2017 Kia Optima LX 1.6 Eco Review

The Optima has been one of my favorite cars for awhile now. It was redesigned for the 2016 model year, although at first glance, you may say to yourself "looks the same to me". I quite like this Horizon Blue color.

Personally, my favorite style of the Optima was the 2011-2013
version. I feel that the rear lights had a more distinctive look,
and the front on the 2014 & 2015 models had cues (such as
rectangular fog lights) that didn't quite match the car's
design as well.

The midsized sedan segment isn’t vanishing anytime soon, despite an apparent  culture shift towards SUVs. Kia has consistently been aiming for all its key competitors in this category with the Optima. Since its stylish 2011 redesign, this model has been one of my favorites from the brand because it has a nice mix of value, features, and quality. Come 2016, it was time to redesign the Optima again, although it was more “evolutionary” than “revolutionary”. Perhaps one of the most interesting changes to this model was the addition of the “Eco” model with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. My tester was a 2016 LX Eco with the LX Technology Package in Horizon Blue with black cloth. My test drive took place at McDonald Kia in Saginaw, Michigan. How does this eco-minded model stack up overall? Let’s explore!

Better Optimized

2001 Kia Optima

Originally introduced in the U.S. for the 2000 model year, the Optima nameplate has come a long way. In particular, I feel that two trims in the Optima’s lineup show off its progression well: the Eco and the top-of-the-line SXL. As mentioned previously, the Optima Eco comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This set up is good for 178 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. EPA fuel economy estimates are a solid 28 city/37 highway/31 combined. This engine felt energetic once rolling and was reasonably smooth, too. I managed to chirp the wheels on takeoff once, and I wasn’t even in “Sport” mode for most of my test drive. The other two available drive modes are “Normal” and “Eco”, and all will change throttle and transmission response. Speaking of transmission, the 7-speed dual-clutch feels mostly sorted out, however, there was some noticeable turbo lag on takeoffs at times. This could be due to the transmission programming (in part), as a dual-clutch is known to have odd feeling shifts when compared to a traditional automatic. Something to consider if you’re looking at a car equipped with a dual-clutch.

Optima's styling this time around is more evolutionary than revolutionary,
but still distinctive enough in a few ways, such as the chrome trim that
flows from the front window down to the rear of the car.
These Eco models are not particularly common from what I've noticed.

When pushed, the Optima Eco will do 0-60 in roughly 7 to 8 seconds, depending on conditions. But I’ve seen times also in the high 6 second range, so I imagine it depends on how broken in the engine is. That means that the Optima Eco is potentially quicker than the Optima SXL with the larger 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder! This is due to a multitude of reasons. The Eco is roughly 300 pounds lighter than the SXL, and the 2.0 turbo is actually down on power this time around – going from making 274 horsepower during the 2011-2015 model years to 245. According to Kia, the engine is more efficient and has its power more evenly distributed across a broader range, despite this power drop. But alas, our focus here is primarily on the Eco trim.

Step Inside! Enjoy the Ride!

In a market dominated by many bread-and-butter cookie cutter cars, Kia’s Optima in recent years has consistently ranked as one of the more stylish sedans. And last generation, this distinctive styling carried over to the interior. In fact, this was one of my favorite aspects of the 2011-2015 Optima. I had an opportunity to drive the older Optima as well, and things felt mostly well put together inside, though a little cramped at times. I especially loved that model’s dashboard design, which was curved toward the driver. 

The 2017 Optima feels even more well put-together than the outgoing model, but yet, it doesn’t feel quite as “dynamic” or “striking” overall to me… Gone is the driver-centric dashboard, the old way the panoramic sunroof opened (where the sunscreens would both disappear behind the center roof bar, leaving two separate windows above - VERY COOL), the sweeping gauges when you start the car up, trim-level specific gauges, there’s less power from the top 2.0 turbo engine, and the exterior design, especially in the rear, is more “sedate” than older Optimas, which gives the car a more straightforward (though still decently stylish) feeling. Fog lights are also unavailable on ANY trim of the 2016 and up Optimas, but were widely available in the past. While these changes don’t seem to have torpedoed the Optima's sales, some long-time fans of the car (such as myself) may feel as though its lost some of its unique “appeal” amongst competitors. Or perhaps I’m just being picky as an Optima fan… Alas, I digress.
(Update, March 2018: Fog Lights are now available on the 2018 Optima, depending on your selected trim level.)

These dark grey wheels come
one Eco-trim models. LX-trim
models get a lighter version.

Whatever the Optima may have lost in appeal, its gained greatly in refinement. The Eco’s 1.6-liter engine functioned nicely for my drive and worked decently with the dual-clutch transmission, but on top of that, the ride quality was very impressive. The Optima Eco rides on 16-inch alloys, which is probably part of the reason the ride was so nice, and the Eco wheels actually don’t look too bad with their slightly blackened finish either. The Eco also lacks the SX and SXL model’s sport-tuned suspension, likely contributing to a smoother ride. 

Despite lacking a sporty suspension setup, handling was plenty competent and braking was decent, though the Eco’s tires won’t allow for too much fun, so don’t get carried away. Wind noise was controlled well, though road noise was noticeable, but not annoying. Overall, it was definitely quieter inside this new model compared the older Optima I drove.

Trunk space was ample in the Optima, and interior storage was plentiful
as well. Folding rear seats are a plus.

Rear seat space and comfort was great,
and available USB ports for rear
seat passengers bring some convenience to the back.

Furthermore, there were plenty of soft touch materials on the door and dashboard, both front windows were one-touch automatic up and down, and I found the front seats to be really comfortable. I had no problem finding a nice driving position; the 12-way power driver’s seat with memory function that my tester had was a nice touch. The passenger seat was manual. The rear seats were comfortable as well, and plenty roomy - a definite improvement over the outgoing Optima. On higher end models, you can get heated rear seats with manual rear window sunshades, a thoughtful touch. Rear seat air vents were another plus on my tester. 

Overall cargo space was above average, and I found there were plenty of spots inside for small item storage. The glovebox and center armrest storage are both of good size, the Optima’s trunk is plenty large in comparison to some of its competition, and the rear seats fold down for even more space. This car was equipped with Kia’s smart trunk access, where you stand behind the car for three seconds and then the trunk opens, but I didn’t bother to try it out. Underneath the storage floor in the trunk, there’s a tire inflation kit instead of a spare tire, which helps with the car’s weight savings.

Respect the Tech

Keyless Entry, Drive Mode Select, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, and Rear Parking Sensors were just a
few of the features found on my tester.

Kia’s UVO infotainment and navigation system was easy to use, although Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were not available at the time. Both became available or standard on late 2016 and all 2017 Kia models. The navigation system’s map graphics won’t blow you away, but will get the job done. In EX and up models, a 10-speaker 630-watt Harman-Kardon sound system is optional, and includes a huge rear shelf speaker and Clari-Fi sound restoration. I imagine this system sounds pretty darn great, but on the base LX and on my LX Eco tester, 6 speakers are standard. From my experience, the standard non-premium speakers were somewhat flat in sound, even though I adjusted the equalizer settings and the radio offered speed-compensating volume, where the music will get louder as you drive faster. I suggest that if you get the very base LX or LX Eco models, you consider upgrading your speakers down the road if you’re an audiophile. Other tech features included on my tester were smart key access, power-folding side mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, rear parking sensors, rear backup camera, Bluetooth connectivity, and rear cross-traffic alert. On higher trims such as the EX, SX, and SXL, other available tech features are a 360-degree camera system (Surround View Monitor in Kia language), forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, wireless cellphone charging, heated and cooled front seats, a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights with high beam assist and dynamic bending, and an electronic parking brake. Lane-keep assist is curiously missing from the features list… Nappa leather and the upgraded headliner in the SXL trim are nice luxury touches.

A new package for 2017 on the Optima Eco is the “1.6 Value Package”, which rolls in black exterior sport trim (side sills, exterior mirrors, and a rear spoiler), LED daytime running lights with projector headlights, LED taillights, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay with Kia’s UVO infotainment system, Merlot (brown) heated leather seating, a heated steering wheel, and a 12-way power driver’s seat with memory. I have yet to see this package on any 2017 Optimas anywhere. However, NOTE: This package CANNOT BE HAD with the LX Technology package, so you’ll miss out on some features such as blind-spot monitoring and the rear air vents by choosing it. Also, it can only be had with certain exterior colors (Horizon Blue is not one of those colors). Personally, I would still get this package regardless, as it gives you 3/4s of the features you’ll get anyways in the LX Tech. Package, heated leather, and essentially navigation too (via Android Auto/CarPlay). A sunroof is not available on the lower LX trim levels at all.

Lasting Impressions - Wrap Up

Overall, the 2017 Kia Optima represents a strong, and yet after this recent redesign, somewhat "bland" choice in a crowded (and SHRINKING in terms of sales) midsized sedan segment. It does everything it should, which is all well and good. However... It does EXACTLY everything it should, which means it's not doing a ton different... As a result, it sort of suffers from "good guy/girl" syndrome I call it and it flies under the radar oftentimes. Say for example, Kathy (buyers) sees all the good Frank (Optima) offers, but yet in the end, good is just "good", not particularly "fun". And there's a lottttt of fun to be had out there in the world. Not necessarily "GOOD fun", but fun nonetheless. 

As with most of Kia's lineup, Optima's key trump card is it's strong value - "bang for your buck" if you will. With above average power and fuel economy coming out of its LX Eco trim, it becomes a more favorable option in my mind than the 2016 Malibu with the 1.5-liter turbo four-cylinder I tested awhile back, offers more room than the Chrysler 200, and more style than a Camry or Passat. Sure, it may not be quite as striking in some ways as the outgoing Optima, like when it comes to its interior styling, and the Eco  and other base trims should not be mistaken for any sports car with their tire and suspension setup. But Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, recent top awards in quality, the Optima’s designation as a “2016 Top Safety Pick +” by the IIHS AND overall 5-star safety rating, PLUS its abundance of luxury and tech features for thousands less than a luxury car make the Optima a very foolish-to-ignore option in its segment. 

...So long as you're not out to make a "roaring statement" of opulence and shake the earth with a high-end sporty, luxury branded product. Yet, I highly doubt anyone buys these sorts of cars to show off. Optima I feel is all about making an "understated statement". And no car company lately has been better at doing that than Kia.

What are your thoughts about Kia as a brand, the Optima lineup, and specifically this Optima Eco? I can tell you now that this model will continue to be one of my favorites for a long time to come, and I see bright things in store for Kia’s future if they keep designing well-rounded products such as this.

That officially wraps up my Kia week posts! Thanks for reading! Until later: ROLL ON!

Grading (LX 1.6 Eco Only)

• Engine Power/Economy: A+ (10 points)
• Quietness: B (7.5 points)
• Interior Quality/Comfort: B+ (8.5 points)
• Driving Dynamics: B (7 points)
• Cargo Capacity: B+ (8.5 points)
• Overall: 41.5/50 (83%; B)

Other Specs:

• Engines Available: 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (185 HP), 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (178 HP), 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder (245 HP)
• Transmissions: 6-speed automatic (2.4 & 2.0T), 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (Eco 1.6T Only)
• Fuel Economy Ratings: 25 city/36 highway/29 combined (LX 2.4), 28 city/37 highway/31 combined (Eco 1.6), 24 city/34 highway/28 combined (EX 2.4), 22 city/31 highway/25 combined (SX & SXL 2.0)
• Trim Levels: LX, LX Eco, EX, SX, SXL
• Model Pricing: $22,200 (LX) - $36,090 (SXL)
• *Price as Tested*: $27,545
• Available/Standard Safety Features: Anti-Lock Brakes, Stability Control, Blind Spot Monitoring, Forward-Collision Warning, Rear-View Camera, 360 Degree Camera System, Rear Parking Sensors, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Various Airbags (Front, Side, Curtain, Driver’s Knees), Hill Start Assist, Child Locks, 911 Connect (UVO)

Crash Test Results: 2016 & 2017 Top Safety Pick +

• IIHS Offset: Good
• IIHS Small Overlap: Good
• IIHS Side: Good
• IIHS Roof Strength: Good
• Head Restraints & Seats: Good

Star Ratings: Frontal Driver- 5 Stars  Frontal Passenger- 4 Stars  Front Side- 5 Stars  Rear Side Crash- 5 Stars  Rollover- 5 Stars;  Overall Safety Rating- 5 Stars

Key Competitors: All vehicles in the midsized car segment; Includes the Chrysler 200, Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu, Mazda 6, Hyundai Sonata, Volkswagen Passat, Subaru Legacy, & Nissan Altima

On the Adam’s Autos “Should You Buy It?” scale of “Drool, Cool, Meh, or BLEH”: The Optima is “Cool”, so consider leasing or buying it!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

Did You Know Facts: Kia Edition

Since I’ll be posting a few articles this week that are Kia themed, I figured this would be a good time to kick off a NEW SEGMENT on Adam’s Autos! From time to time now, I’ll be posting interesting facts about various cars, brands, etc. that you may have not known. It’s another way for me to bring you relevant and interesting content, while staying true to the theme of this site. So without further ado, let’s get rollin’!

1. Did you know that Kia was initially

a bicycle company?

Yes indeed! First founded in 1944, Kia was a steel tubing and a bicycle parts manufacturer. The company’s first bike rolled out in 1950, and the brand’s first car, the Brisa, was introduced in 1974.

2. Did you know that Kia launched in the United States with just four dealerships?

Shocking, but true. Kia’s launch into the American marketplace in the 90's was turbulent, as their cars were only available in limited places and also sold primarily on price only. Now, the brand is well established and sells cars for many good reasons. Which leads me to my third fact…

3. Kia was recently ranked the highest brand in initial quality in 2016.

This may come as a surprise to some, but with only 83 problems per 100 vehicles last year, Kia beat out brands such as Porsche, Toyota, BMW, and even sister-brand Hyundai in initial quality ratings! The industry average was 105 in 2016. It was the only non-luxury brand to clinch the honor in the past 27 years.

Research, Research

The advertisement I made to pitch the 2017 Forte S to
millennial buyers. Its very well equipped for $25,000,
but many were still weary...

The final fact I listed was actually part of some research I performed for a project a few months ago in college. I analyzed what millennials’ perceptions of the Kia brand are and if they felt their models were affordable for our age group. I also surveyed other ages of individuals, and my findings were interesting. After showing a video about the 2017 Forte to my focus group, I discovered that nearly all individuals except a couple felt that a $25,000 car was too expensive for a young professional. Part of their reasoning behind this is that there would be other bills besides the car note to pay, such as student loans. I created my own advertisement for the 2017 Kia Forte S, which can be equipped with features such as a 10-way power memory driver’s seat, heated seats, a sunroof, HD Radio, autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, and much more for just over $25,000. I hoped this would give more of a visual representation to my target audience.

Online Data Shows...

Even more interesting, however, were my online survey findings. Based on the results I pulled, 67% of online participants felt as though $25,000 WAS reasonable for a young professional to afford, totally opposite of my focus group. This online survey was taken by mainly millennials as well. Among other important factors cited by survey participants, many said that performance was a key attribute they look for in their new car purchases. As many of you may know, Kia will be coming out with the 2018 Stinger, a dedicated sports car, this coming fall 2017. If you want more info on that, look back to one of my prior posts on the 2017 NAIAS. (Link: http://www.adamsautos.org/2017/01/my-fave-5-coolest-rides-from-naias-2017.html) This model may possibly satisfy some of those potential buyers. Additionally, most individuals in both the focus group and from the online survey felt as though features such as Bluetooth, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, and various safety technologies were necessary.

Regardless of the survey, online or in person, many individuals were surprised that Kia had won high quality awards recently. Does that change your perception of the brand in some way? Did you already know about these awards? There’s always options outside of “the usual bunch”, and Kia definitely intends to continue moving upmarket from the looks of it.

I intend to make one final Kia week post soon, so stay tuned!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.

New Kid on the Block: 2017 Kia Niro

Welcome to Kia Week on Adam’s Autos! Being one of the fastest growing brands out there currently, its only right that I take a moment and analyze some of their newest, most innovative models.

Let’s face it: Hybrids aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, and small crossover SUVs are one of the hottest selling segments out right now. Therefore, Kia’s decision to introduce an all-new model that slots between the Soul and Sportage in size and somehow incorporates both of the aforementioned elements should come as no surprise. Enter the 2017 Niro, “a new kind of crossover” according to Kia themselves.

Kia's new Niro crossover is literally just that: A crossover between a traditional small SUV and a highly-efficient, practical hybrid. Can it successfully garner up the sales figures that some more established players in this segment have over the years?

So, besides the obvious fact that this car is new and somewhat special in its execution, what else is special about it? I recently had two chances to get up close and personal with the Niro crossover: Once on a trip to Texas for the holidays, and again at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. My personal pictures of the Niro (in grey) on this post are from Texas.

Initial Thoughts

The slits in front of the wheels are functional.

Based on my initial impressions from both encounters, the Niro seems to be solidly built and a strong value in its relatively small segment. While I wasn’t initially a fan of the front-end design of this model, when you consider that many automakers seem to associate the word “hybrid” with “funky design”, the Niro’s face becomes a lot more simplistic and attractive. One rather unique exterior design cue is that the vertical slits just in front of the wheels near the fog lights on the front of the car are functional, and direct air to the brakes to keep them cooler and are also said to improve aerodynamics. This design treatment can be found on the 2017 Kia Optima and Forte, too. Why, if it weren’t for the “Eco Hybrid” badge on the rear hatch, you literally wouldn’t even be able to tell that this model is a hybrid, honestly. That is, until you look at its gauges on the inside, which give you all the useful info you need to know about how fuel-efficient you’re driving, as well as energy flow and battery charging status readouts.

Its What's Inside That Counts

The Niro's interior had a decent amount of leather and soft-touch surfaces given its starting price of just under $23,000. I also was a big fan of the contrasting ice blue stitching found on the seats, steering wheel, and shifter. Overall, a nice effort here.

Speaking of the interior, the model I viewed in Texas was a fully-loaded Touring model. There was no exterior badging that I saw designating the trim level on this early production model. Leather seats, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, navigation (Kia’s UVO infotainment system with Android Auto/Apple CarPlay is standard on all trims), and Harman/Kardon premium speakers with a subwoofer were just a few of the features included on that model. Other available features include a non-panoramic style sunroof, HID headlights, wireless cellphone charging, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking as part of an advanced technology package. It should be noted that some of these features can be added via a similar package to even the more basic LX model for just over $25,500, which when coupled with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, becomes an incredibly strong value. I’m quite impressed. The only thing that would've made this overall package somewhat stronger was the availability of all-wheel drive (AWD), as the Niro would've truly had a distinguishable edge over its competitors then.

The most notable "hybrid"
badges were on the rear and front fenders.

What's Underneath?

Under the hood, the Niro is powered by a new 1.6-liter Atkinson cycle engine which makes 103 horsepower on its own. Its supplemented by a 43 horsepower electric motor, which will likely provide great low-end torque. Speaking of torque, expect to get 195 pound-feet of it. The only available transmission is a 6-speed DCT (dual-clutch automatic transmission), which compliments the “uniqueness” of this model well since other hybrid competitors use CVTs (continuously variable transmissions). A 1.56 kWh lithium ion polymer battery is standard. While I haven’t had a chance to drive the Niro myself yet, from what I understand, most dynamics are nicely balanced, and due to the vehicle’s battery pack being placed UNDER the rear seat, there’s no major loss of interior space or comfort. Interior room was pretty acceptable. But what's key is that this vehicle's design allows for overall day-to-day handling to remain intact, too. "Sport" and "Eco" driving modes are offered, and Kia has also designed a unique system called “Predictive-Energy Control”, which actively analyzes road conditions and adjusts performance accordingly to help maximize the Niro’s efficiency. “Oh you fancy, huh?”

Innovation!

Kia has also apparently engineered the Niro to be quieter than other hybrids, namely the Toyota Prius and Ford C-MAX. Foam filled A and B pillars, a rigid body structure, a standard acoustic windshield, and a steering wheel damper are just a few of the ways Kia accomplished this goal. The info sheet on the Niro in this article is from the 2017 NAIAS and provides additional info on key points about this new model. Click on the images for a larger view. 

However, fuel economy is one area where your results may vary considerably with this crossover. On the very base FE (starting at $22,890), fuel economy is rated at 52 city/49 highway/50 MPG combined, which is just shy of the Prius, but in a crossover! However, you can choose NO options on this model, so I would move up from there unless fuel economy is your main concern. On LX and mid-range EX models, fuel economy is rated at 51 city/46 highway/49 MPG combined, still very good for a small crossover. However, Touring models like the ones I saw are rated at 46/40/43, which is a much more noticeable deficit over the base FE model. This is likely due to additional features being added to the car, in particular the larger 18-inch wheels you get on Touring trims.

Thoughts?

So how do you feel about the new Kia Niro? Would you ever consider a hybrid? While it may not be the outright king of MPGs, its certainly the king of small crossover MPGs now. Plus, the Niro does give other competitors an excellent run for their money, overall. Combine the Niro with Kia’s Optima Hybrid, Optima Hybrid Plug-In, and Soul EV, and it’s clear that the Prius, C-MAX, and other competitors should stay alert! Because Kia has them on their radar.

More Kia week soon!

Copyright © 2017 Adam's Autos, All Rights Reserved.