2013 Kia Optima Hybrid

2013 Kia Optima would like to move more towards premium, the Optima Hybrid will also show what is technically possible. We have tested the Optima with the double heart.

The new design language for Kia is world-wide appeal and provides full order books. After the Picanto, Rio and Cee'd has now been presented in Europe, the Optima a new look and completely new technology.

2013 kia optima hybrid

The Optima is in the middle class against the established competition from Germany and Asia compete and impress with high quality at a fair price. A version that does not yet exist for us, the Optima Hybrid, with the show, the Korean manufacturer wants you to is the time in terms of technology at the cutting edge.

Especially in the U.S. market, the demand for hybrid models is very large and enthusiastic about the Optima Hybrid traveling in a highly competitive segment, which primarily Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Taurus, with its hybrid versions of its customers. In our test, the Optima Hybrid, however, shows that he would fit very well into Europe.

Under the sleek hood of the Optima werkt a 2.4 liter gasoline engine with an output of 166 hp (122 kW). To support working with a 40 hp (29.5 kW) electric motor that helps on the one hand the need for more power at Optima and on the other hand, the gasoline engine in the so-called "sailing mode" superfluous.

The electric motor is powered by a battery, which is housed under and behind the rear seats. Charging takes place via both the gasoline engine and the braking energy recovery. Short distances it can be placed solely electrically, especially in city traffic to get to the electric motor quite well and very advanced.

With a firm foot on the accelerator turns to the Kia Optima Hybrid but also for sprinters. Through the combined power of gasoline engine and electric motor is one hour in 8.2 seconds from zero to 100 km / The gasoline engine achieves a maximum torque of 154 Nm, which is available at 4,250 r / min, the E-motor has a max. Torque of 151.2 Nm, available 0-1400 rev / min are available. So you can easily master the overtaking and experienced a lot of driving fun with the large sedan, which is a surprisingly very relevant to the European flavor back.

The suspension is very comfortable, but the suspension quite well for very agile maneuvers. This gives a perfect mix and provides a wide range of satisfied customers. It is shifted by a 6-speed automatic can be ordered via the stick shift the gears manually. Its origin can not then deny the Optima Hybrid in the steering, which in its indirect way tailored to U.S. tastes.

Despite its sporty, you can move the Optima very sparingly. Without compromising on driving pleasure, we have an average fuel consumption of 7.8 liters per 100 kilometers. Who curbs the lead foot, you will come to less than 7 liters.

The current flow of energy can call the driver while the large LCD monitor in the center console, but also via the speedometer display. The operation of many functions, however, requires a certain learning curve, once you have tried all the functions, operation is very intuitive.

The sporty flair in the external design continues inside. The valves landscape is in a good mix of elegance and sportiness, and the processing is also no reason to complain.

In addition, the Kia Optima still spoiled with lots of luxury such as leather seats, air-conditioned, where the cooling system works well, a heated steering wheel for the winter, a 2-zone automatic climate control and a great-sounding Infinity surround-sound system.

The interior of the 476 cm-long sedan offers decent space, even in the second row, you can still sit very comfortably. Only the trunk volume has shrunk by the battery housed there to be only about 280 liters, an amount that would certainly still be improved.

Another U.S. auto-typical peculiarity concerns the noise in the interior. The Optima Hybrid runs up to U.S. highway speed really very quiet at highway speeds, but our increasing the noise in the interior dramatically, just as during hard acceleration, in which the sounds Motordann very distressed.

But he is whisper quiet operation in town where you are just too many times in the electric mode on the go. The casual body is then for the clarity is not the best, defused a rearview camera with parking but at least this shortcoming.

The Kia Optima Hybrid, the Korean manufacturer has very good that has happened in the past few years. From the once nondescript vehicles, which were often convinced only by the low price, mature technology and are very luxurious cars become, the visual appeal make her.

The Optima Hybrid is able in particular, with its enormous liveliness, good facilities and a superb comfort convince the passengers. It remains to be seen whether it will create the hybrid version is also at the dealership, or whether this interesting version of the North American market continues to remain reserved.