| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Kia |
| Model | Optima LX |
| Style | 4dr Sedan (2.4L 4cyl 6M) |
| Base MSRP | $23,190 |
| Options on test vehicle | Spicy Red Paint; EX Premium Package PB ($2,250 -- includes panoramic sunroof with high-gloss B-pillar, front passenger's four-way power seat, two-position driver seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, wood trim door inserts and center console, metal PRND bezel); EX Technology Package With EX Premium Package EST ($2,000 -- includes DVD navigation system with back-up camera, Infinity premium audio system and eight speakers); Carpeted Floor Mats ($95); iPod Cable ($35 est.). |
| As-tested MSRP | $27,570 (est.) |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated direct-injected inline-4, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,359cc (144 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 11.3 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 192 @ 6,300 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 181 @ 4,250 |
| Fuel type | 87-octane recommended |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic with console shifter, and manual shift gate |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I=4.212; II=2.637; III=1.900; IV=1.386; 1.000; VI=0.772; R=3.386; FD=2.885 |
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Electric-assist speed-proportional rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 14.5 |
| Tire brand | Nexen |
| Tire model | Classe Premiere CP671 |
| Tire type | All-season (33 psi cold front; 33 psi cold rear) |
| Tire size, front | P215/55R17 93V |
| Tire size, rear | P215/55R17 93V |
| Wheel size | 17-by-6.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 11.8-inch one-piece ventilated cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Brakes, rear | 11.2-inch one-piece solid cast-iron discs with single-piston sliding calipers |
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 3.6 (TC/STAB On) |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 6.2 (TC/STAB On) |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 9.2 (TC/STAB On) |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 13.8 (TC/STAB On) |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.9 @ 84.2 (TC/STAB On) |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.9 (TC/STAB On) |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 30 (TC/STAB On) |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 121 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 58.4 (TC/STAB On) |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.76 (TC/STAB On) |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 36.8 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 78.5 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 64.6 |
| Acceleration comments | With traction control off, there doesn't appear to be enough torque (or there's too much grip) to get much wheelspin. The Optima is a little pokey from a stop, but once under way, it starts to feel revvy, but not as free-revving as the Sonata. Does this Kia Optima weigh that much more than the Hyundai Sonata? Feels like it. Auto upshifts in Manual mode make manual shifting a moot point here. |
| Braking comments | Good pedal push-back, so-so initial bite, but obviously better/grippier tires on the Optima over the Sonata. Similarly good fade resistance and fast cycling ABS make for undramatic and repeatable stops. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: With stability control off, there's a remarkable balance with only a hint of understeer; steering mostly with the throttle. With stability control on, there's a similar balance, though at a much lower speed, as the throttle closes well before the understeer begins. Steering weight is appropriate for this speed, and there's a sense of building/waning grip levels through the steering wheel. Slalom: With stability control off, by the fourth cone this car begins to rotate and oversteer progressively. I had to abort several passes. I tried the "slow-in, fast-out" technique, but it was just slower. Best run came when I successfully timed the rear slide at the exit cone, but it wasn't entirely repeatable. With stability control on, the system was fighting against the propensity to rotate that the best I could manage was nearly 4 mph slower. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 421 |
| Temperature (°F) | 80.9 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 37.4 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 3.25, crosswind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 24 city/34 highway/27 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 17 worst/33 best/22 average (over 1,036 miles) |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 18.5 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,385 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,407 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 59/41 |
| Length (in.) | 190.7 |
| Width (in.) | 72.1 |
| Height (in.) | 57.3 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 110.0 |
| Track, front (in.) | 62.8 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 62.8 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 35.8 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 45.5 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 34.7 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 40.0 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 37.6 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 57.2 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 55.7 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 15.4 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 5 years/100,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Not available |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard |
| Head airbags | Standard |
| Antilock brakes | Standard |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Standard |
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