Since so many automakers seem content in allowing traditional midsize sedans to be erased from existence, it’s refreshing to shift our attention over to one that’s enjoying some praise right now. And while nearly twenty years and nearly four full generations have come and gone since its original introduction, the 2019 KIA Optima feels […]
Currently in its fourth generation, the Optima has been one of Kia Motors’ most successful offerings for years now, and it doesn’t look to be going anywhere soon. Also available as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid variant, the 2019 Kia Optima includes updates which set it apart from the competition. Built in Georgia, the […]
Annnnnnd we’re back, AutoInfluence with another round of automotive news headlines – this time for the third week of April. Of course this means highlights from both the refined presentations of the tech-centric Shanghai Auto Show as well as the New York International Auto show, and it’s American-sized portions of everything covered with a […]
Annnnnd we’re back! AutoInfluence here on Friday, April 12th making our way through automotive news headlines for the second week of April – leading up to the highly anticipated one-two punch of Auto Shanghai and the New York International Auto Show. That said, grab a drink and a snack, get comfortable, go to the bathroom […]
Annnnnd we’re back. AutoInfluence here with the latest automotive news headlines from the first week of April 2019. So let’s drop the hammer and get down to it. FORD Despite a 1.6% decrease in overall sales for the first quarter of 2019, Ford continues to increase the scope of their near-unchallenged leadership of […]
Of all the engineering and technology-centric advances made in automotive technology, none might be more universally appreciable than the evolution of safety features. Cliched sentiment aside, our vehicles really do carry our the most precious of cargo, be it our loved ones, or our very own lives. But it’s not the automakers that […]
Nearly everyone has their own opinion on a foreign import. Love them or hate them, brands like Toyota and Honda have their fierce critics and supporters alike. Some people won’t even consider anything that doesn’t have a Ford or Chevy logo somewhere on the body. Regardless of the actual build quality and reliability of the […]
Check your phone, or watch. Grab your pen. Mark your calendar. Why? Because I’m about to say something I never thought I’d say, and may never say again. “I’m excited about a KIA.” There. I have to say it…summoning up the willpower to utter those four words (especially in a public forum) rank right up […]
We certainly get bored with the same old thing. I find myself dreading the same turkey sandwich every day, and I’m getting sick of working out on the same bike path. When I switch up one of these routines, I find that it can change my entire demeanor. We embrace changes, however scary they may […]
Sometimes a calamity can prove to be beneficial. When Tony Breen, a senior QA Engineer from Billerica, Massachusetts, totaled his new car, he was predictably devastated. It was the first time he had purchased a current-year model, and there was a no way he’d be able to re-purchase a similar vehicle. “I had totaled my […]
The 2016 Kia Optima now has another accolade to add to its long list of accomplishments. After establishing itself as the brand’s best-selling model, the nameplate was recently awarded the highest possible safety designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. By being named a Top Safety Pick plus (TSP+), the vehicle has proven itself […]
The 2017 Kia Sportage will soon be hitting your local lots, and needless to say, we’re all pretty amped about the release of the revamped compact SUV. Next year’s model will be considerably longer and wider than the current version, and the exterior has also been redesigned to present a more sculpted, athletic look. As we […]
For those shopping in the compact car segment, the choices can be overwhelming. With over a dozen choices to consider while looking to purchase a new or used compact, it is easy to miss some incredible vehicles. The Kia Forte is one of the vehicles in the Kia lineup and compact car segment that is […]
The 2016 Super Bowl 50 is just around the corner, and football fans across the country are gearing up for the largest televised sporting event in the world. With so much at stake, you would think that the Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos were the only ones who had something to be nervous about, but […]
Does your head scrape the ceiling when you enter the car? Do your knees ache as you sit cramped up in the back seat? Do you feel like you’d rather just walk the five miles to the grocery store instead of enduring another ride in your small car? If that’s you, you probably need a […]
The 2016 Kia Cadenza is one of the more refined and luxurious designs out there, and it shows. It’s not one of those vehicles where you only realize just how comfort-oriented and refined the vehicle is when you get on the inside; it’s shown on the outside as well. The luxurious nature of the Cadenza […]
If you’re seeking a used car, you’re probably not looking to spend a whole lot of money. Even then, if you want to secure a vehicle that works and will last at least a year, you’ll have to dish out at least $1,000. Even this may be too much money for some, leading us to […]
The Kia Cadenza has been a hit in the United States since it first arrived from South Korea in 2013. Looking to compete with the Hyundai Azera, this executive car was released due to the positive reception from fans (an indication that the brand actually listens to their customers). “The introduction of the Cadenza was […]
There are perhaps just as many used cars as there are new cars out on the roads. Many of these models are still being manufactured today; your popular sedans can still be found at places like King’s Automall, or any other big car dealerships out there. It’s simple why these older models are still running […]
The term “crossover” gets tossed around a lot these days, and it can be hard to know what actually counts as a crossover and what doesn’t. Generally, this term refers to vehicles that look to combine the style and efficiency of a sedan with the power of an SUV in a carefully-crafted combination of form […]
