Topic: First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

[Autos_Editor]

Well-priced and offering noteworthy technological advantages, the new Optima Hybrid is rated at just 4.9 L/100 km on the highway, says Paul Williams.

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[MKII]

fixed for you Paul 
"The Optima Hybrid Premium handily out-prices and out-equips the Ford Fusion Hybrid, & Toyota Camry Hybrid, etc

Both Kia and Hyundai should be applauded for taking the lead and offering  features that has to be a pain in the competitors ass and even moreso at all the luxury vehicle makers in North America.

[Neromanceres]

Looking at the pictures i didn't find the interior all that apealing (sea of grey plastic).  The materials used might feel nice but industral flat grey doesn't do it justice.  Would be nice to add a bit of black and chrome to break things up.

If you need a mid sized car this is a good hybrid option.  But if your looking for just a comuter car the Chevy Volt is only $3000 dollars more after incentives (in Ontario) and will deliver far better gas savings for most people.  And Volts for Canada just went in to production 2 weeks ago.

Kia might have some issues delivering some cars in the near term as the labour dispute at the port of Vancouver is affecting some of their car deliveries.

[CanuckS2K]

A fantastic looking car inside and out and offers tremendous value at that price.  Those wheels really gotta go though. 

[Frontier1]

This car looks like something that would come out of europe at twice the price, it's smokin hot

[Frontier1]

Those wheels really gotta go though. 

+1

I am surprised no one has commented on the risks inherent in buying hybrid technology from an upstart manufacturer.  I took a pass on the Lexus RX hybrid, in part due to concerns over the potential hassles of hybrid technology going awry.  But from Kia?  Gee, I don't know about that one. 

I don't like hybrids period.  But the Kia/Hyundai thing, I'm over that.  The parity in the industry is alive and well IMO.

[BernardP]

Those wheels really gotta go though. 

+1

+2

These alloy wheels have the dubious ability to look like wheel covers.

[Shnak]

Those wheels really gotta go though. 

+1

+2

These alloy wheels have the dubious ability to look like wheel covers.

Well, for wheels to be aerodynamically efficient, they have to effectively look like wheel covers... it's hard to make wheels look good when the 'spokes' have to be very big so that not too much air gets through them.

[sailor723]

Those wheels really gotta go though. 

+1

+2

These alloy wheels have the dubious ability to look like wheel covers.

Well, for wheels to be aerodynamically efficient, they have to effectively look like wheel covers... it's hard to make wheels look good when the 'spokes' have to be very big so that not too much air gets through them.

Glad to see I wasn't alone in thinking the wheels are pretty darn ugly

[Shnak]

Don't get me wrong, I too find these wheels to be rather ugly, but as I said before, there's only so much you can do with wheels when you need them to be aerodynamically efficient...

[CanuckS2K]

Those wheels really gotta go though. 

+1

+2

These alloy wheels have the dubious ability to look like wheel covers.

Well, for wheels to be aerodynamically efficient, they have to effectively look like wheel covers... it's hard to make wheels look good when the 'spokes' have to be very big so that not too much air gets through them.

Glad to see I wasn't alone in thinking the wheels are pretty darn ugly

Not alone at all, those wheels are absolutely hideous!  Great looking car otherwise.  

[PJ]

I could live with the wheels but not the "sea of grey" as someone mentioned earlier.  Haven't looked it up yet but hopefully there are some colour options for the interior.

A little disappointed in the reported mileage.  Travelling at 90 to 110 km/hr you should be able to match (or beat) the hwy figure even on the small mountains of Vancouver Island.  6.2 is a long way off from 4.9.

All together it is an interesting car and if in the market for a large hybrid I would certainly consider it over a Camry hybrid.

[Spec5]

To anyone who hasn't actually seen one in the flesh yet - go take a look at your local dealer. Like I said a few weeks ago in one of my replies to another thread - the SX Turbo is drop dead gorgeous. This iteration is a close second.

Once again stellar value for the content. It will be interesting to see how the Koreans manage with the new technology. I suspect they'll continue to do well though as it doesn't seem to have hurt Ford or Toyota's reliability. I noticed the Hybrid Tahoe is rated worst of all Chevy vehicles - I think it was JD Power I saw that one.

Interesting comment about the Volt only being a few grand more - and that vehicle really does take it to the next level.

Not really sure why on earth so many people who buy hybrids tend to do a lot of highway driving. Its the stop and go where you're going see the most difference.

[Shnak]

I could live with the wheels but not the "sea of grey" as someone mentioned earlier.  Haven't looked it up yet but hopefully there are some colour options for the interior.

A little disappointed in the reported mileage.  Travelling at 90 to 110 km/hr you should be able to match (or beat) the hwy figure even on the small mountains of Vancouver Island.  6.2 is a long way off from 4.9.

All together it is an interesting car and if in the market for a large hybrid I would certainly consider it over a Camry hybrid.

Driving at 110kph will result in much worse fuel economy than driving at 90kph... to achieve the official rating of 4.9L/100km, you'd need to drive at 90kph with very little wind on relatively flat roads.

[safristi]

  where would that be......the Atacama desert

[PJ]

I could live with the wheels but not the "sea of grey" as someone mentioned earlier.  Haven't looked it up yet but hopefully there are some colour options for the interior.

A little disappointed in the reported mileage.  Travelling at 90 to 110 km/hr you should be able to match (or beat) the hwy figure even on the small mountains of Vancouver Island.  6.2 is a long way off from 4.9.

All together it is an interesting car and if in the market for a large hybrid I would certainly consider it over a Camry hybrid.

Driving at 110kph will result in much worse fuel economy than driving at 90kph... to achieve the official rating of 4.9L/100km, you'd need to drive at 90kph with very little wind on relatively flat roads.

True, he didn't say where in the "90 to 100 km/hr range" he was driving but that is the range where you will get your best mileage.  You shouldn't need to drive under perfect conditions (90km/hr  on a flat road with no wind) to get the hwy numbers.  I've owned a dozen cars and driven many more then that and only recently have I found cars that could not do (or beat) the hwy figure when driven in a normal manner.

[Shnak]

where would that be......the Atacama desert

Maybe, but that is still how they attribute these official figures... in mostly ideal conditions, at 90kph, not at 110kph.

[Cord]

The Optima Hybrid Premium handily out-prices and out-equips the Ford Fusion Hybrid, for example, which lists for over $40,000 without leather upholstery.

This is the problem with basing price comparisons strictly on MSRP. Pricing out a 2011 Fusion Hybrid on ford.ca with every possible factory option results in a purchase price of $35,799 + tax ($34,745 without leather).

I would've tried the same thing with the Optima but kia.ca just crashes whenever I try it.

[hopsoid]

The Optima Hybrid Premium handily out-prices and out-equips the Ford Fusion Hybrid, for example, which lists for over $40,000 without leather upholstery.

This is the problem with basing price comparisons strictly on MSRP. Pricing out a 2011 Fusion Hybrid on ford.ca with every possible factory option results in a purchase price of $35,799 + tax ($34,745 without leather).

I would've tried the same thing with the Optima but kia.ca just crashes whenever I try it.

Can't even find the hybrid model on the website?

[Shnak]

The Optima Hybrid Premium handily out-prices and out-equips the Ford Fusion Hybrid, for example, which lists for over $40,000 without leather upholstery.

This is the problem with basing price comparisons strictly on MSRP. Pricing out a 2011 Fusion Hybrid on ford.ca with every possible factory option results in a purchase price of $35,799 + tax ($34,745 without leather).

I would've tried the same thing with the Optima but kia.ca just crashes whenever I try it.

You understand that reviewers can't rely on these incentives when comparing cars, right?