On the highway, once you reach a comfortable cruising speed—at about the legal limit, I should point out—and lift off the throttle slightly, the EV mode takes over and the fuel economy average starts improving drastically on the trip computer.
Quiet and refined
The Koreans did a good job making this car eerily quiet. While you’re waiting at a stoplight, you can practically hear your watch ticking, There also seemed to be less road and suspension noise than the Optima SX we recently drove; the tires probably are responsible for that, as the Hybrid rolls on low-rolling resistance rubber.
Kia didn’t share Hyundai’s strategy of giving their hybrid model distinctive front and rear fascias. After all, why mess with such a striking design? There are cues, however, that distinguish the Optima Hybrid from the rest of the model line-up, such as silver-painted trim around the lower front bumper corners and above the rocker panels, as well as tasteful badging. It also gets exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the dashboard gets unique instrumentation to monitor the teamwork between the gas engine and the electric motor. This includes a few menus in both the trip computer oriented towards the driver as well as in the information screen on the centre console. Like the Ford, driving eco-telligently makes leaves and flowers appear on the screen. An ECO mode relaxes throttle response and is said help maximize fuel economy.
Still very much an Optima
For the rest, the hybrid version is pure Optima. The same superb sheetmetal. The same interior fit and finish. The same high level of equipment. The same generous front-seat space, and limited rear-seat legroom. One of only two sacrifices for hybrid power is a reduced trunk volume (from 436 litres to 280) and the disappearance of the split-folding seatback to make way for the batteries. Still, there’s a pass-thru for carrying skis.
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| The Optima Hybrid is quiet and refined. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
Quiet and refined
The Koreans did a good job making this car eerily quiet. While you’re waiting at a stoplight, you can practically hear your watch ticking, There also seemed to be less road and suspension noise than the Optima SX we recently drove; the tires probably are responsible for that, as the Hybrid rolls on low-rolling resistance rubber.
Kia didn’t share Hyundai’s strategy of giving their hybrid model distinctive front and rear fascias. After all, why mess with such a striking design? There are cues, however, that distinguish the Optima Hybrid from the rest of the model line-up, such as silver-painted trim around the lower front bumper corners and above the rocker panels, as well as tasteful badging. It also gets exclusive 17-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, the dashboard gets unique instrumentation to monitor the teamwork between the gas engine and the electric motor. This includes a few menus in both the trip computer oriented towards the driver as well as in the information screen on the centre console. Like the Ford, driving eco-telligently makes leaves and flowers appear on the screen. An ECO mode relaxes throttle response and is said help maximize fuel economy.
Still very much an Optima
For the rest, the hybrid version is pure Optima. The same superb sheetmetal. The same interior fit and finish. The same high level of equipment. The same generous front-seat space, and limited rear-seat legroom. One of only two sacrifices for hybrid power is a reduced trunk volume (from 436 litres to 280) and the disappearance of the split-folding seatback to make way for the batteries. Still, there’s a pass-thru for carrying skis.
 |
| Inside, the dashboard gets unique instrumentation to monitor the teamwork between the gas engine and the electric motor. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |