First off, Hyundai said it is recalling 1.06 million vehicles for electrical problems that could result in any number of electrical failures such as “intermittent operation” of the push-button start feature, removing the vehicle’s shifter from the park position, illumination of the “ESC” (Electronic Stability Control) indicator lamp, interference with operation of the cruise control feature, and possible issues with the brake lights.

Kia is recalling 623,000 vehicles to address the same problem as Hyundai’s recall. Hyundai and Kia actually share a technical center in Michigan and are controlled by the same Korean company, but the auto makers mostly operate independently from one another. The list of cars affects include the 2007-09 Accent, 2007-10 Elantra, 2010-2011 Genesis Coupe, 2007-11 Santa Fe, 2011 Sonata, 2007-09 Tucson and 2008-09 Veracruz.

As for Kia vehicles, the 2007-10 Rondo, 2007 Sedona, 2011 Optima, 2007-11 Sorento, 2010-11 Soul, and the 2007-10 Sportage are being recalled. Kia will notify owners of these vehicles in May, and the company says that no injuries or accidents due to the cars’ issues have been reported. Furthermore, Hyundai is recalling around 190,000 2011-13 Elantras for possible airbag problems. None of the Kia vehicles that we test drove back in February are affected, including the 2014 Sorento and Forte.

[via Detroit News]

This vehicle is a Wonder Woman themed Kia Sportage crossover SUV. Kia says that this superhero vehicle is a continuation of its 10-month, eight vehicle partnership with DC Entertainment. The series has one final vehicle to go to wrap all seven superheroes that are part of the Justice League into one vehicle design.

The Wonder Woman Sportage is fitted with an aero kit giving it a streamlined appearance. The outside of the vehicle is predominantly red and blue with accents of stars and gold stripes. The Golden stripes are supposed to represent Wonder Woman’s golden Lasso of Truth.

The headlights and fog lights are blue-tinged and the vehicle appears to have blue LED lights underneath. The crossover also has a windshield banner that resembles Wonder Woman’s tiara. Inside the car his red upholstery and dash pieces complement with blue LED lighting along with seats that are embroidered with the Wonder woman logo and more. In the trunk is a see-through panel displaying the Wonder Woman tiara, bracelets, and Lasso of Truth.

The Optima Hybrid Superman One features a pretty intricate design. Plastered on the hood of the car is, of course, Superman’s logo, and on the back windshield you have a very detailed drawing of Superman himself, probably to emphasize that if you buy this car, Superman will have your back. The car is mainly covered in dark, blue body paint with accents of red and maroon detailing parts of the car’s front, rear, and windows. The Superman car also features red LED lights underneath the automobile to make it seem like you’re just one, red blur when you’re zipping away at night.

The interior of the car is when things start to go a bit downhill. However, if you love light-blue, you’re gonna love this. The interior is mostly decked out in light blue, with gray accents all around. The Superman logo is plastered on all of the car seats, as well as your car horn.

Kia and DC didn’t collaborate just to make a Superman car. They also created many more cars based on the entire Justice League. They created cars based on Batman, The Flash, and Green Lantern, and out of all of the cars, I think I would say that the Batmobile would be the only one I’d be willing to drive. The others are too gaudy. These cars were made in order to draw in donations for DC Comic’s “We The Pledge” charity. All of the proceeds go to the children in the Horn of Africa, who are suffering through both a drought and famine.

[via The Jace Hall Show]

Samsung ended up going all out this year for their Super Bowl ad, taking up a full two minutes of airtime, costing them around $16 million after it was all said and done. Actors Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd, as well as NBA all-star LeBron James made appearances in the commercial, and discussed some ideas on what Samsung’s “next big thing” could be. BlackBerry (formerly known as RIM) aired their first-ever Super Bowl ad, spending a few million dollars on an ad showing off the new BlackBerry Z10, which according to the ad, will light you on fire, so be careful.

Best Buy ended up airing their own Super Bowl ad as well, and it features SNL alum and Parks & Recreation star Amy Poehler, who is pretty much the most adorable and funniest woman in show business right now, so we have to give it up for Best Buy for pulling off such a cute and witty ad.

We knew GoDaddy would make an appearance at the Super Bowl, as they do every year, but this time they aired two ads, one featuring the typical sexy theme that you know and love, and then there was an ad that actually wasn’t that bad. The company advertised their .co domain names, and the ad rings true of anyone with an original idea these days.

As far as the automotive commercials, it was a hit or miss mostly. Audi’s “Prom” ad was probably our favorite one out of the bunch, with Dodge’s “Paul Harvey” commercial at a close second. Other car ads included VW’s semi-racist Jamaican ad, Hyundai’s adorable “Team” ad featuring kids with super powers, Kia’s “Hotbots” ad, Mercedes-Benz with their celebrity-filled commercial (as well as one featuring Kate Upton), Lincoln’s Jimmy Fallon ad and “Phoenix” teaser, and an awkward Toyota ad featuring Big Bang Theory star Kaley Cuoco.

Movie trailers were also hot stuff during Super Bowl commercial breaks. The Iron Man 3 trailer caught our eye the most, with Star Trek: Into Darkness also showing off a quick teaser for us. World War Z also made a quick appearance, and we also saw an extended teaser for Johnny Depp’s upcoming movie, The Lone Ranger.

Now we want to hear what you think. We know not every ad this year was amazing, and some were iffy at best. What was your favorite commercial from the Super Bowl? Which tech company blew it out of the park? Which one could’ve been better? What suggestions would you make to the creators of the ads? Sound off in the comments below!

Another interesting choice by KIA here is the treatment of the photo – or concept drawing, shall we say. Here we’ve got a set of extremely simple yet stark colors that push against one another to create an illustrated look. In fact what is happening is that this Urban Vehicle is being masked as much as possible without losing the interest of the viewer – and the interest is what we’ve got!

This machine will likely be revealed within the next few weeks at least in part while the details this week stay in the “non-existent” category. The KIA Cross GT is shown here with emphasis placed on the “cool” factor while the forward-facing appeal. This Cross GT is being tipped as coming in at a larger size than the Sorento crossover revealed previously, this being suggested by Motor Authority to leave room for three rows of seating – we shall see!

Have a peek in the timeline below for several entries in our massive Car hub, each of them blasting forth from KIA itself. We’ve had several test drives of future vehicle releases very recently with our man Cory Gunther taking the wheel down in Arizona with the new 2014 KIA Forte as well as the 2014 KIA Sorento – have a peek! Jump in our Car Hub for looks at the automotive universe from all directions!

Samsung’s rumored 1080p smartphone has been tipped with an Exynos 5 processor, and Google has started a €60 million French digital publishing fund. New reports are saying that the PlayStation 4 will indeed be on store shelves this year, and that it will include a controller with a touchpad, among other things. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 has made an appearance in benchmark results and appears to be ready for an MWC 2013 reveal, while the ESA is proposing 3D printed buildings on the surface of the moon.

GameStick’s Kickstarter campaign has ended with $647,658 in funding, and sources are saying that word of a Dell buyout could come as early as Monday. We found out that gun manufacturers make money from the sale of some video games, and we caught a glimpse of KIA’s new “Respect the Tech” Super Bowl commercials that feature sexy robots and space babies. We ask if Android is really crushing the iPhone, or if it’s all just hype, and unfortunately Sea Launch’s latest mission has failed, destroying the rocket and satellite in the process.

The Sound City Players have a set a new show in NYC for a film celebration, the Call of Duty championship is kicking off on April 1, and Bethesda has announced release dates for the incoming Skyrim PS3 DLC. Finally tonight, Craig Lloyd tells you how to prepare for the iOS 6.1 jailbreak coming up on Sunday, I tell you what Sony needs to do to make the PS4 a success, and Cory Gunther takes the 2014 KIA Sorento for a test drive. That does it for tonight’s Evening Wrap-Up, we hope you enjoy the weekend!

With eye-catching styling, more chrome and less plastic, and a price point that surely will give you plenty of bang for your buck the new and improved 2014 KIA Sorento delivers quite the package. In case you missed it, this week we had the opportunity to enjoy some time with KIA down in Scottsdale, AZ, for their KIA First Drive event, and below is plenty of thoughts from their new Sorento.

Design

As far as styling and design at first glance you won’t notice too many differences, but most of the changes come under the skin and hood. However, KIA did manage to give the Sorento a “mid-life” facelift or change-up. While it’s mostly unchanged you’ll get a beautiful European-inspired design like the original with a few key differences. They’ve completely improved and redesigned both the front and rear fascia.

While the sides and most of the body remains the same, it’s the front and rear bumpers that have been completely changed and redesigned. The pumper has been tweaked and improved, they’ve cut down on the cheap looking plastics and replaced them all with Chrome, and it now comes with trims including HID (High-Intensity) headlights and taillights, with LED daytime running light options too. The black plastics around the wheel frames have been removed to really give it a classy crossover look and feel.

With a new AWD and 19-inch alloy wheels option the KIA Sorento just keeps getting better and better. While their base model fits the same pricing strategy as the previous model, their new SX-L can push you all the way into $40k territory thanks to all the additional options, luxury, or bells and whistles. Some of those options include: AWD, Chrome tailpipe, power-folding side mirrors (heated), chrome roof rail racks, and more regarding the interior which we’ll cover below. They’ve really stepped up their game to offer everything from start to finish. The backup camera and detection comes standard, but the optional side blind-spot protection (with chime, pictured below) can also be had and was quite useful.

Overall there really isn’t much to say regarding the design for 2014 aside from the changes to the bumper and interior, which we’ll talk more on below. The HID light options, daytime running lights, and slight taillight changes surely gives the 2014 model a different look, but most won’t notice them over the previous model. The Sorento has been popular and a hot seller in the US, and this fancier model to ring in the new year will only build on KIA’s success.

Interior and options

We mentioned the exterior didn’t have too many changes, but under the hood and skin is where KIA put forth tons of effort. The inside has everything you’d ever want, and need. KIA actually went as far as to say 80% of the interior was either changed or completely redesigned, and it certainly shows. From leather everything should you choose, panorama sunroof and more they’ve brought the heat to the Sorento. This is where price meets luxury. To continue on with the optional trims here’s some more additional choices. Integrated navigation and Google Maps to the 8-inch UVO infotainment system, an Infinity 10-speaker surround sound kit, full panorama sunroof with automatic power-shade and more. We then can’t forget about the power liftgate with adjustable height settings, 4-way power seats (even for second row) heated and cooled seats, ventilated seats (2nd row too), and finally a 3rd-row 50/50 split-folding seats choice. Did we mention the driver seat has memory foam, memory for position and even will adjust all the mirrors to the driver. Pretty neat right?

Some noteworthy upgrades is the addition of 3rd row seating getting a few extra inches, 10 speaker surround, AWD, and is just the right size (and price) for families. As far as the center console goes we have a redesigned and more comfortable layout, and the 8-inch TFT UVO system is dramatically improved. We’ll talk more on that below. They’ve added an optional 7-inch full digital display for the gauge cluster too. Something many will be happy to see.

Everything you’d expect to see from a fully loaded vehicle is present here. All the steering wheel controls are present and wonderful, that includes full controls for the entire infotainment system, and even the optional digital gauge cluster behind the steering wheel. Then you obviously get Bluetooth, satellite radio options and everything that UVO has to offer.

KIA promises extra space for both the second and third row seating, although that was minimal. The optional heated seats for the second row was nice, but be careful as a child might kick that floor mounted button and quickly complain of the heat. In the end we were very impressed with the contemporary and elegant interior. It finally has the pristine condition and refinement the previous model was lacking. It isn’t all praise however. We still didn’t like the cheap plastic feeling doors (where your arm and elbow rests) and they could have improved on second and third row seating space a bit more. The panoramic sunroof does give passengers a more open and comfortable feeling. If KIA can continue to remove the cheap plastics with each generation this will surely be a top contender soon.

UVO Infotainment Center

The base LX model comes with a 4.3-inch display and backup camera, but after that any other model KIA’s impressive 8-inch TFT UVO 2.0 Infotainment system really comes to life. If you can manage, this is certainly worth the small bump in monthly payments. Being all about tech and gadgets here, this was a huge priority for us. We are happy to confirm the 8-inch display was one of the best we’ve seen to date in this price point, had extremely light glare issues, and the viewing angles were excellent. Being able to see everything clearly, even with the sun glaring through the panorama sunroof right on the display, it was still easy to read and made controlling it a breeze — and safe.

Again just like the KIA Forte, see our coverage here, being able to instantly sync our iPhone, Android phone, and even a Blackberry for audio streaming over Bluetooth was incredibly easy. No fumbling through settings or reading of manuals required. The average soccer mom might not get it as quick as we did, but it certainly is easier than most. KIA made sure to focus on quality of the technology inside their cars for 2014. They didn’t just add in electronics to add them. It’s technology we actually want and need.

“It’s not just about providing technology in their cars, it’s delivering technology that makes sense.” — KIA VP of Marketing

Being able to pass off navigation directions to the 7-inch digital speedo and gauge cluster was one of my favorite features. This left the 8-inch infotainment system free to stream audio and album artwork, or even enjoy a video while the cars in park. Using Bluetooth or the wired USB 2.0 option album artwork was displayed, and streaming Pandora radio was never easier. We mentioned the dash was redesigned, and this is to blend the 8-inch screen with regular controls for a seamless experience. Being able to quickly change from media, radio, navigation, maps, and more all with dedicated buttons under the 8-inch screen made daily use easy and simple to understand. While we love on-screen controls, having everything be on-screen can be distracting for drivers so we applaud KIA in this regard. We all want our smartphones to be integrated into our vehicle and the Sorento does that in a simple, effective, and safe way.

Engine & Performance

Starting with a underwhelming 2.4-liter GDI dual CVVT 4-cylinder engine on the base LX model, everything else comes in a standard 3.3-liter GDI V6 option pushing 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque. This went up a decent 14 hp compared to the previous 3.5L V6. Options include a front, or all-wheel drive. The new 2014 Sorento is also offered with FlexSteer technology like the Forte. Using FlexSteer the driver can choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport tuning for the Sorento’s electric steering.

The new Torque Vectoring Cornering Control technology was neat, allowing the car to direct power to the rear wheels for additional help during icy or slippery wet conditions. This is something you’ll want to make sure is included in your purchase. Having briefly drove the 2012 model, it’s safe to say the refinement to the entire chassis, stiffer platform and better shocks – not to mention FlexSteer – you’ll certainly enjoy driving this around town or to the kids little league football game.

Our tour throughout the Scottsdale, AZ, desert really showcased the improved and beefed up shock absorbers. Taking the corners were tight and accurate, although we’re certainly no experts in this field. Overall on the road for a mid-sized crossover the Sorento was surprisingly keen and comfortable. They’ve also placed a huge amount of effort on inside car noise, and that seemed minimal given our speeds in excess of 60 MPH.

Wrap-Up

At first you wouldn’t look at the new 2014 model and think much has changed, but with around 80% of the vehicle seeing changes from top to bottom this really is an all-new and improved Sorento. With keyless entry and start coming standard, backup cameras, 8-inch infotainment systems and an improved V6 offering the Sorento should continue right where it left off in terms of popularity in America.

The base LX model will hit the streets priced around $24,100 and $25.7k for the V6, then reaching $35,000 for the SX, and the top spot comes in at $38k for the Sorento SX-Limited series. The new and improved faster, cleaner, meaner, and luxurious 2014 Sorento should arrive on dealer showrooms and grace buyers garages sometime in the next month.

The all-new 2014 KIA Forte has a stylish design and plenty of high-tech features given the price point. This commercial is simply titled “Respect the Tech” and you’ll quickly see why. Let’s just say you should treat your car with care. For a better look at all those new features and its luxury interior take a look at our 2014 KIA Forte test drive for additional details. Enjoy the sexy robot commercial below starring former Miss USA Alyssa Campanella as a robot.

Next up to highlight the new 2014 KIA Sorento that’s been redesigned almost completely inside to offer the up-most luxury and quality features we all want in a crossover, is their new “Space Babies” commercial set to get airtime in the 3rd quarter of the big game on Sunday. KIA promises to answer the age old kid question: Daddy, where do babies come from? So check it out for the answer:

“UVO, Play Wheels on the bus!” This is a quick glance at the new and improved redesigned UVO 2.0 Infotainment system that comes standard in all 2014 KIA vehicles. Featuring large TFT displays, backup cameras, smartphone integrate and accompanying iPhone apps and more. We figured they were both worth a quick laugh. Enjoy the big game as surely they have a few tricks up their sleeve come Sunday. Hopefully that Ravens D has a few more tricks up their sleeve too. Who’s your pick?

With a revamped design and powertrain, new trim and engine options, the improved UVO Infotainment system and much much more the 2014 Kia Forte is poised to take on the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, and even the Toyota Corolla. The base LX model is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 148 horsepower and aims to bring fuel-efficiency direct to consumers. Then their EX model now features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated around 173 horsepower. There is plenty more to the new Forte than just that so lets take a look.

Design

With the 2014 Forte you’ll get a beautiful European-inspired design which was developed at the KIA Design Center in California, and you can obviously see pieces of their elegant Optima shining through the cracks. It’s lower to the ground than the original, slightly wider with a brand new powertrain, and is a dramatic departure from the previous model. KIA hopes to stun this particular market with a completely new level of sophistication and from our initial impressions they’ve done just that.

At first glance you’ll quickly notice the elegant lines, smooth corners, and edgy LED infused headlights and taillights. Using a wrap-around design to keep the front clean and simple (not to mention aerodynamic) you can quickly see all the effort the California design crew put into the 2014 Forte. Offering an all-new chassis that is lower, wider and longer than the previous generation, driving and handling certainly was improved and stiff — in a good way. Electric power steering replaces hydraulics, but that’s where their new FlexSteer technology comes into play. Quickly tap the FlexSteer option located right on the steering wheel and you’ll be able to drive casually, or grip and rip the road and curves. Using Electronic power steering the weight will instantly change and driving styles are Normal, Casual, and Sport. We preferred the Normal setting to be honest, but can see the appeal.

While the front has a unique design that almost looks like bug eyes, it’s still easy on the eyes and looks quite sharp. As mentioned above you can certainly see the design cues from the Optima — a car we can all agree is gorgeous. They’ve added in new 17-inch sport wheels to the EX offering, and all of this starts at just $16,000 in Q1 of 2013. Enjoy the gallery below of this stunning little sporty Sedan.

Interior

When we mentioned a new level of prowess and sophistication to this size and price class, a lot of that stems from the interior. KIA wanted to offer everything that we love from higher-priced cars, even for their Forte. They pulled out all the stops, didn’t hold back, and treated the Forte to the same elegance as others in the recent past. We’ll talk more on the UVO infotainment system below, but for now will focus on the interior as a whole.

Even the entry-level LX model enjoys all the features and functions we’ve come to love in our cars. The Steering-wheel controls become your cockpit and controls nearly everything. From audio controls, their digital dash options (including navigation right between the speedometers) and more. Then you obviously get Bluetooth, satellite radio options, power windows and seats, and even powered mirrors. Both the mirrors and the seats are heated too, although not in the base model. On the EX you’ll enjoy both heated, and cooled seats. That was nice and comfortable while driving around in the Scottsdale desert, and surely will help all summer long.

Increasing to the EX trim (around $18k and up) brings you Kia’s improved and also revamped UVO infotainment system with backup camera, keyless entry and keyless start, and the same cooling features for the seats to the glovebox. Did we mention they brought their awesome leather interior with seamless designs and elegance to the Forte too?

Some of the additional options include 17-inch sport rims over the 16′s, HID headlights, power sunroof, ventilated seats, dual climate control, heated rear seats (bottom) and even a heated steering wheel. KIA’s added illuminating door handles with proximity sensors too. That was neat. Another option is their 4.2-inch TFT display inside the meter cluster as mentioned above. That was a nice change. Having navigation in the meter cluster allowed the larger 7-inch display to keep playing tunes and showing album artwork for the rest of the passengers.

The only complaint I’d have for the interior would be the 10 degree angle on the 7-inch LCD display and UVO infotainment system. While this is angled to bring an easier experience to the driver, those in the passenger seat don’t get the best view. While it was a minor issue the angle also brought some epic sun glare direct to the passengers eyes at times. Something we could certainly do without. More on the infotainment system below.

Overall the new and improved trim options, leather interior and leather wrapped steering wheel, and all the other details mentioned above certainly makes the KIA Forte a real contender for the price. Getting some of these awesome (and needed) features all for around $18,000 sounds pretty nice if you ask us. The dash plastics of old have been replaced with an elegant and simple carbon fiber-esque look, and the rest was wrapped in premium leather for that luxury feel.

Engine and Performance

As we mentioned above the 2014 Forte now comes in two trims. One for the budget-minded who also wants luxury and fuel-efficiency, as well as the higher end EX for the sporty and high-end vibe. The base LX model is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 148 horsepower geared for fuel-efficiency and ease of use. Then their EX model now features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder rated around 173 horsepower. We enjoyed the fully loaded EX complete with all the bells and whistles. There’s also an optional Eco Package, which adds in “Idle, Stop & Go” (ISG) or Kia’s version of stop/start automatic engine control. Release the break at a stoplight and the engine quickly starts up again and you’re running without even noticing.

We averaged an upwards of 37 MPG on the curved highway roads of the Scottsdale desert at times, but flying around corners and cranking up that 2.0-liter 173 horsepower engine quickly lowered our results. Gripping the corners was actually better than expected, and the FlexSteer option proved its worth by quickly tapping the steering wheel button transporting the car into “sport mode”. The new powertrain seemed sufficient given the price, but we’re no experts here. The entire car felt tight, stiff, and low to the ground and handling was stellar around turns.

The previous generation was criticized for its sluggish performance, but with the 2014 Forte EX you certainly won’t have that issue. While the speedo went up to 170 (which means nothing), sadly we weren’t able to test those limits. Again we want to mention luxury, because KIA wants to offer a near-luxury experience with this ride. The in-car noise from the road was rather quiet even at high RPMs and flying through the desert, and we were quite pleased with overall cabin noise. Something you’d expect from a luxury vehicle is nicely present with the Forte.

UVO Infotainment Center

Being tech and gadget lovers here at SlashGear, this was one of our favorite parts. Having an awesome 7-inch TFT touchscreen for all the controls you’d ever want (and need) all even in the entry-level model — we were extremely happy to try it out. KIA has introduced a second-gen UVO infotainment system powered by Microsoft, but sadly it doesn’t work with Windows Phone, or Android. Well it does, but their accompanying app and 10 year/100,000 miles free UVO services doesn’t. An Android version is in the works, but for now it only supports iOS.

However, that doesn’t mean all smartphones don’t work. The UVO infotainment system easily paired with our iPhone, Android Phone, and even a blackberry for hands-free calling, streaming music and Pandora radio, and much more. Using the wired USB 2.0 port we were able to enjoy Album artwork from iTunes, as well as while playing Google Music on Android. Bluetooth pairing was simple on all devices, and really shows their attention to detail and the future. Call logs instantly populate on the display and our iTunes Playlists neatly appear too.

The UVO system uses an extremely simple user interface. Some are too confusing and try to be too fancy, that wasn’t the case here. With dedicated Media, Maps, Navigation and other hard buttons below the display for ease of use it allowed the actual screen to be simple and clutter free. Navigation was a breeze and as we mentioned earlier this year, KIA has partnered with Google Maps. You can send the map from your PC or smartphone right to the car with ease before a trip. Making the “get in and go” term even more useful for roadtrips. Pair that Galaxy S III to the car and you’ll be enjoying tunes on the 7-inch display, while following navigation on the optional 4.2-inch TFT meter cluster display we mentioned above.

“It’s not just about providing technology in their cars, it’s delivering technology that makes sense.” — KIA VP of Marketing

The above quote is pretty much the easiest way to sum up the interior design and UVO infotainment system of the new KIA Forte. They didn’t just throw in technology and steering wheel controls to do so, they put technology in their cars that works great, makes sense, and is easy to use. The fact that I didn’t have a single hiccup pairing multiple devices, or needed to read a single manual really made it earn bonus points in my book. Hopefully their accompanying app will get Android support in the future. It’s worth noting that KIA plans to bring full Siri support for iOS users to their UVO system in an update later this year.

Wrap-Up

Taking the all-new 2014 KIA Forte through the old Copper mining towns of Arizona and through the winding roads of the Tonto National Forest (forest full of Cactus) we certainly were impressed overall with the Forte. KIA certainly deserves bonus points from potential buyers for the balance of price, performance, technology and specifications it has managed to blend into the new Forte. The new and improved model for 2014 will undoubtedly outpace its predecessor, and quite likely the competition too.

At the end of the day KIA has designed a beautiful car that’s loaded with goodies all for a great price. We get to enjoy a great audio system that is deeply integrated into our mobile lives, spacious interior for a “compact sedan” and luxury options you’d expect on a higher priced vehicle. Add in the new trim options and powerful 2.0-liter engine and KIA has a winner here. Only time will tell how it stacks up against the competition, but expect to see the all-new 2014 KIA Forte hit the roads next month.

Amazon delivered its Q4 2012 results today, posting a net loss of $39 million for the year. Just the same, Gameloft’s Q4 2012 saw record sales, so the company is looking pretty good going into 2013. The EFF clarified the new laws against jailbreaking today, and this week retailers gained the ability to charge you for credit card purchases. XMBC 12 is now available with support for Android and Raspberry Pi, while Google is donating 15,000 of the inexpensive computers to UK students.

The HTC HD2 has been hacked to run Windows RT, while Electronic Arts announced that SimCity will be coming to Mac this spring. We learned of some rather strange-sounding fixes to the iPhone 5′s “greyed Wi-Fi” issue, and Samsung has announced that it will buy medical imaging company NeuroLogica. After a bit of a situation involving adult videos on Vine, Twitter has remedied the problem, while YouTube is said to be considering paid content in 2013.

500px is now back on the App Store after a porn problem of its own, and the ban on unlocking phones has resulted in a petition on the official White House website. New interest from the US Department of Justice will probably result in delays for the Sprint/Softbank deal, so don’t expect to close very fast. Acer is hinting at some new budget tablets to take on the likes of Google and Amazon, while we also heard that the iPad 5 will be smaller than previous iterations. NVIDIA has released a new beta driver in time for the Crysis 3 multiplayer beta, Pinterest is readying a new site design, and Hawken showed us some fancy PhysX graphics in a new trailer. Finally tonight, we have a review of the Dell XPS One 27 for you to check out, along with a first drive of the KIA Sorento and Forte. That does it for tonight’s Evening Wrap-Up, we hope you enjoy the rest of the night folks!

Kia has been on the forefront of design and elegance ever since they launched their extremely popular and redesigned Optima, and you can’t forget the unique yet edgy Kia Soul (see our review) and now we’re getting a look at their newest offerings. The all new just announced vehicles mentioned above have been completely redesigned for the new year, and we’ll be getting up close and personal with both. Today SlashGear will be taking part in the official Kia First Drive for these vehicles. Be sure to check back later today for our hands-on coverage while we take both rides for a spin through the desert and red rock mountains of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Now the Kia Sorento might not look new at first glance, but for 2014 they’ve redesigned the front and rear facia, and then the important parts come under the skin and hood. The interior has been completely redesigned with Kia stating over 80% has been changed, tweaked, redesigned, or improved. Add in plenty of luxury amenities, a new 7-inch TFT gauge cluster, followed by their awesome 8-inch UVO infotainment system they’ve really set the bar. Being tech lovers here at SlashGear we’ll be sure to get up close with their new 8-inch UVO entertainment system, complete with Google Maps, and much much more.

You can see more from our announcement posts from earlier this year, but the new V6 offering, not to mention AWD options and more, KIA has really improved their offering for 2014 – so stay tuned after we take a quick drive with this baby today.

Then we have the Kia Forte. With a radical new look, edgy yet aerodynamic lines, and a smooth Sedan design the Kia Forte for 2014 looks to take on the road full stride. Kia aimed to make this the best option available in its segment, while being elegant and sporty, and with the Forte they certainly deliver just that. With a new 2.0 4-cylinder engine pushing 173 horsepower and all the features and UVO infotainment that’s kept KIA users happy over the past year, the all new Kia Forte looks pretty impressive. We’ll be giving both of these vehicles a nice test drive and checking out the fresh interior later today.

Stay tuned right here to SlashGear for all of our live coverage, additional details, tons of pictures and much much more.

Google’s Maps and Places APIs will power systems included in Kia’s new 2014 Sorento CUV models, which will provide Kia owners with turn-by-turn directions and also assisting with the location of nearby points-of-interest with Google Places. Kia also developed its own UVO smartphone app that will connect to the Sorrento’s telematic system, beaming over mapping data from the handset directly to the car.

Kia’s UVO also provides hands-free phone connectivity, options to connect USB devices and media players, as well as a number of maintenance and infotainment functions, which includes roadside assistance and maintenance services. The 2014 Sorrento is planned to go on sale in Q1 2013.

Tech companies have become more and more involved with the auto industry throughout the past year. Nokia partnered with BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Hyundai to push its Navteq mapping platform to vehicles and provide location and commerce content to their in-car systems. Even Apple got in on the fun and partnered with several car makers to bring Siri functionality to their new models, with GM becoming the first company to integrate it into its new Chevrolet vehicles.

The EPA found Hyundai and Kia had over-exaggerated the fuel efficiency of thirteen models offered in the US back in November. At the time, the companies blamed “procedural errors at testing facilities in Korea,” but still agreed to compensate owners for any unforeseen fuel costs. That is expected to amount to millions of dollars, with almost 900,000 vehicles affected.

According to Oge, it’s no great surprise that the thought of other companies getting away with inflated economy claims – even if only inflated by a tiny amount – drove one to squeal on its industry rival. “One tenth of an mpg makes a huge difference for these companies” she pointed out.

Unsurprisingly, none of the big US brands are willing to ‘fess up to tattling. “It’s not us” a Chrysler spokesperson said, while General Motors insisted that “we don’t conduct our business in that manner” and said that it wouldn’t seek government assistance if it had an issue with a rival.

It’s Ford’s comment that has some suspecting the blue oval, however. “We cannot comment on any specific discussions, but Ford routinely speaks with policymakers about a wide variety of issues affecting our industry,” the company said, pointing out that “we have been – and remain – an advocate of driving real fuel economy gains because it is in the best interest of our customers.

Ironically, Ford recently faced accusations itself that it had over-promised on fuel efficiency, with the estimated figures for the Fusion and C-Max hybrids both being questioned. Nonetheless, the C-Max hybrid is the fastest selling hybrid to-date, Ford claimed today.

[via Autoblog]

One of the vehicles is a Flash-inspired Kia Forte Koupe. The car was built by West Coast Customs and has a red-orange-yellow airbrushed exterior that resembles The Flash’s costume. The vehicle has 20-inch Asanti color-matched wheels, uses Continental Extreme Contact tires, and rides on a custom suspension. The car is also customized inside with black leather with red suede and yellow stitching.

The green and gold car is an Aquaman-inspired Rio five-door. This car was chosen for Aquaman because it’s eco-friendly with 85% of its materials recyclable at the end of its life. The car features a special green-gold-orange exterior paint scheme and body kit. Inside the vehicle gets green leather with yellow gold accents and the green suede headliner with the Aquaman logo.

The Green Lantern vehicle is a Soul with a green and black exterior paint scheme and green mirror chrome tinted windows. The car has custom one-of-a-kind wheels and lots more superhero inspired touches. Cyborg gets a Forte 5-door running a custom suspension, custom wheels, and a number of exterior elements inspired by the superhero. The interior of the car is customized with red leather and red suede. All four of the new vehicles also have custom stereo systems and more.

The first of those customized Kia cars for the Justice League has turned up, and it’s a Batman-themed Kia Optima SX Limited. The car is finished in matte black with piano black Batman logos and other touches. The car has a lowered suspension using a coilover system and sports a “muscular” ground effects kit.

The customized Kia was also fitted with Ksport performance brakes offering larger rotors and calipers along with improved stopping power and custom-designed 20-inch wheels. The car is also fitted with a performance exhaust system, and a custom front grill shaped like a batwing. The custom grill reportedly took over 40 hours to create.

The vehicle has yellow LED lighting accents all around and the HID headlights have an integrated bat signal. Inside the car, the seats are fitted with custom black leather and suede with yellow stitching. The car also features a Bat Suit and cowl in the trunk along with utility throwing stars in the center console. This vehicle will eventually be auctioned off with the proceeds going to a charity called We Can Be Heroes.

The cars will be designed with help from comic book artist and DC Entertainment co-publisher Jim Lee. Each of the previously mentioned core members of the Justice League will have one-of-a-kind cars unveiled over the next 10 months at major auto shows and comic-cons across the country. The cars will be unveiled at major events, including the New York Comic-Con, SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Wonder-Con, and the San Diego Comic-Con.

Kia is supplying the vehicles for the project, and each superhero will be matched to the specific vehicle Kia makes that best matches the hero. The vehicles provided will include the Kia Optima, Soul, Sorrento, Sportage, Rio, and Forte. The cars will be customized by West Coast Customs, Rides Magazine, and Import Tuner magazine.

Other companies will also be lending assistance to the project. Kia and DC are working on the project to benefit a charity called “We Can Be Heroes” that was created to fight hunger in the Horn of Africa. Each of the eight vehicles created in the project will be a drivable custom car and auctioned off to raise money for the charity.

The car was styled by Kia’s styling team led by former Audi designer Peter Schreyer. Schreyer and his design team also designed the Kia K7, K5, and K9, which are all radical departures from previous generation designs. The K3 sells in the United States as the Forte and is available in other markets as the Cerato.

In the first half of the year, sales of this particular model were down 25%. Kia hopes that its K3 sedan will sell 410,000 units globally in 2013. Korean pricing for the K3 with 1.6-liter engine and a six-speed automatic transmission will equate to about $13,350 in the US.

This year, Kia hopes to sell 2.71 million vehicles around the world, which would be a 9.5% increase compared to last year. Last week Kia union workers approved a new contract ending strikes at the automakers plants. To end the strikes, Kia agreed to end night shifts and shorten work hours. There have been 33 different strikes since July 13 by Kia workers.

[via Wall Street Journal]

Design

Kia first previewed the Soul’s design as a concept back in 2006, and the production model arrived almost as stubby and box-like. It’s a love-it-or-hate-it aesthetic, certainly, with over-scored arch lines, a front end that looks generally gaping with its huge light clusters, hefty lower air intake – body-colored in our “!” (or “Exclaim”) spec model, black plastic in cheaper versions – and pinched grille. The rake of the A-pillar and the (fake) vents at the leading edge of the front doors are reminiscent of a Range Rover, and indeed the whole stance of the Soul screams “mini urban warrior” rather than bland city runabout.

A rising shoulder-line and squared-off roof leave the Soul looking tapered in profile despite not sacrificing rear headroom, while at the back there’s one big square hatch flanked by more oversized lights. The 18-inch alloys – standard on the Exclaim spec – are more eye-catching than the norm, and there are LED positioning lights, upgraded headlights with auto-off, sizable fog lamps and privacy glass.

Interior

What the Soul’s interior lacks in pure quality it scrapes back with the sheer amount of kit you’re getting for your money. Every model gets a Bluetooth stereo with USB and aux-in connections, air-con, power windows and door locks, remote keyless entry and a tilt/telescoping wheel with audio controls. The Exclaim steps things up to a Microsoft-powered “UVO Infotainment System” with a 7-inch touchscreen and voice control along with Sirius XM satellite radio (with three month bundled subscription), a separate amp, center speaker, subwoofer and gimmicky speaker-lights. There’s cruise control on the midrange “+” Plus model and up, and all versions get 60/40 split folding rear seats.

The dash plastics themselves aren’t the acres of soft-touch you might get on more expensive cars – our spec’d out Soul still comes in at under $20,000 – but they’re generally creak and rattle free. The seats are clad in fabric not leather – only the steering wheel and gearshift knob get hide – but the material is tough and should survive clambering kids. Drop the rear seats and there’s a wide expanse of flat load area, helped by the high roofline; the only downside is the height of the rear bumper, which means there’s a considerable lip to be negotiated.

Safety features include 3-point belts for all five seats, dual front airbags and front seat-mounted side airbags, and full-length side curtain airbags. A tire pressure monitoring system flags up warnings on the dash if you have a low wheel, and there are LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) mounting points for car-seats and the like. Admirably all of those safety features are standard across the Soul line-up, not limited to the higher-spec variants.

Engine and Performance

Kia has a choice of two powerplants for the Soul in the US, a 1.6L petrol and a 2.0L petrol. In Europe, there’s also a diesel option. The new 1.6L – which musters 138HP at 6,300 RPM and 123 pounds-feet of torque at 4,850 RPM – is only in the Base-spec Soul, from $13,900 with a 6-speed manual transmission or $15,700 with the 6-speed auto.

It’s the new 2.0L – with 164HP at 6,500 RPM and 148 pounds-feet of torque at 4,800 RPM – which Kia expects to be the better seller, and the engine found in our Exclaim test model. It can only be had with the automatic transmission in Exclaim form, too; the mid-range Plus, priced at $16,300 for the manual and $17,300 for the auto, gets a choice of both gearboxes.

There’s also an optional Eco Package, which adds in “Idle, Stop & Go” (ISG) or Kia’s version of stop/start automatic engine control. While present on our test vehicle, Kia isn’t actually offering ISG on current Soul orders after mediocre feedback about its performance. In short, it can be jerky to re-engage the engine and the times at which it actually operates are limited, such as not reactivating if you don’t drive above 5mph after restarting; in fact, even Kia admitted that it made only a minor difference to the quoted fuel economy figures. After taking it for a spin, we were glad of the manual override button by the steering wheel to shut ISG off altogether.

As for those economy numbers, Kia quotes 26mpg for city driving and 34 mpg for highway driving, or a total estimated annual fuel cost of $1,553 based on 15,000 miles in the 2.0L Soul. The 1.6L does very slightly better, with a quoted 27 mpg for the city and 35 for the highway, and there’s no difference between manual and auto boxes.

Kia has thrown the acronym book at the Soul, and there’s more than enough electronics to keep engine, stability and brakes in check. Anti-lock brakes (ABS) with brake-assist for emergency stops (BAS), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) are joined by Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), and like the airbags are standard across the spec range.

On the road, the Soul is surprisingly keen. The previous model was criticized for its sluggardly 4-speed auto box and somewhat breathless 1.6L engine, but the 2.0L plant and new 6-speed add up to a car with a surprising degree of zeal. Cornering is tight, thanks in part to the relatively short wheelbase, and the new auto is more immediate in how it delivers power to the road. The ride is firm but not too jumpy, though the electrically-assisted steering can be over-eager to re-center itself and feels twitchy at times.

Kia tells us it has added extra sound insulation into the cabin, and the net result is quieter travel than before. There’s none of the buzziness many city cars suffer from, though we’d recommend against being taken in by the Soul’s SUV-lite style and avoid off-road situations.

Wrap-Up

Kia deserves points from the outset for the balance of price, performance and specifications it has managed to strike in the 2012 Soul. Its predecessor was cheap but lacked some cheer, but the company has addressed the engine and transmission shortcomings, not skimped on safety, and squeezed in no shortage of entertainment tech without doing unpleasant things to the price. Our Soul ! test vehicle only climbs above $20,000 by virtue of the $750 destination fee.

The distinctive aesthetics will turn some off, certainly, but put against natural competition the Nissan Cube and Scion xB they’re equally likely to be a selling point for others. The audio system and capacious interior mean it’s not a case of style over substance, too, running costs can be pared back to a minimum, and Kia’s warranty runs to 5yrs basic coverage and double that for the powertrain. The outside of the 2012 Kia Soul may be comically wacky, but the ownership experience looks set to be seriously solid.

Connected cars aren’t particularly unusual, and several more expensive models already used integrated modems to transmit maintenance data to the manufacturer and provide an early warning for potential breakdowns. However, Verizon & Co. expect to use embedded LTE in far more ambitious ways under the heading of “telematics”, including cloud-connection for remote media access and more, safety systems with online links, and support for third-party developers to get involved too.

“There are many challenges to designing next generation telematics and infotainment solutions,” Verizon CMO Tami Erwin said of the new group, “including supporting safe and responsible driving, advancing vehicle-to-vehicle solutions and improving sustainability, among others.”

Safety is likely to be the primary thing on regulators’ minds, with concerns already mounting that cars present too much information to drivers. Back in February, the NHTSA proposed stricter distraction guidelines that would limit just how much in-dash displays and touchscreens could show, and what drivers could be allowed to control while on the move.

For instance, anything over 30 characters in length – such as a text-based message or a more complex set of commands – would not be permitted unless the car was parked up. Future iterations of the guidelines are expected to extend the rules to cover smartphones, aftermarket sat-nav units, tablets and other electronic gadgets, and eventually cover voice-control systems.

[via The Verge]

That’s 66-percent more powerful than the regular Soul, and puts its power down through a short-throw six-speed manual transmission to HRE-K1 monoblock billet performance wheels clad in 245/40-19-inch front and 285/35-19-inch rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 high-performance tires. 14-inch Brembo vented and cross-drilled disc brakes – with by six-piston calipers – in front, and 13.6-inch discs – with four-piston calipers – at the rear make sure you can stop, too.

“The idea was to make the Track’ster tough looking, like a bulldog” chief designer Tom Kearns says,  throwing flared wheel arches, a huge grille, lots of lights and splashes of orange paint at the concept. The Soul normally has rear doors, but they’ve been ditched in favor of longer front doors that open to reveal suede-covered racing seats and a leather-wrapped dash. A sizable touchscreen handles navigation, entertainment and HVAC.

Rather than rear seats, Kia has used the space for an equipment tray and spare-tire well, somewhere to keep your racing kit and emergency supplies. Unfortunately Kia has no plans to produce a commercial version of the Track’ster concept, though we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the next-gen Soul will borrow more than a few details.

Kia reported this problem last week, and the recall is expected to take place en masse starting in March, so says that NHTSA. This vehicle has otherwise had no such similar problems, and you’re encouraged top contact you local dealer now if you’d like to get a fix in the future. Customers affected by the problem will be able to have the problem fixed at their local dealer free of charge when the time comes.

You can also call the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 or visit the NHTSA at SaferCar.gov, taking special note of the terrible graphic design they’ve got going on there. Sidenote: why is it that government run websites never look any good? Is it a law that they’re not allowed to hire graphic designers with any salt?

[via CNN]