Auto Erotica OR: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Kia Optima

Let me say up front that I’ve only had my car for a few days and about 150 miles, but I researched the purchase for months before pulling the trigger and have owned enough cars to have opinions I consider worthwhile. Then again, doesn’t everyone think that?

I'm an avid reader of customer reviews for pretty much everything I buy and I find them to be an interesting study of human behavior, particularly when it comes to reaction to adversity. In addition to being influenced by a variety of things, including personal experience, age, and expectations, reviews are where peoples' true colors really shine through. If two people have a problem, and it was handled with a return or repair, one person might compliment the company for handling the problem so efficiently. Another might look at things differently, saying, "DO NOT BUY! THIS IS THE WORST THING IN THE UNIVERSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Like I said, reactions to experiences vary. 

Of course then there's the other side of the coin: those who want to convince you that this is the greatest ________ on the planet because that would validate their decision to buy one. They apparently get bonus points or a commission or something if they convince you to buy one too. 

And then there are the expectations. What were you expecting going into this purchase? Having come from the retail side of business I can tell you that peoples' expectations of the world's cheapest anything are often comically out of whack. 

So, let's apply some common sense expectations to my review of the 2011 Kia Optima. Is the Kia Optima quiet? Does it have a smooth ride? How’s the gas mileage? Compared to what? 

I traded in a 2003 Honda Accord EX-L V6 with 73k miles on it, so my experience with this car will be colored by that. I was also considering the Hyundai Sonata Limited and the Ford Fusion. My experiences with the Optima are also going to be shaped by my experiences with those cars. But I was NOT considering a Jaguar or Lexus, and I didn’t trade in a Mercedes.

I bring this up to provide context for my review and maybe to thumb my nose at people who say that they have been unhappy with the Optima because it wasn’t as quiet/smooth/powerful/whatever as their last car, which cost twice as much.

I opted for the Optima knowing that, compared to both the Fusion and the Sonata, it had a firmer ride and was less quiet. But both of those things connect you to the road, which is a good thing for a car that’s supposed to be sporty, even if not a sports car.

But compared to my Accord, it is far quieter, and the ride is firm but controlled. I will say that the steering that so many have complained about truly does lack feel. I didn’t think it would bother me, and it doesn’t most of the time, but the first time you take on a winding road, you get why that matters. So that’s a genuine negative for me, but not a deal-breaker.

I was also concerned about the blind spot created by the wide C-pillar. I needn’t have been. The car has larger-than-I’m-used-to side mirrors and visibility out the side windows is just fine.

The engine is a bit rougher than the V6 in my beloved Accord, but that's typical for a four, and the power truly is adequate. I opted to not get the turbo because power off the line is more important to me, and although the turbo would have given me more total horsepower, out-of-the-gate power would have suffered for the smaller engine.

The engine uses a gas direct-injection technology that boosts power and improves mileage. The Optima and its sister the Hyundai Sonata claim they'll get 24/34, which is excellent for cars this size. But I suspect that was achieved with the Eco mode on. I'll explain. 

Look on the steering wheel and you'll find a button marked "Eco." Press that and the engine seems to become a bit more sluggish, and the transmission shifts a good deal sooner than it would normally. This, of course, is designed to make the car more fuel efficient. It also serves to take all the fun out of driving. Fortunately, I'm not always looking to have fun, and there is a very big part of me that loves to save money, which this does. Just yesterday I gave the car its first full tank of gas and I'll be curious to see what kind of numbers I can get out of it. 

Of course no review of the Optima would be complete without some mention of the styling and the value. Both of which, I believe, will make it a contender on a level that not even Kia could have predicted.

The body is beautiful enough to make a supermodel jealous, and I firmly believe that in stark contrast to the Sonata, the styling will stand the test of time. It’s sculpted and muscular and makes you feel more attractive just driving it. Or is that just me? 

As for the features, I got an EX with every toy but the turbo for under $25k. That’s a fantastic value no matter how you look at it, and it’s less than I paid for my Accord nine years ago. Below you'll find some of the more notable features in my ride: 

Navigation: I really bought this less for the navigation than the ability to control everything from the sound system to my phone on a large touchscreen. It was way worth it. 

Panoramic sunroof: I didn't actually want this, but Kathie loves it and I'm sure there will be summer evenings when I'll enjoy it too. 

Heated/cooled seats: I've had a few cars with heated seats, but this one has heated rear seats. And then there's the crotch cooler. I've tried the cooling function a few times now and I have to say that I think I'll really enjoy it when it's warm outside. 

Heated steering wheel: Yep. I'll just let you stew on that one for a bit. 

Memory seats: This is a new one for me. On the driver's side door, there are two buttons. Press button 1 and the driver's seat moves to the position I have chosen. Press button 2, Kathie's profile, and the seat back moves up, the seat moves toward the steering wheel, it rises . . . I think there are nine adjustments that can be customized, and this remembers just how you like 'em all. 

USB input: This one's my favorite, and it's one of the big reasons I got the Technology Package. Since the car has a USB input, I bought an 8GB thumb drive and loaded it up with all my favorite music. Now I can play anything, anytime, all controlled through the touchscreen display. Who needs a CD changer?

This is a seriously good car. It’s not perfect, but if you’re looking for a car that’s both practical and just a little fun to drive, this is seriously good.