo, Kia Optima and Kia Sportage models offer a glimpse into what makes this South Korean car manufacturer's vehicles so appealing. The form and function of the vehicles often is on par or sometimes outperforms much more expensive rivals, as well as the reliability that we have come to expect from Kia.

The Optima GT Turbo is Australia’s Best Medium Sedan under $50K – As judged by Australia’s Best Cars. 

Making fun, sporty, modern and reliable vehicles is the key ingredient in achieving a larger customer base that now swears by their cars as the vehicles of choice to recommend others. Kia has focused its efforts on providing everyday drivers the best feel for the road, as well as all of the little fun features that make driving a little more pleasurable.

New Kia Picanto with Auto is now Good To Go, with five doors and Rear Parking Sensors

Having a car made by a manufacturer that excels in making vehicles, even for other manufacturers, means that you will have a thriving parts and serving base that will pay dividends if you ever find your vehicle in trouble. You may find a Kia service centre in your town, as well as a number of places in larger cities such as the well-known Kia services Melbourne provides.

Over the year 2014-15 Kia has seen a surge in sales of 21% increase, thanks in part to a number of exciting new models that have launched such as the new Sorento and the latest Cerato, Picanto models. Passenger and utility vehicles (Ute) made by Kia have improved so dramatically that the 29% increase has led them to break into the top ten car manufacturers in terms of sales.

An Award-Winning Formula

One of the big reasons why Kia has seen such a dramatic increase in sales could mainly be down to the amount of awards that Kia vehicles have won over the past two years. The Sorento and Carnival have both won Drive Car of the Year awards for 2015, with the Sorento going on to win a whole host of important awards to break through into the public perception.

The All-New Sorento has won two Australia’s Best Cars awards in two categories! 

Kia continues to make headway in the vehicle market across all of its vehicle classes, and today stands as one of the most trusted and reliable car brands on the market. The company continues to provide fantastic Kia service centres in important locations around the country, with Kia dealers Melbourne making huge enhancements to their stock and servicing abilities.

Images Source: facebook.com/KiaAustralia

Review on 3 of the Best Kia Cars You Can Buy in 2016

Kia is known for its sporty, performance smaller vehicles that are made to excite and boost your driving experience. This year Kia has raised the bar even higher with a new line-up of their most popular cars to date. In our last article, we have reviewed 3 popular Kia cars in Australia. This time we will be reviewing 3 of Kia's best cars in the respective class: Kia Sorento, Kia Soul, and Kia Optima. These three vehicles are the best of their class for a number of reasons, but are they the best car for you? Let’s find out which type of Kia driver you are!

Kia Sorento 2016: The Perfect Getaway Vehicle

The Kia Sorento 2016 makes use of its larger and more sophisticated exterior and continues the luxury inside. Being slightly larger than the previous model, the luxury interior is where the 2016 model shows its class. Featuring a number of added extras to enhance your driving experience, Kia thought it best to highlight the most popular features and bring them into the new model.

Image Courtesy: kia.com

This mid-size crossover vehicle features more user-friendly controls as you’d expect from Kia. Featuring a clean and great feeling cabin that feels as well-made as it looks, the 2016 model features a nice and versatile second-row seat for those transporting their family in comfortable surroundings. When it comes to value for money, the 2016 Kia Sorento has it all in terms of functions for your money.

Image Courtesy: kia.com

Overall, the Kia Sorento 2016 model has been ultimately redesigned to boost performance with its 2.0L and 2.4L turbo model, with the high-end model featuring a 3.3L V6 for maximum performance. In of its class, the Kia Sorento 2016 is a decent SUV that is positioned competitively for its price, which feels much classier than a cheaper alternative that may lack many of the features and functions in the latest model.

Kia Soul 2016: Totally Transformed

Known for its funky and sporty stylings, the Kia Soul 2016 takes an even bigger step further in terms of fun driving in this years’ latest model. Featuring a number of styling upgrades, the 2016 Kia Soul looks more rugged and urban than the previous model, which makes for a great looking urban commuter for any cool inner-city driver.

Image Courtesy: kia.com

With a whole host of additional features and upgrades available, the 2016 Kia Soul takes functionality to the next level. Being fun to drive and featuring a tight turning circle for its slightly larger size, this car can look and feel much smaller than it actually is – which is a good thing for drivability!

Featuring many user-friendly controls makes the car simple to operate and easy to understand. With all of the controls at your fingertips you will be less distracted along your journey. With amble passenger space you will now be able to haul your work colleagues across town to the nearest coffee shop in an instant, and leave your friends impressed by the spacious room in the back.

Image Courtesy: kia.com

The fuel economy is reasonable for this size of vehicle, and has a reasonably good ride on city roads. You will be impressed by the responsiveness of the car, as well as the number of upgrade and additional options available right out of the shop, such as the new premium package that includes forward collision and lane-departure warning systems which are new to the Soul range in 2016.

If you are after a driving experience that features a comfortable ride for you and a few buddies, one of the best infotainment systems available on the market, as well as a funky cool look, then you won’t have to look any further than the Kia Soul 2016 model to give you a spectacular driving experience.

Kia Optima 2016: Discover the Next Generation

This stylish sedan has proven its popularity year after year thanks to its effortlessly modern styling, excellent performance and a range of in-car entertainment functions that put much more expensive cars to shame. The 2016 Kia Optima has proven its sporty nature again with the latest models, featuring a number of improvements in terms of fuel economy and performance.

Image Courtesy: kia.com

Featuring a turbocharged 1.6L engine that purrs at even higher speeds in the LX Turbo model, the cabin stays quiet thanks to improved noise dampening designs. Featuring many convenience functions that are made to make driving simpler, the Optima also has many luxury features that you simply can’t find on other cars in its class.

Image Courtesy: kia.com

The range of models for the Kia Optima 2016 include a 1.6L turbocharged 7-speed automated manual, the EX 2.4L 6-speed automatic, as well as the top of the range SXL Turbo 2.0L 6-speed automatic.

This front-wheel drive Kia has all of the sporty feeling and handling you’ve come to expect from the Optima models in recent years and with a tighter feel to it you will feel at home with the new 2016 model, as well as offering you more luxury than you would might expect for a sedan in this class.

If you want to upgrade your Kia to the latest models or need to find the best accessories to suit your needs precisely, then there is no better place to fit out your car than with Chadstone Kia. For parts and accessories, Chadstone Kia is the first place to knock, and when it comes to services and inspections, you won’t find a more knowledgeable Kia expect in Melbourne, VIC.

Kia's New Optima Brings You - The Ride for Batman

The Kia Optima SX Limited Batmobile is everything vigilante. This car is a feast for the fans eyes. A lot of work has been put into the making and the portrayal of the magic of the exceptionally creative artist Jim Lee is presented via this Kia. We'll take you through a tour of it shortly but first, let's start off by mentioning that this Batman-themed Kia was created for DC's "We Can Be Heroes" campaign, which is a charity that fights hunger in the Horn of Africa.

Brace yourselves people and buckle up before you're blown away by what you're about to learn. First up are the basics. This Kia starts off with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that heats up 274 horsepower at 6000 rpm. This sedan has what it takes to take up 60 mph in under 6.5 seconds. A real treat for a knight.

The Custom Grille

The custom bat-wing grille took 40 hours to design and features a custom bat-wing badge in the centre. The grille is shaped like a bat-wing, designed by Jim Lee, who clearly cut no corners in his work.

Those Bat-Wing Headlights

If Batman drove a KIA, it would most probably be this one so you can expect the headlights to come out with the icon of the honoured vigilante. The projection headlights for this vehicle has the iconic symbol of the bat which is used to summon Batman in the comics.

The Beyond Compare Paint and Under Glow

The slick matte black paint job brings out that killer looks the car deserves. The yellow under glow shines from beneath and behind the massive brakes. Everything is custom-made on the exterior, the body kit, the door panel, the new bumpers, side skirts, a rear spoiler and even the hood vents were designed by hand, specifically for this Kia.

The Distinctive and Performance-Inspired Wheels

K Sport's brakes make the wheels unmatched in performance. When the speeds are soaring high, they'll step right in on the driver's will to calm the knight down. They're 20-inch wheels, dramatically lowered and painted to complement the car's appearance and suave. When the vehicle moves in before a crowd, the wheels stop turning and the lights glare, a dark experience is brought with it.

The Interior

There's a unique batsuit in the trunk. Yes. This particular fact was meant to lock eyes. Also, there are several stylish features that simply impress. Everything has been upholstered in leather and suede. The seats, the headliner, the dashboard and all else that crosses your mind.

Yellow batman logos and LED s are scattered throughout the interior and the centre console can be opened to find Batman throwing stars. Although you won't get a custom audio system with loud sub-woofers and amplifiers, that's for the reason that the car is based on stealth and in tribute to the Bat's personality.

In the end, you should know that the car's not street legal. When something this deadly requires permission, there are ways for it be in the shadows and strike fear into criminal hearts. Lastly, A famous quote from the Dark Knight himself - ''It's not who we are underneath, but what we do that defines us."


Here are some videos of  the making and showcase of  the Batman Kia Optima:

1. Kia Batman Themed vehicle by LUX Motorwerks

2. Jim Lee Batman Inspired Kia Vehicle Sneak Peek

3. Batman Kia Optima SX 

The Kia Optima: An Evolutionary Car, a Revolutionary Hybrid

Eve so often, a radically different car comes onto the market to make other manufacturers look dated and old tech. Kia has leapt into the spotlight to promote their fuel-efficient cars, as well as the implementation of one of the most advanced hybrid vehicle technologies.

The Kia Optima made headlines in recent years as becoming the most fuel-efficient hybrid car not only in its class but in the world. Let us look at how much fuel efficiency can be made, as well as some of the hybrid technology explained.

Hybrid cars are an innovative development in the history of the motor vehicle, starting from the gas-guzzling large block engines of the past, to the more energy and fuel-efficient cars of today. Hybrid cars work on a dual power system of both a petrol engine and a battery. The car functions like any other car, but with a difference, in that, the power stored in the battery can later be used to power the car.

A Shining Light in Hybrid Technology

Many hybrid cars employ different ways of storing the power or using the power stored in the battery. Some cars are fully electric but require longer charging times and often lack the power needed for everyday motoring to become an enjoyable experience driving.

The Kia Optima features an innovative design in how it utilises all of its power from its petrol engine and battery storage, to offer one of the best fuel-efficient cars on the market.

The hybrid powertrain is supplied by a high-power lithium polymer battery that supplies all the power you need in the city and an eco-efficient petrol engine when you are travelling long-distance. The regenerative battery system helps charge the battery when braking, leaving you that extra power when you need it most.

The Optima features dynamic performance with its built-in eco-friendly features to aid in fuel economy and in the driving experience. The Optima Hybrid powertrain is able to balance efficiently when transitioning from its electric-only to a hybrid mode in an instant. Also featuring an active air flap that is automatically engaged to improve aerodynamics the Kia Optima also features a smart assistant to provide you with fuel economy stats to aid your driving experience.

An Evolution of Innovation

Hybrid technology innovates further in the way the car is put together. Featuring a lithium polymer battery that is small and compact allows a lightweight construction to help the overall dynamics and fuel efficiency of the vehicle. The battery features high power density, making for large capacity with low heat generation to offer a silent-running EV mode when driving.

With a range of interiors to choose from, you can choose the Kia to suit your personality. Featuring a host of interior comforts such as dual climate control to maximise the comfort of you and your passenger, as well as a range of entertainment options to suit your needs, there is something that all the family will enjoy on a road trip.

The Kia Optima builds on an evolution of motoring and creates a revolution in hybrid technology. The award-winning Optima has set a new standard in fuel efficiency that will stand the test of time for a long while, giving motorists the pleasure of driving.