2017 Kia Optima

Overview: If the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry are the perennial powerhouses in the mid-size-sedan segment, the Kia Optima is the sophisticated secret. While it can’t touch the sales numbers of that pair and remains a bit under the radar, the Optima offers a complete package with plenty to offer and the ability to cater to an array of buyers.

The range includes a choice of five powertrains and eight trim levels. The Optima LX starts things off with a 2.4-liter inline-four that makes 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque; that same engine is found in the mid-level EX, too. The LX Turbo features a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four that makes 178 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The SX and the range-topping SX Limited trims bring a larger turbocharged four, a 2.0-liter good for 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. The Optima also is available as a hybrid (in base or EX trim) and as a plug-in hybrid (only as an EX). All Optimas are front-wheel drive and employ a six-speed automatic transmission, save for the LX Turbo, which gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The $23,095 Optima LX is not as bare-bones as some other mid-size sedans’ bottom-rung offerings. It comes with a 5.0-inch touchscreen display, a 3.5-inch TFT screen in the gauge cluster, a driving-mode selector, LED turn signals integrated into the side mirrors, and steering-wheel-mounted controls. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the SX Limited, which is the model we drove most recently; it has a seemingly endless list of features but still stickers for less than $40K. For $36,985, SXL buyers enjoy a beautiful swath of quilted nappa leather akin to what you might see in an Audi or a Range Rover, along with nearly every modern driver aid, all in a rather suave-looking family car.

What’s New: The Optima was redesigned for the 2016 model year, but the debuts continued into 2017 with the arrival of the Optima hybrid and the Optima plug-in hybrid. (We’re still salty that we’re missing out on the nifty Optima Sportswagon offered in other markets.) The standard hybrid utilizes a 154-hp 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine that works together with a 50-hp electric motor and a 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It’s EPA rated at 42 mpg combined, but in our hands it achieved only 31 mpg.

The plug-in hybrid earned a much better number. Although it shares its four-cylinder engine with the regular hybrid, the plug-in uses a 67-hp AC motor that provides 151 lb-ft of torque and stores energy in a 9.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. With its six-speed automatic transmission, it reached 40 MPGe and delivered 27 miles of range on electricity alone. The hybrid has two trims, the $26,890 base and the $31,885 EX, while the plug-in comes only as the $36,105 EX.

For the rest of the lineup, 2017 has been the year of the option package. For the LX and LX Turbo trims, Kia introduced the Driver Convenience and Convenience Plus bundles. The Driver Convenience package brings a 12-way power driver’s seat, power-folding heated side mirrors, and memory for both the mirrors and seats. It’s also required for the Plus package, which adds blind-spot detection, rear parking assist, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 7.0-inch touchscreen display with Kia’s UVO infotainment system and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability. New for the LX Turbo is the Value package, which elevates nearly everything in the cabin with dark-red leather, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, heated front seats, a 12-way power driver’s seat with memory, and a heated steering wheel. It also adds black exterior trim, a rear spoiler, and dual-projector headlights with LED daytime running lights.

For the EX trim, the Premium Plus package replaces the Premium Audio package. Requiring the Premium package, the Premium Plus option brings a 10-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, heated outboard rear seats, adaptive cruise control, and automated emergency braking. The SX trims see the biggest changes to their equipment. Swiveling LED headlights and 18-inch aluminum wheels now are standard. A fresh Sport Value package is new and actually lowers the price by thousands of dollars by omitting equipment such as the 8.0-inch touchscreen, push-button start, LED headlights, and a power trunklid. It does include, however, gloss-black trim, a 7.0-inch touchscreen, and keyless entry. The SX’s Technology package throws almost every available feature into the Optima, highlighted by Kia’s bundle of driver aids, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a panoramic sunroof, a 10-way power passenger seat, and automatic high-beams. Finally, a revised Launch Edition package (available only with certain exterior colors) adds red leather, satin chrome trim, and a premium headliner, as well as some features from the Technology package

What We Like: We like the Optima’s smooth and well-controlled ride, and the suspension does an effective job of mitigating body roll for a family sedan. The Kia has a simple and easy-to-use control layout, and the cabin fit and finish are good. The spacious interior feels legitimately classy, particularly in the SX Limited with its quilted nappa leather, rear-seat amenities, multitude of charging points, and premium infotainment system. The LX Turbo might be the sweet spot in the lineup, as we particularly like the 1.6-liter/dual-clutch combo.

What We Don’t Like: The sportiness that Kia is shooting for with the SX and SX Limited trims can make the cars feel somewhat underdeveloped and unrefined, with a sport suspension that imparts a slightly choppy ride, a Sport mode for the transmission that gets confused more often than it should, and Sport-mode steering that feels twitchy and unsettled. In all modes, the steering is pretty lifeless as well. Additionally, we were disappointed with the headlights, with their shallow, narrow, and not particularly bright light pattern, to the point that we found ourselves slowing down on dark back roads.

Verdict: It might not have the cachet yet, but this solid sedan offers a version for everyone.

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Specifications >

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

BASE PRICES: LX, $23,095;
LX Turbo, $25,035;
EX, $26,335;
Hybrid Base, $26,890;
SX, $30,835;
Hybrid EX, $31,885;
SX Limited, $36,985;
Plug-In Hybrid EX, $36,105

ENGINE TYPES: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 178 horsepower, 195 lb-ft of torque; DOHC 16-valve 2.4-liter inline-4, 185 horsepower, 178 lb-ft of torque; DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter inline-4, 154 hp, 140 lb-ft + permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 50 hp, 151 lb-ft (combined output, 192 hp, 271 lb-ft; 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery pack); DOHC 16-valve Atkinson-cycle 2.0-liter inline-4, 154 hp, 140 lb-ft + permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor, 67 hp, 151 lb-ft (combined output, 202 hp, 276 lb-ft; 9.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack); turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4, 245 horsepower, 260 lb-ft of torque

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed automatic with manual shifting mode, 7-speed dual-clutch automatic with manual shifting mode

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 110.4 in
Length: 191.1 in
Width: 73.2 in Height: 57.5–57.7 in
Passenger volume: 105 cu ft
Trunk volume: 10–16 cu ft
Curb weight (C/D est): 3250–3900 lb

EPA FUEL ECONOMY:
Combined/city/highway: 25–31/22–28/31–37 mpg
Combined/city/highway: 42/39/46 (hybrid)
Gasoline+electricity combined driving: 103 MPGe (PHEV)

C/D TEST RESULTS FOR:
2016 Kia Optima 2.4L
Zero to 60 mph: 7.5 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 20.4 sec
Rolling start, 5–60 mph: 7.7 sec
Top gear, 30–50 mph: 3.9 sec
Top gear, 50–70 mph: 5.1 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.9 sec @ 90 mph
Top speed (C/D est): 135 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 179 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.83 g
Curb weight: 3399 lb
C/D observed fuel economy: 25 mpg