In-Town Drivability - 2016 Kia Optima Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

In-Town Drivability - 2016 Kia Optima Long-Term Road Test

So far, our long-term 2016 Kia Optima has been a comfortable commuter car, but it has some transmission quirks that may make buyers think twice.

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prndlol

That is odd as I would also expect any car i'm driving to 'creep' before I pressed into the gas pedal.

stever

Sounds like Prius behavior (in my limited experience with a rented one). The trick with it in city traffic was also sport mode.

ebeaudoin

It's a function of the dual-clutch transmissions. They are like manual transmissions- they don't idle forward like a torque converter/conventional automatic. Most DCT vehicles will respond this way. Takes getting used to, but it's normal behavior for that design.

schen72

Honda's 8sp DCT has a torque converter which is used only for low-speed creeping. You still get the creeping when you let off the brake, which most people expect, but shifting is still super fast as it's a real DCT. I think the only cars that have this now is the '16 ILX and new TLX (4-cyl only).

misterfusion

Ugh, I hate the "creeper gear" in torque converter automatics. And now that someone has mercifully taken it away, you're still pining for it in a fit of Stockholm Syndrome? Just buy a Camry. :P

allthingshonda

Honda's use of a torque converter was very smart and I think the upcoming Civic SI will be the next to have it. In my girlfriends Sonata with the 2.4 engine I notice how the computer slightly raises the revs when you let off the brake. I always assumed it was to help with the creeping.

charlton

Similar config in Hyundai Tucson (1.6T and 7spd DCT) has resulted in http://www.hyundai-forums.com/2016-tucson-ix35-models/425425-hesitation-turbo-model.html and http://www.hyundai-forums.com/2016-tucson-ix35-models/454074-dangerous-horrible-dct.html. I'd like to ask Edmunds if they too feel this Optima going into/near that situation.

Also, if now they'll use SPORT mode more often in this long term test, I'd like to see its impact on fuel consumption, especially since the owner's manual says that it'll consume most fuel in SPORT mode. Will those EPA numbers hold up?

BC