| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Kia |
| Model | Optima Hybrid |
| Style | 4dr sedan (2.4L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid 6A) |
| Base MSRP | $27,250 |
| Options on test vehicle | Hybrid Premium Technology Package ($5,000 -- includes panoramic sunroof, four-way power front passenger seat, two-way driver seat memory, auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink and compass, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, navigation system with Sirius Traffic and back-up camera, Infinity audio system with 8 speakers, leather seat trim, 215/55 tires with 17-inch alloy wheels, HID headlights with auto-leveling) |
| As-tested MSRP | $32,250 |
| Drive type | Front-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, port-injected inline-4, gasoline |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 2,359/144 |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 13 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 206 @ 6,000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 154 @ 4,250 |
| Fuel type | 87-octane |
| Transmission type | Six-speed automatic with console shifter |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I = 4.212; II = 2.637; III = 1.800; IV = 1.386; V = 1.000; VI = 0.772; Final drive = 3.320 |
| 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, rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Tire brand | Kuhmo |
| Tire model | Solus |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | P215/55R17 93V |
| Tire size, rear | P215/55R17 93V |
| Wheel size | 17-by-6.5 inches |
| 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.) | 3.1 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 5.4 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 8.4 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 12.1 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 16.1 @ 87.7 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 8.0 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 126 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 62.2 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.78 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 37.6 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 73.1 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 67.3 |
| Acceleration comments | Needs power braking to start up the gasoline engine from a stop, bringing revs to 1,500 rpm. Extremely laggardly off the line without power braking, and not much better with. Best time was achieved in Manual mode, because the automatic shifts a tad quicker than in Drive. Manual shifting is possible via the console lever (pull back for downshifts). Does not blip throttle on downshifts. Does not hold gears. |
| Braking comments | Initially the pedal feels like it goes all the way to the floor (travel is very short), and little braking seems to be happening. Distances aren't that bad, but there is almost no feel to the pedal. Ever. Which is very disconcerting. |
| Handling comments | Skid pad: Extremely slippery tires and tons of understeer. You really feel the weight of the hybrid, and throttle adjustments did little to curb the Optima's desire to plow the front tires. The ESC system was nowhere near as intrusive here (when switched on) as it was in the slalom. Slalom: The lack of grip from the tires was a problem, but luckily the chassis is lively and willing to change direction. The tail does swing around a bit, but it never gets excessive, even with ESC off. Lots and lots of body roll, due to soft suspension. The extreme nanny state of the ESC system meant ESC-On runs were a lesson in smoothness. Any violent turns at all and the brakes were applied heavily. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 1,121 |
| Temperature (°F) | 70.2 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 63.0 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 4.5 headwind |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 35 city/40 highway (preliminary) |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 29.5 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 17.2 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,490 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 3,641 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 58.9/41.1 |
| Length (in.) | 190.7 |
| Width (in.) | 72.0 |
| 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.) | 34.6 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 40.0 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 37.6 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 57.3 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 55.7 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 9.9 |
| 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 |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Standard |
| Head airbags | Standard |
| Antilock brakes | Standard |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Brake assist |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Standard |
See which cars and trucks our editors recommend