10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2012

2012 Kia Soul
With a low price tag, roomy interior and singular looks, the Kia Soul charms with a practical but youthful exuberance. And it gets even better for 2012, with engine and transmission upgrades that yield bumps in power, responsiveness and fuel economy. Stir in tastefully refreshed exterior and interior bits, and the Soul convincingly grabs the top spot on our list of Best Back-to-School Cars for 2012.

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Kia teases all-new Carens, will debut in Paris

Kia is pretty smart. During these dog days of summer when the news is about as exciting as watching your grass turn brown, the Korean automaker has been tossing out information about upcoming models in fairly rapid succession. First there was the Quoris announcement, then the next-gen Forte, and now these teaser images of the Carens crossover.

Kia says it will be officially introducing the Carens on September 27 at the Paris Motor Show. Based on Hyundai and Kia's C-segment platform, the Carens will resemble the unloved Kia Rondo in function, if not form, with seating for either five or seven.

We like what we see from these trippy renderings, even if the Carens does look more like a Ford than anything currently sitting on a Kia dealer's lot. The big question, however, is whether Kia is willing to take another shot at selling a tall wagon style crossover in the U.S., given the cool reception afforded the Rondo during its short time here.                            

Kia Optima Hybrid : Eco-Friendly Midsize

By Kia Motors · Updated about a month ago

Featuring a stunning design with class-leading horsepower and fuel efficiency, Kia Optima Hybrid is not just an average mid-size Sedan. Stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks. (* Flickr : http://bit.ly/sypYfR)

Kia releases sketches of next-generation Forte

Remember that sketch of the next-generation Kia Forte that was leaked late last year? Well, now Kia has released an official version of it – and it's even more dramatic.

This new rendering has a more pronounced lower character line and larger rear taillights, but it retains the earlier version's menacing face, with a large implementation of the new Kia grille design. Other changes include chrome trim around the windows and fog lamps, plus a revised C-pillar that's similar to the forthcoming Kia Quoris.

Kia says the new Forte will go on sale later this year in Korea, where it is called the K3, before appearing in other markets, where it's also known as the Cerato. We should be seeing the car in spring 2013, on sale as a 2014 model.

2014 Kia Sorento finally shows its face

Here it is: the 2014 Kia Sorento. And to no one's surprise, it's no different than what we've seen in the slow striptease of spy shots. That's not a bad thing, though. The updated Sorento's new front fascia, redesigned alloy wheels and freshened rear end look good, and they certainly fall in line with what Kia has done to its latest crop of new products.

Like the current Sorento, Kia will offer its top-selling crossover in both five- and seven-passenger configurations. As of this writing, it's unclear whether or not the interior has been significantly upgraded in terms of materials or design – Kia's European site debuting only the trio of exterior images you see here – though the press release mentions things like a new LCD instrument cluster, a revised center stack with a seven-inch display and a "more luxurious character." Likewise, no new powertrain details have been divulged at this time. Here in the United States, we expect both four- and six-cylinder engines to be on tap.

We'll have more details when the Sorento makes its official U.S. debut in the not-too-distant future. For now, scroll down for Kia's official press blast.