By CL-member request, a test-drive of the 2012 Kia Optima Turbo.

I received a request for a review of the new Kia Optima Turbo. But, since I had already done a full MM-review of an LX non-turbo last spring (and was quite impressed with it), I decided, instead, to just update that review with a test-drive of a Turbo model. So, for reference, I'm including that original Optima LX review here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/car...ia-optima.html

As I pointed out in that earlier review, turbo models of the present-generation Optima, for 2012, come in two different flavors...EX Turbo and SX, with EX versions also being available non-turbo. That is one of the things I like about the Optima's marketing....in the EX Turbo, one can get the added thrust under the hood without having to take the firmer, more-aggressive wheels/tires and added features of the top-line SX model with it. It also, of course, (depending on other options) usually means a somewhat lower sticker-price than the SX.

Washington D.C.-area Kia dealers, right now, seem to have a good supply of Optimas in stock, both turbo and non-turbo, and I had no problem finding a suitable one for a test-drive. There were probably at least 15 or 20 of them at the local Kia shop I was at (maybe because the local Washington, D.C. Auto Show is in full-session as I write this...I've already been at the show twice, and plan to go at least one more time). I picked out a black EX Turbo with sand (beige) leather inside, though, of course, it would not be my first-choice as a color-combination on my own personal car. I chose the EX Turbo instead of the slightly-more-expensive SX for two reasons. One, of course, was list-price. Two, I wanted to see how the EX turbo model, with its 17", 55-series tires, drove without the harsher 18", 45-series tires on the SX (the actual suspensions on all Optima models are basically the same). All turbo models, of course, come with the excellent 6-speed automatic, with the 6-speed manual is restricted to the base LX model. The black EX Turbo I picked out had a base price of $25,100, about $4000 or so worth of options, and, with freight, listed for $30,605. Its black paint showed s alight amount of orange-peel....as with most manufacturers these days, more-so than with other paint-colors.

The turbo in-line fours come with a smaller block (2.0L) than the larger, normally-aspirated four (2.4L), but produce substantially more HP (274 vs. 200) and torque (269 ft-lbs vs. 186). What's more, the turbo's torque, unlike the normally-aspirated engine, is available from as low as 1750 RPM.....more on that in a minute.

Getting in the EX turbo and buckling myself in, I noticed, at first, compared to the LX model, that the narrower seat-bolsters on the front leather seats were slightly more confining to my back and rump, and produced some light pressure-points. I wasn't quite as comfortable in them as in the cloth front-seats on the LX model I drove last year....but then, I'm a big, wide, heavy guy, and most other people would probably have no problem. Once in and buckled-up, and with everything adjusted, the 2,0L turbo four starts up with a nice engine START/STOP button (That's a feature that I think should be standard in all new cars). It idles smoothly and quietly (pretty much like a Toyota or Honda four), but some engine noise is noticeble as revs build. Still, the underhood insulation and exhaust-noise control is pretty good, especially for a mid-size sedan in this class. The standard, non-turbo four is no slouch, and, of course, the turbo four even more-so. Put your right foot into it (within reason) and its torque presses you back fairly hard into the seat (and, yes, for me, those pressure-points on my back). The standard 6-speed Sport-shift automatic shifted smoothly/quietly yet responsively, and was refined, whether in automatic or manual mode. The EX version, unlike the SX, lacks paddle-shifters...you have to auto-manual shift with the lever. The power-steering response was fairly quick (but not quite sport-sedan quick), and cornering exibited only a small amount of body-roll. one thing, though, on the steering I didn't like was a slight tendency for the steering wheel to want to snap back to the center-position on its own while you're starting to release pressure on it coming out of a turn. I've noticed that on a few other vehicles as well, and it can be a little annoying at times.....I like to fully-control the steering-wheel's motion myself. Ride comfort, in general, was surprisingly good....better than I expected. It was quite smooth over good road surfaces (and even some coarse ones), though wheel-impacts over bumps and other road-irregularities could be both felt and heard. General road and wind noise-level was well-controlled for a car in this class. There was a small, irregular wind-whistle that seemed to come and go right along the back-side of the drivers' window. I don't think that was a design-problem. More likely, it was just a sample defect, such as a random, less-than-perfect piece of weatherstripping used on the assembly line (which can happen with any car). The SX model, of course, with its slightly more-agressive wheels/tires, could be expected to have slightly a firmer ride and quicker steering-response overall.......but I liked the ride/handling balance on the EX turbo, and, myself, would probably not choose the SX. Kudos to Kia for even allowing you a choice like this......most automakers, with their turbo models, don't. The brake-pedal was not quite German sport-sedan-firm, but was generally responsive, and showed only a very small amount of mushiness and free-play. The pedal-location, in relation to the gas-pedal, was not quite perfect for my big size-15 clown-shoes, but showed only a small tendency for that big shoe to hang-up on the edge of it going from gas to brake.

So.....EX Turbo or SX? Unless you simply want more steering-response, and are willing to put up with a (probably) stiffer-ride and less pothole/impact protection for the wheels/tires, I'd save a few bucks and go for for the EX. It offers, IMO, a good balance of comfort/handling.

 

thanks for another great review... We all appreciate it..

 

Very reasonable review but What is orange peel and why do I hear that term so much?

 

Good looking vehicle, nice short review Mike though I dont know anyone interested in buying one. How about a request for the new BMW 6 series.



Google is your friend

 

Thanks for the review,Mike.
However,I like your other format.

 

OK. I'm back to the D.C. Auto Show tomorrow (I didn't spend much time in the BMW display when I was there Tuesday.) . I'll check it out if they have one. If they are released in the area, I'll review one.

Thanks. I didn't see much need for another full write-up when the difference between the LX I reviewed earlier and the EX Turbo amounted to little more than a different engine and leather seats.

 

Sure. Anytime.

Well, of course, I use the MM-format for full-reviews (and will keep doing so). As I just mentioned, in this case, I didn't see the need for another full write-up for just a different engine and seats.

 

If you look closely at the outer-skin of an orange (or some other similiar citrus-fruits), you'll notice that the surface is not perfectly smooth, but the texture tends to have small waves and buckles in it. Some automotive paint-jobs end up looking like that, instead of a glass-smooth texture. With many modern cars, from a number of different manufacturers, (and I'm not sure why) black often tends to do that more so than other colors, even with manufacturers that otherwise do superb paint jobs like Lexus and Audi.



This is typical orange-peel paint, although most cars come out looking a little better then this:

 

Thanks. Sorry I haven't done more of them lately. Some of the review requests I've gotten haven't been released for sale or test-drives yet, and I've also been busy much of the the last week at the D.C. Auto Show (you can't take it all in in just one day).

 

You're a GOOD man Mike

As always, good review!!!!!

 

I saw one of these on the street the other day, Hyundai is making some great looking cars. Dude was trying to run me though :/

How was the throttle sensitivity? Has Hyundai/KIA fixed that problem yet?

 

Thanks, Russ. This was really only half a review. ...the rest of it was done on the LX non-turbo model.

 

I didn't notice any throttle-jumpiness at low speeds with the turbo, although, for obvious reasons, it has more spunk than the normally-aspirated engine....with minimal turbo-lag.

 

Excellent update MM, thanks so much!

I was surprised to read there were 15+ on the lot, but as you say it could be due to the show being in town.

 

I still think with the 9k rebate offer with trade in and 100k warranty this car is in demand.

not sure if the rebate applies to the EX or SX turbo model.