Here is the new Kia Optima - a 4-door family sedan, whose competitors include the Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat and. Outwardly, the "Korean" is not as good as, for example, the Mazda "six". Yes, and the cost of "Optima" in Ukraine is almost a hundred thousand hryvnia more expensive than the "Japanese". But the Korean car is cheaper than the same Ford. And the Passat will cost you a little more.
Kia Optima has been completely updated for 2016 to keep up with the refreshed Ford Mondeo and. In general, the style of the sedan has remained virtually unchanged. Although, to make the car more streamlined, the designers still conjured over the rear and front of it.
At the moment, Kia offers its customers a “choice without choice” - only one engine is installed on the Optima - a 1.7-liter turbodiesel, paired with a 7-speed robotic transmission with two clutches.
But the Optima's equipment is quite optimal - seven airbags, dual-zone climate control, electronic systems - assistants, cruise control, alloy wheels - as standard in all three available versions of the car.
Competitors
Engine and control
In terms of “driveability” in handling, the Optima lags behind, for example, the Skoda Superb or Mazda 6. Driving pleasure is, of course, not the main factor when choosing a family sedan. But "Czech" or "Japanese" will look like a much more advantageous option. The Optima's steering feels fuzzy, sluggish and doesn't inspire confidence. The updated suspension follows the same formula as the steering wheel - soft and comfortable, but at the same time makes passengers "go limp" when cornering quickly.
New Kia Optima (2016) The only engine in the Optima lineup puts out 141 horsepower, which sounds good on paper. On the track, Kia is unlikely to overtake its more assertive and energetic rivals. In addition, the motor is noisy and rattling, which makes it feel somewhat unbalanced with the rest of the car. Acceleration to "hundreds" takes 11 seconds.
Specifications
Interior and comfort
The inside of the Kia Optima is well built, with nice materials, but the car's design isn't thrillingly appealing either. Sitting in the Optima salon, you feel a certain monotony and drearyness. The interior design of the new Volkswagen Passat and Skoda Superb is still one step ahead of the "Korean".
Improved sound deadening, combined with a stiffer car body and upgraded suspension, make the Optima a good option for long trips. The diesel engine, which sounds rough when accelerating, settles down on the highway at cruising speeds, so wind noise is unlikely to disturb the calm.
Practicality and spaciousness
There is plenty of room in the front of the Kia, and the driver's seat is height-adjustable for good visibility. The back row can comfortably accommodate two adult passengers. Convenience on the road will add a folding armrest with cup holders.
Salon Kia Optima 2016 Car trunk volume - 510 liters. Not a little, although 115 liters less than the Skoda Superb, for example. And the high threshold of the luggage compartment complicates the loading of heavy items. The rear row of seats in the Optima folds in a ratio of 60:40, thereby freeing up even more space. Except Kia has never reported the total boot space with the seats folded down for this car.
You can also keep things in door pockets, a small lockable compartment in the armrest, a cooled glove box. But none of these storage compartments will fit, for example, a large bottle of water.
Reliability and security
Surprisingly, but the fact is that until 2015, the Kia Optima never passed Euro NCAP crash tests. And although the sedan is based on another Korean car, the Hyundai i40, which received a five-star safety rating back in 2011, buyers are much more comfortable choosing a car based on the crash test results of a particular model.
Packages and options
It will not be difficult to determine the degree of staffing of the Optima by the name of the configurations themselves - Comfort, Business and Luxury.
Kia Optima 2016, interior In the basic version for Ukraine Comfort there is everything you need for a comfortable ride - 16-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, electronic stability control, hill-climb assistance, cruise control and Bluetooth.
Business option complemented by a rain sensor, front and rear parking sensors, electronic parking brake, xenon headlights, combined fabric-leather seat upholstery and 17-inch alloy wheels.
Well, and the owners of the car in the configuration Luxury experience the wireless charger, Tom Tom navigation system, premium sound system and rearview camera. Keyless entry, electrically adjustable driver's seats (8 positions) and passenger seats with lateral support and ventilation, 18-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery are another hallmark of the luxury Optima.
Kia Optima 2.4 GDI. Price: 1 399 900 rubles. On sale: from March 2016
Kia OPTIMA 2.0 T-GDI. Price: 1 719 900 rubles. On sale: from March 2016
The design of the front body kit varies by market. Russia got a more aggressive version
In keeping with Korean tradition, Kia has prepared several design variations for different markets. But, what is gratifying, Russia received, perhaps, the most emotional version with predatory built-in nostrils of air intakes in the corners of the front body kit. Moreover, the most interesting thing is that these air intakes are not at all an imitation, created solely for the sake of visual complexity of the design, but quite functional elements. Through the air outlets, they bring the flow to the front calipers for brake cooling.
Optima profile is classic and elegant
Globally, the overall visual style of the car has not changed. The genetic traits of the past generation of Optima can be traced. But at the same time, the car became an order of magnitude brighter and more expressive. First of all, thanks to the hood line emphasized by the moldings and the more complex shape of the head optics.
The headlights generally pleased with their universal adaptability: they stand out in the stream, do not blind during the day and brightly illuminate the road at night.
The fact that the Korean business flagship has become 25 mm wider, 10 mm longer and 30 mm higher can be felt with the naked eye only in the vertical dimension: the grown body added solidity to the Optima, but at the level of visual perception, the new size ratio led to the fact that the car looks a little narrower than it actually is.
The front and rear cameras are complemented by an eagle-eye surround view system.
Another interesting point - how Optima looks in the stream. When you drive behind this Kia and see its stern, a certain dissonance of perception is created: the lower part with a Kia_ diffuser under the bumper suggests analogies with Mercedes, and the LED rear optics gives the impression that this is still a car close to the Bavarian family - BMW. Of course, the similarity can be traced not at the level of copying, but rather as a background of general adherence to the style set in the business class by the German giants.
Narrow LED taillights in the dark look very stylish
Inside, the Optima has been updated, perhaps even more seriously than on the outside, having received, in fact, a completely new interior with a driver-oriented center console at an angle of 8.5 °. The instrument panel with a 4.3-inch LCD display, the steering wheel, trim elements and materials, luxury semi-sport seats with elegant red stitching ... The latter are identical for both versions of Optima - naturally aspirated and turbocharged. Except that on the “turbo” seats, two more proud GT letters are embroidered on the back. This is where things get interesting...
In the depths of the 510-liter trunk, you can "drown"
With a 1.5 times stiffer body that is now 50% high-strength steel, a new rack-mounted electric power steering system and a stiffer front suspension, the new Optima takes a very large step forward in terms of handling, standing on one step with recognized class leaders. And in combination with the most powerful 245-horsepower turbo engine in the history of the model, it feels like it completely surpasses its own capabilities. Although with some caveats...
The front seats of the new Optima combine sportiness and comfort
When the first Optima arrived from the factory to the Kaliningrad Kia dealer, the directors of all the surrounding dealerships gathered to look at the Korean miracle. Those who managed to ride the GT version, not knowing its real performance characteristics, got out of the car in complete delight and confidence that Kia accelerates to hundreds of seconds in five ... The real dynamics of Optima, even in its most powerful version, is one and a half times more modest - 7.4 s to 100 km / h. But this, as they say, behind the eyes. Especially when you consider that in economy mode, even at speeds over 130 km / h, fuel consumption, and not “on paper”, but on the road, can be maintained at 8.8–9 l / 100 km.
The front console is focused on the driver at an angle of 8.5 degrees
The weakness of the Optima GT is different: with such power and relative lightness of the car (1655–1755 kg), the grip properties of rubber are simply not enough, and with a sharp start, the front drive wheels break into axle boxes. In general, this deliberate lightness of Optima is the most ambiguous trait of her character. On the one hand, lightness is an undeniable trump card of the car, in combination with the powerful brakes of the GT version, providing crazy braking dynamics. But on the other hand, in combination with the cosmic, by the standards of the car, power of the turbo version, it gives the Optima an excessive “airiness”. As part of the test drive, it turned out that at speeds above 160-170 km / h, a lack of downforce begins to be clearly felt: for its dynamic characteristics, the turbo Optima is underloaded, which does not have the best effect on the car's road holding and is especially acute on the turbocharged version with its stiffer suspension and powerful brakes. The atmospheric Optima is noticeably softer both in terms of suspension and in terms of acceleration and braking dynamics. The brakes on the atmospheric version of the GT-line are simpler, and it provokes much less aggression, although acceleration to hundreds in 9.1 seconds also looks quite decent for an elegant business sedan. And for an atmospheric engine, this is more than ... However, everything is known in comparison. In this case - in comparison with Optima GT.
A lot of controls are concentrated under the gearbox selector, but the ergonomics are thought out
But if you can still argue about the turbo version with its ferocious disposition, then the atmospheric Optima with its softened suspension in terms of comfort is definitely on the same level with competitors such as the Toyota Camry and Ford Mondeo. At the same time, a touch of sportiness is also present in it. For example, landing in both cars is sporty low, which somewhat hides visibility. To compensate for this relative inconvenience during parking and maneuvering in confined spaces, front, rear and all-round cameras are designed.
In terms of the number of comfort options and functionality of auxiliary electronics, Optima, if not superior, then certainly not inferior to the best representatives of its class. Especially since some of these options - navigation, climate and harman / kardon audio system - claim to be considered the best in their segment. However, like the new Korean business sedan of the 2016 model.
Rear sofa pleases with space and comfort
Driving
The turbo version is emotional, sometimes even too much, while both modifications can boast of good handling
Salon
The interior is not futuristic, but very functional and ergonomic. Quality of materials at a decent level
Comfort
Good noise isolation, atmospheric version with its softer suspension has some advantage in ride comfort
Safety
The increase in body rigidity by one and a half times favorably affected not only handling, but also safety
Price
The initial price of Optima looks affordable - from 1,069,900 rubles. But our heroes today are much more expensive
Average score
- Dynamics and comfort, navigation system, audio system, good noise isolation, low fuel consumption
- At high speeds, the aerodynamic underload of the car is felt
Verdict
The new Optima is really good, but in the segment of mid-priced business sedans, one of the main advantages of the car is its affordability. The Kaliningrad assembly allows KIA to approach this aspect quite flexibly, which opens up optimistic prospects for the model.
By 2016, the Korean auto giant Kia decided to update its Optima business sedan. And, no matter how strange it may sound, perhaps the most emotional version with predatory nostrils of air intakes in the corners of the front body kit has entered our market. Moreover, the most interesting thing is that these air intakes are not at all an imitation, created solely for the sake of visual complexity of the design, but quite functional elements. Through the air outlets, they bring the flow to the front calipers for brake cooling.
Globally, the overall visual style of the car has not changed. The genetic traits of the past generation of Optima can be traced. But at the same time, the car became an order of magnitude brighter and more expressive. First of all, thanks to the hood line emphasized by the moldings and the more complex shape of the head optics. The headlights generally pleased with their universal adaptability: they stand out in the stream, do not blind during the day and brightly illuminate the road at night.
Inside, the Optima has been updated, perhaps even more seriously than on the outside, having received, in fact, a completely new interior with a driver-oriented center console at an angle of 8.5 degrees. Dashboard with 4.3-inch LCD display, steering wheel, trim elements and materials, luxury semi-sport seats with elegant red stitching ... The latter are identical for both versions of Optima - naturally aspirated and turbocharged. Except that on the “turbo” seats, two more proud GT letters are embroidered on the back. This is where things get interesting...
With a 1.5 times stiffer body that is now 50% high-strength steel, a new rack-mounted electric power steering system and a stiffer front suspension, the new Optima takes a very large step forward in terms of handling, standing on one step with recognized class leaders. And in combination with the most powerful 245-horsepower turbo engine in the history of the model, it feels like it completely surpasses its own capabilities. Although with some reservations.
When the first Optima arrived from the factory to the Kaliningrad Kia dealer, the directors of all the surrounding dealerships gathered to look at the Korean miracle. Those who managed to ride the GT version, not knowing its real characteristics, got out of the car in complete delight and confidence that Kia accelerates to hundreds of seconds in five ... The real dynamics of Optima, even in its most powerful version, is one and a half times more modest - 7.4 s to 100 km / h. But this, as they say, behind the eyes. Especially when you consider that in economy mode, even at speeds over 130 km / h, fuel consumption, and not “on paper”, but on the road, can be maintained at 8.9 l / 100 km.
One of the main advantages of the car is its affordability.
The weakness of the Optima GT is different: with such power and relative lightness of the car (1655/1755 kg), the grip properties of rubber are simply not enough, and with a sharp start, the front drive wheels break into axle boxes. In general, this deliberate lightness of Optima is the most ambiguous trait of her character. On the one hand, lightness is an undeniable trump card of the car, in combination with the powerful brakes of the GT version, providing crazy braking dynamics. But on the other hand, in combination with the cosmic, by the standards of the car, power of the turbo version, it gives the Optima an excessive “airiness”. At speeds above 160-170 km / h, the lack of downforce begins to be clearly felt: for its dynamic characteristics, the turbo Optima is underloaded, which does not have the best effect on the car's road holding and is especially acute on the turbocharged version with its stiffer suspension and powerful brakes . The atmospheric Optima is noticeably softer both in terms of suspension and in terms of acceleration and braking dynamics. The brakes on the naturally aspirated version of the GT-line are simpler and less aggressive, although 0-60 in 9.1 seconds also looks pretty decent for an elegant business sedan. And for an atmospheric engine, this is more than ... However, everything is known in comparison. In this case - in comparison with Optima GT.
But if you can still argue about the turbo version with its ferocious disposition, then the atmospheric Optima with its softened suspension in terms of comfort is definitely on the same level with competitors such as the Toyota Camry and Ford Mondeo. At the same time, a touch of sportiness is also present in it. For example, landing in both cars is sporty low, which somewhat hides visibility. To compensate for this relative inconvenience during parking and maneuvering in confined spaces, front, rear and all-round cameras are designed.
In terms of the number of comfort options and functionality of auxiliary electronics, Optima, if not superior, then certainly not inferior to the best representatives of its class. Especially since some of these options - navigation, climate and harman / kardon audio system - claim to be considered the best in their segment. However, like the new Korean business sedan of the 2016 model.
Whole photo session
What Kia marketers definitely did not fail with was the name of the mid-size sedan - Optima. You can't imagine better. What is this car really like? For what and for whom is it optimal?
This time my assessment will be more objective. My friend Mikhail, a journalist by education, the author and publisher of many books, as well as newspapers and magazines, will help me. He is a motorist with 30 years of experience, he started with domestic models, then changed several foreign cars. The Korean Kia Optima, in my opinion, would suit him perfectly, it is quite consistent with his position and income.
However, Mikhail looks at cars in a special way. He prefers practical class B and C hatchback models, as he sometimes has to haul copies of books, magazines and other printed products himself. D-class sedans today offer great trunks, and my friend might well have one of them. But cars with five doors are more convenient for Mikhail's purposes, and besides, they are significantly cheaper. He prefers to invest the saved money either in his business or in real estate.
"Near-sport" version
And yet, having found time, he agrees to participate in a test drive on a Kia Optima. In our hands was a car in the GT-Line version. It has a "regular" 2.4-liter 188-horsepower engine, but some elements of sportiness are brought into the design. In addition to the nameplates on the body, the steering wheel “cut off” from the bottom (also marked GT-Line) is among the first to attract attention. Another test pearl-white sedan boasts a black roof: it has a panoramic, tinted glass. The front part can be opened - this is a hatch that is electrically shifted forward or backward, and when it is open, a small mesh spoiler automatically rises in front of the opening, covering the interior from possible ingress of dust, insects and other unwanted trifles.
The salon with a dark finish on the upper part gives the impression of a low, “flat”, however, sitting inside, my passenger and I do not feel the pressure of the ceiling: we have enough height with a margin. My friend is a little shorter than me, and my height is 182 cm, and behind me I also have enough “air” above my head. And there is real space for the knees - when landing “behind me”, I have thirty-four centimeters of space. This is a very good indicator! In the middle, a tunnel of insignificant height protrudes from the floor; it will not interfere with the landing of an average passenger. Mikhail also notes that it is spacious in the back row, he has a large family, he already has two grandchildren, and a couple of child seats could easily be placed in Optima to travel with them.
But first, of course, we examine and discuss the front of the cabin. We talk without raising our voices at all: the doors and body of the Kia sedan are a reliable barrier from the noise of the underground parking, and then the streets, the sounds barely penetrate here from the outside. Just like Mikhail, I am getting acquainted with Optima for the first time. And in the first minutes I note how quiet the engine is running here. Neither being outside next to the car, nor sitting in the cabin, you practically do not catch the sound of the engine rustling at idle. And the Kia Optima moves through the labyrinth of the parking lot without adding “gas” so quietly and smoothly that it seems as if it has an electric engine under the hood, not a gasoline one. This is pleasantly surprising.
The dark interior of the sedan in the twilight of the underground parking at first seems like a cave, but when the engine is turned on, the backlight of all controls automatically flashes and the instrument panel comes to life. To be honest, I don’t sympathize with the red backlighting of buttons and keys, but if it were white here, the dashboard would look more boring. The instruments are illuminated in white, the Supervision combination is reminiscent of both the Kia cee`d and the large Sorento crossover. Mikhail is familiar with the cee`d model, his son Pavel has such a car. The car has already run almost 130 thousand kilometers and is valued in the family for its reliability. This is also why my friend is looking at a Kia car with passion.
The appearance of the KIA Optima updated in 2015 has not changed much, but all the body panels are new. In length, the sedan has grown by 10 mm (up to 4855 mm), in width by 25 mm and in height by 30 mm. The wheelbase has been increased by 10 mm (up to 2805 mm). "Grown up" and the internal space of the car. The quality of finishing materials has improved, and the list of equipment has such items as a system of all-round video cameras, monitoring systems for "dead" zones and warnings about cars from the rear when reversing from a parking lot, "parking valet", a panoramic roof, a Harman / Kardon audio system, ventilation front seats and heated rear seats.
But there is something to think about: for about the same price as the Optima sedan, you can buy a “regular” Sorento (not Prime, which costs much more). Of course, the basic configuration of the crossover will be deprived of many nice options, but still it is a large and solid car, moreover, with an all-wheel drive transmission. But, looking at Mikhail, for some reason I think that Optima would be much more suitable for him. He is a business person, various meetings and negotiations in his offices take place much more often than forays into nature. For such a person, a representative sedan is more important, as well as, of course, a business suit, and not a T-shirt and cargo pants.
I will say even more: if I know you at least a little, I can guess which car (at least type) suits you more, and which one less. It does not fit in the way of life and occupation, namely, it goes like clothes. Of course, you have the right to disagree with me, but it happens, from the side you know better. By the way, I won’t say that expensive executive models, as well as sports coupes, unconditionally suit everyone. This is absolutely not true.
But back to Optima. Mikhail and I have a lot of common topics for conversation, but I secretly try to imagine myself as his personal driver. He tells me about a meeting in a major print publication, and I imagine I'm taking him to talks. It is clear that in this case you should drive the car as smoothly as possible, and out of the three driving modes available in Optima, I choose the economical one. But soon I refuse it - and not because of the "vegetable" character. We don’t need dynamics now, we need comfort, and in eco mode, the six-band “automatic” on the Optima shifts gears very often, and although the shifts are smooth, they are still noticeable. In this situation, the normal mode is more optimal, it does not have a name here, and when the other two are selected, the ECO or SPORT symbols light up in the instrument cluster.
In city traffic, the difference in dynamics when choosing one or another mode is not perceived as very noticeable. In each of the modes, acceleration from 60 to 80 km / h occurs in about 4 seconds. For advances and operational rebuilding, this is quite enough. But when maneuvering, two "inconveniences" should be remembered. First, if you set the driver's seat close to the floor, then the lower part of the right mirror can "hide" behind the door panel. And the second - the control system of "dead zones" works, in my opinion, too early. You expect a car to appear to your right or left, but there is no car. You start rebuilding - but, it turns out, he still exists, because he finally caught up with you. In general, this system on the Optima is rather weak in helping the driver.
Otherwise, the behavior of the Korean sedan in the city deserves only high marks. The car promptly responds to steering wheel turns (2 ¾ turns from lock to lock), pleasing with a pleasant effort (thanks to the electric power steering). He has a high ride and slight roll in corners. On smooth city streets, not all the advantages of the suspension are manifested, we will evaluate them later, outside of Moscow. In the metropolis, we are threatened only by speed bumps, it is advisable to meet them on the Optima with reverence.
Mikhail likes the all-round camera system. He has never had the opportunity to bring up a "top view" on the screen before, and he appreciates this option. Unfortunately, I forgot to show him the self-parking of the car. For the sake of interest (mostly out of mischief), he himself suggested that Optima park between cars parked perpendicularly. Well, she did the maximum possible: she determined the appropriate size gap and almost “fitted” into it. But at the last moment, I discovered that the car that happened to be behind us was parked at a slight angle, because of which the Optima and I might not have enough space. The experiment had to be interrupted.
The car carried out standard parking both sideways and “nose” to the curb without a hitch. Borders can not be particularly afraid. The Optima has long overhangs, which makes the front and rear seem to hang low over the asphalt. However, measurements showed that the clearance under the "lip" of the front bumper is not so small - 25.5 cm. The clearance under the body sills is 19.5 cm, about the same - under the mudguards of the rear wheels. Vehicle clearance according to passport data - 15.5 cm.
When I received the car at the press park, I memorized the 15-liter fuel consumption displayed by the on-board computer. Frankly, a lot, even for a city with traffic jams. Maybe the previous driver abused the dynamics of the Optima? I try to save money and use the ECO mode. In traffic jam city mode, it is possible to achieve a 14-liter consumption. Well, it means that the economical settings of the engine control electronics are working.
On the track and beyond
According to the conditions of the impromptu test, Mikhail and I need to advance for negotiations in one of the cities near Moscow. Almost the entire way there runs along the motorway, moreover, not replete with speed cameras. Almost always they are completely absent here (mobile posts rarely appear), so we enjoy the dynamics of the car in full.
With the ECO-mode, of course, we will immediately leave. Formally, it does not limit the dynamic qualities of the Optima too much, but in fact ... Try the "normal" and "sport" modes - and you will immediately feel the difference. SPORT mode provides acceleration from 80 to 120 km / h in about 8 seconds, in ECO mode a couple of seconds are added for sure. However, on a multi-lane highway, we do not need to make risky overtaking (only advancing). For reference: the GT-Line version, "armed" with a 2.4-liter 188-horsepower naturally aspirated engine with direct injection, according to passport data, accelerates from standstill to 100 km / h in 9.1 seconds (the turbocharged Optima GT does this in almost two seconds faster).
At a speed of about 150 km / h in the cabin is still comfortable. Mikhail takes the phone call and speaks without raising his voice. I'm less "lucky": an incoming call to my phone, received via the Bluetooth system, is unexpectedly interrupted, however, most likely due to the terrain on which we are passing. In fact, hands-free in Optima works great. The device not only easily identified my phone, but also connected to it instantly. It was funny to take a call on the receiver, get into the car during the conversation, start the engine - and suddenly hear the caller's voice from the Optima's speakers. Here is such an operational communication.
Communicating with Mikhail in the process of driving, we practically forget about the world around us, it is so comfortable in the cabin, especially in acoustic terms. True, the suspension begins to remind of itself. Rare joints and seams of the asphalt canvas we pass with a clearly distinguishable "biting" sound. However, this does not greatly reduce comfort, but only serves as a reminder that we have a car in the GT-Line version on the test. Of course, he is far from the real GT, like the moon ...
And the behavior of the car in asphalt ruts spoils the idyll a little more. Extremely unpleasant yaws instantly appear - this despite the fact that the course stability of the Optima is worthy of imitation. And on smooth arcs, the car “stands” well. And the Michelin Pilot Sport 3 tires are noisy.
Optima changes in technical terms - the share of high-strength steels in the power structure of the body increased from 20 to 51 percent. Thanks to this, its weight has decreased by almost ten kilograms, and the torsional rigidity has increased. The platform on which the car is built has remained the same, but the attachment points of the front suspension subframe have changed, longer trailing arms of the rear “multi-link”, more rigid silent blocks have appeared. All power units now have direct fuel injection, with the exception of the “junior” two-liter engine with 150 hp. With.
A strange "aftertaste" remained from the brakes. The first slowdowns shortly after the start of the movement are excellent, the pads “grab” confidently, even a little harshly. But you slow down several times in a row - and the sharpness of the “grasping” disappears somewhere. Are pads overheating? I do not believe! They feel like they don't get warm enough. Because the lack of sharpness of the “grasping”, for the most part, is felt at low speeds, but try to slow down a little more intensely - and everything comes back to full order.
"Handbrake" in this configuration "Optima" - electronic. Forgot to unlock it after stopping? It doesn't matter - at the beginning of the movement, it will "bloom" itself. And, it's almost silent.
I draw Mikhail's attention to the work of the "machine". Using the paddles on the steering wheel, you can increase or decrease the gear at any time, even in D mode. The response to pressing the “petal” will follow instantly. What happens if you forget to change gears manually? After about a minute, the box will return to automatic mode. But only on condition that the nature of the movement does not change. If you slow down the car, the unit itself will reset the gear when the engine speed drops to 1200. And then it will reset again and again, up to the first gear, in case of a stop.
You don't often have to use manual mode. Shifting gears and so happens smoothly and in a timely manner. Of the only three driving modes on the track, I would prefer "normal". When choosing the “economical” mode, the “automatic” sometimes gets confused in gears, choosing the optimal one, and this is felt by the driver. Is fuel saved? To evaluate this, a longer route would have to be chosen. In our case, having driven about 250 km along the highway, we got an average consumption of 95 gasoline in the amount of 7.4 liters per 100 km. In my opinion, a more than impressive result! On a longer “shoulder”, it is possible, apparently, to achieve a lower indicator, including by using cruise control, which, of course, is also in Optima.
When you select the sport mode "automatic", the engine spins up to 4000 rpm, and only then does the gear change follow. In economical and normal modes, shifts occur at 2500-3000 rpm.
In a small town near Moscow, roads cease to please us with quality. And in its suburbs ... The asphalt is literally dotted with pits, and in some places the coating disappears altogether. How does Optima behave? Optimal, there is no other way to say it. Relatively small potholes can be ignored, they practically do not violate the comfort of riders. And when passing large, you just need to slow down to a reasonable speed. It would seem naive advice, but many today believe that not only cars are created for them, but the whole world revolves around their personas. Pits under the wheels? We boldly bring them down, and if something goes wrong with the car after that, it means that the car is bad, not the driver.
Mikhail does not belong to such "drivers" and is careful, even when I offer him a place behind the wheel in a closed area. Out of habit, everything seems to him sharp and redundant: both the dynamics and the operation of the brake system. But he, on the contrary, evaluates the suspension of the Optima as soft, in his European model it is much tougher. He says that on these potholes, his old hatchback would have shaken the souls out of us long ago.
I suggest that Mikhail try out the stabilization system. Here are the most suitable conditions: the asphalt is almost evenly mixed with sand and gravel, with the addition of "gas" the car will certainly "rip off" the front wheels, but there is no danger of squeezing the tires. My friend fails on the first try to get ESC to work. He is a careful driver, accustomed to driving with a sober calculation. He had experienced loss of control on slippery roads and took it as a lesson and a warning. I demonstrate to him the capabilities of the stabilization system, accelerating the Optima, and then throwing it into a turn. Here the electronic "collar" is turned on, and the car does not want to succumb to provocation, it opposes the addition of "gas". And now let's try to "dissolve" it by turning off ESC, and what? The "span" when turning becomes a little wider, but the "Optima" does not relax completely, continuing to insure the driver and passengers.
On the same platform, we evaluated the work of ABS, which intervened with lightning speed in the process of slowing down the Optima, as soon as a hint of blocking and skidding came from the wheels. However, now you will not surprise anyone with the presence of ABS, the system is present even on budget models and, in most cases, does its job perfectly. And what else did Mikhail like and dislike as a potential buyer of a car of this class? We stopped and left the car many times, and also had to get cameras out of bags that were in the back seat. So, my friend found that, sitting in front, getting something from the back seat is problematic, the interior is so large. He also noted that the Korean sedan is too aggressively guarding our luggage, blocking the central lock at any opportunity. However, most likely, this is a customizable feature, and the annoying blocking can be disabled.
The trunk of the sedan pleasantly surprised Mikhail with an enviable volume (510 liters), he also liked the possibility of folding parts of the back of the rear sofa. But I forgot to tell him that a similar folding mechanism was also used on a much more expensive model - Jaguar XF. Let potential buyers know it will flatter them. Is the trunk convenient in Kia? Yes, but its loading opening is small, only 44x108 cm. But the maximum trunk length is 112 cm, and with the back of the rear sofa folded down, it is almost 2 m.
According to Mikhail, he would give a high score to the front seat. Having simulated a landing behind the wheel on it, at the end of the trip he stated that after two hundred kilometers his back was not tired at all, with which, alas, he had problems. We didn’t test the seat heating on a fine summer day, but we simply forgot about the seat ventilation function, which turned out to be in the test version. Or rather, they didn’t even forget - they just managed to freeze when the air conditioner was running. About 22 degrees of heat in the cabin seemed optimal to Mikhail, a couple of degrees lower to me, and I didn’t have to look for a compromise: the climate control in Optima is two-zone.
On the Russian market, the updated Kia Optima is offered in six trim levels with three options for a gasoline engine: a two-liter “aspirated” with a capacity of 150 hp and 150 hp. with., also a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter GDi engine with a capacity of 188 liters. With. and a two-liter turbo engine with a capacity of 245 hp. With. on the most expensive version of the GT (about 1.8 million rubles). We tested a GT-Line modification with a 2.4-liter engine with 188 hp. With. and a six-band "automatic", estimated at about 1.6 million rubles. A mechanical six-speed gearbox is available only on the initial version of the car, which costs about 1.1 million rubles.
During the conversations during the trip, we did not pay attention to the "music" installed in the "Optima", but the audio system here is very serious - Harman / Kardon. After parting with my companion, I did not fail to turn it on and make it louder - and the system was very pleased with rich bass, especially in those compositions in which it was recorded. I also later regretted that I did not show Mikhail the operation of the navigation system. And it is very functional here, in particular, messages about the need to make a turn are duplicated on the on-board computer screen, which is very convenient.
Superoptimal
In general, it seemed to me that in the case of the Optima, Kia engineers tried to put into practice the idea of creating an ideal car by compiling various elements of other cars. Well, look, doesn't this “automatic” selector remind you of Audi, and the organization of “music” management reminds you of BMW? There is no need to borrow the instrument cluster, it is generally close to ideal on Kia cars, starting with the cee`d model. The screen of the multimedia system in the center of the dashboard is hidden under the visor and does not fade so much in bright daylight, and at night its readability is excellent. The flash drive with music is easy to change on the go. The lumbar support roller at the driver's seat can be adjusted not only in terms of “thickness”, but also shifted up and down (both settings are electrically driven). Perhaps, I will not even name a single detail or function that I would like to see improved with the next update of Optima! Optimal car?
Perhaps, I would call it even more than optimal. It is not "averaged" to the limit, like some VW models, but it does not pretend to be a luxury either. He is not shy about being Kia, being himself. He is ready to work in his specialty, just like the entrepreneur Mikhail, who is ready to sacrifice his status for the sake of business and load the products of his company into his personal car. Behind Optima is the intense work of the South Korean company, which started literally from scratch and in a matter of years has grown into a global brand. Mikhail and I remember the times when the name Kia did not yet exist, and little was known about the Republic of South Korea. While talking during the test trip, we recalled companies that had lost their leadership in the market, despite the rich history, traditions, and “loudness” of names. Their places were taken by those who worked, worked and worked again. Well, or those who have reached high positions not at all by market methods.
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Large sedans are in favor at all times - at least here in Russia. A typical buyer is a man closer to forty, belonging to the middle class, prosperous by Russian standards. This is difficult to surprise with something, and the requirements are high.
The unshakable class leader Toyota Camry survived restyling a year and a half ago - and confidently won our comparative test (ЗР, 2015, No. 4), but Kia Optima lost it: we complained about unimportant ride and sound insulation. She also lost in the market war. But it would be foolish to think that hard-working Koreans will put up with this state of affairs.
And here we have a new generation Optima. With whom to compare it, if not with the Camry? The updated Mazda 6 and Volkswagen Passat B8 will act as seconds in this duel. All cars - with engines from 180 to 192 hp. and automatic transmissions.
Unsinkable
The rejuvenated Kia Optima will suit both lovers of a leisurely, relaxing ride, and moderately active drivers.
Toyota Camry unconditionally leads the segment, but is no longer young: five years is a serious age by today's standards. And more than anything else, it gives out the interior in the cabinet style. The build quality is high, but the materials are not the best. Inserts under the tree are immediately recognized as plastic. Does not add glasses and silver-plated metal decor. Sand color interior? But this is not snow-white Caribbean sand, but our dear, yellowish, from the Ramensky district near Moscow.
The appearance of a soft driver's seat with wide-spaced side support rollers does not cause delight, but it is comfortable to sit. The steering wheel trimmed with rough leather has an optimal section.
But a scattering of rectangular keys on the front panel and the legendary electronic clock pull the car into the distant past.
What can please Toyota? Good visibility - no cameras are needed (although there is a rear one), or other electronic assistants. And also a spacious rear next to the low central tunnel: passengers are delighted.
A bunch of engine and box works smoothly. Petrol 2.5‑liter “four” with a capacity of 181 hp confidently pulls a one and a half ton sedan in the entire rev range - albeit without a spark. The six-speed automatic is a little thoughtful, but it changes gears extremely smoothly, imperceptibly. The frankly empty and “longest” steering wheel in our quartet does not bring excitement (three turns from lock to lock).
Camry - not for fast turns. It's for a relaxed ride. Straight track, measured acceleration - that's her element. Good sound insulation (only weak aerodynamic noise penetrates into the cabin) only emphasizes the sedateness of the car. And the main trump card is the smoothness of the ride. Small things dissolve somewhere in the shock absorbers and silent blocks, and the big stuff responds only with a smooth swaying of the stern. So calm, just calm!
