At least that's what I take Edmunds to mean when they say this: "The range-topping SX will add leather upholstery and upgraded interior trim and gauges among other cosmetic improvements"
Other interiors I have seen are just backlighted analog gauges.
Now granted, that's not worth the cost by itself if you dont want the other stuff an SX gives you (wheels, leather, shifters, etc etc)... but it is cool
The EX is full leather. I was pretty sure the SX was full leather too until I did the comparator on Edmunds. Like I said before, they have cloth/leather for the SX and full leather for the EX. They could have a typo and they are both full leather but I would want some verification of this. The sport model of the Sonata(SE) has cloth/leather so it's possible since the SX is the sport model of the Kia.
"With sleek styling, substantial power and plenty of value, the latest Optima is an instant standout among its many rivals."
"As a bonus, we've found these engines to be a bit quieter in the Optima than in the Sonata."
"And when you take a look around the Optima's interior, you'll find yourself thinking you're in a more expensive car."
"The 2011 Kia Optima has a composed ride that's comfortable without being isolating. The same can't be said of the steering -- it's pretty numb -- but at least it has firmer, more responsive weighting than its more comfort-tuned Sonata cousin. Overall handling for the Optima is hardly memorable, but it's certainly pleasant and better than average for the segment."
Yeah, I've read that before. Don't know exactly when it was posted but assumed since it was on Edmunds everyone that was interested had seen it.
Curious about the engines being quieter in the Optima. I wonder if this was meant from outside the car or inside the car. I could understand inside if more sound and/or better sound deadening materials were used but if from the outside the only thing I can think of is a slightly differenent exhaust tune or sound deadening under the hood. Interesting though.
Nice to hear the steering is a little heavier than the Sonata as many have commmented that the Sonata is a little light in that area.
I'm sure you noticed that nothing was said about the seat comfort. However, I don't think it was mentioned at all though....good or bad. But the fact that it wasn't mentioned is a plus in my book.
So is any other new or significantly revised model that debuted since the last MT COTY contest. So for example, the Optima will be competing with the Sonata, the Equus, and maybe the Elantra if it starts shipping as expected before Jan. 1. And many others of course.
Oh there's lots of 'em. 5 Series. A8 and RS5. Cruze. Volt. CR-Z. XJ. Forte Hatch. Mazda2 (new to NA). Leaf. Cooper Countryman (unless they put that in with the SUVs). 9-5. tC. And the previously mentioned cars. Lots of competition for the Optima in the MT COTY.
"LOS ANGELES — The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid made its debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, with the Korean automaker clearly targeting the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Optima, which arrives in showrooms in early 2011, is Kia's first hybrid offering in the U.S.
Pricing has not yet been announced.
Kia intends to do battle with Toyota over the hybrid sedan fuel economy crown. It said in a statement that the Optima Hybrid will deliver an estimated 36 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. The EPA has yet to release official fuel economy numbers on the Optima Hybrid. The EPA says the 2011 Camry Hybrid delivers 31 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway. Another key competitor — the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid — delivers 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
Kia's formula for upping the fuel economy ante comes in the form of a lighter and more compact lithium-polymer battery pack developed with partner LG Chem, it said in a statement. The Optima Hybrid's battery pack weighs in at 96 pounds — "28 pounds less than the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid's nickel-metal hydride pack," Kia said."
"The Optima's 2.4-liter inline-4 makes 192 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, a surprising amount from a four-cylinder engine that does without a turbocharger or supercharger. It's capable of equally surprising fuel economy as a result, recording an average of 22 mpg in 1,036 miles of testing."
Gee, do you think they pay this reviewer guy? No mention if this was the California model, PZEV or whatever that acronym is. But eveyone knows the car has 200hp. Also, even though he praised the fuel economy, the test resulted in a lower average than the EPA say the car should get in city driving. I've said this before and I know some don't agree, but I wish they would add a "normal type driving MPG report" within these reviews because reporting the average the way they do mean absolutely nothing. I understand their beating the hell out of these cars to a large degree but what does that do for someone looking for a 4cyl family sedan.
0-60 in 9.2? Wasn't the Sonata tested at 8 or something like that?
Found out something that bothers me though. Went to Kia site and did a build your own and discovered that you can't get the tech pkg on the EX turbo unless you buy the premium pkg as well. That puts the car at about $30k. I was hoping for around $28k because I didn't want the prem pkg.
Must have been PZEV... or a typo. Regular 2.4L has 198-200 hp.
These car reporters tend to flog their cars. So maybe he considered 22 mpg to be really good. If you want a more "normal" mpg report, try CR.
Other mags reported under 8 seconds for the Sonata 2.4, but that's with "extreme measures". I've noticed Edmunds' 0-60 times are a little higher than the likes of C/D and MT. Maybe they don't try to destroy the powertrain/tires in their tests.
Test drove the Optima EX at the LA Autoshow. Low speed test drive, but it drove much like the Sonata I rented a few weeks ago. Much nicer interior though on the Optima. I really liked the dual sunroofs. The dashboard is more upscale than the Sonata as well. I will be eagerly awaiting March 2011 when my current lease is up. Will be a hard choice as the regular engine is fine, Turbo is likely overkill...but Hybrid could sway the wife.
Interesting comment, not sure what that means. Floaty? Quiet? Supposedly the Optima is quieter than the Sonata. They also claim it will have UVO, which who knows at this point....
how good is cooled seat? it's one feature i'm most interested in since it's usually reserved for luxury cars. i live in california and i never tried it so i don't how if it's worth the money or not.
...my aunt works for a Kia dealership in Upstate S. Carolina she told me that last nite her dealership got their first Optima...its a Snow White EX without the premium pkg. I went last night to check it out and it was pretty nice. Optimas should be hitting the lots this week for most dealerships I'm told.
That looks like an EX since it has leather, but no NAV and no UVO, just a standard radio. As far as i remember, the EX was supposed to have UVO standard.
As for the cooled seats, I remember one review saying they worked well. I want to say he was in Dubai, or someplace hot, but I cant find it right now.
If you opt for the premium package, you also get a heated steering wheel for those cold winter mornings as well as the dual paned panoramic sunroof, which is the closest thing to a convertible you can get.
I've sat in a Lexus with cooled seats before, and I guess it would be a good feature if you get a lot of hot, sunny weather and park your car in the sun frequently. Those conditions don't apply to me, though.
I test drove the EX model in the evening. Here are my observations:
The exterior looks really good in person. Though I like the LEDs in the rear, which seem to come only on the SX. The interior is very nice. The center console is well laid out, simple and elegant. There is no mute button on the steering wheel which in my Sonata is very handy.
I took a short test drive. Getting in and out of the vehicle was easy. The handling was apt. The steering did not have a lot of feedback, but that was a short drive. I noticed quite a bit of road noise. The breaks were not firm, did not respond till I pressed them half way through. A friend of mine felt the same about the breaks. There was only one 2011 Optima at the dealership. Don't know whether the breaks issue is isolated to that vehicle.
I test drove the EX without the nav at the LA auto show. The cooled seats was one of the first things i turned on. I put the seat temp to cool with 2 lights on an my opinion was they worked very well and took less than a minute.I dialed it down to only 1 light and ah perfect. I own leather in my car now and if i have my windows up and no air circulating window/aircon, no matter what temp outside i tend to sweat. This will solve that problem for us hot blooded people. BTW I had the kia guy in the passenger seat at 6" and my friend sitting behind him at 6"4 with no problems on head room or knee space for either.
"You know you like a car when the only thing you would change is the hard, uncomfortable seats."
"So color me impressed with the 2011 Kia Optima. If some indurate cushions are the only thing to complain about on the $27,440 EX model I tested, the company has a winner on its hands."
"Kia Motors Corp. is the South Korean upstart perpetually dodging the shadow of cousin Hyundai Motor Co. As a result, each of Kia's vehicles has a Hyundai doppelganger. In the Optima's case, it's the Hyundai Sonata, a vehicle setting the mid-size segment ablaze with both critical and consumer acclaim.
One can only hope that the Optima receives similar attention, because frankly, it's the better of the two and possibly the best in the mid-size segment long dominated by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord."
A bit more on the seats. I currently own a 2000 Mitsubishi eclipse with leather. 10yr old leather seats are probably not the best comp. I did a quick drive around the civic center, maybe 5 minutes tops. These were also the 1st aircon seats i have sit in and wondering after the fact, would the air being pumped into the seats effect the overall comfort because of air fill. From my experience you will notice things that a 2+ hour drive will expose that you never will notice in a test drive. My 2cents though they were totally comfortable.Maybe i am a bit biased because this is my top car by far to replace my good ol faithful.:)
Haven't seen one in person yet. The local dealer has a Forte 5dr SX. I agree on the wheels in the pictures above. They look like the blade out of a food processor or the rotor on a windmill. IMHO totally ugly!
They also look suspiciously like wheel covers. Casting a wheel in that configuration would be a high labor operation.
Other pictures show a different wheel on an EX. Those look pretty good.
BTW, they are building the Optima in Montgomery, AL. The same plant that assembles the Sonata. From what I've been able to find out, that plant has three assembly lines. Hyundai has announced that the Montgomery plant will build the new Elantra there as well.
Just thought I'd post about my test drive at the LA Auto Show of the 2011 EX with premium and tech packages. The car I test drove was in Satin Metal/Beige. IMHO the seats were very comfortable. The day I was there it was freezing cold with the weather just clearing up from a downpour. My wife and I were the first in line that morning and the kia guy that was with us immediately turned on the heated seats and I have to tell you, within a minute those seats were nice, warm and comfy. I'm 5'11 at 180 lbs so I can't quite comment on headroom for those over 6' but I certainly had plenty of headroom in the front. Unfortunately, the t/d route was only about a mile and did not include any freeway driving so I cannot comment on road noise per-se but I did notice some audible noise was present during fast acceleration (think lane passing). However, we did hit several bumps in the road and the suspension held off any erratic movement. It was very smooth driving with seamless auto shifting. Regarding the SX wheels: they actually look extremely sharp in person. The photos do not do them justice. My initial assessment was inline with others in the sense that they didn't look right/real and pizza sliced. But once I witnessed them in person, I was sold. One thing that I'm finding during my purchase quest for this vehicle is that there are few and I mean FEW that are being delivered with options. In fact, the only dealer I could find that had an EX in satin metal with a package (ie premium with panoramic sun roof etc) was in New Jersey. I have been unable to find any in So Cal with packages (except for the LX convenient package). This certainly achieves market demand but possibly at a price that KIA cannot afford; especially with the Sonata already well on its way with 2011model sales in 2010. Brilliance or Blunder? You decide... :shades:
Where are you doing your inventory search with regards to the EX? I live in NJ and nothing is coming up within a 100 mile search on Edmunds for me. On paper, I'm interested in the Platinum Graphite with the premium package.
my dealer had 2 in without any premium packages so i couldn't test out the cooled seat. i set on the back seat and i'm 5'10, and my hair was barely touching the roof. i imagine it be worse with moonroof.
I just read this article (Nov 29) from the Globe and Mail talking about the Kia/Hyundai test centre in Michigan and it appears to suggest that the Optima will be built in the US.
In that same part of the building, Lexus seats were being digitally measured in a nearby lab. Dan Vivian, director, engineering design, at HATCI, said that after extensive interviews with current and competitive customers they have come up with a system that measures seat comfort. Those factors are used in designing and building seats for vehicles built in Alabama and Georgia plants – the Sorento, Santa Fe, Sonata and the upcoming Kia Optima. It doesn’t stop there. The seats are monitored for compliance to the original standards over fixed periods of time and use to ensure they do not deteriorate.
Probably with the Sonata, as they are currently producing the Sorento and Santa Fe together in Georgia. I wonder if they will have the capacity at the Alabama plant because the all new Elantra has been scheduled to be built there too.
Nothing about hard seats, mentions the ride might be "a smidge stiff" for "some" people, which doesnt really concern me. That said, this is an EX and I would assume the SX is even more "stiff" so we will see. Does mention very good things about the interior:
"Dynamics notwithstanding, perhaps the most compelling element of the new Optima is its interior, a study in elegant design, excellent materials, and all-day comfort."
and the Turbo:
"For those who want more urgency, there’s the 274-hp turbo version, which lacks only a manual-transmission option to win our hearty endorsement."
I thnk that the Optimas have always had a stiffer ride since at least 2006.5 model.Something to do with handling,I think.I'm used to it now,but at first it was an annoyance.
My wife drove the ex today. We drove over to Savannah,Georgia. It rode quite nice. Power way fine for my wife. Better then the Regal. Interior was nice, not fantastic, but very nice. My wife has a CTS, so the interior in that vehicle is very well put together.
The seats where firm, but we only took a 5 minute drive. They could use just a little more padding. The head rest might be a problem for some people. I sat in the passenger seat, maybe I could have lowered it a bit more. My driving position is different, and don't believe it would be a problem.
The fit and finish on the outside looked pretty tight. All the seems looked even. Paint was nice. They only had one car (dark cherry).
Thought the ex had heated seats. This model did not.
They found a car for us with a premium package, in Silver.
Was quoted around $ 280.00 per month for a lease on a MSRP of around $ 25,450 with a 3200.00 down, 36 months,which included the first payment. Sounds high to me.
Buick Regal at MSRP $ 27,995, with a small supply discount(my wife is a real estate agent) the numbers where $ 2520 down, $ 274.00 a month for 39 months
"Let’s just say that if you were wondering why it took Kia a bit longer to introduce the Optima we can safely say that it was all time well spent on developing their new family sedan which should really redefine “Kia” to consumers. If comments from passerby were anything to go by the general public is very, very impressed with the 2011 Optima’s appearance.
Not only does the 2011 Kia Optima look good on the outside but it also looks and feels good on the inside. Where the Sonata’s interior lacks a bit in quality the Optima truly excels to the point that you can’t quite believe how little Kia is charging."
"$27,000 might sound like a nice chunk of change for any family sedan but from the driver’s seat this Kia feels much more like a $35,000 luxury sedan. The plastics have just the right amount of tactility and the controls move with Audi-like precision. So while we felt like we were being overcharged in the Hyundai, the exact opposite felt true in the Kia."
"The Optima is also very roomy and its more formal pillar arch over the rear doors makes ingress/egress a lot easier than in the swoopier Sonata."
"The Optima did feel a tad slower off the line than the Sonata we tested but that might just be down to the fact that the Optima only had 2,000 miles on the odometer as compared to the Hyundai’s 11,000. Still, passing power was sufficient around town and on the freeway and interior noise levels never became intrusive.
One area in which the Optima really excels in comparison to previous Hyundai/Kia efforts is in steering feel and body control. Body roll is minimal and the steering mixes just the right amounts of communicativeness and linearity. Quite honestly (and here comes this comparison again) it drove much like an Audi."
"To sum up, we have absolutely fallen head over heels in love with the 2011 Kia Optima and that isn’t something we usually say about a family sedan. It looks better than anything in its class, you will feel like you bought a bargain and you will have fun driving it."
This is consistent with the MT COTY review on the Optima. They positively gushed over the Optima's interior. However, they found the suspension/handling wanting and ultimately the Optima didn't even make Finalist for COTY, although the Sonata did. From other reviews I've read, I was surprised MT was so down on the Optima's suspension/handling.
I have a feeling though that the Optima will handle just fine for 99% of the mid-sized family sedan buying public in the USA, and they'll notice the spiffy interior much more than any deficiencies behind the wheel.
- covers the two different types of instrument clusters - how the ECO system works - paddle shifters and info on the turbo engine - driver's seat memory
I had forgotten that MT loved the interior too. I've seen the interior praised since the NY Auto show when it was introduced so I'm expecting it to be solid.
The author of that review I posted answered a couple of my questions for what it's worth:
"SX models are available at launch but not sure if they are at dealers quite yet and UVO was not featured on my tester. I think that is going to be released early 2011. "
If I can get a UVO equipped SX by say Feb/March of next year I'd be quite happy.
happened to drive past the local dealer, so I stopped in. Tons of cars on the like (sportages and serrentos especailly). But, no optimas. Sales kid that accosted me on the lot said they were supposed to be in this week, but they have not gotten any yet.
Too bad the dealership (the triplex, never had a good reputation) still gives off a "BHPH" vibe, with a focus on "getting you approved"
Anyone know if/when the UVO system will be available? I've seen a few Youtube videos and articles stating it will be in the 2011 Optima, but nothing at Kia.com says so.
Thanks. Seems kinda odd to launch a new model and then change it right away. Holding off my purchase until UVO is available. Kind of a downer as I was ready to pull the trigger now on an EX W/Premium package
I think holding off for UVO is the smart decision. Hopefully not too long of a wait. I'm waiting myself. If I had to guess, they are delaying it because it wasnt working properly with the NAV option. Originally I heard buyers would have to choose one or the other, I think they came to the conclusion that was a bad idea and possibly too confusing/frustrating for buyers, so they held off until it was fully ready.
Comments
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0htVLHvII4
and another video of it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-g6FuaZpTE
At least that's what I take Edmunds to mean when they say this: "The range-topping SX will add leather upholstery and upgraded interior trim and gauges among other cosmetic improvements"
Other interiors I have seen are just backlighted analog gauges.
Now granted, that's not worth the cost by itself if you dont want the other stuff an SX gives you (wheels, leather, shifters, etc etc)... but it is cool
http://www.edmunds.com/kia/optima/2011/review.html
"With sleek styling, substantial power and plenty of value, the latest Optima is an instant standout among its many rivals."
"As a bonus, we've found these engines to be a bit quieter in the Optima than in the Sonata."
"And when you take a look around the Optima's interior, you'll find yourself thinking you're in a more expensive car."
"The 2011 Kia Optima has a composed ride that's comfortable without being isolating. The same can't be said of the steering -- it's pretty numb -- but at least it has firmer, more responsive weighting than its more comfort-tuned Sonata cousin. Overall handling for the Optima is hardly memorable, but it's certainly pleasant and better than average for the segment."
Curious about the engines being quieter in the Optima. I wonder if this was meant from outside the car or inside the car. I could understand inside if more sound and/or better sound deadening materials were used but if from the outside the only thing I can think of is a slightly differenent exhaust tune or sound deadening under the hood. Interesting though.
Nice to hear the steering is a little heavier than the Sonata as many have commmented that the Sonata is a little light in that area.
I'm sure you noticed that nothing was said about the seat comfort. However, I don't think it was mentioned at all though....good or bad. But the fact that it wasn't mentioned is a plus in my book.
http://wot.motortrend.com/6729018/auto-news/2011-motor-trend-car-of-the-year-con- tender-kia-optima/index.html
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
LX 6 spd auto - $20,495 ($19,195)
EX - $22,495 ($20,995 2.4L, $21,995 V6)
EX turbo - $24,495 (n/a)
SX turbo - $25,995 (n/a)
http://www.insideline.com/kia/optima/2011/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-goes-gunning-fo- r-toyota-camry-hybrid.html
"LOS ANGELES — The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid made its debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, with the Korean automaker clearly targeting the Toyota Camry Hybrid. The Optima, which arrives in showrooms in early 2011, is Kia's first hybrid offering in the U.S.
Pricing has not yet been announced.
Kia intends to do battle with Toyota over the hybrid sedan fuel economy crown. It said in a statement that the Optima Hybrid will deliver an estimated 36 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway. The EPA has yet to release official fuel economy numbers on the Optima Hybrid. The EPA says the 2011 Camry Hybrid delivers 31 mpg in city driving and 35 mpg on the highway. Another key competitor — the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid — delivers 41 mpg in city driving and 36 mpg on the highway, according to the EPA.
Kia's formula for upping the fuel economy ante comes in the form of a lighter and more compact lithium-polymer battery pack developed with partner LG Chem, it said in a statement. The Optima Hybrid's battery pack weighs in at 96 pounds — "28 pounds less than the 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid's nickel-metal hydride pack," Kia said."
http://www.kia.com/#/optima/explore/360-views-and-colors-exterior/
"The Optima's 2.4-liter inline-4 makes 192 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, a surprising amount from a four-cylinder engine that does without a turbocharger or supercharger. It's capable of equally surprising fuel economy as a result, recording an average of 22 mpg in 1,036 miles of testing."
Gee, do you think they pay this reviewer guy? No mention if this was the California model, PZEV or whatever that acronym is. But eveyone knows the car has 200hp. Also, even though he praised the fuel economy, the test resulted in a lower average than the EPA say the car should get in city driving. I've said this before and I know some don't agree, but I wish they would add a "normal type driving MPG report" within these reviews because reporting the average the way they do mean absolutely nothing. I understand their beating the hell out of these cars to a large degree but what does that do for someone looking for a 4cyl family sedan.
0-60 in 9.2? Wasn't the Sonata tested at 8 or something like that?
Found out something that bothers me though. Went to Kia site and did a build your own and discovered that you can't get the tech pkg on the EX turbo unless you buy the premium pkg as well. That puts the car at about $30k. I was hoping for around $28k because I didn't want the prem pkg.
These car reporters tend to flog their cars. So maybe he considered 22 mpg to be really good. If you want a more "normal" mpg report, try CR.
Other mags reported under 8 seconds for the Sonata 2.4, but that's with "extreme measures". I've noticed Edmunds' 0-60 times are a little higher than the likes of C/D and MT. Maybe they don't try to destroy the powertrain/tires in their tests.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xfpxtf_2011-kia-optima_auto
Interesting comment, not sure what that means. Floaty? Quiet? Supposedly the Optima is quieter than the Sonata. They also claim it will have UVO, which who knows at this point....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSjUQtNEfIs
That looks like an EX since it has leather, but no NAV and no UVO, just a standard radio. As far as i remember, the EX was supposed to have UVO standard.
As for the cooled seats, I remember one review saying they worked well. I want to say he was in Dubai, or someplace hot, but I cant find it right now.
The exterior looks really good in person. Though I like the LEDs in the rear, which seem to come only on the SX.
The interior is very nice. The center console is well laid out, simple and elegant. There is no mute button on the steering wheel which in my Sonata is very handy.
I took a short test drive. Getting in and out of the vehicle was easy. The handling was apt. The steering did not have a lot of feedback, but that was a short drive. I noticed quite a bit of road noise. The breaks were not firm, did not respond till I pressed them half way through. A friend of mine felt the same about the breaks. There was only one 2011 Optima at the dealership. Don't know whether the breaks issue is isolated to that vehicle.
I am eager to hear from others.
http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-kia-optima-review-20101125,0,4764650- .story
"You know you like a car when the only thing you would change is the hard, uncomfortable seats."
"So color me impressed with the 2011 Kia Optima. If some indurate cushions are the only thing to complain about on the $27,440 EX model I tested, the company has a winner on its hands."
"Kia Motors Corp. is the South Korean upstart perpetually dodging the shadow of cousin Hyundai Motor Co. As a result, each of Kia's vehicles has a Hyundai doppelganger. In the Optima's case, it's the Hyundai Sonata, a vehicle setting the mid-size segment ablaze with both critical and consumer acclaim.
One can only hope that the Optima receives similar attention, because frankly, it's the better of the two and possibly the best in the mid-size segment long dominated by the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord."
They also look suspiciously like wheel covers. Casting a wheel in that configuration would be a high labor operation.
Other pictures show a different wheel on an EX. Those look pretty good.
BTW, they are building the Optima in Montgomery, AL. The same plant that assembles the Sonata. From what I've been able to find out, that plant has three assembly lines. Hyundai has announced that the Montgomery plant will build the
new Elantra there as well.
In that same part of the building, Lexus seats were being digitally measured in a nearby lab. Dan Vivian, director, engineering design, at HATCI, said that after extensive interviews with current and competitive customers they have come up with a system that measures seat comfort. Those factors are used in designing and building seats for vehicles built in Alabama and Georgia plants – the Sorento, Santa Fe, Sonata and the upcoming Kia Optima. It doesn’t stop there. The seats are monitored for compliance to the original standards over fixed periods of time and use to ensure they do not deteriorate.
Probably with the Sonata, as they are currently producing the Sorento and Santa Fe together in Georgia. I wonder if they will have the capacity at the Alabama plant because the all new Elantra has been scheduled to be built there too.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q4/2011_kia_optima_ex-short_take_road_- test
Nothing about hard seats, mentions the ride might be "a smidge stiff" for "some" people, which doesnt really concern me. That said, this is an EX and I would assume the SX is even more "stiff" so we will see. Does mention very good things about the interior:
"Dynamics notwithstanding, perhaps the most compelling element of the new Optima is its interior, a study in elegant design, excellent materials, and all-day comfort."
and the Turbo:
"For those who want more urgency, there’s the 274-hp turbo version, which lacks only a manual-transmission option to win our hearty endorsement."
I prefer automatic so sounds like a winner to me.
The seats where firm, but we only took a 5 minute drive. They could use just a little more padding. The head rest might be a problem for some people. I sat in the passenger seat, maybe I could have lowered it a bit more. My driving position is different, and don't believe it would be a problem.
The fit and finish on the outside looked pretty tight. All the seems looked even. Paint was nice. They only had one car (dark cherry).
Thought the ex had heated seats. This model did not.
They found a car for us with a premium package, in Silver.
Was quoted around $ 280.00 per month for a lease on a MSRP of around $ 25,450
with a 3200.00 down, 36 months,which included the first payment. Sounds high to me.
Buick Regal at MSRP $ 27,995, with a small supply discount(my wife is a real estate agent) the numbers where $ 2520 down, $ 274.00 a month for 39 months
http://www.insidercarreviews.com/blog/1052177_living-with-the-2011-kia-optima-ex- -for-a-week
"Let’s just say that if you were wondering why it took Kia a bit longer to introduce the Optima we can safely say that it was all time well spent on developing their new family sedan which should really redefine “Kia” to consumers. If comments from passerby were anything to go by the general public is very, very impressed with the 2011 Optima’s appearance.
Not only does the 2011 Kia Optima look good on the outside but it also looks and feels good on the inside. Where the Sonata’s interior lacks a bit in quality the Optima truly excels to the point that you can’t quite believe how little Kia is charging."
"$27,000 might sound like a nice chunk of change for any family sedan but from the driver’s seat this Kia feels much more like a $35,000 luxury sedan. The plastics have just the right amount of tactility and the controls move with Audi-like precision. So while we felt like we were being overcharged in the Hyundai, the exact opposite felt true in the Kia."
"The Optima is also very roomy and its more formal pillar arch over the rear doors makes ingress/egress a lot easier than in the swoopier Sonata."
"The Optima did feel a tad slower off the line than the Sonata we tested but that might just be down to the fact that the Optima only had 2,000 miles on the odometer as compared to the Hyundai’s 11,000. Still, passing power was sufficient around town and on the freeway and interior noise levels never became intrusive.
One area in which the Optima really excels in comparison to previous Hyundai/Kia efforts is in steering feel and body control. Body roll is minimal and the steering mixes just the right amounts of communicativeness and linearity. Quite honestly (and here comes this comparison again) it drove much like an Audi."
"To sum up, we have absolutely fallen head over heels in love with the 2011 Kia Optima and that isn’t something we usually say about a family sedan. It looks better than anything in its class, you will feel like you bought a bargain and you will have fun driving it."
I have a feeling though that the Optima will handle just fine for 99% of the mid-sized family sedan buying public in the USA, and they'll notice the spiffy interior much more than any deficiencies behind the wheel.
- how the ECO system works
- paddle shifters and info on the turbo engine
- driver's seat memory
http://www.kia.com/#/ownervideos/
The author of that review I posted answered a couple of my questions for what it's worth:
"SX models are available at launch but not sure if they are at dealers quite yet and UVO was not featured on my tester. I think that is going to be released early 2011. "
If I can get a UVO equipped SX by say Feb/March of next year I'd be quite happy.
Too bad the dealership (the triplex, never had a good reputation) still gives off a "BHPH" vibe, with a focus on "getting you approved"
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www.kia.com/#/uvo/
That's all just a guess though. We'll see.