Parents Magazine: Kia Optima, Soul Among Best Family Cars of 2016

Jul 6, 2016

Kia keeps racking up the awards and recognitions, most recently picking up Best Family Cars of 2016 honors from Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com for the Kia Soul and Optima.

Parents Magazine and Edmunds worked together to develop a list of the top 10 family vehicles in a variety of fields, including crossovers, budget vehicles, sedans, and more. The 2016 Kia Soul got the nod for best budget vehicle, and the Kia Optima was designated best sedan.

Kia was the only car manufacturer to have two vehicles on the list, a big win for the South Korean automaker. Kia execs say the company’s focus on value and quality is helping Kia to leapfrog more established players in the automotive market.

Parents Magazine and Edmunds examined many factors in making their determinations. The two companies looked at ride quality, safety, the availability of kid-friendly features, comfort, capacity, fuel economy, price and value, reliability, and much more.

Kia’s big achievement in having the 2016 models of the Soul and Optima named to the list reinforces growing consumer sentiment that Kia dealers offer the safest, most reliable vehicles for a value price.

2016 Kia Soul

The Kia Soul has a unique design that young families enjoy, but the vehicle isn’t all looks. Beneath the friendly, quirky exterior of the Soul is a finely tuned machine that delivers superior service to its owners.

For 2016, Kia added a few new standard features to all Souls, and some additional electronic safety features to its upper trim levels. The base level Soul offers 16-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, rear privacy glass, and a variety of other standard features. On the upper trim levels, the Soul has great tech features like rear view cameras, an infotainment touchscreen, and more.

The new Soul comes with either a 1.6 liter four cylinder engine or a peppier 2.0 four cylinder engine. With its boxy body design, the Soul is ideal for taller buyers of compact vehicles.

2016 Kia Optima

The Optima is Kia’s best-selling vehicle for a really good reason – it’s just a great car. Stylish and reliable, the Kia Optima provides mid-size sedan buyers with a strong alternative to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord that’s affordable without being cheap. With three engine options to choose from, the Optima can accommodate folks looking for a basic commuter, or drivers who want a little oomph on the highway.

Automotive journalists praise the Optima for its quiet ride and handling, as well as its attractive and comfortable interior cabin. The Optima provides generous legroom for passengers and ample cargo room. For commutes to work and to soccer practice, the Optima’s performance and comfort makes it a tough vehicle to beat.

Bill Barth Kia, a long-established leader among Mandan auto dealers, strives to provide an enjoyable car-buying experience for consumers. With a huge selection of Kia cars, trucks, and SUVs, including new Optimas and Souls, the Bill Barth Kia dealership is the place to go to find the best deal on a new or pre-owned vehicle. To schedule a test drive, call 701-667-9999 or just visit Bill Barth Kia.