BEFORE
the Nike Air Jordan, there was the Converse Chuck Taylor — a classic
design that stood the test of time. But even the classics evolve. Chucks
were recently tweaked to be more cushioned and comfortable.
The Kia Optima
may not be a classic, but, like Chuck Taylors, it’s among the most
stylish cars, regardless of price. Now, the designers of the sleek
new-generation Optima have been careful not to mess with a good thing.
Still,
cars must be more than just good-looking. Affordability, comfort,
safety, fuel economy and reliability are all important. The departing
third-generation Kia was a solid effort, with road noise and the lack of
steering feel being its biggest foibles.
A few miles in, the new Kia Optima
proves those shortcomings have been addressed. The more mature driving
dynamics have risen closer to the expectations set by the svelte
exterior lines. Think Air Jordans, not Chuck Taylors. And the Optima is
more hushed now.
A
cleaner — I’ll argue less emotional — cabin replaces the cockpit vibe
of the previous generation. Eyes and fingers will appreciate the
materials in the SX model tested, save for the fake molded-in stitching
on the instrument panel. Real thread can be had on the highest SX
Limited trim level.
Room
and comfort are not an issue. In back, three average adults will be
fine. Outboard passengers get rump roasters with 12-volt and USB ports
for charging phones. There are even side sunshades.
Starting
at $22,665, Kia has abandoned the bargain-basement pricing for a
bang-for-the-buck approach. As tested, the SX at $33,215 is stuffed with
a panoramic glass roof, heated steering wheel, heated and vented front
seats and an iPad-like interface. Many of these features are not offered
on the Altima, Accord, Camry, Fusion and Mazda 6. Spend more and the
Optima can be had with auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control
and a surround-view camera system.
There
are several 4-cylinder engine choices. SX gets the most powerful — a
2-liter turbo making 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque with
regular-grade gas. This engine and the 2.4-liter nonturbo motor are
bolted to a 6-speed automatic that turns the front wheels. Optima’s
1.6-liter turbo engine gets a 7-speed dual clutch. Drive modes adjust
throttle response and steering weight.
It
takes about seven seconds to nail 60 miles an hour from a standstill.
Turbo lag and torque steer (that tugging of the steering wheel under
hard acceleration) are all but eliminated. Optima closes the handling
gap on the Accord and Mazda 6. Know that the SX uses a different
steering rack setup than lower models.
The
SX scores 24 miles a gallon in the city and 35 on the highway,
according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Go with the 1.6-liter
turbo engine and that rises to 28 and 39. I saw 24 in heavy city
driving.
Some will grumble that Kia played it too safe with the new Optima’s design. On the other hand, its sister car, the Hyundai Sonata,
took a strikingly conservative turn and was criticized for it. Kia kept
Optima’s strengths and eliminated the weaknesses. That’s a good-looking
strategy for taking on the competition.
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