A Few of our Favorite Things…About Kias, of course!

Our team at Kia of Irvine wants you to know the latest and greatest features of our newest cars, crossovers and SUVs. Buckle up your seat belt and keep reading. We’ve put together our top ten list of not-so-secret Kia features for you. Be sure to ask us about which features may be on the Kia model you are considering.

1. Ever try opening your back liftgate with your hands full? Did you know that after parking and locking your Kia, heading into a shop, then coming back to your vehicle again, that it “knows” you are getting close and “automagically” opens the back liftgate? This is because it knows when you are standing behind your Smart Liftgate and your proximity by the key in your purse or pocket. (Don’t worry; it won’t open for just anyone who walks by!) This is a feature busy moms and dads with little kids really appreciate.
2. You’re probably familiar by now with Kia’s awesome Blind Spot Detector — it warns you when there’s a car coming up beside you on the road that might not be visible. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the accident rate for vehicles with blind-spot monitoring was nearly fifteen percent lower than for the same models without the equipment. But there’s another safety feature that uses the same sensor plate hidden inside the rear side panels called a Rear Cross Traffic Alert. It actually sounds a warning for you if you’re starting to back out of a parking spot and a vehicle is approaching, even if it’s not behind your car yet. (Note that this only works when the menu is turned on for “Parking Safety – Rear Cross Traffic Alert,” so make sure you do it.) 
3. Have you ever tried to connect a trailer to your car or SUV? (Hopefully you practiced with no one looking first.) But did you know that Kia’s back up camera has a little-known feature that allows you to easily see directly behind your vehicle with the backup camera, and even has an onscreen guide to help you line the trailer up perfectly? You’ll be able to impress your friends in no time.
4. For those “vertically challenged” (sometimes known as “short”) drivers who may have trouble reaching to the top of their SUV’s liftgate, Kia has an amazing setting that can make the power liftgate opening height lower than normal. This has to be one of the most genius ideas yet! And the liftgate is easy to close without hopping up into the air, because you can easily reach the “close” button.
5. And speaking of height, Kia truly does offer something for everyone. If you’re a taller driver (or just have extra-long legs) you will love a cool feature that lets you extend the length of the seat, supporting your thighs just a bit more and making you much more comfortable on long drives. You’ll arrive at your destination with a bounce in your step -- except if you’re arriving at your mother-in-law’s. (Sorry, we can’t help with everything.) 
6. If it’s getting late, the caffeine has worn off and you accidentally nod off, your Kia’s Driver Attention Warning will soon notice your low activity and give you a wake-up call. (Unless your spouse has already done that!)
7. At first you might feel a bit silly turning on features like Active Assist (under Forward Assist). However, this great safety feature will allow your vehicle to actually stop on its own! If you regularly drive the freeways in Costa Mesa and Orange County, you’ll know the benefit of this feature, especially in stop-and-go traffic. It has been proven time after time to prevent an accident, or minimize damage should an accident occur, and has also saved many millions of marriages from disaster. (Although admittedly we haven’t kept super accurate records on that last claim.) In our experience, any driver who has been saved from an accident by Active Assist has become a true believer in this new technology. 
8. Did you ever watch The Jetsons cartoons and marvel as they commuted to work in their personal flying spacecraft? (If not, then you’re just too young.) Kia has introduced a couple of futuristic features that actually help you drive your car. (But you still have to be in it and paying attention. And…they don’t fly.) They’re called Active Lane Keep Assist and Lane Follow Assist. They both utilize a camera (usually located in the back of your rear view mirror) that looks for lane markers on the road. Active Lane Keep Assist keeps you centered in your lane. Lane Follow Assist keeps you centered even at lower speeds and even uses the car ahead of you as a guide in case there are no lines on the road to follow. 
9. So, you’ve finally made it to your destination and everyone is anxious to hop out of the car and run to see Grandma…but not so fast. Kia’s new Safe Exit Assist will let you know if it detects a car is coming from behind and it is not yet safe to exit the vehicle. Wow, they really think of everything!
10. And last but certainly not least... It’s no secret that Kia works hard not only to make driving safer, but also allows you to proudly show off your stylish vehicle. Your Kia will catch the eye of many as you cruise down the road. The beauty and value of these vehicles is truly more than skin deep. Kia has recently been recognized by U.S. News & World Report, with several Kias making its 2021 list of best cars in their price range. Kia has also been designated as the fastest growing automobile manufacturer, and that is due to their focus on incredible safety, undeniable value and remarkable design appeal.

At Kia of Irvine, we’re here to help you make a match, whether you live in Costa Mesa, Anaheim, or any of the surrounding areas. It’s true what they say — if a Kia was a blind date, it would always be love at first sight!