I would be completely remiss if I didn’t tell you about my latest driving experience. This afternoon I took a little ride in a Kia Optima. This vehicle was completely off my radar until I walked into a Kia dealership today and they told me about the vehicle that won AJAC’s 2012 Family Car of the Year award (under $ 30,000) and the award for best family car and car. general motorsport of 2012. Year. In fact, when I entered the showroom, I looked under the hood and found a 4-cylinder engine, I was even less impressed. They told me the vehicle had 200 hp, which I admit is high for a naturally aspirated I4. Then they told me that the car had Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). I have heard of this and know that it widens the performance window for the vehicle to have a lot of resilience at low RPM. The last vehicle I drove with a 2.4L I4 was the Chrysler 200. I commented that the vehicle made a good recovery once the RPM was above 3000. The sales consultant told me to test the throttle and that I would be pleasantly surprised.
The model I tested was an LX +. An LX is the base model, an EX is the mid model and SX is the top Kia brand designation. I will describe the model I drove that was priced at $ 26,545 plus freight and taxes.
When I sat in the vehicle, I noticed how the contour seat fit like a glove and that the 10-way power seat and tilt-and-tilt steering wheel were easy to set up for the optimal comfort setting. I did a quick inspection and noticed the 7 airbags and the electronic stability control. This, along with a number of standard safety features, make this vehicle one of the IIHS’s top safety options.
When I pulled out of the parking lot and sped into traffic, this vehicle blew me away. The car leapt forward from a nearby standstill without any delay. I noticed that the Optima had a quick response which is more important than high RPM horsepower, especially when taking off from a stop. And once I got over the excitement of takeoff, I realized that the suspension allowed for a smooth and pleasant ride without sacrificing sporty handling. The Optima was equipped with a 6-speed automatic that doubles as a manual with available shift paddles (SX) on the steering wheel. There is also an Eco Mode on the steering wheel that allows for optimal fuel economy when shifting the transmission and reducing engine revs when cruising to maximize fuel economy at 50 mpg (Imperial) / 5.6L / 100km highway and 33 mpg. / 8.6L / 100km city. In fact, I traveled 18 km through the city in Eco Mode and achieved an impressive 9.1L / 100 km. Crossing the city back to the dealership without the Eco Mode activated, I managed a 9.3L / 100km approach.
Some of the other features that are generally reserved for high-end cars but included in this package are panoramic sunroof, Bluetooth, Sirius satellite, heated seats, dual exhaust, USB and auxiliary cable plugs, LED turn signals on side and auto mirrors. darkening of the rear view mirror. Also available on other models are heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, heated rear seats, sport suspension and shift paddles (SX), smart key with proximity entry and push button start, HID headlights, rain sensing wipers and more . These features give the Optima a luxurious feel that makes the driver feel as if they are driving a vehicle that is in a much higher price category.