Even after the recent auto industry crisis that led to the demise of several notable companies such as Pontiac, Saturn, and Mercury, there is still a healthy choice of vehicles on the market to choose from. Manufacturers are constantly working to pair the newest technologies with the next hot design, and figuring out which brand/model is right for you can be a daunting task. Marketing by the auto makers plays a part, as does the advice of friends of family. But perhaps the most authoritative resources are the media who report on the auto industry.
After attending a training about the 2011 KIA Optima, I wasn't surprised to see it given the 2011 Platinum Award by Cars.com. KIA made a concentrated effort to turn the Optima into a contender for the brand. There's a lot of familiar KIA traits to be found in the Optima. The Korean automaker continues to pack in standard features like Sirius Satellite Radio, Bluetooth hands-free phone operation, iPod integration, and a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty for the first owner. But in the 2011 Optima, KIA really swung for the fences. With optional heated and cooled front leather seats, heated rear outboard seats, and heated steering wheel the Optima is ready to make passengers comfortable in a variety of climates. Add to that the standard cooling glove box, ready to serve up a refreshingly cool beverage, and this car is ready for short and long distances in all kinds of climates.
In addition to the creature comforts, KIA is making bold changes under the hood. With the 2011 Optima they introduce the Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine. Traditional Multiport Fuel Injection (MPI) engines inject hot gas above the intake valve and heats it even more to ignite it. This may lead to 'knock'. With the GDI engine, the fuel is injected directly into the cylinders and is ignited on the compression stroke, requiring less fuel and providing easier ignition. The Optima comes with a 2.4L I4 in the LX and EX models, with a 2.0L Turbo coming in the EX Turbo and SX trims.
Because I was going to write a mini-review of the 2011 Optima, I decided it might be a good idea to drive one. I selected an EX trim level with heated/cooled seats and heated steering wheel. I climbed into my Dark Cherry Optima and pressed the Start button. After making the necessary adjustments to the seat, steering wheel and mirrors, I turned my attention to the all important radio. It's critical, after all, to set the appropriate driving mood. The audio and climate controls are arranged so that the Optima's driver seat has a great cockpit feel that really made me feel like I was about to experience driving a car, as opposed to simply traveling between points A and B. So with En Vogue's Free Your Mind pumping on the stereo, I pulled off the lot.
There are certain things you pay attention to during a winter test drive that you may not think about in the summer, most notably traction and handling. I knew starting out that the Optima had the power, but now I was going to find out if it also had the control. With the traction control on, I fed the car some speed and it responded well. The traction control system is a little different from what I was expecting, literally reducing power the wheels rather than reducing overall power, but the result was essentially the same. With little interaction on my part the Optima began moving forward confidently on the snow and ice. The ABS system responded well when braking and I felt in control throughout the drive. After several blocks of driving, I pulled off the road to set my sights on the heated seats and steering wheel. Both reacted quickly and provided an extremely comfortable trip.
The Optima handled well at both low and high speeds and was a pleasure to drive. It seats my 6'4" frame very well, and the panoramic moon roof provides plenty of natural light for your drive. My only real issues with the 2011 Optima are cosmetic at best (such as the arms attaching the trunk lid, as opposed to hydraulic supports which do not intrude on storage space, and the difficulty of getting my frame in the back seat). However, the 2011 Optima is a great car that any family should be happy to own and drive.
KIA Optima awarded 2011 Platinum Award by Cars.com
