Even as Kia’s original urban utility vehicle prepares for the launch of its all-new 2014 model, the current Soul is going out on top: By winning its category in Strategic Vision’s 2013 Total Quality Index (TQI).

“The Kia Soul being a leader in this segment is substantial, as the ‘Small Car Multi-Function’ segment is highly competitive and really requires that the leader have a great emotional impact on owners along with its superior quality features,” said Alexander Edwards, president of Strategic Vision. “The Kia Soul provided all of this and more, as customers reported in our comprehensive study.”

Just keep in mind, “comprehensive” is a bit of an understatement here. The TQI is based on “a multivariate examination of 155 specific aspects of Total Quality,” with an emphasis on how they impact customer perceptions.

“Since its release in 2009, the Soul has been a prime example of Kia’s commitment to providing our customers with vehicles that feature world-class design, inspired driving dynamics and cutting-edge technology, all at an impressive value,” said Michael Sprague, executive vice president of Marketing & Communications for Kia Motors America. “The Soul being named as a Strategic Vision ‘Total Quality’ vehicle really illustrates how far the Kia brand has come in a relatively short period of time.”

While the result is certainly an impressive track record of success, the completely redesigned 2014 Soul is ideally suited to raise the bar even higher. Consider: Not only is its fresh new look based on the appearance of the dramatic Kia Track’ster concept vehicle, but the next-gen Soul also rides on an all-new chassis, offers engines with more torque and enhanced driving dynamics, and showcases a more refined cabin.

The reincarnated 2014 Kia Soul is slated to arrive in dealerships in the third quarter of the year.

The Durango was the No. 1 choice in the Mid-Size Traditional Utility category, although Dodge engineers may take issue with the term “traditional.” After all, the 2014 Durango is one of the most technologically advanced entries in its segment, with class-exclusive features like a standard eight-speed automatic transmission, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system (that’s both DVD and Blu-ray compatible), LED exterior lighting and the award-winning Uconnect infotainment system.

Strategic Vision had much love for the Dart, too, with the company’s vice president, Christopher Chaney, saying: “Dodge Dart’s leading in the small-car segment is extraordinary when you consider how much focus, design and competitive engineering exists within this important segment.”

Doug Betts, senior vice president for Quality for the automaker said, “In today’s competitive market, customers expect and deserve a highly reliable vehicle. This particular study recognizes that to excel in overall quality it’s important to also deliver well-crafted, exciting vehicles and ensure customer satisfaction after the sale. These honors show that customers appreciate the innovations in the all-new Dart as well as the ongoing improvements we’re making throughout our product lineup.”

So it’s probably no surprise that the Durango and Dart are also two of the brand’s biggest sellers, with the former lifting sales 65 percent in April, thanks to 5,386 deliveries, and the latter scoring its highest sales total since its launch, with 8,099 deliveries in its first April at dealerships.

The cars are set to begin arriving in dealerships next month, with each wearing a premium paint color called Silver Ignition on the outside and boasting Scion’s Display Audio system with a 6.1-inch LCD touchscreen on the inside. Scion further distinguishes each model as follows:

The 10 Series Scion tC welcomes premium cabin stitching for its steering wheel and seats, along with an electroluminescent accent panel above the radio, a solar-powered, illuminated shift knob, and Scion carpet mats; exterior upgrades will include projector-beam headlights, LED accent lighting, 18-inch dark-gray alloy wheels, locator badges that light up when the car is unlocked and a badged side skirt. Pricing starts at $21,440.

With an MSRP of $17,850, the 10 Series iQ gets the projector-beam headlights, locator badging, solar-powered shift knob and carpet mats, and adds 16-inch graphite-gray alloy wheels along with two electroluminescent dash panels.

Scion’s incredible new sports car, the FR-S, receives a 10 Series package that includes dual automatic air conditioning, HID headlights and LED accent lights, a frameless rearview mirror, an electroluminescent accent panel, front and rear locator badges, a cargo-area mat and, on the  automatic transmission model, the illuminated shift knob. The cost of admission here starts at $27,425.

The xB’s 10 Series enhancements move its MSRP to $19,210 and include projector-beam headlights, LED accent lights, 16-inch graphite-gray alloy wheels and front/rear locator badges, all set off by a cockpit that shows off the dashboard accent panel, the solar shift knob and Scion carpet mats throughout.

Priced from $18,155, the 10 Series xD enjoys interior enhancements like premium seat stitching, a solar-power light-up shift knob, an electroluminescent accent panel and Scion carpet mats, while its exterior is enlivened by multi-reflector halogen headlights, 16-inch graphite-gray alloy wheels and a rear locator badge.

Already home base to the subcompact Versa Sedan, the least-expensive car in America, Nissan puts value in the spotlight once again with the all-new Sentra—recently recognized by Cars.com as the Most Affordable Compact Sedan of 2013. Significantly, this award wasn’t just about a race to the bottom. The website was looking for the compact sedan that combined affordability with six key vehicle features—automatic transmission, cruise control, USB port, remote entry, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and steering-wheel-mount audio controls—as well as low fuel costs.

Needless to say, Cars.com found exactly that in the Sentra, bolstered by an MSRP that starts at $15,990 and EPA grades that can reach up to 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined. The Sentra also builds on those advantages with standard equipment that includes air conditioning, LED front accent lights and taillights, power doors/windows/locks, a front center storage console with cup holders, and a rear center armrest with cup holders.

“Pairing value and best-in-class fuel efficiency with style and comfort, the all-new Nissan Sentra truly stepped up its compact car game in 2013,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president of Marketing for Nissan North America, Inc. “Sentra is a solid offering in Nissan’s most innovative, highest-quality, highest-value sedan lineup ever, and we are excited to see it on top of this year’s Cars.com ‘Most Affordable Compact Sedan’ list.”

Production of the 2014 MDX began this month at Honda’s manufacturing facility in Lincoln, Alabama. The more than 1,500 plant employees were joined by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley at the opening ceremony. This is an important occasion for the plant, since the Acura MDX had previously been assembled up north by Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario. Says Tom Shoupe, president of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, “Today, we celebrate a new Alabama-made vehicle, fueled by the pride of Honda associates who are committed to exceeding the expectations of our Acura customers.”

Jim Keller, chief engineer for the 2014 MDX, agrees. “What a beautiful vehicle we have created together. Today we celebrate not a finish line, but a starting line. Our race is just beginning, and to win this race takes a constant and committed focus on quality and on the customer.”

The Acura MDX is the fourth vehicle to be built at the Alabama plant. Other vehicles assembled there include the Honda Odyssey minivan, Pilot crossover SUV and Ridgeline pickup truck.

The 2014 Acura MDX is scheduled to roll out of dealerships later this summer. Pricing information, says Honda, will be available by the sales date.

Written by Joel Arellano.

“New commercial fleet customers are turning to Ford as they look for fuel-efficient, durable vehicles that can withstand the daily use and duty cycles of their businesses,” says Jon Coleman, commercial fleet sustainability and technology manager over at the Blue Oval. “Ford’s Fusion Hybrid and C-Max Hybrid give them the tools they need to get the job done, including leading EPA-estimated fuel economy, technology, great quality and durability.”

Transportation giant Con-way recently added more than 1,000 Ford Fusion Hybrid sedans to its fleet. According to representatives, it’s expecting to save more than one million gallons of gas while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions around 45 percent. Esurance, an insurance firm, is looking to save more than $250,000 a year in gas expenses with its 50 Fusion Hybrids. Quest Diagnostics, which provides laboratory services, recently added 150 Ford C-Max Hybrids to its commercial fleet. Clete Lewis, director of environmental, health and safety for the company, states, “As the leading diagnostic information services company, we maintain a significant national logistics operation for transporting millions of patient specimens each year for testing at our clinical laboratories. Given our scale, the type of vehicles in our fleet can really make a difference to the environment and our business costs.

“The environmentally conscious C-Max Hybrid is much more fuel efficient and produces less pollution than standard automobiles. It is a smart addition to our fleet because it will promote lower fuel costs while also helping us to empower better health in the communities we serve.”

Besides the Fusion Hybrid sedan and C-Max Hybrid crossover, Ford also offers the Fusion and C-Max Energi plug-in hybrids and the Focus Electric hatchback.

Written by Joel Arellano.

Ford is teaming up with a fellow Detroit-based manufacturer to help celebrate the 50^th anniversary of a made-in-America classic. In honor of the Ford Mustang, which first went into production April 17, 1964, the Blue Oval has authorized the creation of a premium timepiece from Shinola, a luxury producer of hand-made watches, bicycles and leather goods. The two companies have more than just their Motown roots in common.

“Mustang is one of the greatest icons in American manufacturing history,” said Jacques Panis, Shinola’s director of strategic partnerships. “We reached out to Ford because we thought it makes perfect sense, as we share the same passion for craftsmanship and domestic manufacturing.”

One thing they won’t share, however, is their availability. While Ford has sold more than 8.5 million Mustangs in the past 49 years, Shinola will offer just 1,000 watches, each featuring Swiss movements along with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal face, premium black leather band and screw-down crown. The waterproof watch also will wear the new “Mustang 50 Years” logo, as Shinola has been selected as one of just 50 companies authorized to use the exclusive anniversary graphic.

“Like the Mustang itself, we want our licensed products to convey an attitude of strength, passion and quality,” said John Nens, Ford lead for global brand licensing. “Shinola embodies all of these things and is a perfect fit to celebrate this special moment in automotive history.”

The Shinola Mustang watch will be offered through the new ShopMustangFifty.com website, and is expected to begin shipping in October 2013. As for the site itself, it already shows off a growing selection of apparel and will continue to roll out new 50^th anniversary swag for the Mustang in coming months.

Honoring its first successful car designed specifically for global markets, Ford recently introduced the Escort Concept at the 2013 Shanghai Auto Show. But this time around, the car was designed especially for the Chinese market, where Ford is making an unprecedented push to boost its business.

“By listening to our customers in China, we have developed the Ford Escort Concept to serve a new class of compact car customers,” said Jim Farley, executive vice president of Global Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford. “These are customers whose needs are not being completely met by existing compact cars. They are discerning, modern families, who want uncompromised functionality, quality and safety for themselves and the ones they care about.”

As a result, while the Escort is approximately the same size as the Ford Focus compact on the outside, it offers a larger cabin and a more traditional silhouette like a sedan, with bold lines that flow back from the sophisticated LED lights to emphasize its length and sleek proportions. Yet the revived Escort is immediately recognizable as part of the Ford family, thanks to design cues like the signature grille treatment that further distinguishes the car’s face. It’s an ideal look for a fresh contender in one of China’s largest vehicle segments, one that’s responsible for more annual sales—about 5.5. million—than the total auto market in Germany and the United Kingdom combined.

“The Ford Escort Concept gives an indication of how we could expand our offerings to compact car customers and further solidify our commitment to growing our presence in China,” said John Lawler, chairman and CEO, Ford China. “Combined with the new Ford Mondeo, our terrific SUV lineup and the best-selling Focus, you can start to see what our lineup will look like when we reach our goal of bringing 15 new vehicles to China by 2015.

“The unprecedented growth and significant size of the vehicle market—especially the compact car segment—combined with the high degree of dynamic change in China is allowing Ford to extend its product plans to take advantage of the pace being set by this market.”

As the all-electric Honda Fit EV continues to roll out in select markets, third-party auto observers continue to select it as one of the greenest cars in the country. The latest acclaim comes from KBB.com—the online home to Kelley Blue Book—where experts have named the Fit EV to their list of 10 Best Green Cars of 2013.

According to the website, the Fit EV “impresses as one of the most powerful and energy-efficient EVs available,” which is no surprise in a car boasting Honda’s latest electric propulsion system. It combines a 20-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a 92-kilowatt AC synchronous electric motor to offer drivers:

• 123 horsepower and 189 lb.-ft. of torque
• EPA efficiency ratings of 132 MPGe city/105 MPGe highway/118 MPGe combined
• An EPA energy-consumption rating of 29 kilowatt hours per 100 miles
• 82 miles of all-electric travel on a single charge

In addition, when the Fit EV’s low-charge indicator comes on, the vehicle can be powered up in less than three hours when connected to a 240-volt outlet.

The award-winning Honda Fit EV is currently available for leasing in California, Oregon, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and New York, with terms that start at $389 per month for 36 months.

“Consumers only have one choice for the most energy efficient electric vehicle—the Honda Fit EV. What’s more, its power and handling make it one of the most fun-to-drive EVs available,” said Art St. Cyr, vice president of product planning and logistics at American Honda. “This recognition from KBB.com further highlights the tremendous environmental and customer value that the Honda Fit EV offers.”

Ford’s much-acclaimed muscle car celebrated its latest birthday in fine fashion, when the automaker’s plant in Flat Rock, Michigan built its 1 millionth Ford Mustang, exactly 49 years after the original was first introduced. To be clear, Flat Rock Assembly has only been building the Mustang for nine years. Prior to that, Ford sold another 7.5 million Mustangs built at manufacturing facilities in Dearborn, Michigan; Metuchen, New Jersey; and San Jose, California.

Mustang production was consolidated at Flat Rock in 2004 for the fifth-generation car, the first to ride on its own dedicated vehicle platform. The plant is currently in the midst of an extensive upgrade to prepare for an all-new 2015 Mustang.

“Flat Rock has gone through an amazing transformation over the past year,” said Tim Young, the plant’s manager. “We’ve invested $555 million including a state-of-the-art, fully flexible body shop and an upgraded paint shop to make sure we’re continuing to build the best of the best for the next 1 million Mustangs.”

That’s just for starters. The all-new Ford Fusion set an all-time monthly sales record in March. Incredible demand for the award-winning midsize sedan will bring production to Flat Rock later this year, along with another 1,400 U.S. jobs.

“The one-millionth Mustang is a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the Flat Rock Local 3000 membership,” said Tony Bondy, UAW Local 3000 chairman. “It’s been great building an iconic American car since 2004, and with the introduction of Fusion along with our new plant upgrades, we will keep building world-class quality in Flat Rock for years to come.”