The base LX trim has a non-branded six-speaker sound system, an eight-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with no memory settings, cloth seating surfaces, and manual climate controls. The top-spec Optima SX Limited comes with a Harman/Kardon 10-speaker, 630-watt premium sound system, a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory, Nappa leather seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control. What’s more, the rear seat is one of the least spacious among competitors. Keep in mind, the price ramps up steeply for better-outfitted trim levels. The Optima’s interior can be very nice, but it can also be very Spartan. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars. It’s simply not on the same level as the best in this class, however.ĮPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. Despite its many available powertrains and trim iterations, the Optima is a focused, polished automobile that stands up reasonably well to spirited driving. A full charge requires roughly nine hours on standard 120-volt current and less than three hours on 240 volts. The Optima plug-in variant can charge at either a 120-volt or 240-volt outlet. The line-topping turbo 2.0-liter is refined and pleasing, though less powerful and significantly slower to 60 mph than its direct competitors. We much prefer the less powerful-but smoother and quicker-turbocharged 1.6-liter and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic combination that represents the second rung in the Optima’s powertrain ladder. The naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic transmission found in the Optima's LX and EX trims make up a workaday powertrain, quick enough but sometimes flat-footed and coarse when coaxed into its upper ranges. From the uninspired entry-level engine to the complex but ultimately unsatisfying hybrid powertrains, plus the pair of zippy turbo fours, there’s a lot to like and some things to complain about. The Optima’s lineup includes a wide array of powertrains, and our opinions are as mixed as the option sheet. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on SX models for 2017, as are adaptive headlamps. A Premium Plus package for EX models brings heated rear seats, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The minor tweaks include the availability of the Driver Convenience and Convenience Plus packages in the LX trim, which can add a 12-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, blind-spot monitoring, and rear parking sensors to the Optima’s entry-level trim. Non-hybrid Optimas see scant changes for 2017, with a mostly carry-over year following the car’s total redesign in 2016. The conventional hybrid model has a fresh powertrain this year, too, with a 2.0-liter engine replacing the outgoing 2.4-liter four-cylinder. The Optima gained a new plug-in hybrid model for 2017, which has 202 horsepower and an EPA-rated 29 miles of electric-only range. There are, of course, deficiencies-the hybrids could be more efficient, the performance and handling a bit stronger-but on the whole, the Optima is a thoughtfully conceived and well-executed package. That the Optima isn’t one of our very favorites in this class speaks more to the excellence of others (including the Honda Accord and the Mazda 6) than it does to any glaring problems in the Kia. The 2017 Kia Optima has one of the most diverse model lineups of the bunch, boasting five-count ’em, five-separate powertrains, including two hybrids. Not only are there a handful of truly good cars in this class, but nearly every model lineup features several powertrains, often running the gamut from thrifty hybrids to powerful V-6s. Despite the wandering attention of the car-buying public, the contenders in the mid-size sedan segment continue to put up a good show. All signs point to the fact that we have left the age of the sedan and entered the era of the SUV and crossover.
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