Not that long ago, Kias were the butt of many jokes. But times have
changed, and in just a few years, products from the Korean automaker have gone
from afterthoughts to serious contenders on the automotive scene. Nothing
hammers that point home more than the Optima SX. This Kia looks like no other
Kia on the road, and people notice. Countless times, folks asked me what kind of
car it was, or said, "Is that really a Kia?" When I'd assure them it was, their
reactions were always the same: "Really! I thought Kias were cheap little cars."
I'd reply, "Well, they kind of were, but not anymore."
In the cabin, a child's car seat requires a lot of space. The front
passenger seat has to be moved up quite far, and that usually cuts into the
passenger's legroom. Fitting our Recaro child seat is not an issue in the
Optima, even with 6-foot-tall Mom as the front passenger, and the latch points
are easily accessible for installing the seat.
The Optima's suspension feel has been an area of controversy. I found it
too firm and jarring, especially on SoCal's uneven roads. Many of you commented
on previous updates that the suspension was just fine, and I was being overly
critical. As I've said, with plenty of power on tap from its turbo engine, the
Optima feels great gliding down a smooth road, but the minute the surface gets
bad, the car lets you know it.
This isn't a sports car, it's a sporty family
sedan, so the family shouldn't be punished when the road surface becomes
irregular. Motor Trend has constantly knocked Kia for its suspensions,
usually for being too soft. This time, the automaker just went too far in the
other direction, but Kia is much closer to getting it right.
While I didn't love the Optima's wheels, they did grow on me a little.
But I like the new wheels on the refreshed Optima much better. The interior is
top-notch in styling, materials, and build quality, reminding me of much
higher-end European vehicles.
I hope Kia continues to improve its entire line of cars, because some of
them sorely need it, but the Optima isn't one of these, and it is currently
Kia's top dog. It's a complete package, offering styling, performance, ease of
use, and spacious interior with quality materials and build quality.
SX Premium Package ($2150: Panoramic roof, power front passenger
seat, driver seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear outboard
seats) Technology Package ($2000: Navigation w/ back-up camera, Infinity audio
system) $240.43 (3-oil change; 2-inspection; 1-engine-air filter, cabin-air
filter)
