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When you shop for an SUV, you expect comfort, versatility and smart technology. What you may not think about is the moment you hope never arrives. The truth is that no one plans for a crash, but the 2026 Kia Sportage is engineered to step up in the moments you cannot predict. That dedication to protection has earned the 2026 Sportage the 2025 Top Safety Pick Plus rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the highest safety recognition the organization awards. If you have been considering an upgrade, King Kia of Laurel invites you to explore how the Sportage delivers the kind of security that brings real peace of mind to your daily drive. Kia’s 2026 Sportage Earned IIHS’s Highest Rating The Sportage reached Top Safety Pick Plus status by earning the highest possible Good rating across every major IIHS crash test, including the small overlap front, updated moderate overlap front and updated side evaluations. These tests simulate real world crash scenarios and demand exceptional structural strength and occupant protection. The Sportage also met the expanded requirements for rear occupant safety, one of the newest and toughest IIHS standards introduced for the 2025 evaluation year. Not only does the Sportage protect passengers in a collision, it also helps drivers avoid one. The model achieved Acceptable or Good results in pedestrian front crash prevention, demonstrating the effectiveness of its forward sensing technology in predicting and helping respond to hazards. Why the Sportage’s Testing Matters More in 2026 Safety testing evolves every year, but this year’s IIHS standards raised the bar in key areas. To earn a Top Safety Pick rating, a vehicle must now demonstrate stronger performance in both front and side crashes, maintain effective pedestrian detection technology and include standard headlights that meet Acceptable or Good criteria. To reach Top Safety Pick Plus, a vehicle must exceed these benchmarks with consistent top tier results across the full testing lineup. The 2026 Kia Sportage does exactly that. Its high rigidity chassis, advanced airbag systems and optimized crash energy distribution help create a strong safety foundation. Kia has also invested heavily in active driver assistance features that support better awareness in crowded streets, unpredictable conditions and low visibility environments. The result is a compact SUV that meets the newest expectations for modern protection. Designed for Real Life Moments The 2026 Sportage blends advanced protection with the comfort, technology and efficiency that everyday driving demands. Whether you are commuting on I 95, navigating city streets around Laurel or loading up for a weekend road trip, it is reassuring to know your vehicle was engineered for the unexpected as much as the expected. This is the kind of SUV that gives families and daily drivers confidence, even before they start the engine. See the Top Safety Pick Plus Sportage at King Kia of Laurel If you are searching for an SUV that puts your safety first without sacrificing style or capability, Kia’s brand new 2026 Sportage deserves a closer look. King Kia of Laurel at 14921 Baltimore Ave is ready to help you explore trims, features and current offers so you can experience its award winning protection for yourself. Visit us to take a test drive and see why so many Maryland drivers trust Kia to keep them safer on the road.

When it comes to safety, Kia continues to raise the bar. The 2025 Kia Telluride and all-electric Kia EV9 have both earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) TOP SAFETY PICK+ (TSP+) award, meeting and surpassing the organization’s increasingly rigorous standards. As the IIHS tightens its criteria to place greater emphasis on rear-seat passenger protection, Kia’s flagship SUVs prove they are built not only for performance and comfort but also for exceptional safety. Telluride: A Three-Peat Safety Champion For the third consecutive year, the Kia Telluride has secured the IIHS’s highest safety honor. This recognition highlights the Telluride’s advanced engineering, which integrates cutting-edge driver assistance systems, reinforced crash protection, and high-quality construction to safeguard both drivers and passengers. As the IIHS updates its crash testing to evaluate rear-seat safety more rigorously, the Telluride’s ability to excel under these new guidelines underscores Kia’s unwavering commitment to occupant protection. EV9: Elevated Safety for Kia’s All-Electric SUV The 2025 Kia EV9 isn’t just an innovation in electric mobility—it’s a leader in safety as well. This year, the EV9 has upgraded from its previous rating to achieve TSP+ status, proving that electrification and top-tier safety can go hand in hand. Designed with a rigid chassis, advanced collision mitigation technology, and high-performance braking systems, the EV9 delivers a secure and confident ride for families and adventurers alike. Raising the Bar on Vehicle Safety Earning a TSP+ rating in 2025 is more challenging than ever, with the IIHS now requiring vehicles to achieve at least an “acceptable” rating in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, which evaluates rear-seat protection. Additionally, vehicles must score “good” ratings in small overlap front and updated side crash tests while proving their effectiveness in pedestrian crash prevention—both day and night. Kia’s success in meeting and exceeding these requirements showcases its proactive approach to safety innovation. Kia’s Commitment to Protecting Every Passenger With a focus on intelligent safety technologies, enhanced crash structures, and driver-assist features that actively prevent accidents, Kia ensures its vehicles don’t just meet expectations—they exceed them. The 2025 Kia Telluride and EV9 represent the brand’s ongoing promise to provide uncompromising safety, whether you’re behind the wheel or seated in the back. Ready to experience award-winning safety in a premium SUV? Visit King Kia of Laurel to explore the 2025 Kia Telluride and EV9 today.

Winter weather puts a lot of wear and tear on our roads, a fact we're all reminded of when navigating the jarring, uneven surfaces come spring. While all irregularities in the road can be disruptive, potholes pose a more severe road hazard. These nuisances typically develop due to the freeze-thaw cycle affecting groundwater beneath the pavement. Water enters cracks, freezes, and expands during winter, then melts, creating spaces that allow more water to penetrate, repeating the cycle and gradually compromising the road's structural integrity. This process eventually causes the pavement to break apart, forming potholes of various sizes. Although drivers tend to steer clear of larger potholes, it’s important to understand that all potholes can be dangerous. King Kia of Laurel wants to emphasize the risk they pose to drivers and vehicles alike in this week’s blog. To assess potential damage from recent rough drives, consider scheduling a service appointment at King Kia of Laurel’s service center, where our certified professionals will ensure your vehicle is road-ready for safe driving. The Effects Of Potholes On Your Car: Tire Damage: Potholes can cause immediate tire blowouts or slower leaks. The sharp edges of a pothole compress the tire against the wheel rim, which can slice the rubber or break the seal between the tire and the rim. Wheel Damage: The impact with a pothole can bend, crack, or chip the wheels, especially those made of alloy. Damaged wheels can lead to poor handling and can cause the tire to lose air more rapidly. Suspension Damage: The suspension system, designed to absorb shocks, can be significantly affected by potholes. Components like shock absorbers, struts, and control arms can be damaged, leading to a rougher ride and decreased steering precision. Alignment Issues: Hitting a pothole can knock a car's wheels out of alignment, leading to uneven tire wear and affecting the steering capabilities of the vehicle. Misalignment can also put stress on other vehicle components, increasing overall wear and tear. Exhaust System Damage: For vehicles that are lower to the ground, striking a deep pothole can cause the undercarriage to scrape against the ground, potentially damaging the exhaust system. This can lead to exhaust leaks, which are harmful both to the environment and the vehicle's efficiency.

Do you have a teen driver? Well, with summer in full swing it is to be expected that they will want to hit the road for some summer fun, and if that makes you a bit nervous then this week’s blog was made for you! King Kia of Laurel has compiled its tips to keep your teen driver as safe as can be while behind the wheel! But it’s important that you practice what you preach because kids learn from experience, so if you’re speeding, texting, playing loud music, etc. the chance they do the same is much higher. So, take a few minutes to check out these helpful tips below and if you’re in the market for a vehicle for your new driver, be sure to browse our available inventory! King Kia of Laurel’s Tips For Teen Drivers: Keep your cell phone off: It’s no secret that texting while driving is a huge epidemic when it comes to all drivers, but especially when it comes to teen drivers. The best thing you can do for yourself is to turn off your phone completely, or if that is too hard for you, put it on airplane mode or a mode that disables messages. It might be hard to not have your phone but it will be better than getting into an accident and hurting yourself or someone else. Turn your headlights on: Using your headlights increases your visibility and helps others see you. Even if you think it is bright enough, you should still have them on at times like the early morning or early evening (dusk). Obey the speed limit: Speeding is a major contribution to teen driving, especially when there is a lot of traffic. Obeying the speed limit is important because it gives you time to react in case you need to come to a stop quickly or something else happens unexpectedly. Driving solo: According to the DMV, having one passenger with a teen driver behind the wheel can double the risk of an accident. Teen drivers do not have the experience and skills of an adult driver, having even one person in the car can cause an extreme distraction...now imagine a full vehicle! Driving solo is a much safer bet in most instances. Practice defensive driving: Always be aware of the traffic ahead, behind, and next to you. It’s better to know your surroundings and have a plan in case an unexpected incident occurs. Stay at least one car length behind the car in front of you at slower speeds, and maintain a larger buffer zone with faster speeds. Choose a safe vehicle: If possible try to drive a vehicle with the most up-to-date safety features such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control, and airbags, and one with an excellent crash safety record.

With the new year come many new resolutions! Why not make one of those resolutions to refresh your defensive driving know-how? Your safety and the safety of all of your passengers are imperative and while you’ve probably been driving for years, it’s never a bad idea to practice your defensive driving! So, take a look at our tips below, and be sure to sharpen your driving skills this January! Oh and if you’re in the market for a new Kia with all of the latest safety features, browse our available inventory online! King Kia Of Laurel’s Defensive Driving Tips: Always plan for delays in your journey. As pessimistic as it sounds, never trust other drivers. They get into accidents and forget how to drive all the time. If you plan for delays, the best outcomes are that you either arrive at your destination early, or if you hit traffic you won’t be late. Win-win! Focus on safety. When you’re thinking the most about being safe and driving the way you’re supposed to, you’ll drive more responsibly. So, put down that cell phone! If you begin your journey stressed, it’s just going to get worse with every little thing that happens on the way. Listen to soothing music or talk radio, take deep breaths, and remember that you are not in the car forever! Addicted to the horn? Time to wean yourself off. Using your horn makes you angry and it makes everyone else around you angry, and then you have a Dangerous Driving Situation on your hands. That is never good. If you come across another driver who is road raging, stay as far away from them as possible. Let them pass you, don’t cut them off, just let them leave you the heck alone. It’s for the best!

Things are really starting to cool down and winter weather is rearing its head! That means black ice, snowy roads, and all sorts of other road hazards! But, commuters need to carry on through it all. To help make sure drivers can make it to visit family for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and many other holidays King Kia of Laurel, MD has compiled a list of Winter Driving Tips! So, buckle up, and take a look at those tips below and be sure to stay safe out there this winter! King Kia Of Laurel’s Winter Driving Tips: Be alert and allow more distance between your vehicle and others. Use your brakes carefully.  Brake early and carefully as it takes more time and distance to stop in adverse conditions. Don’t use “cruise control” in wintry conditions. Be courteous to other drivers. Keep to the right except to pass, using turn signals to alert other drivers of your intentions. Always buckle your seat belt and require your passengers to do the same. Reduce speeds. Remember that the posted speed limit is for ideal travel conditions. Allow for extra travel time or consider delaying trips if the weather is inclement. Don’t use your hand-held cell phone while driving, as mandated by law. Use your headlights, as required by law.

As National Dog Day approaches, you might be gearing up for a trip to the beach, a hiking trail, or the nearby dog park to join in the celebrations. Fortunately, this week, King Kia of Laurel is here to offer you valuable advice on traveling with your furry friend. Check out the tips provided below to ensure your journeys with your pup are smoother. And if it's been a while since your vehicle had its last service, make sure to schedule a service appointment today – it's your ticket to skipping the queue when you visit later! King Kia of Laurel’s Pet Travel Checklist: Lead, Collar, Leash, and ID tag: The last thing you want to happen is your dog to run off in a place they don't know. So, make sure you keep your dog on their leash unless you're in a leashless allowed area with an identification tag that has your phone number on it just in case! Food, water, bowls: Pups need to stay hydrated too! Especially if you’re both going out to do lots of activities! Doggy baggies: Bring waste disposable bags and be responsible for your pets “droppings”. Crates and restraints: Even if your dog is usually a happy traveler, it isn’t safe for them to roam freely throughout the car, in the case of an accident. Toys!!!: Always bring along a ball or tug of war toy to really get out all that extra energy your pup may have so that they’ll be ready to crash and relax later!

Things are really starting to heat up this Spring/Summer season, but we want to make sure one of those things isn’t your vehicle's interior! So, for this week's blog, the King Kia of Laurel team has compiled a list of our top 5 ways to cool down your car so that you can have fun in the sun without worry! Now our tips can only do so much. It’s really your Kia’s Air Conditioning system that allows you to drive on open roads despite those hot summer days! Don’t wait until temperatures are soaring to get your air conditioning checked! Schedule your service appointment at the King Kia of Laurel Service Center today and let us keep you cruising in your cool ride! King Kia Of Laurel’s 5 Ways To Cool Down Your Ride: Park in a garage, if/when possible. If it’s possible, park your vehicle in a garage. This will keep your vehicle out of direct sunlight and you will benefit from the near-constant shade. Even a warm garage beats a vehicle parked where it’ll be baking in the sun. Keep your windows cracked. While it’s not a good idea to leave your windows all the way open, we recommend leaving your windows slightly cracked when you exit and temperatures are high. Even a crack will promote ventilation and can help keep your vehicle cool. Invest in a solar-powered fan. Paired with cracked windows, a solar-powered fan can make your car feel cooler even on the hottest of summer days. These fans work to remove hot air from your car by creating constant air circulation, these fans lower your car’s overall temperature. Place blankets/towels/covers over your seats. If your vehicle has either leather or vinyl seating, you know just how hot these materials can get when exposed to sunlight and/ or increased temperatures. In order to keep your seats cool. Try placing a blanket or towel over them when you exit your vehicle. When you return, remove the blanket or towel. This will keep you from burning your legs on the hot seats. Leave your doors open before getting in. Before hopping into your vehicle, consider leaving your doors open for a few moments to allow the hot air to exit the vehicle. This can help regulate the temperature before you enter and take off to your next adventure.

Summer is here folks! And that means long drives, vacation travel, and fun nights out on the town! So, the King Kia of Laurel team is sure many members of our community have been doing more driving in the dark. That means that the health of your vehicle's headlights it’s more important than ever! That’s why we have compiled a DIY guide to changing your own headlights so that drivers can avoid dangerous situations while out and about this June! Check out that guide below and if it seems like a bit more than you think you can handle, feel free to schedule a service appointment at our Kia Service Center today! King Kia of Laurel’s Guide To Replacing A Headlight: Pop open your hood and use the provided prop stand or another sturdy object to keep it open. Remove the power connector from the back of the headlight. This may require a slight turn or jiggle to get it loose. Remove the dust cover from the back of the headlight. This also may require a small twist to get loose. Some cars have a clip that holds the bulb in place. Press down on this clip to release the light bulb. Grasp the housing of the bulb and pull it out. This step may require a little wiggling to get it loose. Do not pull the bulb by the glass or tug the bulb roughly. This could cause it to break and may result in injury. Holding the old bulb and new bulbs by their housings, compare to make sure they match. To guarantee your bulb is free of dust and fingerprints, gently wipe it with a pre-moistened alcohol wipe or rubbing alcohol on a dust-free cloth. Line up the bulb housing with the open socket and insert carefully. Make sure it's secure. Slide the bulb back in place and twist if necessary to make sure it's locked into its spot. Replace the clip (if you have one), dust cover, and power connector. Turn on your headlights to ensure the bulb and connection are working. Close the hood and give yourself a round of applause!

If you’ve been on social media and seen the videos of dash cam footage from accidents, or if you’ve been in a close call yourself and have wished you had a witness to the incident, you may have been thinking about investing in a dash cam for yourself! But there are several different types and if you’re buying one for the first time you may be confused about your options! When choosing a dash camera, there are several factors to consider, including: Price: Dash cameras come in different price ranges, so it's essential to choose one that fits your budget. Features: Consider the features that are most important to you, such as GPS tracking, Wi-Fi connectivity, and wide-angle lens. Video Quality: Look for a dash camera that captures high-quality video, even in low-light conditions. Size: Choose a dash camera that's small and discreet, so it doesn't distract you while driving. Brand Reputation: Consider purchasing a dash camera from a reputable brand with a history of producing quality products. In conclusion, installing a dash camera in your car can provide numerous benefits, from documenting accidents to improving driving habits. With the wide variety of dash cameras available on the market, there's a model to fit every driver's needs and budget.