2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX

Test Drive

Written by Marco Carvajal

Photographs by Katerina Krjanina

How is Kia been able to produce such nice cars for a low price? That is a question that many car manufactures would like to be able to answer.

Introduction

I am driving the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX, this is a redesigned version of the previous Optima Hybrid.  The Kia Optima is one of Kia’s most beautiful cars. The elegant but trendy design of its exterior can make any driver fall in love.  Also the interior is very beautiful. Then features, too many great features, almost every feature you have in your wish list is there, the optima has been designed to satisfy every car driver.

This 2017 hybrid automobile made its world debut at the Chicago Auto Show in 2016 with very positive acceptance from automotive experts. The 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX provides a satisfying and stylish driving experience. By adding hybrid technology this car is able to have an amazing very low gas consumption and very silent engine. As I start to drive the Optima hybrid I notice how quiet is the engine, you can barely hear any noise from the engine, to a point that you may think that the car engine is off.

About KIA

The Korean manufacture KIA have made an excellent job penetrating and become a leader in car sales in the United States. Kia seems to have a very successful formula to supply cars to Americans. Kia creates beautiful cars, very appealing styles, provide a lot of features, tons of features, many of them are standard in Kia but optional and pricy with other brands. Then in addition to beautify and great features, it also is able to sale their cars for a much better price than most competitors. How is Kia been able to produce such nice cars for a low price? That is a question that many car manufactures would like to be able to answer.  When Kia started to enter the U.S. market many car buyers didn’t trust Kia as a good quality brand, as it was a nice car brand with very low prices, but with time car lovers have started to trust more and more kia, to the point that now it has become a very appealing and high end car according to many people’s opinion and perception.

the 2017 Optima Hybrid features improved aerodynamics and an updated powertrain

What is new in the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid?

According to Kia, this Optima has been designed to be smarter and have better fuel efficient, the 2017 Optima Hybrid features improved aerodynamics and an updated powertrain. A new 6-speed automatic transmission and 2-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine that offers a combined 271 lb.-ft. of torque for a precise and powerful ride.

Energy-saving upgrades

The 2017 Optima Hybrid offers new enhancements to increase fuel efficiency. Kia has review all details of this Optima, updating the aerodynamic shape, the engine and all mechanical systems. Kia has found new ways to maximize fuel economy without decreasing performance.

• Active Air
• Engine
• Battery Recharging

Part of the technological improvements is that by closing the front air flow at certain speeds and temperatures, the active air flap system boost fuel efficiency and reduces wind noise.

Kia’s Full Parallel Hybrid system

The Kia Optima combines an electric motor with a Gas Direct Injection (GDI) engine. These 2 engines can work together or separately to offer the right combination of power, depending on driving conditions, for optimum fuel efficiency and performance.  Kia’s advanced hybrid system switches between electric motor and gas engine to accommodate to driving conditions. The engine switches from exclusively electric power during start-up and low-speed driving, to both gas and electric during full acceleration.

New levels of fuel efficiency, the 2017 Optima Hybrid has an EPA-estimated 39 mpg in the city, 46 mpg on the highway, and 42 mpg combined—with an EPA-estimated range of up to 665 total miles.

A vibrant supervision cluster displays all you need to know at a glance on a Thin-Film-Transistor (TFT) LCD including features like:

• Track your battery charge
• MPG
• Driving style

Prices and Versions

Lease

In January 2017 there was a lease promotion for $427 x month for the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX, however the price can vary.

This lease was based on $1,999 due at lease signing, including $249 first monthly payment, $1,155 capitalized cost reduction, $595 acquisition fee, plus tax, title, license and registration fees, dealer conveyance fee, processing fee or optional service fee and any emission testing charge. No security deposit required.

Exterior

The exterior of the 2017 is very appealing, very trendy. It mixes a modern and elegant look. The exterior of the Optima Hybrid comes with enhanced aerodynamics.

The Kia Optima Hybrid 2017 integrates and active air flap with an smooth aerodynamic shape to help maximize fuel economy

The optima has a lot of modern design touches, like Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille and the exclusive alloy wheel design. The Stylishly exclusive glossy black tiger-nose grille, a unique front bumper, and available LED headlights to enhance the design of the Optima.

• Dynamic Bending Light (DBL)
• Self-adjusting brilliance of High Beam Assist (HBA),

An interesting  features is Kia’s Dynamic Bending Light (DBL), it automatically adjusts the pattern and angle of the headlight beam to produce improved visibility while turning and riding.

Kia has done a great job to understand the driver’s behavior and able to offer great digital and manual controls that interact together.

Interior

I love that that the dashboard and all controls in the KIA are very easy to use, very intuitive, it reminds me of how easy is to use an iPhone versus other smartphones that are more complicated. I feel the same about KIA, it has a lot of great features easy to rich and to control, not like other cars where you have to wonder for hours how to find certain features or controls, to a point that sometimes I end up searching the internet to find out. Kia has done a great job to understand the driver’s behavior and able to offer great digital and manual controls that interact together.

The interior of the Optima is very beautiful, it is very spacious and makes you want to stay driving. Besides different gauges and a hybrid-system displays in the central touchscreen, the interior of the Optima Hybrid is the same as in the standard Optima.

Some of the Interior features of the Optima are:

• Spacious and well-appointed cabin
• Heated and ventilated front seats available
• The battery pack is placed right under the floor
• 60/40 split-folding seats available for added versatility
• Personalized driver’s seat comfort with 12 ways position
• Ergonomically-designed center console provides clean lines and a sense of spaciousness.
• Exceptional aerodynamics
• Noise-reducing insulation
• Improved body stiffness for a quiet ride.
• Available heated leather steering wheel
• Generous head- and legroom

60/40 split-folding seats available for added versatility.

Technological Features

The Optima Hybrid offers available leading-edge innovations, like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and UVO eServices. Again Kia’s style to give more and more to the car driver

• Available driver-assist technologies, designed to detect and monitor the vehicle in front of you’
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) automatically applies the brakes when it senses a frontal crash will occur
• Your compatible iPhone and the Optima work together for instant access to features. Texting, talking to Siri, can be integrated between your iPhone and your Optima.
• Forward Collision Warning System (FCWS) alerts you when its radars detect a foreseeable impact with an object ahead.
• Available Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC) does more than help you maintain a constant speed. Using radar-based technology, ASCC will automatically slow down or accelerate your Optima Hybrid, as needed, to maintain a predetermined distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you.
• UVO is your copilot that delivers information and entertainment on command. And with Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility, UVO eServices lets you connect to your smartphone right from your digital display, all while keeping your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.

Your compatible iPhone and the Optima work together for instant access to features. Texting, talking to Siri, can be integrated between your iPhone and your Optima.

Safety and Protection

The Optima Hybrid’s Iso-Structure™ construction is so strong, it’s made of 53% advanced high-strength steel. Put together so intelligently, Kia has patented the manufacturing techniques. The result is a stronger yet lightweight unibody with remarkable rigidity.

The advanced airbag system comes with dual front, front-seat-mounted side, and full-length side curtain airbags. It also features high-tech sensors that can detect the level of an impact and presence of a front passenger, helping to control airbag inflation. It’s added protection no matter the destination.

Every Optima Hybrid comes standard with active safety systems that work automatically during harsh road conditions and certain emergencies. So that you can be ready for the unexpected.

• The Traction Control System (TCS) helps avoid wheel spin when you accelerate, while Electronic Stability Control (ESC) helps you stay on course with improved stability.
• Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) offers increased steering control when driving in harsh road conditions, and Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) helps keep your vehicle in place as you move off an incline.

Conclusion

2017 Kia Optima Hybrid EX is a wonderful car, not only offers amazing hybrid functions, it is a great car to ride. A car lover can appreciate all Kia’s efforts to create a wonderful product like this. This is a high end toy that any car driver can enjoy, and the most amazing part is that you can buy it for a low price of less than $38,000.  It is beautiful, quite, luxury and very comfortable inside. If you want to fall in love just test drive it!

Great technology, many features, a powerful hybrid engine, and more, that is the Optima.