2018 Kia Optima 1.6T Review

2018 Kia Optima 1.6T Review - When it debuted at the New York car show in 2010, the now-outgoing Kia Optima wowed spectators with its undermined roofline and determined visage, penciled under the instructions of layout manager Peter Schreyer. That Optima established Kia's present style language, and the new, 2016 version doesn't stray much from the script, with the tiger-nose grille, the arc of chrome along the roofing system side, as well as the beltline that sweeps up at the back. Information might have transformed, and also the automobile is 1.1 inches larger and also a bit longer, however no person will puzzle the new car with anything but an Optima.

Get in the Wee Turbo
Two of the 3 offered engines rollover. The mainstay 2.4-liter four-cylinder is a normally aspirated device making 185 horsepower as well as 178 lb-ft of torque; it's found under the hood of the base LX as well as the mid-level Ex Lover. On top end, the 2.0-liter turbo returns sporting 245 horsepower as well as 260 lb-ft; it powers the SX and the SXL. Both get a six-speed automatic. New to the event is the engine in our examination car: a 1.6-liter turbo 4 married to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated. Its 178-hp output is the most affordable of the group, however its 195 lb-ft of torque betters the 2.4-liter.

Available just in the LX 1.6 T, the 1.6-liter is made to be the most cost-effective offering of the bunch (aside from the Optima crossbreed, still based on the previous-gen cars and truck), as well as its EPA ratings of 28/39 mpg city/highway are at the top of the course. Its seven-speed dual-clutch automated, however, is a welcome break from the increasing trend of CVTs in this classification. It credibly simulates the level of smoothness of a torque-converter automatic at low rates as well as supplies well-timed changes under velocity. That velocity is very spry for an environment-friendly individual, helped by the truth that the Optima LX 1.6 T danced across our ranges at 3241 extra pounds-- more than 300 extra pounds less than the 2.0-liter SX. That number is about on par with a four-cylinder Honda Accord.

It's also more than 200 pounds lighter than the Ford Blend 1.5-liter EcoBoost, which is possibly the Optima LX 1.6 T's most straight competitor. In a battle between those 2 eco-misers, the Kia radiates. Engine output is virtually a draw-- the Kia's 1.6-liter makes 3 fewer horse power however 10 lb-ft extra torque than the Ford's 1.5-liter EcoBoost-- however the Optima's gas economic situation is better by 3 mpg in the city and also 2 mpg on the freeway (and that's finding the Combination its optional auto stop-start system). And when it's time to place your foot down, the Kia's 7.3-second zero-to-60 time trounces the Ford's 8.2-second result.

Actually, the instance might quickly be made that the 1.6 is the very best of the three Optima powerplants. The 2.0-liter turbo reached 60 miles per hour just half a second quicker in our test, at a cost of 6 mpg in the city as well as 7 mpg on the highway. The 2.4-liter 4 (which we examined in the Optima's close kin, the Hyundai Sonata) is both slower, at 7.9 seconds to 60, and thirstier. Speaking of the Sonata, when we tested the 1.6 turbo in that vehicle-- where it's offered in the Sonata Eco-- it was even quicker, hitting 60 in 6.7 seconds; that recommends our Optima, which had less than 500 miles on the clock, might have done also much better with a much more broken-in engine.

The LX 1.6 T trips on the Optima's conventional suspension, not the "sport-tuned" version found in the SX and also the SXL; even so, it need not make any apologies for its trip. Pleasantly tied down without extreme body motions, it's additionally certified adequate to alleviate harsh pavement, assisted by this version's 65-series rubber on 16-inch wheels. The low-rolling-resistance tires, nevertheless, resulted in a long quiting range of 185 feet from 70 miles per hour, although roadholding was a reputable 0.83 g.

You Desired Leather with that said?
That the 1.6-liter engine is available in only one trim level might be its main drawback. One step up from the base LX, the LX 1.6 T is sensibly well geared up (Bluetooth, a back-up electronic camera, keyless access), but if you desire natural leather, seat heating systems, or navigating, you have to climb up the ladder. The options listing does, nevertheless, consist of navigating, a blind-spot caution system, and rear cross-traffic alert.

At this level, indoor materials are very standard, with great deals of grained black plastic, yet at least the steering wheel is wrapped in smooth leather, the armrests are decently padded, and the console has numerous storage. The previous Optima's more driver-oriented dashboard has been replaced by a brand-new style that emphasizes the cabin's width. It's an uncomplicated interior decoration with a gimmick-free format of the controls that remembers the Honda Accord. The comfortable seating placement is boosted by a famous dead pedal for the driver, as well as fairly slim pillars as well as a reduced cowl pay for good presence. The rear boasts bountiful legroom and sufficient clearance under the sloping roofline in addition to a short-trip-appropriate center placement.

The 2011 version brought the Optima in from the subprime edge of the mid-size-sedan market, and also the upgraded design should maintain it there. While not the most powerful or glamorous version, the LX 1.6 T may be its most fascinating, providing pain-free frugality that needs to speak to price-conscious sedan buyers.

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