kia

The new Sorento doesn't stand out for any cutting-edge technology or unique features, unless you count the new direct-injection engine. Rather, it comes along with very usable cabin electronics at a reasonable price.

What most impressed me about it was the cohesive and attractive cabin tech interface, an area where other automakers struggle. The screens for controlling navigation, the stereo, and the phone feature a consistent look, and Kia obviously has a graphic designer or two on staff, not something all automakers can claim.

The navigation system shows traffic data on easy-to-read maps, the stereo includes all the latest … Read more

Concept cars make up our favorite displays at international auto shows. These cars show off the latest thinking within design departments, and often contain new ideas in cabin and power-train technology.

The latest season was particularly satisfying, featuring the return of an icon, promising new production-intent vehicles, excellent styling, and low- or zero-emission technology. … Read more

On this week's episode we tackle our final questions and some comments but also we bid a fond farewell to CNET Roadside Assistance.

To be seen as more than a budget car maker, Kia follows the example of Hyundai's Equus in releasing a luxury sedan.

The Korean automaker published several images of its upcoming flagship sedan that's set to debut on its home turf in the first half of 2012. Code-named the "KH," the rear-wheel drive car is targeted toward the high-end performance market, and it's likely coming to the U.S., although dates haven't been announced.

Thanks to its fast rising sales in the U.S., Kia is becoming a bigger player in the automotive industry, … Read more

They say this year's Super Bowl will be the most socially networked--the most Twitterized, Facebooked, and Tumblred.

Kia is trying to understand this--and you--as best it can to acknowledge this vast new movement.

So it has uploaded a video of Adriana Lima to YouTube. You know Lima. She is the lady married to former NBA player Marko Jaric.

Well, perhaps that's not what she is most famous for. But it's as well to give the NBA a mention on Super Bowl Sunday.

Kia claims it is doing this because you asked for it. Indeed, on YouTube, the … Read more

You won't have to wait until Sunday to enjoy the latest crop of Super Bowl commercials. And from the looks of it there will be a bumper crop of automaker ads.

Wedged between the notoriously racy GoDaddy ad and various commercials for beverages and yogurt, will be more vehicle ads than ever.

Last week, Audi took a stab at trendy creatures of the night. This week Jerry Seinfeld revives his old shtick--complete with Soup Nazi and other characters--for an ad for the new Acura NSX. Jay Leno and other familiar faces appear in the extended version of the ad.… Read more

Kia brings Korea's first production electric vehicle to market.

The front-wheel-drive Kia Ray EV is powered by a 50-kW electric motor and a high-capacity 16.4kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack, and has range of up to 86 miles on a single charge. The Ray EV is also loaded with some innovative new technology.

The Ray EV weighs 412 pounds more than the gasoline model, but is still closely related to the 1-liter gasoline powered Kia Ray CUV. The Ray EV can share a production line with the conventional combustion-engine cars, Kia said in a press release.

The Ray … Read more

CNET Tech Car of the Year for 2011

2012 Audi A7 Our choice for CNET Tech Car of the Year goes to the 2012 Audi A7, a car that shows superb technology throughout. The list of nominees this year included many very advanced cars representing an impressive leap over last year, proving that the automotive industry is on a hot streak. Improvements in power-train tech play a big role, which helped the Chevy Volt take a top spot in our reader poll, but the connected car seemed like the most relevant and broad-based trend, which is why our staff leaned … Read more

Not the most imaginatively named car, but to our eyes another handsome step forward for Kia.

Sleek, stylish, and sporty are not the type of words you would use to describe a Kia, but the Korean automaker wants you to think about those things, especially in this sedan concept called the GT at the 2011 Frankfurt auto show.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 International Motor Show in Frankfurt)