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http://wardsauto.com/test-drives/optima-still-stunner
"Optima Still a Stunner
Test Drive
Nov 16, 2015 Christie Schweinsberg | WardsAuto
....the Optima’s body is built with 150% more high-strength-steel than the outgoing third generation.
More than half of the body, including side rails and A-pillar and B-pillars, is composed of HSS which not only improves crash protection, but driving dynamics, and also makes for a quieter ride.
About that last point, the relative solitude of the cabin is perhaps the biggest noticeable change while driving a ’16 SX Turbo Launch Edition grade here last month....
Kia says it invested heavily inside the Optima, but most of the money appears to have gone to the seats.
Ours are swathed in merlot-colored Nappa leather and quilted in a diamond pattern. They are beautiful, on par with Mercedes-Benz and Audi seats....
The SX and SXL get an upgraded steering system, a rack-mounted power-driven type first seen on the new Sorento CUV.
A 32-bit processor, also on the Optima LX and EX’s column-mounted steering system, makes steering respond faster to inputs, something that was evident during our day of Colorado driving....
Real-world fuel economy is impressive....the LX 1.6T’s combined estimate is 32 mpg..."
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www.kbb.com/car-news/all-the-latest/best-buy-awards-midsize-car/2000011399/
"Like an athlete training a lifetime for victory, the Kia Optima has long been gunning for benchmark status among midsize sedans. The latest Optima, all new for 2016 and now in its fourth generation, has finally earned its crown.
As with any star player, the Optima's success has come through constant improvement. Throughout its life this family sedan has persevered to be better, evolving from an also-ran when it debuted 15 years ago to what it is today: a refined, advanced, rewarding-to-drive midsize sedan with luxury looks at a mainstream price.
In keeping with our automotive-athlete analogy, let's just say the outgoing Optima was no couch potato. It boasted high style, ample power and surprising amenities such as a heated steering wheel, climate-controlled seats and power-folding side mirrors. The all-new 2016 Kia Optima is even more focused, besting not only the outgoing model but edging out rivals in one of the market's most competitive segments.
The 2016 Optima, made at Kia's U.S. factory in Georgia, is available in five trims and with a choice of three engines, two of which use turbo power to do more with less. As expected from Kia, all versions bring a terrific sense of value, from a base LX with family-friendly qualities like a stain-resistant cloth interior and a height-adjustable passenger seat, to the luxury-like SXL with Nappa leather trim, 245-horsepower turbo engine and 10-speaker, 630-watt Harman/Kardon audio system. Innovative tech features include a surround-view camera, automatic emergency braking system, blind-spot monitoring and compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It adds up to a midsize sedan that's easy to drive anywhere and one that feels -- and looks -- confident in any situation...."
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
http://www.caranddriver.com/flipbook/buy-this-not-that-every-family-sedan-ranked-from-worst-to-best
1. Accord
2. Mazda6
3. Passat
4. Optima
5. Sonata
6. Fusion
7. Altima
8. Malibu
9. Camry
10. Legacy
I don't know why I would expect better form C&D these days, but I still do.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
http://www.autonews.com/article/20151116/RETAIL01/311169965/unlikely-hitch-for-vw-dealers
"Unlikely hitch for VW dealers
Retailers say they don't have enough vehicles
Ryan Beene
Automotive News
November 16, 2015 - 12:01 am ET
WASHINGTON -- Two months into the emissions cheating scandal that has sullied the Volkswagen brand, dealers are running into an unexpected challenge: They don't have enough vehicles to sell.
VW-brand supplies are at their lowest levels of the year, and dealers from Washington state to South Carolina say they have only a few -- and sometimes none -- of the most in-demand nameplates in stock.
Instead of seeing customers flee the brand in the wake of its emissions debacle, the VW brand posted flat year-over-year U.S. sales in October as demand for gasoline models surged amid heavy incentives, including a $2,000 loyalty discount for returning VW owners.
The deals helped VW offset the loss of diesel sales, which are frozen by the emissions-related stop-sale order. They also helped clean out much of VW's salable inventory.
Dealers say the factory incentives, bonus programs and other financial aid tools have kept them engaged, and they applauded the help from Volkswagen of America. In a sense, the diesel crisis has resulted in dealers receiving what they've sought for years: competitive pricing to go head-to-head with big players such as Honda, Ford and Nissan.
Still, the supply crunch comes just as VW begins its "Sign Then Drive" sales promotion, which runs through December, and it could undermine what historically are two of the brand's strongest months of the year...."
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
The test parameters are very specific and when followed yield a repeatable test with the same results regardless of who is doing the test (within 2%). So it doesn't matter whether the mfr does the test or the EPA does the test - the results are the results and the mfrs are REQUIRED to put that number on the window sticker. The manufacturer doesn't make up these mpg numbers.
Regardless of the tests that are used, a single number will never ever be valid because in the real world the same vehicle has a huge range of results based on how it's driven. EPA might say 23 mpg combined and you can find folks who only get 15 mpg and some who get 26 mpg and everything in between. It's impossible to get a single number that matches all drivers under all circumstances.
A 2006 Optima got an epa combined mpg of 22.
A 2016 Optima with the 1.6 turbo gets 32 mpg combined.
That's an increase of 45% for a car that's larger, more powerful, faster, and safer.
Alex on Autos seems to like the Optima best for midsize cars. He seems to rank Accord second:
I saw a Fusion Titanium AWD this AM. It's gorgeous! I applaud the styling department of Ford.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I find it funny that the Mazda6 is always mentioned as underpowered or not zoom zoom enough. What other midsize base I4 has more hp and torque that comes at comparable rpms? Realize it doesn't have a more powerful engine upgrade but those sell very few in other brands. So compared to the 4 cyl competition it has as much or more power.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
I'm waiting for the re-design, but who knows when that will be? 2017 is *supposed* to be a refresh - whatever that may be. This is my first ever foray into the world of Ford. So far so good, but I have no loyalty.
2025 Forester Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
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2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R / 2024 Kia Sportage Hybrid SX Prestige
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Old Passat got 30 on one tank in 10 years of records with an average of about 26.
'24 Chevy Blazer EV 2LT
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.autotrader.com/car-reviews/2016-subaru-legacy-2-month-impressions-245886
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
2015 lease Sonata $169 3yr/ 36. How do you beat a deal like this ?
23 Telluride SX-P X-Line, 23 Camry XSE
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.