Many new car models build up a lot of hype before release, but provide more of the same features and performance you’ve come to expect from every manufacturer. On occasion, however, a new vehicle has the potential to revolutionize its segment’s mechanics, style, and standards. At Rusty Wallace, we’re proud to sell the all-new 2017 Kia Niro, the most fuel efficient compact crossover car sold in America. more The Niro excites and delights with a range of standard and optional features that add style, comfort, and cost-savings to your new ride. A Different Breed of Hybrid Go farther. There are several hybrid compact cars on the market, but none of them share the fuel efficiency of the Niro. While other models typically get mpg in the low 30s, the 2017 Kia Niro gets an industry-topping 43-50 mpg combined. See more. Built to sit higher off the road than most crossovers, with a ground clearance of 6.3", the Niro provides a better vantage point for drivers than its peers. And with a body length of 171.5", it’s also a bit longer than most subcompacts (slotting it somewhere between the subcompact and compact classes), it doesn’t feel frail or dainty on the road. Look good doing it. All in all, with its sleek build and spacious interior, the Kia Niro takes a spot at the center of 2017’s hybrid models. It comes equipped with front-wheel drive, with power routed to the wheels via an all-new high-efficiency 6-speed dual clutch transmission. The Mechanics The 2017 Kia Niro introduces an all-new hybrid drive train under the hood, starting out with a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder engine producing 104 hp @ 5,700 and 109 lbs/ft @ 4,000. The car also has a new return system that cools exhaust gas through a heat exchanger, then puts that right back into the intake of the engine to improve efficiency. This process, according to Kia, allows the engine to recover 40% of the heat that it generates. In addition, the heat-recovery system recoups energy from the exhaust and helps to heat the engine. Next in the train is a brand new AC electric motor which produces 43 hp and 125 lbs/ft of torque by itself. This, along with the engine, yields a system total of 139 hp and 195 lbs/ft of torque. There are three 2017 Kia Niro models: the FE, which gets 50 mpg, the LX/EX, which gets 49 mpg, and the Touring, which gets 43 mpg and comes with 18” alloy wheels. Acceleration is astounding, achieving 0-60 mph in 9.8 seconds. Luxury Features at an Affordable Price The Niro’s comfortable driver’s and front passenger’s seats are adjustable to fit your pre-assigned memory settings. The model is spacious for a subcompact due to its longer dimensions, with plenty of headroom in the backseat. The steering wheel, leather-bound with sport grips at the top, mount a tilt-telescopic steering column with a moderate range of motion. A 7” touch screen comes standard (8-inch is optional), complete with factory navigation and voice command, on the hard-touch plastic fascia. The upper dash is soft-touch injection molded plastic. There is 19.4 cubic feet of cargo space. And when you lift up the cargo area load-floor, you’ll find additional storage space. The Niro has Kia’s distinctive tiger nose grille with a few lateral air openings to contribute to the body’s aerodynamic efficiency. New optional stylized LED tail lamps are available to go on the vertical hatch, as well as optional HID headlamps, fog lamps, and day time running lamps down lower on the front bumper. Like many hybrid vehicles, the Niro’s tailpipe is hidden well behind the car’s back bumper. The 2017 Kia Niro offers groundbreaking fuel efficiency for its class, along with eye-catching and memorable style. Check one out for yourself on our New Vehicles page, and schedule a test drive on our website or at one of our two showrooms.
What's the Best Vehicle for a Family of 4?
At Rusty Wallace Kia, we understand that many of our customers value safety and comfort just as highly as speed and styling in their vehicle. Kia has several models in its lineup that tick all the boxes for keeping your family safe while providing a driving experience that can still make you heart race. When you want to find the best vehicle for a family of 4, you don’t have to give up on good looks or performance for the sake of practicality. more At Rusty Wallace, we offer a range of Kia SUVs, sedans, and minivans that set class standards. We can help you find one that delivers on your must-haves without breaking the bank. Interiors that Impress With optimal storage and seating space in mind, Kia has increased the interior area and lengthened the body of several of its models. The 2017 Kia Sportage is a few inches longer than its predecessor, allowing for more room within the vehicle, so it can seat five comfortably. The cubby spaces are also larger, with more room in the door bin and the glove compartment. With the rear seats folded down, the Sportage has 60.1 cubic feet of cargo space, similar to the 2017 Kia Soul’s flat-faced hatchback, which provides 61.3 cubic feet of space (also increased from last year). The 2017 Kia Sedona’s 142 cubic feat of cargo space, combined with its award-winning safety features, make it perhaps our best vehicle for a family of 4 with busy lives. While our SUVs and crossovers are both incredibly popular, don’t underestimate our sedans. The 2017 Kia Optima also has spacious seating and a larger trunk than most comparable models you’ll find. Top Safety Ratings No doubt safety is top priority for shoppers when it comes to finding the best vehicle for a family of 4. Kia models come with a wealth of standard and optional safety features designed to protect every passenger. In a 2017 Sportage, for example, that includes: Anti-lock disc brakes Traction control Rearview camera Hill-start assist Elevated driving position to increase visibility on the road Front seat airbags, and Full-length side curtain airbags That all comes standard if you select the base Kia Sportage trim. If you upgrade to an SX Turbo trim, however, you also get: Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert Forward collision mitigation system with automatic emergency braking Lane departure warning, and Front and rear parking sensors The 2017 Kia Sedona has also earned a perfect 5-star overall rating in crash testing carried out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. With excellent features like side curtain airbags, antilock brakes, and traction control, it’s one of the safest models in its class. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the Sedona its Top Safety Pick Rating. With Kia’s Uvo telematics suite, which comes standard or optional for most Kia models, you get emergency and roadside assistance, stolen vehicle tracking, geo-fencing, and speed tracking. Budget-Friendly Prices, Not Budget Performance If you choose the new Kia Sportage as your next family vehicle, you’ll get the most powerful version of this car produced. With 181 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm, it’s sportier than most minivans, and known for its quick straight-line acceleration and exceptional performance while braking on turns. The new Kia Soul’s base model has a 6-speed transmission and a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 130 hp @ 63,00 rpm. It gets 27 mpg combined. Upgrade to the Soul Plus and you’re looking at a 2-liter engine that makes 161 hp @ 62,000 rpm. The Soul Exclaim has a 1.6-liter, turbocharged engine that makes 201 hp @ 6,000 rpm. Performance like this makes travel more fun, whether you’re commuting to work or hitting the road for a long trip. With Kia, the best vehicle for a family of 4 doesn’t compromise economics for space, or drivability for style. Paired with the manufacturer’s signature warranty coverage of 5 years, 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper protection, and 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage, it’s the best option for driving in Knoxville. Search our inventory for New Vehicles and schedule your test drive appointment at either of our two showrooms to find your perfect ride.