Kia Motors America Goes All Out For 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show with the showcase of Stinger, facelifted Sorento mid-size SUV and Niro Plug-in Hybrid.

Los Angeles is always one of the biggest auto shows in the world, but this year has an especially wide array of exhibits, events, and test drive experiences that allow car shoppers and enthusiasts alike to check out all the latest models without the pressure of a sales environment. For 2017, Kia has gone all out on its auto show display.

Of course, Kia is pushing the Stinger, with 4 of the large performance hatchbacks on the show floor. It’s the first major auto show since Kia announced pricing and launched their configurator for the Stinger, and a lot of people are interested.

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Peter Schreyer, Stinger’s designer, made a personal appearance this year at the Los Angeles show, and Eddie Rayyan, product manager for the Kia Stinger, was eager to show off the Kia’s performance numbers, which beat the Audi S5 Sportback, BMW 440i Gran Coupe, and even the Porsche Panamera at a price much lower than the European brands. Of course, the Stinger is actually a larger car than these other upmarket GT 5-doors, and Kia understands that few buyers will cross-shop against the luxury brands. They expect to capture sales from people who want a car with amazing performance, great practicality, and an affordable price.

 

The Stinger is not all Kia has to show at the LA Auto Show this year. There is a substantially refreshed 2019 Kia Sorento that adds a lot of refinement to the popular mid-size crossover. The turbo 4 cylinder may be gone, but Kia announced that a diesel engine is coming to entice buyers who prefer the economy and torque of an oil burner. The 2019 Sorento also becomes the first Kia with standard autonomous braking, for better or worse (but mostly for better).

Kia also unveiled the plug-in hybrid version of the Kia Niro, which has seen substantial volume since it went on sale earlier this year. The plug-in hybrid looks to increase the efficiency of the car by adding a larger 59 kilowatt-hour battery and a more powerful 60hp electric motor for a total range of 560 miles on a full tank of gas and full charge of the battery. The Niro Plug-In Hybrid can drive up to 26 miles on electric power only. That keeps it competitive with other plug-in hybrids like the Prius Prime.

Kia is also offering ticket holders a chance to drive a wide variety of Kia models on the street. Perhaps more interestingly, they’ve designed something called the “Kia Sport Utility Gym” in front of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Drivers can get behind the wheel of a Sportage or Sorento and navigate through an obstacle course that simulates an off-road environment, showcasing the off-road chops of the pair of Kia SUVs.

If you’re planning on attending the 2017 LA Auto Show, be sure to check out the Kia display.