Monthly Archives: November 2017

4 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in Springfield

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Posted in Local Springfield Area

It’s official: the holidays are here. Time to decorate the tree, string the lights, throw a party, or light the menorah. The holidays are a special time to reconnect with old friends and celebrate with your family. It’s a time of tradition, like holiday baking, wrapping gifts, and enjoying a special meal with the ones you love. Springfield is a wonderful city, and Green Kia is pleased to suggest these four great ways to celebrate the holidays in Springfield.

Holidays at the White House

If you have a fascination with American history, this exhibit is for you. First families celebrate the holidays in their own unique ways, and this exhibit gives us an idea of how some of our Presidents and their families enjoyed the holidays at the White House. This Holidays at the White House exhibit features items and photos from the Eisenhower, Kennedy, Clinton, and George W. Bush eras. Treasured things from presidential collections give us a historical and intimate look into what it’s like to celebrate the holidays with America’s first families. It’s located at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, Nov. 17 to Jan. 7.

Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights

Elaborate holiday light displays are part of our American holiday tradition, and no one does it better than our friends at Springfield Park District and the Henson Robinson Zoo. This year will be better than ever with an all-new Winterland Holiday Zoo Lights extravaganza.

Winterland has recently partnered with a national company to bring us the most spectacular sparkling holiday light display ever. So bundle up, grab some friends, and head out for a colorful walking tour through the zoo lights for a night you’ll always remember. Located at Henson Robinson Zoo from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23.

Manheim Steamroller Christmas

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis is the ultimate in holiday traditions. For over 30 years, Grammy Award winner Chip Davis has been treating fans to this classic holiday show featuring a fine selection of compositions from his famous Fresh Aire series, which brought the unique Mannheim sound to America.

The program is always captivating with inspiring music and breathtaking multimedia effects. Experience the spirit of the season for yourself with a show that somehow perfectly presents the magic of the holidays. Prepare the family for a special night, and don’t forget to pick up one of Manheim Steamroller’s holiday CDs while you’re at the show.

Sit with Santa

If your list of holiday traditions includes a visit to downtown Springfield, make sure you stop and get the kids’ picture taken with Santa Claus at the Old State Capitol building. Kids of all ages can visit with Santa, enjoy arts, crafts, and face painting, and receive a candy cane from Santa’s better half, Mrs. Claus.

The holidays are a busy time with long to-do lists for just about everyone but don’t forget to relax and enjoy the magic of the season. There is something about the combination of holiday traditions and time with loved ones that makes the holidays a special time of year, filled with joy and laughter.

Why You’ll Love the 2018 Kia Soul

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Posted in Kia Vehicles

Let’s just admit it, the Kia Soul with its fresh and funky personality is the ultimate in driving fun. Add a spacious interior, stylish cabin, and lengthy list of sought-after features, and the Soul crossover wagon delivers big in every area that matters. The fact that the Soul earns top marks from consumer reporting groups year after year makes it is easy to see why you’re going to fall in love with the 2018 Kia Soul.

Premium Interior

With room for five adults or a ton of cargo, the groovy Soul touts a six-way adjustable driver’s seat. With SiriusXM satellite radio, listen to all your favorite music through four rich, dynamic speakers and two crisp, clear tweeters without having to flip your playlist. Some cool features like lighted speaker rings, adjustable mood lighting, and soft-touch materials all over, make the Kia Soul standout.

Head-Turning Style

The Kia Soul compact wagon is an attractive choice for drivers who love a hatchback with a big, bold style. The 2018 Soul gains an optional Primo Package with HID headlights that are up to three times brighter than halogen lights and they last up to 2000 hours. Also available this year is a panoramic sunroof with power sunshade and a flashy Wild Orange paint job. Spiffy, large 17-inch alloy wheels, outside-mirror turn signals, and additional fender trim complement the Soul’s head-turning exterior package.

Award Winning Kia

For three years in a row, the Soul has earned Consumer Guide Automotive’s Best Buy Award in the subcompact class for its excellent value and practicality, making the 2018 model a perfect fit for almost every lifestyle. J.D. Power gave the Soul five out of five stars for overall quality, comfort, style and design, ranking the Soul top among cars in its class.

Performance

An available 106-liter turbocharged engine is the most powerful and fuel-efficient Soul to date, topping out at 201 horsepower with the upper-level trim. With the new Soul, you have choices when it comes to your transmission. From the standard baseline 6-speed manual to the impressive Sportmatic that offers the feeling of control you don’t get from a traditional automatic. The Soul delivers an whooping estimated combined fuel economy of 27 miles-per-gallon, and it is 10-year/100,000-mile warranty smokes its in-class competition.

Kia UVO3 Technology

The Kia UVO3 subscription-free information system comes standard with the 2018 Soul. With UVO’s advanced voice-recognition technology, it’s easy to make hands-free calls and manage your music library, and it does not stop there. With the Soul’s innovative connectivity, enjoy rich features like GPS navigation, a rear-camera display, and emergency roadside assistance. My Car Zone send alters when your Soul is out past curfew, is speeding through town or leaves a pre-set geographic area. Your Kia’s UVO3 system can even run diagnostic checks and will help schedule a service appointment, if needed.

With so much to offer, what’s not to love about the new 2018 Kia Soul? Get your totally transformed Soul today at your local Kia dealership starting at just $16,100.

Discover the 2017 Kia K900

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Posted in Kia Vehicles

The Kia K900 is where luxury meets value, without sacrificing either. This perfect midpoint of an upper-level Kia sedan is well worth a test drive if it fits into your budget. Read on to see what you’ve been missing.

Generous Standard Equipment

The Kia K900 starts off with a generous collection of features, like a 14-speaker premium sound system (upgradable to an even better Lexicon system), leather seating and upholstery (upgradable to Nappa leather), and much more. Best of all is the new 2017 model, in which blind spot warnings, rear cross-traffic alerts, and lane change assist were all added standard. You don’t have to splurge on the top-tier models if you want advanced collision prevention technology.

Parking and Driveway Assistance

In addition to the more fundamental safety features included, the K900 also has some parking assistance features that make life a lot simpler. Parking sensors are standard, while higher models and packages include front and rear parking cameras, as well as a 360-degree-view system composed of little cameras all over the K900’s perimeter.

Comfort and Convenience

Most 2017 K900 models come with heated and ventilated seats, tri-zone climate control, and push-button ignition with keyless entry. Then there’s the power-operated smart trunk, which is easily opened, closed, or locked from the driver’s seat. Meanwhile, the driver has the option to get 16-way power-adjustable seats throughout, plus reclining and ventilating outboard rear seats.

Handy UVO System

All 2017 K900 models come with the Kia UVO infotainment system with an impressive 9.2-inch touch screen. This system is perfect for checking the weather in your area, making or taking calls, and controlling your music. What’s more, the system includes full navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, features that even some higher-priced luxury cars will hide away in the higher trims or packages.

Stylish Exterior Look

The K900 has a balanced exterior appearance that’s at once upscale but welcoming. It looks right at home among other luxury cars, and in some cases beats them objectively in appearance features. The 18-inch wheels with 19-inch alloy alternatives available certainly don’t hurt, nor do the HID headlights, which can be switched out with powerful LED replacements. Automatic windshield wipers and a panoramic sunroof also help improve the K900’s first impressions.

Engaging Powertrain

Finally, we have the K900’s 3.8-liter V6 engine to tie it all together. The 2017 K900 gets 311 horsepower and 293 pound-feet of torque and is connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Among rear-wheel-drive luxury cars, the K900 stands out for being powerful without losing efficiency. For those interested in maximum power, the top-level trim includes a 5.0-liter V8 engine instead, with 420 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque and also sporting an eight-speed automatic transmission. In terms of driving style, the K900 excels are brisk acceleration and deceleration.

The Kia K900 sends a clear message to the luxury car world: more reasonably priced cars can offer the same quality and range of features. If the latest K900 sounds like a good fit for you, contact us anytime to discuss models in our inventory and options.

Illinois’ Top 5 Scenic Byways

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Posted in Travel

Nicknamed “The Prairie State,” Illinois is known for its abundant farmland and agricultural prosperity, though it’s also home to numerous state parks, historical landmarks, and majestic rivers that offer plenty of picturesque views. As you plan your next road trip, you can make the most of your journey with these top five scenic byways in Illinois.

Peoria Grandview Drive and Park

For a nice glimpse at the Illinois River Valley, historic Soderstrom Castle, and surrounding seasonal flora, Peoria Grandview Drive deserves a spot on your list. This scenic road spans 2.52 miles, and its adjacent park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Grandview Drive even managed to impress President Theodore Roosevelt, declaring it the “world’s most beautiful drive” following his 1910 visit.

Great River Road

Taking you through the heart of America is Great River Road, a 550-mile scenic byway along the state’s western border. It offers pleasant views of the Mississippi River, rolling hills and grasslands, shaded forests, agricultural and farming areas, and local wildlife. You’ll have the chance to explore various historic sites too, including an 18th-century French fort in Prairie Du Rocher, a 90-foot tall Dutch windmill in Fulton, and a prehistoric Native American settlement near Collinsville.

Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway

Considered “the best scenic drive in America,” the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway spans 33 miles across Great River Road. As you journey past, take note of the colorful foliage, wildlife areas, and river towns surrounding you. Pay a visit to the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford or stop by the 8,050-acre Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. However, the real fun happens in Alton, where the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers meet, making for a perfect photo op.

Historic Route 66

This iconic highway has been featured in various films, novels, and works of art, and for good reason. Its construction began in 1926, and today it still offers an ideal scenic route from the American Midwest to the West Coast. Along Historic Route 66, you’ll venture past the Original Brick Road, a 1.4-mile stretch of land in Auburn comprised of hand-laid bricks. You can also stop by Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside where Chicago mob boss Al Capone’s gravesite resides.

Ohio River Scenic Byway

The Ohio River Scenic Byway encompasses 188 miles of rolling farmland, roadside flowers, charming landscapes, and recreational areas that border the Ohio River Valley in southern Illinois. This scenic byway ends in Cairo, Illinois, where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers meet and offers plenty of interesting sights along the way.

Head toward Shawnee National Forest for a truly adventurous experience. Here you can check out the Millstone Bluff Archaeological Area, take in the various pathways and sandstone rock formations at the Garden of the Gods, or hike the 90-foot-long Pomona Natural Bridge, great for all ages.

No matter which scenic routes you settle for, there are plenty of unique stops and natural wonders to explore in Illinois. Keep these five destinations in mind when planning your travel itinerary.