Positive Review
After enjoying 3 Honda Accords, I finally switched to a Plug-In Hybrid Kia Optima EX Premium 2020. In the first month, I managed 2,8 litres/100 km in fuel economy. In fact, in my day-to-day commuting (20 km), I only use the EV mode. The gas engine comes on idling as a generator only when the heater/AC or the defrosting is demanding, (or after about 40 km of EV driving) and then it's also silky-smooth with its 6-speed automatic transmission (gladly not a CVT!). Otherwise, I REALLY enjoy the complete silence and the torquey accelerations of the electric motor on green lights. I plug it every night and I wake up to a fresh new battery every morning. I always have about 900 km extra autonomy on gas, but I mainly drive it in electric mode. The ride is extremely smooth and quiet. The interior is very roomy and comfortable. The chassis feels very solid and high-quality. Steering is precise. The equipment is complete, from the panoramic moonroof, heated leather steering wheel, heated and cooled leather seats with 10 electric adjustments, to all the programmable driving aids like intelligent Cruise-Control, Lane-Maintaining Assist, 360⁰ cameras, 2-zone AC, 10-speakers Harman-Kardon sound system, Apple CarPlay, automatic rain-detecting wipers, self-dimming road lights, LED lighting all around including new foglights, etc. The addition of a big battery behind the backseat spreads the weight over the long wheelbase, so they beefed-up the rear suspension and the ride feels very well balanced and composed. It's not a sports car but, thanks to the newly-revised dampers and links, it rides like an expensive european sedan on any type of pavement. The only fault is the size of the trunk, which will not allow many big suitcases like regular sedans do. Built in South Korea, the Plug-In Hybrid Kia shows perfect fit and finish. I'm really impressed!
Critical Review
after being left stranded for another time, while still being completely under warranty, I figured I would actual say something. My newest example started when my car suddenly shuttered in the middle of the freeway, at cruising speeds. By the time I got off the road, it was shaking very noticeably even when idled. Unfortunately, I broke down a whole 40 miles from my local KIA dealer, so KIA gave me the choice of using their closest dealer or baying around $400 to get it to my local dealer. They then proceeded to tell me that, while my local dealership may be able to get to my vehicle by the next day, they wouldn't be able to until the next week and, better still, they also wouldn't be providing me with a vehicle in the meantime, because they have inspect my vehicle first. So, while I continue to pay the monthly payments on my KIA, I also get to pay to rent its replacement as well. I'm sure I have many more stranded days ahead of me; I can't wait until it happens a few hundred miles from home, you know, when I'm using it to travel, that thing the great fuel economy is supposed to be good for. I can't wait to have to pay to have my new car towed hundreds of miles while KIA - it's the true KIA experience. I'm not even mentioning the fiasco that you have to get involved in just to get your vehicle towed, but you're welcome to find out.
Showing 7 of 7 reviews.
I just purchased my fourth vehicle at Hanson, now Gee Subaru-Kia and highly recommend them to anyone searching for a vehicle. The sales staff and those assisting us in finance, paperwork, etc. were cordial, informative, and fair, particularly so in our most recent transaction at Olympia Kia. Thank you Mateo, Jason, and Sean!
Interior materials, everything works always
driving position comfort
I love this car and would recommend it to anyone looking to buy a 2018 Optima Hybrid EX without the tech package. I have a pearly white car with the white "leather" interior and its absolutely beautiful! I'm a big interior guy; the interior better be comfortable, dependable, and functional since that is where my behind will be. I feel the interior is beautiful and wonderful to sit inside of with the color scheme I chose. There are many soft-touch materials and everything is well laid out. Of all the vehicle's I've owned, this is the best car I've ever had...EVER. Everything works great in this vehicle. I live in Arizona and the A/C blows hard and cold each and every time I drive the car (I LOVE THIS btw!!!!). The Android Auto has worked flawlessly and the car has never given me one problem EVER! I obtain an average of 45 MPG on the highway and I drive about 20K miles a year in some of the most extreme climates. I use only full-synthetic oil and change my air filters regularly (by my own doing, not by the stealership's high cost). I have not had a single warranty repair to my car yet. Despite my love for this vehicle, there are three improvements I can suggest. First, the driving position could be more comfortable. I'm 6'00" tall and find that I cannot position the steering wheel and my seating position in a way where I can drive the car with only one hand. The sculpting on the door is either too deep, or the steering wheel has limited adjustment which prevents me from being able to comfortably rest my elbow on a soft surface while holding onto the steering wheel with one hand. I have fixed this by planting my left foot on the ground, thereby flexing my left knee at a 90 degree position where I can rest my arm on my leg and hold the wheel comfortably. Overall, it's not a huge problem but it can get annoying for long drives. Second, I wish there was more sound-proofing added to the vehicle. It's a hybrid car and not a sports car or luxury sedan. Instead of trying to land in the middle of the two, I wish KIA would flex more toward a luxury vehicle with the sound dampening material. I do have the upgraded Harmon-Kardon sound-system and it's GREAT! However, I wish the road noise was less pronounced. My third, and last complaint, has to do with the headlights. KIA, PLEASE MAKE HID OR LED HEADLIGHTS STANDARD to your vehicles. I drive about 53 miles round trip each day. 26 of those miles are done at night, on baron desert roads with with wildlife crossing the road at random points. Standard HID or LED lights alone would make this vehicle the perfect car. Fuel economy is pretty spectacular in my opinion; I average 45 MPG combined hwy/city driving. My worst fuel economy numbers are at extreme temperatures which is below 35 degrees or above 105 degrees (highest so far was 120 degrees at 38 mpg). Overall, I'd recommend this car to any one of my friends or family who want a semi-luxury vehicle with great fuel economy at a solid price point. Good Job Kia!
Efficient, Comfortable Interior, Technology-Filled
None
This car is excellent in every way. In 2019, I averaged 81.54 MPG over the course of the year. Every use case is different, but for my purposes in East Central Indiana it has been exemplary. The winter months see this vehicle a bit less efficient than in the summer months when electric A/C does all the work of maintaining cabin temperatures. I regularly see 32 miles on EV mode from a full charge before the car switches to hybrid mode.
They have free water while you wait...
Monthly payments for the randomly stranded game
after being left stranded for another time, while still being completely under warranty, I figured I would actual say something. My newest example started when my car suddenly shuttered in the middle of the freeway, at cruising speeds. By the time I got off the road, it was shaking very noticeably even when idled. Unfortunately, I broke down a whole 40 miles from my local KIA dealer, so KIA gave me the choice of using their closest dealer or baying around $400 to get it to my local dealer. They then proceeded to tell me that, while my local dealership may be able to get to my vehicle by the next day, they wouldn't be able to until the next week and, better still, they also wouldn't be providing me with a vehicle in the meantime, because they have inspect my vehicle first. So, while I continue to pay the monthly payments on my KIA, I also get to pay to rent its replacement as well. I'm sure I have many more stranded days ahead of me; I can't wait until it happens a few hundred miles from home, you know, when I'm using it to travel, that thing the great fuel economy is supposed to be good for. I can't wait to have to pay to have my new car towed hundreds of miles while KIA - it's the true KIA experience. I'm not even mentioning the fiasco that you have to get involved in just to get your vehicle towed, but you're welcome to find out.
Comfortable, smooth, quiet and solid. Top quality!
Smaller trunk
After enjoying 3 Honda Accords, I finally switched to a Plug-In Hybrid Kia Optima EX Premium 2020. In the first month, I managed 2,8 litres/100 km in fuel economy. In fact, in my day-to-day commuting (20 km), I only use the EV mode. The gas engine comes on idling as a generator only when the heater/AC or the defrosting is demanding, (or after about 40 km of EV driving) and then it's also silky-smooth with its 6-speed automatic transmission (gladly not a CVT!). Otherwise, I REALLY enjoy the complete silence and the torquey accelerations of the electric motor on green lights. I plug it every night and I wake up to a fresh new battery every morning. I always have about 900 km extra autonomy on gas, but I mainly drive it in electric mode. The ride is extremely smooth and quiet. The interior is very roomy and comfortable. The chassis feels very solid and high-quality. Steering is precise. The equipment is complete, from the panoramic moonroof, heated leather steering wheel, heated and cooled leather seats with 10 electric adjustments, to all the programmable driving aids like intelligent Cruise-Control, Lane-Maintaining Assist, 360⁰ cameras, 2-zone AC, 10-speakers Harman-Kardon sound system, Apple CarPlay, automatic rain-detecting wipers, self-dimming road lights, LED lighting all around including new foglights, etc. The addition of a big battery behind the backseat spreads the weight over the long wheelbase, so they beefed-up the rear suspension and the ride feels very well balanced and composed. It's not a sports car but, thanks to the newly-revised dampers and links, it rides like an expensive european sedan on any type of pavement. The only fault is the size of the trunk, which will not allow many big suitcases like regular sedans do. Built in South Korea, the Plug-In Hybrid Kia shows perfect fit and finish. I'm really impressed!
All positive.
None.
This is a fantastic automobile with a range of 40 - 45 MPG. If you're looking for all the bells and whistles with wonderful mileage, the Kia Optima Hybrid is where to go. I'm only considering giving it up because I want a sports car. Sure wish Kia made one in a hybrid.
great gas mileage fun to drive
small trunk not good in snow
car is ok the electric is fun to drive. wish it charged faster also you loose a lot of gas mileage when you use the heat. it is relatively comfortable to drive the heated seats are great but trunk is very small and you can't drop the back seat because of the battery is there I have been getting over 1000 miles on a tank of gas because I make a lot of trip less than 50 miles. does not do well in snow.