Kia Canada debuts two new vehicles at the 2017 Ride & Drive event.

Fleet professionals, fleet management company representatives and the media were invited to the picturesque town of Blue Mountains, Ontario for a two-day product preview hosted by Kia Canada’s fleet team.

Kia’s guests were introduced to two of the brand’s newest vehicles: the Niro Hybrid and the seductive Stinger Sportback.

The Niro is a compact SUV engineered with a focus on fuel economy and technology. It’s the first vehicle from the Kia brand that’s been designed from the ground up with a hybrid drivetrain in mind. Although technically smaller than Kia’s Sportage model, the Niro boasts generous interior room in a compact exterior package.

Powered by a 1.6L inline 4 coupled to an electric motor, the Niro offers a combined output of 139 hp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque and promises a combined fuel consumption figure of only 4.7L / 100 km.

The Stinger is arguably the sexiest vehicle Kia has offered to date. Kia will be offering this sportback with two engine choices. A 2.0-litre turbocharged four cylinder will produce an estimated 255 hp at 6,200 rpm and a peak torque of 260 lb.-ft., available from 1,400 – 4,000 rpm. The more robust 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 will pump out 365 hp at 6,000 rpm and offer a max torque of 376 lb.-ft. from 1,300 – 4,500 rpm.

UVO Intelligence

Kia also unveiled their UVO Intelligence in-vehicle services, which might best be described as Kia’s version of OnStar. Available initially on the Rio, Optima and Stinger, it will be offered on other models in the near future.

UVO allows the driver to connect to the vehicle via a smartphone app or via a website in order to start/stop the engine, turn on the heater or A/C, determine the location of the vehicle and much more. In case of emergency or an accident, UVO will connect the driver with an advisor for assistance.

The service will be free for the first five years of vehicle ownership.

Ride & Drive

As with all Ride & Drive events, Kia’s guests had the opportunity to test drive a broad range of the company’s newest vehicles. To make the entire event a bit more exciting, Kia prepared a series of challenges for drivers, handing out prizes to winners in a number of categories at the end of the day.

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