Kia's Optima is not one of the
best-known mid-size sedans, but it should be. Its combination of distinctive
style, space, comfort and convenience, and a lineup with something for nearly
everyone, from value on a budget through near-sport-luxury is unusual in a
class comprised of family transportation appliances. Perhaps that's not all
that surprising, considering that the Optima is more international in flavor
than its major competitors -- Kia is
Korean, but its president and chief design officer is German, and the Optima is
assembled at Kia's facility in West Point, Georgia, southwest of Atlanta.
If, at a glance, the 2016 Optima
looks like a slightly-freshened 2015 model, it's not. It's a touch longer and
wider, all the better for interior space and comfort. Styling is recognizable
and familiar, but ever so slightly changed. And drivetrain choices are greater
than ever before, with a new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine matched to a
seven-speed dual-clutch automanual as the high-tech fuel economy choice joining
the existing 2.4-liter naturally-aspirated and 2.0-liter turbocharged models, both
with six-speed torque-converter automatics. All engines are twincam
four-cylinder, with direct fuel injection. With 245 horsepower from the 2.0
turbo, there is no need for a V6.
Trim levels are LX 2.4, with the
2.4-liter engine, LX 1.6T, with the new 1.6 turbo, EX 2.4, and SX 2.0T and SXL
2.0T with the two-liter turbo. With standard equipment including alloy wheels,
solar windshield glass, cruise control, variable-speed intermittent wipers, a
tilt- and telescope-adjustable steering wheel with audio and cruise controls, a
trip computer, and audio choices including AM, FM, SiriusXM radio, auxiliary
and USB inputs, and USB charging, the LX is no bare-bones appliance for the
rental market. The ante is progressively upped to the SXL, which has features
not long ago considered property only of luxury brands as standard equipment.
Soft, stitched Nappa leather seating, fronts heated and cooled and memory for
the driver's seat and mirrors, the full suite of audio choices and navigation,
auto-leveling HID headlamps with cornering movement and LED tail lamps and
running lights, a panoramic sunroof, and a full suite of electronic safety
systems including front collision warning, blind spot and rear cross traffic
alert, lane-departure warning, rear parking assist, autonomous emergency
braking, and smart cruise control are all included. As is the Surround View
Monitor system, which used video cameras at the front, rear, and under the
outside mirrors to synthesize an "overhead" view of the area around
the car, useful in tight parking spots or tricky driveways.
A full suite of features is no
guarantee of a good car. But in the Optima's
case, the car itself is first-rate without any of the gilding. If you're
looking at a middle-class midsize sedan, it's worthy of consideration. Upscale,
if you need the status of a premium European brand, you can pay for that. If
you merely want a comfortable and capable entry-luxury sedan with surprisingly
good performance and fuel economy, take a look at a 2016 Kia Optima SXL. My test
car returned 26 mpg overall for the week, with more than usual highway driving
and plenty of wet, blustery weather. It was solid and secure through all of
that, and with a strong, flat torque curve and 245 horsepower on tap, quick
maneuvers and merges were never a worry.
APPEARANCE: Continuity is good. The new Optima is readily recognizable,
and you'll likely just think it's a minor restyling of last year's car. The
shape is definitely familiar, especially the gently-arched, near fastback
passenger cabin. The fractionally-increased dimensions are not apparent, but
nearly all exterior bits have been changed, and the look is more European than
Asian. The grille and front bumper fascia are the most readily apparent bits,
with a revision of the "tiger nose" tabbed grille to now incorporate
the headlights. The lower intake is flanked by two functional aero ducts for a
sport-oriented look. The roofline may be familiar, but small windows in the
C-pillars visually lighten the car. The rear is subtly revised, with new
taillights and changes to the lower "diffuser panel".
COMFORT: Inside, the Optima
is as Euro-inspired as outside, with a simple, flowing design and cohesive
shapes. Materials and fit and finish are of high quality. The quilted leather
seats look inviting, and are. Power adjustability for both, and on a cold
winter day the heated cushions and steering wheel rim were most appreciated.
Comfort and support are very good. The steering wheel adjusts manually for tilt
and reach, and has audio, cruise, and information system controls. Shift
paddles are found behind the horizontal spokes. The main instruments are
brightly-lit and easily visible in all lighting. The touchscreen at the top
center of the dash is controlled by marked hard buttons below, or by voice.
Audio choices are all current modes plus (when available) Android Auto and
Apple CarPlay. A panoramic moonroof adds airiness when closed and fresh air
when open. At SXL level, outboard rear passengers get heated cushions and
plenty of space. A comfortable back angle and 60/40 folding capability add
comfort and convenience. The trunk is reasonably-sized, and there is a
space-saver spare tire under its floor.
SAFETY: In addition to the mandated safety equipment and features
-- airbags, antilock brakes, backup camera, and such -- 2016 Optimas with the UVO
connectivity system now have Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert, and
Driving Score eServices. Other electronic safety systems include Advanced Smart
Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross
Traffic Alert, Rear Parking Assist, Front Collision Warning, Lane
Departure Warning System, and Autonomous Emergency Braking, which
can bring the car to a stop automatically under certain conditions. The
360-degree Surround View Monitor helps in tight situations and hostile
lighting.
RIDE AND HANDLING: Greater use of high-strength steel aids structural rigidity
and strength, and so so crash protection and vehicle dynamics. Increased
insulation and revised engine and suspension mounts decrease interior noise
levels to nearly luxury-car levels. A near-full undertray helps lessen
aerodynamic drag and wind and road noise. The fully-independent MacPherson
strut / multilink suspension is tuned for comfort, with soft but
correctly-matched spring and damper rates. The new Optima is a pleasant and
stable car at speed on the highway, even in adverse conditions, and is also
enjoyable on the backroads.
PERFORMANCE: With 245 horsepower developed at 6000 rpm and, more
importantly, 260 lb-ft of torque from 1350 through 4500 rpm, the 2.0-liter
turbocharged in used in the Optima SX and SXL is perfect for its job. It's
lighter in weight than an equivalently-powerful V6, for better chassis balance
and road manners. Direct fuel injection allows a high 10.3:1 compression ratio
for increased efficiency, further increased by turbocharging. The result is
plenty of instant torque for quick acceleration when desired or needed, and
economical operation during low-load steady-speed cruising, as on a
mostly-level highway. An under-seven second 0-60 time means no fear when
merging from a short onramp, and the lack of demand for turbo boost in moderate
or steady-state driving means 30+ mpg easily on the highway. As is increasingly
common, the six-speed automatic transmission has multiple shift modes. The
default is fine nearly all of the time. Eco lessens throttle response and maps
shifting for optimum economy, perfect on the highway. Sport showcases the
engine's ability, and manual shifting can be useful when you absolutely must
get up to speed as quickly as possible.
CONCLUSIONS: Why go for bland? With plenty new for 2016, the Kia Optima
is a different choice for a family sedan.
No comments:
Post a Comment