With hybrids all the rage, many automakers are starting to get in on the action who previously had not.
One of those companies is Kia, the up-and-coming automaker that just last year first launched its hybrid offering, the Kia Optima hybrid - a hybrid version of their most popular vehicle. I recently tested a 2012 Optima hybrid, and I'll let you know what Kia's got to offer to the potential hybrid buyer looking at all the options. LOOKS
Before I even get into the hybrid system, let me just say that the Kia Optima is a sharp-looking vehicle - whether you get the hybrid version or not. The vehicle I drove was definitely a head-turner, and it's just got that sharp, luxury look to it.
Inside it's roomy and comfortable, one of those cars you just feel like you can sit in for a while and not be in a hurry to get out. HYBRID SYSTEM The Kia Optima hybrid's battery is in the back of the vehicle, with one electric motor up front. "It uses a lithium polymer battery. What that allows us to do is it's not a block of batteries that are put somewhere. We can put it wherever we want. We put it between the back seat and the trunk," Kia spokesman Mike Ofiara said. "With that battery, you get 20-30 percent more power density (holds more charge) and uses 40 percent less volume than some competitors, so it takes up less space" One benefit of this is a slightly larger trunk size than you might find in other hybrids. Plus, the back seats can be folded down.
HYBRID BASICS
Hybrid technology can get complicated, but here's a basic rundown. The battery gets charges by using energy created every time the car brakes, as energy from braking is transferred to the battery. You'll go into electric only mode when the battery level is high, but only up to a certain mph. If you're flooring the gas pedal, you're using both the gas and electric motors. And as long as the battery is charged, the electric motor is always involved, so it's never just completely the gas engine working. Anytime the gas engine is not running, you're saving gas, so I found myself trying to keep the vehicle in EV mode whenever possible. Even from a stop, if you creep up and gently apply the gas pedal, it's still in EV mode only. But if you hit the gas hard, you'll use gas and electric. Ofiara said there are some other unique features on the Kia Optima hybrid system. "Our hybrid system is coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission. There is a feeling of driving of a regular car," he said. "Other hybrids have one continuous gear. But a lot of people don't like how that feels, so the Optima gives you the feeling of driving a regular car, you know when it's going to shift." Info screens in the vehicle have arrows showing you what's happening with the car, so you can see how your driving is improving the fuel mileage or not.
HORSEPOWER
This is one area where the Optima hybrid is ahead of many of its competitors. It features a 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine with 206 comblined horsepower (166 from gas engine, 40 from electric motor). This is a much higher overall nuber than you'll find on much of the hybrid competition, which will please those who still want some power in their hybrid. I found it to be a little slow from a full stop, but very punchy once you get going. MPG The official ratings on the Optima hybrid are 35 city and 40 highway. You get about 13 gallons in the tank, so that's 500 miles or more you can drive per fill-up. (My time with the car yielded about 32 mpg, but I did a lot of stop-and-go driving.) The vehicle saves more gas by automatically shutting off its gas engine when the car is stopped. Ofiara also said that it depends on how you drive it, as those numbers could rise: "This car is in the Guinness Book of World Records for travelling through all 48 U.S. contiguous states and getting 65 mpg. They circulated all 48 states and 8,000 miles. Went posted speed limits," he explained. "It's all about how you drive them, if you're more conservative and get off gas early and accelerate more gently. They can be fantastic if you know how to drive them properly." There is an ECO score given on the car (a plant blooms as you improve, or dies if you're not being eco-savvy), and if it rises that's a sign you're doing something right as far as driving style to increase mpg. FUTURE Kia has seen some success so far with the Optima hybrid, but Ofiara said there are currently no plans for other hybrid models. The Optima hybrid, however, will be returning for the 2013 model year.
ELECTRIC BATTERY LIFE
The Kia Optima hybrid's battery is covered under the 10-year, 100K mile warranty. TRIM LEVELS, PRICE This is a very nice vehicle, but you'll have to pay for that level of nicety. The base version Kia Optima hybrid starts at $27,275, including destination charge. This version features the UVO infotainment system. There is a premium package you can add to it (leather interior, larger 17-inch wheel size, navigation instead of UVO, sunroof, heated seats, rear camera display, folding mirrors, driver seat setting memory, etc.), and this will add just over $5K to the total. In the end, you could be over $32K on the final price. This is a bit steep for some folks' budgets, so you'll have to be willing to spend the extra bucks for a sharp car. FEATURES DISABLED WHILE DRIVING Wisely, by default you can't enter addresses into navigation while you drive. This is a good safety move. You can override this block, but I don't recommend it. Just pull over if it's important. TARGET AUDIENCE So where does the Kia Optima hybrid stand in the overall scheme of hybrids on the market? Ofiara had this to say: "It's hands down the best looking hybrid on the road. It's already a stylish car. Very chiseled. The design has won many awards." "What I like best is we didn't make it look like a hybrid. We didn't do what others do to make it scream hybrid. It gives you hybrid fuel economy, but it's not screaming 'I'm driving a hybrid' to others." In my experience, this holds true for the most part. It does just look like a regular car, not something like a Prius that is obviously different. I'm not sure how many people will run to Kia dealerships just to try the hybrid. But if you're in the market for an Optima, it might be easy to be convinced that the hybrid upgrade is the right choice. NON-HYBRID TECH Among the tech features included on the Optima hybrid are: - Bluetooth connectivity to your phone (this isstandard, and easy to set up.) - Ability to make phone calls by voice, and control climate and radio by voice (but navigation can not be controlled by voice) - Controls on steering wheel that make it easier to focus on the road (Channel up/down, volume up/down, mode, call/hang up phone buttons, cruise control, info buttons - Ports: USB cord and a iPod connector, two 12-volt charge ports under radio - 4-speaker sound system (upgradable to 8 speakers and Surround Sound) - Info screens on dashboard - Remote unlock, push to start SALES Ofiara said Kia is selling between 800 and 1000 Optima hybrids per month in the U.S., plus some abroad. The regular version of the Optima has been selling over 14,000 units per month. With the government mandating fuel economy to improve in the future, Ofiara said this kind of hybrid technology must be on Kia's future roadmap. "It's taking a technology that we need due to CAFÉ regulations, and it's catching on with our most popular car," he said. "You're getting the best of both worlds. It's a great match." BOTTOM LINE I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Kia Optima hybrid, which had a great design inside and out. The mpg performance was decent, but not great, but I would hope it will grow as Kia gets more involved in the hybrid arena. The drive was impressive, with no lack of horsepower - a common complaint about some hybrids. The vehicle is a little pricey, but its gas mileage being higher helps relieve that cost to some extent. With this being a relatively new endeavor for them, Kia is not yet widely known for hybrids like some of their competitors who have been in the game longer, but this is definitely an impressive vehicle both physically and in its performance, so if they continue to create quality products like the Optima Hybrid, they may be know for it soon. Courtesy of The Oakland Press
No comments:
Post a Comment