The second sacrifice is price, relatively-speaking. The Optima Hybrid will carry a $30,595 MSRP before taxes, freight and delivery charges; that’s a few hundred bucks more than its Sonata Hybrid cousin, but you do get some extra features such as a power front-passenger seat and the new Microsoft UVO infotainment system (similar to Ford’s SYNC) in addition to climate control, an intelligent key, cloth and leather upholstery and heated front seats.
For another $4,900, you get leather upholstery, a power panoramic sunroof, a touch-screen navigation system, a 530-watt sound system, driver’s seat position memory, a rearview camera, xenon headlights, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated wheel and a few other gadgets.
Our short time behind the wheel provided us with a very positive opinion about Kia’s first hybrid, and we’ll be looking forward to submitting the Optima Hybrid to a full-on, daily-grind road test.
The unavoidable question: is the Optima Hybrid really worth the extra dough? Like every one of its competitors, it rationally isn’t, because base models with efficient 4-cylinder engines cost thousands less. But with the Hybrid, you get a ton of features, you’ll stop less often for gas and you’ll feel better knowing you’re reducing your own carbon footprint.
For another $4,900, you get leather upholstery, a power panoramic sunroof, a touch-screen navigation system, a 530-watt sound system, driver’s seat position memory, a rearview camera, xenon headlights, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, a heated wheel and a few other gadgets.
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| The Optima Hybrid will start at $30,595. (Photo: Michel Deslauriers/Auto123.com) |
Our short time behind the wheel provided us with a very positive opinion about Kia’s first hybrid, and we’ll be looking forward to submitting the Optima Hybrid to a full-on, daily-grind road test.
The unavoidable question: is the Optima Hybrid really worth the extra dough? Like every one of its competitors, it rationally isn’t, because base models with efficient 4-cylinder engines cost thousands less. But with the Hybrid, you get a ton of features, you’ll stop less often for gas and you’ll feel better knowing you’re reducing your own carbon footprint.
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