Tests and Features

Stepping outside the box to build a better box, as in the case of the 2014 Kia Soul, can present much more of a challenge than one might expect. Although the idea of a rectangular wagon with crossover leanings might seem simple at first, it's actually quite difficult to evolve …

It takes courage to go against the grain, and when it comes to the automotive business it requires even more guts to spend a substantial amount of money in the process. After decades of well-heeled customers being told how much they should spend to achieve vehicular nirvana, Kia has dared …

When it rolls into select Canadian dealerships next fall, the 2015 Kia Soul EV will immediately knock its main competitors out of the endurance race, starting with the Nissan Leaf. Kia’s first all-electric vehicle to come to America is boasting 160 kilometres of range, which is the best we’ve seen …

At Kia, new product launches are strategically planned and as regular as clockwork. The brand came out with a new Forte sedan last year, and now they’re flaunting new versions of the two-door Koup and the Forte5 hatchback. This five-door model is particularly interesting, as it should theoretically handle as …

Competition among compact cars is fierce. It’s not just because this segment is extremely popular in Canada, but especially because there are just so many different quality compact models available. Sedans still garner the highest number of sales, followed by wagons, and then coupes. In fact, few manufacturers decide to …

Not only are compact cars increasingly popular in our market, but this segment is constantly evolving. To prove the point, we decided to assess—and compare—the seven most popular compacts. This time, we took a simpler approach than usual and tried to simulate a real vehicle purchase. Form and function The …

Somewhere, out there, there’s a group of drivers lamenting Buick’s transition from the purveyor of pillow-soft suspension tuning into a legitimate modern luxury brand. It would seem that the market researchers at Kia have identified these unique individuals as a target demographic, with the result being the 2014 Kia Cadenza …

Only the name remains from generations of the Kia Rondo past. Arriving at dealerships as we speak, it’s nothing like the Rondo we’ve come to know, except for its compact, family-oriented nature and the fact that it can seat up to seven passengers. Oh, and true to the Korean tradition, …

When Kia launched the new-generation Forte, the Korean automaker also introduced the "new” Sorento. Since this model was completely overhauled in 2011, this year Kia kept the esthetic changes to a minimum (or so it would seem at first glance). Much like the Forte, the exterior changes are nothing out …

The Kia Forte was unveiled in 2009 as a 2010 model to replace the lifeless Spectra, but it never achieved the success that Kia was hoping for. In 2012, for example, it was outdone by its cousin/rival, the Hyundai Elantra. Indeed, the Elantra sold 50,950 units in Canada while the …