2013 Kia Optima SX (944)

Overview:

This week we’re looking at the 2012 Kia Optima SX midsize 4-door sedan. The thing I find when testing cars that is most telling is how others react to the car. This Kia drew a lot of positive attention from all those who saw and rode with me in the car. Unsolicited, without exception, I heard over and over again how nice looking a car it is.

Move over Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz. . . there’s a new kid in town. You gotta love the competition.

I’m so impressed with our “Free Economy” and the products it brings and keeps all companies competitive and innovative. Friend Richard puts it this way, work hard and put out a great product of the competition will ‘eat your liver’. By God that is a simple common sense answer to a complex free market economy. New Yorkers understand that kind of thinking.

General Information:

Parts from the US / Canada 45%, Korea 55%. It is assembled in the USA, Classification is Midsize Car. Cars from Kia: Forte, Forte Koup, Optima, Optima Hybrid, Rio, Rio5, Sedona, Sorento, Soul and Sportage.

Handling & Performance:

With the outstanding fuel economy it is appropriate to refer to days of old when gas did cost $.15 a gallon but they got about 7 mpg. So it took $2.14 to travel 100 miles versus $11.76 today even with the better fuel economy. But you had to be there to appreciate that today you get in the car, start it and go in comfort with the assurance you will get there without stops to repair this or that.

To keep this in perspective, that was in 1950 and $.15 a gallon then equates to $9.60 a gallon today. It is half that so you have to take the good with the bad, eh. And when you consider the fact that repair costs and time lost in breakdowns it is cheaper per mile than “the good old days”… that weren’t so good from an economic point of view. Quality of life is arguably a different matter.

Styling:

Well, what can I say that your eyes haven’t already told you? I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but there were lots of thumbs up from so many folks that the ‘eye’s have it.

Fit and Finish:

Very good.

Cost:

Competitive in class, but when pitted against Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz it is an outstanding value.

Conveniences and comfort:

“Loaded” as car salesmen referred to how a car was equipped. However in those days it took on a completely different meaning. It meant there were white wall tires, long bench seats, a radio with push buttons, and a steering wheel that was way bigger than needed. It was a carryover from before power steering and you needed leverage to turn. Parking was a real talent combined with brute strength. Vinyl seat covers would have been good too and the largest V8 engine they could find to move that ‘hunk of steel’ and turn the power steering pump. On rare luxury cars you could even have power windows – but the usual was Crank Windows.

Today nearly all cars have the basics like all that stuff they had in the 1950s plus telephone hands free connectivity and computer displays and devices to tell you how well you’re driving and where you are going and how to get there most efficiently. Of course, back then we were far less in a hurry and any car was a real luxury and so much better than the alternative…. Walking. But we knew where people lived and didn’t need directions. Seldom got more than 50 miles from home in spite of the fact gas was $.15 a gallon.

And they called those the Good Old Days, Happy Days for good reason – we had far less and appreciated it far more.

Consumer Recommendation:

Here is one consumer opinion that sums up the general mood and my endorsement:

“I was in the market for a commuter vehicle with good gas mileage and was going to pick up a Hyundai Elantra. I was very close to getting one, and was considering the limited. Very close to $23,000. At this price, I started looking at the Sonata. A similarly equipped Sonata would have driven the cost up to the high $20,000’s. Then I settled on the Optima EX with the premium technology package with the “Microsoft UVO/ Infinity audio system. I can only say that this car is amazing! Panoramic sunroof, heated and cooled leather seats, push button start, and tons of other features for $24,500. Simply amazing. I have owned Nissan Maxima, Toyota Camry, Acura TL, but this Kia is way more bang for the buck. The 2.4 liter engine has 200hp which is plenty of power, and it has been great on gas.”

Well said by this buyer and although the SX test car I drove is a step up from the EX the sentiment is the same and applies to both. And both share the same warranty of 10 year / 100K mile power train which was for this owner’s testimony and is, I’m sure, a strong influence on the buying decision of many.

Recognized Competition:

Kia Optima $26,000, Subaru Legacy $20,000, Mazda 6 $25,000, Chevrolet Malibu $22,000,

Hyundai Sonata $23,000, Nissan Maxima $32,000, Suzuki Kizashi $22,000, Volkswagen Passat $24,000, Toyota Camry $23,000, Ford Taurus $27,000, Chevrolet Impala $26,000, Buick LaCrosse $32,000, Chrysler 200 $19,000, Dodge Avenger $21,000, Ford Fusion $24,000, Honda Accord $22,000, Nissan Altima $28,000.

Good News:

Outstanding fuel economy, lovely car that can easily be compared with luxury brands for twice the money.

Bad News:

Pretty alloy wheels but the design ‘sucks’ since you can’t get close to the curb without scratching them. When are they going to be smarter than the problem? Really guys this is NOT rocket science. The tire has to stick out further than the shiny aluminum alloy wheels – dah!

Standard Equipment:

2.0 liter Turbo Gas 4-cylinder engine, 6-speed auto trans, power steering, 18” Alloy Wheels, front side and side curtain airbags, LATCH child safety system, ABS power braking system, traction control, stability control, stability management control, hill assist control, climate control, power windows and locks, audio with CD/MPS and SIRIUS satellite, USB and Auxiliary jacks, Bluetooth, leather seating & steering wheel and shift knob, power driver seat, remote keyless entry with push button start and smart key, cruise control, metal pedals and door sill plates, fog lights, heated power mirrors with turn signal indicators, rear spoiler.

Gas Stats:

$4.49/ Gal avg. October 23, 2012

www.fueleconomy.gov

For more information.

22 City and 34 Highway MPG

Pricing:

MSRP $26,800.