Monthly Archives: April 2016

2016 Kia Sorento 2017 Kia Sportage X-Men Apocalypse movie Friendly Kia Clearwater FL

“Snikt!” Goes the X-Men-Themed Kia Sorento

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Posted in General Information, Kia Sorento

Kia Sorento Wolverine X-Men Apocalypse Movie

We’ve talked elsewhere on the Friendly blog about the X-Men-themed Kia Sportage, which bore a striking resemblance to the shape-shifting mutant Mystique played by Jennifer Lawrence in recent X-movies.  But the previous year saw the first of these mutant Kia mobiles, and it was inspired by the claw-baring, butt-kicking X-Man Wolverine, aka “the best there is at what he does.”

In case you haven’t had the chance to see these awesome custom jobs on the Kia crossovers, we’ll look at both the Mystique Kia Sportage and the Wolverine Kia Sorento, since we’re in the mood for a mutant masterpiece with the release of the “X-Men: Apocalypse” movie coming on May 28. Read the rest of this entry >>

Driving tips for dog lovers Friendly Kia St. Petersburg FL:

How Can You Keep Your Kia Clean if Your Co-Pilot is a Doberman?

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Posted in General Information

Tips for Traveling with Dogs by Car

We’re huge dog fans at Friendly Kia.  Which should come as no surprise to anyone who has seen our advertising or commercials, many of which feature caricatures of our owner’s two beloved Westies, Ellie and Gillie.

We also like to take dogs on trips with us.  The important thing is to take precautions so that the car stays clean and your furry friends stay comfortable.  We’ll have our cake and eat it too as we look at tips for traveling with dogs by car.  Read the rest of this entry >>

Kia Optima Mom 2.0 Summit online creators conference

Mother’s Day Comes Early for Kia at Meeting of Influential Creators

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Kia Official Automotive Sponsor Mom 2.0 Summit

Perhaps you’ve heard of the term “mommy bloggers.”  It’s a somewhat unflattering way to describe women with children who create and post online content.  But the Mom 2.0 Summit in Dana Point, California is much more than coming up with silly descriptions or making shopping recommendations.  It’s a three-day event (which kicked off April 27 this year) where female content providers discuss the convergence of moms, marketers and media in topics as far-ranging as parenting, business, technology and social change.

The timing couldn’t be better, with Mother’s Day upcoming on May 8, and Kia is part of the action as the Official Automotive Sponsor of the event.  Attendees will be able to test drive the 2017 Kia Sportage and the 2016 Kia Optima, among others, at the Mom 2.0 Summit.  Stay with us for more information about this cool event and Kia’s role in it.  Read the rest of this entry >>

2016 Kia hashtags social media Twitter Sorento Sportage Rio Forte Optima

Getting to Know Your Kia Hashtags

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Posted in General Information

Hashtags for Kia Optima Sportage and Sorento 

If you told us that Kia vehicles were total crap, we’d have to settle your hash.  Put differently, we’d need to resolve your hostility to our beloved brand.  So it’s fortunate that we have handy tools at our disposal like the unique hashtags (that “hash” word again) that each Kia model have been given.  Hashtags are used, of course, in the Twitter-verse, but they also can say a lot about something in a very short amount of time.

Stick with us and we’ll discover together what the unique hashtags for the Kia Optima, Kia Sportage and Kia Sorento are, among other models.  They’re fun, they’ve got style, and they really describe each model in basically a couple words.  Read the rest of this entry >>

2016 Kia models vs 2016 Volkswagen models Friendly Kia New Port Richey FL

“Das Auto” Gets Das Boot from Kia in Model Comparisons

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Posted in General Information

2016 Kia Vehicles Vs. 2016 Volkswagen Vehicles

We’ve taken on the competition from Toyota and Nissan, among others, and won handily.  Now we must prove our mettle against the German automaker Volkswagen.

So how do 2016 Kia vehicles stack up vs. 2016 Volkswagen vehicles?  How will the Soul do vs. the VW Beetle?  Or the Optima against the Passat?  We’ve got the answer for you in these helpful and informative comparison pages, and we’ve got a bit of a spoiler for you: Kia gives VW models “das boot.”

2016 Kia Forte vs. 2016 Volkswagen Jetta 

2016 Kia Forte5 vs. 2016 Volkswagen Golf

2016 Kia Optima vs. 2016 Volkswagen Passat 

2016 Kia Cadenza vs. 2016 Volkswagen CC

2016 Kia Soul vs. 2016 Volkswagen Beetle

2017 Kia Sportage vs. 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

2016 Kia Sorento vs. 2016 Volkswagen Touareg

Read the rest of this entry >>

Kia GT4 Stinger concept sports car release date engine specs

Wherefore Art Thou, Kia Stinger?

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Posted in Concept Vehicles, Kia Stinger

Kia GT4 Stinger Release Details and Engine Specs 

We’re hearing murmurs that the long-anticipated Kia Stinger may be a reality sometime soon.  If you aren’t familiar with the Stinger concept, it was revealed at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, and it’s a full-tilt sports car with a sweet V6 engine and plenty of nice design accents.  You’d be forgiven if you’ve seen the photos and wondered if the dream was ever going to become reality, but now we’re hearing that the Kia GT4 Stinger might be in line for mass production.  Read on for images, release details and engine specs of this sweet car. Read the rest of this entry >>

2016 Kia NBA awards MVP Coach of the Year Durant Popovich Curry Kerr

Kia NBA Awards Predictions – Is Stephen Curry Still the King? Does Anyone Top Coach Pop(ovitch)?

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Posted in General Information

2016 Kia NBA MVP and Coach of the Year Awards

It’s been a heck of a season in the NBA, with many highlights.  You could say that about any year, but this one was a little different, and much more exciting than most, thanks to the Golden State Warriors setting the single-season record for most wins (73-9), beating the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls by a single game.  Not to be lost in the buzz about that record, Kobe Bryant capped off an astonishing 20-year career with the Lakers by scoring 60 points in his final game.

But what we’re here to accomplish is forecasting the 2016 Kia NBA awards races, which include the MVP and Rookie of the Year awards, as well as Coach of the Year, and more.  And since Kia is so closely involved with the NBA as its official automotive partner, and with the Kia Optima the official car of the league, to say nothing of all the NBA sponsorships Kia is part of, there’s no better place to make our picks than here, in the blog for a hoops-loving Kia dealership.  And instead of just making our predictions, we’ll say who we think should win, and then who we think will really win.  Excited yet? Read the rest of this entry >>

2017 Kia Sorento midsize SUV preview Friendly Kia New Port Richey FL

What’s in Store for the 2017 Kia Sorento?

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Posted in Kia Sorento

2017 Kia Sorento Release Date and Features

The Kia Sorento is a best-selling SUV for good reason.  It’s versatile, tough, and affordable.  The judges agree, as it is not only a 2016 IIHS Top Safety Pick, it also has won plaudits for the 2016 Pre-Owned Value Award (POVA) from TrueValue and was the best in class in the most recent J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS).  So how do you improve upon perfection?  Sometimes you make mass changes, sometimes you take baby steps.

We’re not 100% sure what to expect as of yet from the 2017 Kia Sorento, but we have some information for you about its release date and anticipated features for the new model.  Read the rest of this entry >>

2017 Kia Niro HUV eco-friendly 50 mpg Friendly Kia Tampa FL

Get Excited: Kia Niro HUV Already Hot Item in Korea

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Posted in Concept Vehicles, Hybrid Vehicles, Kia Niro

2017 Kia Niro Hybrid Utility Vehicle U.S. Release Date

It’s time to make like the Pointer Sisters and get excited, as the 2017 Kia Niro is coming to the U.S. in a few months.  What’s the buzz all about?  The hybrid utility vehicle (HUV) is expected to have the best fuel economy of all compact crossover hybrids at over 50 mpg, and it will also give you solid power, plenty of room and will reduce emissions.  What’s not to love?

In the meantime, the Niro is already available in Korea, and news is that the next-level HUV is already a hot seller.  Read on to see more about what to expect when the 2017 Kia Niro hybrid utility vehicle has a U.S. release date. Read the rest of this entry >>

Mothers Day 2016 restaurants Capital Grille Ceviche Ocean Prime Tampa FL

What are the Best Mother’s Day Restaurants in the Tampa Area?

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Posted in Local Events

Things to Do for Mother’s Day 2016 Tampa St. Petersburg FL

Mothers are wonderful.  They love us unconditionally, teach us valuable lessons, and provide for us.  While every day is an opportunity to honor their love, Mother’s Day (May 8 this year) is an official day where we can do something nice for our mothers, like taking them out to a nice meal.

If you’re looking for a place to eat, we’ve taken the guesswork out of your mom’s special day by compiling things to do for Mother’s Day 2016; more specifically, nice restaurants to take her out to in the Tampa FL area, which includes Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Read the rest of this entry >>