Plenty of power but less refinement
In short, the Optima Hybrid is plenty powerful but it’s not quite as sorted or refined as the Fusion and Camry hybrids. It’s hard to put a finger directly on it, but the operation of the Optima is less seamless than the aforementioned competitors.
Things seem to happen more randomly and inexplicably in the Optima, such as the gas engine firing up and revving at different rates for little apparent reason. This mill isn’t as unobtrusive as others are, so perhaps that contributes to the sense that it’s more connected to its own brain than the driver’s. Don’t misunderstand though; the engine’s independence is not translated into unwanted propulsion.
Clearly, the engine is charging the battery pack in addition to propelling the vehicle, so there’s nothing untoward going on here, but it just seems more active than the others I’ve referenced. Irrespective of the “goings on,” the Optima Hybrid is highly accomplished in other ways, most notably fuel economy.
The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is rated at 5.6L/100km and 4.9L/100km city and highway driving, respectively. These are impressive figures, and about the best you’ll see in the midsize category. My real-world economy ranged from a good 5-something L/100km to 7-something L/100km. Hilly terrain and anything less than a subtle right foot quickly erodes fuel consumption.
Interestingly, the Optima Hybrid just set a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle driving through all contiguous 48 US states, averaging just 3.6L/100km of consumption. That’s quite a feat – can’t imagine how feathery their right foot was!
The driving experience
Once acclimated to the Optima’s hybrid technology, the car’s true pleasures materialize. It’s a quiet unit that delivers sharp handling and a decent, well controlled ride; slightly firmer than the Fusion Hybrid yet absorbent when it needs to be without diminishing the vehicle’s athleticism in the corners.
Steering resistance is on the springy side, which can feel somewhat unnatural at first. I prefer lighter resistance in this sort of vehicle, but that’s a subjective matter with individual variables. Braking is strong and largely unaffected by the regenerative double-duty the system performs.
Regrettably, the rear seat is not the split, foldable sort that allows access from the trunk into the cabin. This is due to the placement of the battery pack for the hybrid system, which also diminishes trunk space slightly.
In short, the Optima Hybrid is plenty powerful but it’s not quite as sorted or refined as the Fusion and Camry hybrids. It’s hard to put a finger directly on it, but the operation of the Optima is less seamless than the aforementioned competitors.
Things seem to happen more randomly and inexplicably in the Optima, such as the gas engine firing up and revving at different rates for little apparent reason. This mill isn’t as unobtrusive as others are, so perhaps that contributes to the sense that it’s more connected to its own brain than the driver’s. Don’t misunderstand though; the engine’s independence is not translated into unwanted propulsion.
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| The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is rated at 5.6L/100km and 4.9L/100km city and highway driving, respectively. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
Clearly, the engine is charging the battery pack in addition to propelling the vehicle, so there’s nothing untoward going on here, but it just seems more active than the others I’ve referenced. Irrespective of the “goings on,” the Optima Hybrid is highly accomplished in other ways, most notably fuel economy.
The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is rated at 5.6L/100km and 4.9L/100km city and highway driving, respectively. These are impressive figures, and about the best you’ll see in the midsize category. My real-world economy ranged from a good 5-something L/100km to 7-something L/100km. Hilly terrain and anything less than a subtle right foot quickly erodes fuel consumption.
Interestingly, the Optima Hybrid just set a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle driving through all contiguous 48 US states, averaging just 3.6L/100km of consumption. That’s quite a feat – can’t imagine how feathery their right foot was!
The driving experience
Once acclimated to the Optima’s hybrid technology, the car’s true pleasures materialize. It’s a quiet unit that delivers sharp handling and a decent, well controlled ride; slightly firmer than the Fusion Hybrid yet absorbent when it needs to be without diminishing the vehicle’s athleticism in the corners.
Steering resistance is on the springy side, which can feel somewhat unnatural at first. I prefer lighter resistance in this sort of vehicle, but that’s a subjective matter with individual variables. Braking is strong and largely unaffected by the regenerative double-duty the system performs.
Regrettably, the rear seat is not the split, foldable sort that allows access from the trunk into the cabin. This is due to the placement of the battery pack for the hybrid system, which also diminishes trunk space slightly.
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| The suspension is slightly firmer than the Fusion Hybrid yet absorbent when it needs to be without diminishing the vehicle’s athleticism in the corners. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |