There’s no need to doubt it anymore because the K5 (Optima) will now have AWD. The Kia Optima makeover may provide the all-wheel drive you’ve been waiting for.
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Can you drive a Kia Optima in the snow?
When it comes to the Kia Optima and its front-wheel-drive drivetrain, the well-known sedan exhibits several excellent individual traits. Weight distribution is the key factor in how successfully front-wheel-drive cars (like the Kia Optima) handle snow and ice.
The 2019 Kia Optima has four wheels.
Our expert shares her opinions regarding the Kia Optima’s performance in each of the 10 areas that make up the 2018 APEAL Study in the sections that follow.
Exterior
The 2019 Optima is visually appealing in every configuration thanks to its coupe-like shape and elegant lines all around. The Optima’s external trim is gloss black, and it has black 18-inch aluminum wheels with a machined-faced finish. This trim gives the car a distinctively sporty look.
The test car had Snow White Pearl paint, which is more expensive but has a similar appearance to other white metallic paint jobs with more glitter. I don’t think this $495 choice is worth it. There is also an SX Limited option package that replaces the dark exterior with one that is more posh and chrome-adorned.
Interior
Although I prefer all-black interiors to lighter ones, the Optima SX’s unique seat upholstery pattern and red inlays make the interior more vibrant. Additionally, the SX Limited Package adds soft quilted Nappa leather to the vehicle to up the zoot factor.
The harsh plastic trim covering the bottom portions of the cabin is essentially the only aspect of the party that detracts from it, although this is typical of popular midsize sedans.
Seats
The front seats in the test car were heated and ventilated, which offered comfort on sunny days when the mostly-black interior and enormous panoramic sunroof worked together to trap and hold solar heat. It was even easier to get comfy in the front seats thanks to the numerous power adjustments available.
The 2019 Optima makes it easy to transport people about, which is the entire purpose of a family sedan. The broad view through the glass top delighted my girls, and there is plenty of space in the back of this automobile. This vehicle is ideal if you have a child who rides in a rear-facing child safety seat.
Climate Control System
During my time in the Optima, the dual-zone automatic climate control system immediately chilled the interior, and using the knobs and buttons to alter the temperature was a breeze. The Optima has rear air conditioning vents, which my kids love to have.
Infotainment System
Similarly, Kia’s infotainment system is simpler to use while driving thanks to the usage of knobs and buttons. It has an 8-inch touchscreen and supports smartphone connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Your gadget will be quickly charged by two USB connections at 2.1 amps each.
Software in the test vehicle also gave users access to linked service features that are cost-free to use as long as they don’t mind using up their smartphone’s data plan. Separately, a new smartphone app released this year enables remote control of a number of car features, including remote engine starting, remote door locking and unlocking, and climate control.
A Harman Kardon premium sound system with Clari-Fi digital music restoration technology was another improvement in the test vehicle. This system produced deep, clear sound for a car with a reasonable price tag.
Storage and Space
To keep your possessions safe, Kia offers smart storage options with the Optima. There are also bottle storage in the front and rear door bins, a sizable center console and glove box, a cubby and a tray for your phone, and more.
There are 15.9 cubic feet of freight capacity when the trunk is opened. The test vehicle had Kia’s Smart Trunk technology, which opens the trunk on its own when you briefly stand behind the vehicle while holding the key. The majority of these devices need you to stand on one foot while waving the other under the bumper.
Visibility and Safety
In spite of the car’s svelte silhouette, visibility is very good. The exception is directly behind, where the view is constrained by the third brake light and high rear deck. It’s a good thing that all trim levels come standard with rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.
In order to keep the people within the Optima as safe as possible, Kia is kind and considerate. Even the Optima LX’s cheapest model comes equipped with a ton of active safety technologies, including a blind spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning with automated emergency braking, and lane departure warning with lane keeping assist. Additionally, my SX test vehicle had a pedestrian recognition system and adaptive cruise control.
The fact that Kia’s driver assistance features are subtly designed helps me find them useful. You’re aware of how they operate but aren’t annoyed by them, so you’re more likely to keep them interested.
The 2019 Optima obtains a 5-star overall rating in federal government-conducted crash testing. It receives the highest honor bestowed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Top Safety Pick Plus.”
Engine/Transmission
The Optima SX comes equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 245 horsepower. Due to the 260 lb.-ft. of torque that is available at just 1,350 rpm, unlike many turbocharged engines, turbo lag is hardly noticeable. The front wheels are calmly driven by a 6-speed automatic transmission that thinks quickly.
The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine in the Optima LX and S trim levels produces 185 horsepower, while the 1.6-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine in the EX trim delivers 178 horsepower and a significant amount of torque. The Optima is also available with a plug-in electric hybrid powertrain and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.
Fuel Economy
In mixed driving circumstances, an Optima SX should achieve an average fuel economy of around 24 mpg. On an impressive test loop that included motorways, busy city streets, and winding mountain routes, the test car achieved 23.5 mpg.
This finding makes it somewhat perplexing as to why fuel economy came in last among owners’ preferred aspects of the Optima. In contrast to many cars, it is important to note that the difference in points between the most and least popular things was rather small.
Driving Dynamics
The Kia Optima SX is neither an all-wheel-drive sports sedan nor a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Instead, this midsize family car has front-wheel drive, which adds to the surprise of its fun driving characteristics.
Under heavy acceleration, there is some torque steer (when you stamp on the throttle, a FWD car will pull slightly in the other direction), but it is quite predictable and simple to get used to.
The Optima SX’s ability to follow the contours of nearby canyon roads with the least amount of body roll, good rotational balance, durable brakes, sticky tires, and admirably accurate steering most pleased me.
Don’t think that this handling skill will translate into a rough ride throughout town. The suspension, in my opinion, is flexible enough to absorb the majority of ruts and bumps without making you unaware of what is happening on the road surface.
Does Kia offer AWD vehicles?
AWD is an option on more than just Kia crossovers and SUVs. When it was introduced in 2018, the Kia Stinger became the first AWD sedan in the series. It continues to combine AWD and performance with a 365-hp, 3.3L twin-turbo V6 that is capable of 376 lb-ft of torque and a 0-60 mph pace of in 4.7 seconds.
Is an Optima from 2015 all-wheel drive?
Front-wheel drive is standard on every 2015 Kia Optima. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 192 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque is standard on the LX, EX, and SX models. The SX and SXL both come standard with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that makes 274 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque.
Are Kia Optimas dependable vehicles?
The anticipated reliability rating for the 2020 Kia Optima is 83 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
What’s the lifespan of a Kia Optima?
The Kia Optima has a typical lifespan of 200,000 miles, which equates to around 13 years of service when you consider the average annual mileage of 15,000 miles. Because of this, the Kia Optima is an affordable option on the used automobile market that will last you for many years.
The 2012 Kia Optima has a front-wheel drive system.
Front-wheel drive and an agile, dynamic four-wheel independent suspension are features of the Optima. Over more uneven pavement, we discovered that the ride quality was compliant, filtering out harshness, and that the suspension effectively communicated minor bumps and ripples. Although the Optima is not a sports sedan, the chassis is strong, and it handles with a sporty sheen.
The lowest grade and most popular model of the Kia Optima features a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower. Although this engine lacks excitement, it works well for most drivers. With an EPA-estimated 24/35 mpg City/Highway, it is quiet at highway cruising speeds and has enough power to keep up with rapid traffic on the freeways.
This sedan is sweetly carried into another universe by the 274-hp Optima Turbo. The performance, stability, and agility of the Optima Turbo are excellent, and its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine runs unbelievably smoothly. Very quickly, it accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 6.5 seconds, and it completes the quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds.
Optima is dragged back into the third world by the Optima Hybrid. EPA estimates that it gets 35 to 40 miles per gallon. However, throughout our lead-footed stint, we only received 25.5 mpg. We attribute the roughness of the 6-speed automatic transmission to its electronic programming.
The Optima Hybrid’s 2.4-liter, four-cylinder Atkinson cycle gas engine, which generates 166 horsepower, is coupled by a wet clutch to a 40-horsepower Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) synchronous electric motor. Modern lithium-polymer (Li-PB) batteries with 270V output power the electric motor. This 95-pound Li-PB system is 20-30% lighter, 40% smaller, and 15% smaller than a nickel metal hydride system.
Three versions of the newly remodeled midsize Kia Optima are available. For 2011, the Kia Optima had a revamp. A popular Turbo model and a strong EX base model were both offered in the 2011 Optima lineup.
A hybrid variant of the Optima with a 2.4-liter I4 Atkinson cycle gas engine and a 40-horsepower electric motor is now available for the 2012 model year. EPA estimates for the 2012 Kia Optima Hybrid are 35/40 mpg City/Highway.
The Optima is at the cutting edge of midsize design: sleek and muscular, without any of the off-putting vibe that occasionally distinguishes modern Asian vehicles. With the exception of that grille, it is a refined vehicle with exceptional appearance.
Overall, the interior furnishings and materials are elegant, roomy, and of a high caliber. The console and the back seats, which are all comfy with sturdy support, are beautifully covered in leather. The instrumentation’s layout and design are thoughtful and make use of modern technologies. Although the Optima makes a good commuter module, the legitimate, jewel-like instruments indicate that this is no ordinary commuter module. All of the typical comforts are present, along with extras like a cool glove compartment for drinks.
Is a 2013 Kia Optima a good investment?
Kia Optima Review for 2013. the used The 2013 Kia Optima has a luxurious interior with wide seats and simple technologies, as well as a class-leading safety rating. Even so, it falls into the center third in a class that is extremely competitive. Its reliability ratings are adequate but not outstanding.
How can I tell whether my Kia Optima is an LX or an EX?
In comparison with the 2020 The 2.4L I4 engine in the Kia Optima LX is paired with a 1.6L Turbocharged I4 engine in the EX model. The LX lacks such interior luxuries, but the EX is equipped with heated front seats and a wireless phone charging system.
Which model of Kia has four wheel drive?
Kia AWD Vehicles The most recent versions of these vehicles are the Kia Telluride, Kia Seltos, and Kia Stinger. You’ll be astounded by the power that these Kia all-wheel drive cars have to provide thanks to their variety of engine choices.
Which Kia vehicles are four-wheel drives?
Visit our Kia showroom in Kenner, Louisiana to learn more about the AWD cars for sale nearby New Orleans. There are many Kia AWD models available for purchase here. When looking for an AWD vehicle from Kia, crossovers and SUVs are common selections.
The following recent Kia models come with AWD:
- Seltos
- Sportage
- Sorento
- Telluride
- Stinger
- K900
The innovative DynamaxTM AWD system from Kia uses electrical sensors to intelligently distribute power among the four wheels. No matter your driving style or the state of the roads, this intelligent system is continually working to improve performance and efficiency. The Center Lock option, available on Kia AWD vehicles like the new Telluride and Seltos, locks the torque arrangement to 50/50 front and rear, making it perfect for more challenging conditions such negotiating minor off-roading or heavy snow.