Topic: First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima

[Autos_Editor]

Replacing the Magentis, the redesigned Kia Optima is a very attractive choice in the mid-size sedan market, says Grant Yoxon.

Read More...

[Guy]

It seems that everything Hyundai and Kia touch these days turns to gold. I could see the Optima turbo as a replacement to my TL next year. I wonder if their dealers are up to the expected level??

[Jaeger]

Are these at dealers yet at all?  Sheesh, these have been longer in arriving than the Chrysler 300.  And I hear Canada won't get ANY turbos before the fall?  What the heck?

Jaeger

[dirtyjeffer]

i think there is an error in the article...it mentions the 0-100 km/hr time at just over 8 seconds for the Turbo model (at least, it implies it is for the Turbo)...i would imagine that time is for the NA version and the time for the Turbo model to be in the mid 6's as the numbers should be similar to the Sonata 2.0T.

[carcrazed]

Looks very nice, better than the Sonata IMO.
Where are interior pictures??  NVM, found the gallery.

I agree about the 0-100km/h time, 8+ seconds is too slow for that kind of power.

[JRM]

The Optima is, imo, a much better styled car than the Sonata. I prefer it's more muscular lines and stance.  If I were looking for a sedan, it would win hands down in the looks department, although I've read that there are some suspension issues as with the Sonata, which might be a deal breaker.

[Jaeger]

i think there is an error in the article...it mentions the 0-100 km/hr time at just over 8 seconds for the Turbo model (at least, it implies it is for the Turbo)...i would imagine that time is for the NA version and the time for the Turbo model to be in the mid 6's as the numbers should be similar to the Sonata 2.0T.

Let's hope it was an error.  I did see one test for the Optima Turbo where the 0-60 was surprisingly slow.  No reason it shouldn't match the Sonata Turbo in the low to mid 6 range.

Jaeger

[BernardP]

The base model has, for 22 k$, almost everything I need and the 6-speed manual transmission I want. The only miscue are the too-small 16 inch wheels. Upgrading to a higher trim to get the 17 inchers means a mandatory automatic transmission and semi-useless electronic gadgetry.

[simonsez]

For those who want to take a look at the Optima SX turbo and live in the GTA, it's on display at Limeridge Mall in Hamilton.

[Threader]

First KIA sedan done right  If this had a SAAB decal on it half of Vermont would be buying and driving them 

[5 Wheel Drive]

First KIA sedan done right  If this had a SAAB decal on it half of Vermont would be buying and driving them 

And the other half would still be in their Outbacks!   

[chrischasescars]

i think there is an error in the article...it mentions the 0-100 km/hr time at just over 8 seconds for the Turbo model (at least, it implies it is for the Turbo)...i would imagine that time is for the NA version and the time for the Turbo model to be in the mid 6's as the numbers should be similar to the Sonata 2.0T.

That number is fishy. Car and Driver got a 7.8-second 0-60 mph run out of the 2.4-litre Optima, and a 6.2 in the Sonata Turbo. C&D's times tend to be quicker than most publications', but there's no way the Optima turbo is that slow. I just got out of a Sonata Turbo, and even by my butt-o-meter, it was waaaay faster than 8 seconds in the 0-100.

Grant, the author, said the 8.1 second time came from the people at Kia, but I suspect either they affixed that number to the wrong car, or he misunderstood. I'm trying to get this cleared up.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Nice car.  Would definately consider one if I was in the market. 

The only thing I don't like is the front grille.  It looks a little....'open fishy mouth' to me.  On the other hand, the profile is Gorgeous.   LOVE the fastback rear window.

[Ice]

I saw one in the mall the other day...was part of a dealer display. Optima 2.0T... it was stunning beautiful. Better than the photos.

The only thing I'm not sold on is the interior styling. It's ok but the buttons seem a little jumbled and the driver centric angle... not sure if I like that or not.

[Jaeger]

That number is fishy. Car and Driver got a 7.8-second 0-60 mph run out of the 2.4-litre Optima, and a 6.2 in the Sonata Turbo. C&D's times tend to be quicker than most publications', but there's no way the Optima turbo is that slow. I just got out of a Sonata Turbo, and even by my butt-o-meter, it was waaaay faster than 8 seconds in the 0-100.

Does this mean we have a Sonata Turbo review to look forward to?

As to the Optima, when Motor Trend tested the top-of-the-line Optima SX Turbo, they got a 0-60 time of 7.4 seconds, which they attributed to "incomplete transmission calibration".  How they came up with that diagnosis, they didn't say.  The base Optima with the 2.4 ran 7.9 sec to 60.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wg7k6ztGyo

Jaeger

[pg2676]

Check out the freakin' intake under the hood!  Begging for a ram-air setup.  Very sharp looking car, especially with those wheels.

[Baron von Raschke]

I saw one in the mall the other day...was part of a dealer display. Optima 2.0T... it was stunning beautiful. Better than the photos.

The only thing I'm not sold on is the interior styling. It's ok but the buttons seem a little jumbled and the driver centric angle... not sure if I like that or not.

I really liked the driver oriented dash of my Grand Prix GTP and the Optima's dash reminds me of Pontiac's driver centric design and use of red interior lighting to give that "fighter jet cockpit" sort of feel, especially when driving at night.

[MKII]

I saw one in the mall the other day...was part of a dealer display. Optima 2.0T... it was stunning beautiful. Better than the photos.

The only thing I'm not sold on is the interior styling. It's ok but the buttons seem a little jumbled and the driver centric angle... not sure if I like that or not.

Feel the same about the interior. The exterior design is very nice, feature list is very impressive, good powertrains,  but the dash design is not inviting to me at all. The only exterior design I do not like (as far as only seeing photo's of the car) is that the front over-hang seems huge, which I do not understand why. with no 6 cylinder being used one would think the need for extra long snout would not be necessary. Curious why this was done.

[Jaeger]

I really liked the driver oriented dash of my Grand Prix GTP and the Optima's dash reminds me of Pontiac's driver centric design and use of red interior lighting to give that "fighter jet cockpit" sort of feel, especially when driving at night.

Well I agree that the dash reminds me of yester-tech GM - but I differ on whether that's a good thing.  I'm also not a fan of red / orange instrument lighting regardeless of any jet fighter ambiance.  I had that in my Altima and it's one thing I definitely don't miss about that car.  And that loose-weave cloth trim on the Optima's leather seats does not have the look of something that will wear particularly well.

The only exterior design I do not like (as far as only seeing photo's of the car) is that the front over-hang seems huge, which I do not understand why. with no 6 cylinder being used one would think the need for extra long snout would not be necessary. Curious why this was done.

What bugs be about the exterior - and right or wrong, it bugs me a LOT - is the fake, tacky and utterly pointless fender vents.  They just scream F-R-O-M-A-G-E!  And it kind of underscores my feeling about the Optima overall - it's got great lines - I mean, really sharp looking overall, but kind of spoiled by too many of these "garnishes".

Jaeger

[dguthmann]

I really liked the driver oriented dash of my Grand Prix GTP and the Optima's dash reminds me of Pontiac's driver centric design and use of red interior lighting to give that "fighter jet cockpit" sort of feel, especially when driving at night.

Well I agree that the dash reminds me of yester-tech GM - but I differ on whether that's a good thing.  I'm also not a fan of red / orange instrument lighting regardeless of any jet fighter ambiance.  I had that in my Altima and it's one thing I definitely don't miss about that car.  And that loose-weave cloth trim on the Optima's leather seats does not have the look of something that will wear particularly well.

...
Jaeger

I completely agree with the ugly red dash lighting.  I was completely sold on this car until I saw that.  Not nearly as attractive or as easy on the eyes as blue-white lighting such as the Sonata. Also very hard to see in bright sunlight.
Mentioned it to the local Kia dealer the other day and he was in complete agreement.   He doesn't understand why they are putting in red dash lighting.  I suppose they have to differentiate themselves from Hyundai somehow.