Kia Optima 2016 Review | TestDriveNow

[@InvestBetter.]

Interesting. Alex on Autos just did a review and got a completely different take on this new trim. Got almost 35 MPG combined,well above the listed number, and a 0-60 in under 7 seconds. Got about 45 MPG on highway runs. Compared it favorably to the Accord Sport, except in the handling with those tires. Your mileage may vary.

[@tszwong1]

Love your reviews but would have to disagree with you. If you compare trim for trim of the competition, kia offers A LOT. And since Kia has no luxury brand, it gets to stuff all that stuff in this midsize sedan, others (honda, toyota) cannot because of their Acura, Lexus luxury brands. For me, bang for the buck is most important, and reliability is mostly competitive between all brands except for a few (jeep, Fiat). But thats my opinion :)

[@wtDrake]

I think a black 2.4 LX model with the available 17 inch wheels looks quite nice in person. Might get one as my next car, Kia does a good job not making a base model feel base. And the interior space is quite large and comfortable.

[@therealvirgoqueen6553]

I have that exact car pretty nice but burns oil

[@khunopie9159]

I'm a fan of less bling and chrome on more base model cars, and I liked how your tester was configured. I also like cloth seats and hoppy beer. If I were to get a Kia I would "de-badge" it as well to help prevent "badgering" from more up-market car driving friends

[@Andrew8126]

Judging looks is of course always subjective, and I like the way both Hyundai and Kia calmed down the crazy lines of their family sedans for 2016. I agree that this car doesn't promise much to the enthusiast (the choices for them in this segment seem to be Mazda6 and maybe Honda Accord Sport), but given what it is, it offers a lot of content, quality and (again, subjective) style for what will likely be a lot less than its $27k MSRP out the door. Given that you had to spend such time with the car, Steve, I'm sorry you didn't like it more.

[@tntmyth]

They should have given Steve the 2016 EX or SX for this review. The EX looks a lot nicer with the 17 inch alloys and leather seats and also has a regular 6-speed automatic, not the 7 speed like the ECO. Starting MRSP on the EX is $24,890. On that EX before adding packages you get, leather seats and steering wheel, heated seats, push-button start and keyless entry, 2 position memory seating, rear air vents, dual zone climate control and 12-way adjustable drivers seat with 4 way lumbar. So Kia dealers are selling the EX for about $22,000-$23,000. For that you could get a Camry SE for about $22,000, an Altima SR for $23,000 an Accord Sport for maybe $24,000 and they wouldn't have all the aforementioned leather seats, push button start, memory seating, etc that you get on the Kia Optima. You do get the 17" rims on the Camry SE and 19" rims on the Accord Sport. (The 19" rims on the Accord Sport look awesome but will be pricey to replace them.) So that is the choice really. Get a Camry SE, Accord Sport or Altima SR without the leather and toys or get the Kia with the leather and toys at about the same price give or take a thousand dollars. Tough choice but the Kia looks pretty good with all that nice stuff. On the other hand the Toyo and Honda supposedly have better reliability. Steve, how do you compare the Kia Optima to the latest Camry and Accord?

[@DonaldSeymourjr]

Steve, I have been a long time fan of your reviews and how you keep it "real." However, I would tell you that I like your normal everyday voice if you will, over your weatherman vocals. I was blown away from your last video of 2015. The way you spoke was totally different from what I was accustom to hearing from you. But I do see the path that you are taking with your presentations and I quite like them. I look forward to working with you in the future. Have a good one.

[@stevehammes]

+AutoRingMagazine Hmmmm. OK.

[@gene978]

That's a lot of features Steve! But I would say Skip the ECO and opt. Wait to pay between $23K - $24K or better yet buy one at the end of 2016 for around $16K

[@NoLaTvShow3]

I agree I'm going to wait till the price drops lol

[@shopwithaaron]

Our last gen Optimas each have their our feel...2011 LX feels much more sporty and firm in the ride and handling...2012 EX Premium is softer and more luxurious in all the right ways. Of course they're better looking too!!

[@miguelircontar]

They needed to do more for this mid cycle refresh

[@ihababbas9863]

Last words about BMW and comparing it with this lovely Kia doesn’t make any sense for me.

[@stevehammes]

I’ll have to go back and listen to what I said. Did I say something dumb?

[@ihababbas9863]

@@stevehammes not at all by that meaning. But I felt it is out of content.

[@kpag3030]

For an enthusiast, that base model might be a bit of a letdown, but for the average consumer, seems like a lot of car for the money. That said, I'd probably go for the turbo. I have a 2012 optima base model and I like the look better. It doesn't have the upgrades the 2016 got in ride and handling and tech, but it has a 200hp engine and plenty of options built in for me. Rides quite well and feels sportier than the sonata of the same year. Again, looks better than the new one too in my opinion

[@gmman010983]

This reminds me of the Altima with the dark rims and side profile a little...

[@pedrofernandez3893]

Steve how do you like it compared to the Accord you recently tested? comparing it to the 7 series is a bit of a stretch, no?

[@stevehammes]

+pedro fernandez The Accord I had was loaded with a sweet V6 BUT that being said I would take an Accord.

[@mozillagenesis]

Your take on this car is interesting, as many other reviews I've seen of the '16 have been glowing or very positive. I have a '15 myself, and I agree that mine looks better. Chrome strips that intrude on top of or into headlights are a pet peeve of mine :) .... ruins the whole front for me to be honest.

[@stevehammes]

+mozillagenesis What are they driving, I haven't seen? This LX or an SX? Probably a big difference.

[@mozillagenesis]

+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes True, most of them are SX. But I'm specifically referring to 2theRedLine's review and Tech Nation's. They both had LXs - one described it by saying "I love this car" and the other described it by saying "This 1.6 turbo continues to impress me." You are right though, the SX would be better. I think I'll keep my '15!

[@stevehammes]

+mozillagenesis Interesting. I'm not familiar with these guys but I can't imagine anyone getting out of this LX Turbo and uttering those words.

[@itmustbelove08]

I think Kia missed the mark on the new generation Sportage and Optima design wise. Even in upper lever trims to me is a bit lacking.

[@stevehammes]

Agreed

[@reynakharin.est.2000]

I have the new generation but I do like the previous version better

[@mrlim282]

Would your review have been different if you drove the 2.0T SXL?

[@stevehammes]

I imagine so.

[@jeffreysegal2065]

So I'm with you on the looks- I liked the old one. This one just looks pudgy. And those tiny wheels!!! Bad news is that due to Kia's discount financing on new ones, it's impossible to find a good deal on a used one. All the owners owe more than it's worth.

[@canddmeyer]

I liked the car more than the review. Local dealers will sell it for $4000 off MSRP with no haggling. I think you'd have a lot more fun ripping a base Camry or Accord in a review, which have really lousy options compared to the Kia. Myself, I recently purchased a Fusion, and while I have a few items I am vocal about, the 2.0 Fusion egoboast engine isn't one of them.

[@stevehammes]

If you stayed around 'till the end you heard me praise the Optima for its wealth of features.

[@canddmeyer]

+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes I saw the video, twice, 3 times counting today, but the negativity from the get-go told me what I was going to hear for four minutes. "less new" "non-descript" " little 16 inch wheels" "dull light gray" The praise was faint.

[@stevehammes]

+zip89105 I don't like the car...what can I say?

[@ssr1680]

I was hopeful that Kia would of sent you the SX limited instead of the EX

[@stevehammes]

+ssr1680 Me, too.

[@pedrof830]

Steve, is the new 1.4 TDI Jetta on your review list?

[@stevehammes]

+pedrof830 Not as of yet. Passat is my next VW in January.

[@FoodyTunes]

I don't understand why they made this front end less attractive (and not even with any radical design changes they made it do that). It looks like as if they made the front end be the design of the previous optima in Base model or fleet trim.

[@FoodyTunes]

And even for the SX trim, it's a huge step backwards for design. The rear end looks very handsome though.

[@tommynyc3313]

Do an Audi S8/S8+ Review one day

[@stevehammes]

+Tommy Bazile Can't wait!

[@iwingkitli86]

Well done!!! Keep it up Steve!!!

[@stevehammes]

+iwingkitli86 Thanks!

[@76carmel]

Steve -- I suggest that Kia send you a better Optima. Kia should've given you the EX, their volume seller. I spoke to a Hyundai salesperson, and he told me to avoid the Sonata Eco like the plague.

[@stevehammes]

+Billy Sou I'm sure I'll do another one soon. Interesting info...thanks.

[@76carmel]

+TestDriveNow.com featuring Auto Critic Steve Hammes You hope it'll be the SXL model with the 2.0L turbo inline-4.

[@stevehammes]

+Billy Sou Probably will be.

[@76carmel]

+Billy Sou Speaking about Hyundai / Kia and its 1.6L inline turbo 4 cyl. and 7 sp twin clutch auto, how come that combo worked well in the Tucson, and didn't work as well in the eco models of the Sonata and Optima?

[@xpl3565]

Kia looks like the Hyundai Sonata 2016

[@MrFrozenCanuck]

I had one of these as a rental last week. All I can say is meh.

[@MrTREL123]

Base lx for $27,000 ? Lmbooooooooooooo

[@simonthompson7139]

Sounds like this is more of an errand running type of car.

[@sakab1373]

its look like Camry

[@MPM1Techs]

I would not pay 27 grand for this plain jane people mover. Nothing stands out to me that makes me excited to own this car, I feel like it would be a good rental.

[@mituljariwala9821]

27K for this shit. the accord ex has 17 inch wheels,dual climate control standard, better handling and mpg and driving feel, and a sunroof

[@coltonphillips1]

So disappointed with the new optima. It looks like a drooping sad face in the front, and looks like every other midsize on the market in the back.