Review on 3 Impressive New Kia Cars for 2016

We are on the verge of waving away 2015 and we’re looking forward to the new models that Kia has planned for 2016, while many of these aren’t yet available in Australia. In this article, we will give you a summary of the key features and updates of some popular Kia 2016 releases just to give you a sneak peak of what’s coming.

2016 Kia Sportage: Everlasting Impression

Slated for a release in the first quarter of 2016, the new Kia Sportage was first shown off back in September at a motor show in Frankfurt. The medium sized SUV has been noted for its different physical appearance compared to that of its predecessors, with a sharper, fiercer-looking front grille, and modified headlights, as well as being slightly longer than previous models.

Image Credit: kia.com

Feature-wise, the Australian release will include new safety features as standard including lane departure warning and blind spot detection. Also for the first time in Australia, this model will include Apple Car Play and Android Auto. The increased length allows for more space inside, which promises a more comfortable ride for driver and passengers. Engine details for the Australian release are yet to be announced, but we’re seeing 2.0 and 2.4 petrol engines overseas as well as a diesel tuber 2.0 litre. The 2016 Sportage is certainly one we’re looking forward to.

2016 Kia Cerato: A Gift of True Innovation

The 2015 Cerato was one of the year’s most widely sold cars, beloved for its sleek design in particular. Despite this, Kia came out and promised significant changes to the 2016 model, and early images seem to confirm this.

Image Credit: kia.com

The updated look was unveiled just last month and we can see that the new design carries over a lot of what made 2015’s offering work, with the interesting tweaks. We’ll let you decide whether you like the new look, but we are a fan of the new, longer headlights which is a nice change from the more bubbly-looking lights on the older model. The other striking difference is that the front grille has been made flatter and straighter. These changes give the Cerato a more luxury appearance.

By all reports, engine options will be the same as the 2015 Cerato and we can expect this model to be available in April or May.

2016 Kia Picanto: All in Small

You might not be familiar with the name and there’s a good reason for that; the Picanto is yet to have been released in Australia. However, it will be introduced to Australian Kia dealers at some point in the first half of 2016.

Image Credit: kia.com

Kia's smallest car, Picanto is being released as a viable competitor to the Mitsubishi Mirage, which currently dominates the micro-car market in Australia. But it will have its work cut out for it to hold the title as the Picanto looks primed for a big first year.

The 2016 model is rather eye-catching, with that stylish grille found across Kia’s range. The zippy micro-car has been commended for its interior space, and rumour has it the Australian model will include a spare tire (not seen in UK models). Safety features have also been a priority, receiving a 5-star safety rating from ANCAP when released to New Zealand.

Are you excited about these new cars? Don't scream yet, we will be reviewing three more flagship Kia car of their respective class in our next blog article. So stay with us and leave your comment below, and don't forget to visit Chadstone Kia's website for new updates on original Kia cars.

KIA’s Small Car the Soul Dominating the Competition in 2015

Planning to buy a small car? Studied so many brands and offerings? Well, STOP! Look no further than the marvellous KIA Soul, one of the most highly decorated and awarded subcompact vehicles in 2015.

The boxy 2015 edition of the Soul has been commended for its unique look - despite technically being a hatchback, it deviates from the typical hatchback look that has arguably become a little outdated these days. The flat backside of the vehicles is something we’re probably used to seeing on a much larger car and this actually gives the Soul a somewhat funky appearance. In car reviews across Australia, critics are adamant that this hip new KIA Soul is Kia soul one of the best small cars available in 2015.

Awards and Achievements: 2015 Loved KIA Soul!

The snazzy, smooth looking Soul has brought home a host of awards and stamps of approval for finding the right balance between size, comfort, affordability and performance on the road.

One of the most revered awards in design industry, ‘Red Dot award’ recognised KIA Soul EV car as the winner in 2015 for its outstanding product design, stating, “With a long-range capacity, a simple control concept and high-quality interior design, the KIA Soul EV contributes to the acceptance of the electric car”.

Voted the best subcompact car by Edmunds.com and best hatchback family cars on the market by U.S News & World Report, it’s not difficult to see why the Soul has been one of the most popular sellers for singles, couples and families alike.

Not only that but the KIA Soul is also being recognised as being environmentally-friendly. It’s been crowned the ‘Green Car of the Year’ and ‘Best Electric Car’ by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada and Motoring TV respectively.

Offering Rich Features for 2015 and Beyond

The 5-door KIA Soul Australia has a bunch of innovative features and add-ons available. As standard, the Soul comes with power steering, 17” alloy wheels, cruise control, power windows, 6-speed manual transmission and long warranty.

The 2015 model comes with the added option of a rear-view camera, smartphone connectivity, USB port sunroof, touchscreen audio-visual display, leather seats push-button start, various telematics features and many more features.

As well as being one the feature-packed compact cars on the market, it’s also renowned 
for its roomy interior and has one of the most spacious storage areas of any small car in its class.

Maintenance is No Hassle, We’re Here for You

Like all KIA cars in Australia, the Soul comes with an industry-leading 7-year, unlimited kilometre warranty, and 12 months roadside assist. If there are problems with your KIA vehicle, make sure you contact a certified KIA cars dealer. 

If you are in Melbourne then Chadstone KIA, renowned for their unparalleled service and customer support, along with the largest collection of Kia original parts available in Victoria for you and can assist with any requirements for KIA vehicles.

As always, keep an eye out for new KIA models being released in 2017!

How Vital are Your Car Fluids? Have You Checked These Five Recently?

Ensuring that your car is in great working order is always the best way to avoid any malfunctions in the future, as well as helping to avoid the costs of expensive repairs when parts are not well maintained. Whilst your tyres, engine and exhaust often require the most amount of maintenance over time, it is your vehicle's fluids which truly keep the wheels rolling.

To keep your car running smoothly and to minimise the risk of damaging parts of the engine, and to avoid expensive replacements you will need to check the levels and quality of the fluids in your vehicle. Usually, there are a large amount of parts of your car that require different types of fluids, such as water, oil, lubricant etc, but there are 5 essential fluids that you should check on a regular basis to keep you running smoothly.

Engine Oil: Keeps Vehicle's Heart Beating

One of the most important and basic tasks of maintaining your vehicle is to check its oil levels under the bonnet. Most vehicles will have a dipstick that will show you the level of oil and tell you if it needs replacing or topping up. Simply remove the dipstick from its holder and wipe it with a cloth, repeat that method to ensure you are getting a reliable reading and read the measurement on the stick itself.

Most dipsticks will have markings on it relating to whether you need to top up the oil, or if it is in a safe zone according to the markings. You should check this oil level at least once a month – more if you have an older vehicle. If you notice that you are going through lots of oil, then call your local mechanic as there may be a hidden issue.

Coolant: That Keeps Your Car Chilled

Clearly an important fluid in hot temperatures, the coolant helps keep your car from running too hot by keeping it cool within the radiator. Keeping your radiator topped up with coolant is the best way to stay out of trouble, and allows your long journeys to run smoothly from A to B without having to stop every ten minutes to let your engine cool down.

Coolant also stops your engine parts from freezing in the winter when the temperatures drop and allow your vehicle to brush off the cold weather that could seize up many older vehicles. Keep your coolant topped up and change it before the summer months each year and then again before the colder months set in to keep in tip top shape.

Transmission Fluids: Shifts the Gear as Smooth as Butter

Transmission fluids play an important role in keeping your vehicle’s gears running and changing smoothly. It is literally the fluid that oils the cogs of your car. Your transmission fluid shouldn’t really run low because the idea of the transmission fluid is to keep the gears lubricated at all times.

If you notice anything out of the ordinary in the fluid you should take your vehicle to the garage, as transmission fluid is rated for its quality and degradation over time, and not by how much is in the vehicle itself. Your vehicle’s engine needs to be running while you check this fluid, so if you have any doubts, call your local garage to point you in the right direction.

Brake Fluid: Makes Your Brake Loyal

A vehicle without brakes is about as dangerous as it gets in terms of road safety, so to ensure your brakes never fail on you, keeping a check on your brake fluid and performing regular maintenance will keep you on the road safe, and safety for other motorists. Being part of a closed system, you shouldn’t run low of brake fluid, so if you do, seek advice.

Checking the cleanliness of your brake fluid is the best way to ensure that your brakes are working perfectly every time. Checking your brake discs and your brake fluid together is a great way to cut down maintenance times for a regular monthly pit stop. Check the levels on the side of your brake fluid meter to ensure it is a nice golden colour, and not brown or black - If the colour changes, change your brake fluid.

Power Steering Fluid: Guarantees Steady Control

Another fluid to regularly check to keep you safe on the roads is your power steering fluid. You should check this fluid at least once a month, but if you notice creaking or juddering coming from your steering wheel, check your power steering fluids immediately. Check the reservoir under the bonnet to ensure that the levels are good and that the fluid hasn’t turned bad, and check for leaks if you are having any issues.

Keeping your car in tip-top condition will help you stay safe on the roads and allow you to drive more confidently, knowing your vehicle is in good working order. Regular check-ups for your vehicle is all it takes to maintain your car. And with the cost of repair or replacement of parts are much expensive compared to checking fluids regularly, it is always best to stay on the safe side, instead of ending up with unnecessary repairing expenses.

Now, if you are a proud owner of Kia and having even a little trouble with you car that you cannot rectify yourself, no worries! At Chadstone Kia, we have the largest collection of Kia original parts and accessories in Melbourne. Moreover, our authorised Kia service experts will happily look onto your issue, and provide the best possible assistance at our Kia Service Center in Melbourne. And, we are always proud of our excellence in our customer service.

A Simple Guide to Understand the Classification of Cars

When it comes to purchasing your first vehicle, or upgrading to something bigger and better, understanding the car classification system in place will point you in the right direction to getting the perfect car. Many people like the idea of owning a certain type of car, such as a sports hatchback or SUV, but the more you understand about why these different classifications exit, and how they can have an impact on your insurance policies, you may think differently.

To help with tax duties, insurance fees and safety regulations, both governments and private organisations have created a long list of different sorts of vehicles and have put them into different classifications. Whilst different types of classification occur abroad, in Australia, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries carries its own car classification system, which we will look at today.

In this classification system, vehicles are classed by size, vehicle use and engine size to determine which category the vehicles fall into. The three main groups of car classification are:

A. Passenger Cars
B. SUVs and people-movers
C. Commercial vehicles

Within these three groups, there are separate subgroups within the classification, as there are a huge number of different sorts of a vehicle each with its own purpose. These subcategories are as follows:

A. Passenger Cars

• Light
• Small
• Medium
• Large
• Sports
• Hybrid
• Luxury

Let’s look at the different sorts of car allocated to each subgroup. A small car is a vehicle that is often referred to as a C Segment or a hatch. These vehicles often contain a small engine with great fuel economy and come in 2-door and sometimes 4-door variants. They have their own tax and insurance class as determined by the government.

The Kia Cerato Hatch is a great example of a small car that is positioned perfectly in this category. The Kia Cerato hatch has a number of different engine options including greater performance but still resides in this class due to other factors such as size and form factor.

B. SUVs and People-Movers

• Small SUV (Compact)
• Medium SUV
• Large SUV
• Luxury SUV
• People Movers

Within this category, we have a whole range of budget and luxury KIA cars that encompass the sports utility vehicle classification. Unlike the Kia Cerato hatch, these vehicles are often 4-wheel-drive vehicles that are built for rugged terrain, that often include much larger engines than the first classification of vehicles.The Kia Sportage is a great example of this classification as it sits within the Medium SUV category, making it a great choice between choosing an SUV or a sedan.

C. Commercial Vehicles

• Vans
• Buses
• Trucks
• Utes (4wd)
• Utes (2WD)

In this category, we find the vehicles used for everyday commercial business such as courier vans, buses and utility trucks used in farming and other industries. As the vehicles are designed for commercial purposes you can find a wide range of upgrades and custom fittings for each vehicle, depending on your commercial venture.

Vehicle classification is a great way for you to choose a vehicle based on its purpose, its suitability for everyday use and the overall costs that will impact on its upkeep. Many new crossover vehicles that take advantage of larger engines, better fuel economy and still remain in the same category such as the Kia Cerato hatch are a great way to find better performance and bang for your buck.

Plan Your Trip In Advance with This Handy Vehicle Inspection Checklist

Planning a long driving trip any time soon? Or wanting to take a holiday with the family? There are a few things you’ll need to do before you try on your new bathing costume and pack your luggage. Taking good care of your vehicle will in turn take good care of you and your family.

By ensuring that your vehicle is in good working condition with a quick vehicle status check, you will be able to save money on fuel efficiency, ensure that your vehicle is safe and secure and allow your driving trip to go smoothly. Buying car parts on a regular basis might become expensive, but by keeping your car in good shape with a pre-trip car check, you may save some money on costly repairs.

Many roadside or call-out breakdown services advise anyone planning a long driving trip to check their vehicle for wear and tear and ensure that the vehicle is working in tip-top shape. These breakdown services run into the usual problems all the time, and by checking your vehicle over before you leave, you can limit the problems you may face during a lengthy road trip.

The standard items on your check list should be the parts of your car you already check on a regular basis. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Tyre pressure

• Headlights, signalling, warning and braking lights

• Oil levels

• Fuel levels

• Clean windshields / wipers

• Mirror positioning

Before planning a long road trip, you need to ensure other parts and accessories of your car and in good working condition, and checking them before your trip will give you enough time to make changes or even repairs if necessary.

Some of the most fundamental systems of your car need to be checked to help your journey run smoothly as your car does. Some of the checks to note include:

• Transmission fluid

• Battery

• Air filter

• Coolant

• Spare wheel, jack and wrench

• Steering and suspension

With all of these items in check you will be safe in the knowledge that your car is running in good shape. If you see any issues with the oil levels, coolant and other fluids your car may need. A simple topping up of these items and ensuring they are packed for your trip will spare you expensive trips to the petrol station.

Other items of note to make sure your long road trip goes perfectly are the extra items it is advised that you take with you in case of emergencies and make up a list of essential items to take with you. These include:

• First aid kit

• Torch, fluorescent jacket and warning sign

If you are taking a trip that is in the middle of nowhere, or somewhere that you haven’t been before, it is worth considering purchasing a GPS navigation system. These come in handy for finding your route if you ever leave it, notifying you of points of interest along your route, as well as petrol stations, garages and emergency services information. A full car safety check will give you more confidence in your vehicle when partaking in long road trips with your family.

Get Help If You Need It

If you already have a GPS navigation system, ensure that you have downloaded or installed the latest firmware and updated maps for your system to allow your GPS to update with all of the latest changes on the road.

With all of your checks done, you are now ready to hit the road and enjoy your holiday. Ensuring that your car is assessed via a vehicle inspection checklist against repairs and upkeep is a great way to keep your car in good shape.

By ensuring your vehicle is topped up with oil, Coolant/antifreeze and water, checking the tire pressure, braking and suspension aids in the overall fuel efficiency of your car, and most of the essential items that your car must have during a long holiday trip. These little tweaks of carefulness allows you to extend your vehicles working life, for more long road trips to come!


Now If you are a Proud Kia Car Owner who is planning to go for a quick trip, the best possible option for you to recheck your important vehicle by professional Kia experts. We, at Chadstone Kia provide the largest range of Kia Original Parts, and have one of the best Kia Service Centre in Melbourne to provide your desired service. Feel free to visit our website for more information about our services. We believe, we make thing easy for our customers with our specialized customer services.