It takes a keen eye to spot the difference between the new 2016 Kia Optima and the outgoing model. All the other senses will figure it out immediately.
Optima is one of my favorites in the class, it's like they wait six months after the Sonata comes out and then "fix" any complaints you may have. The interior is among, if not the best in the class.
Great Review Tom. Always informational and laid back. I agree that the new Optima seems to be a refinement update more than a stylistic one. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to You. Looking forward to some more great reviews.
Nice review. We have a 2012 - such a great value and very handsome. We also have had not a single issues. Steering feel drives me crazy in such a weird way. Good to hear they addressed it especially considering Martin has the previous get. Nice work you two!
What's the name of that interior color? It looks so nice! Is the Aubergine color? It almost looks like it's a dark red instead of a dark brown as I've seen in other pics
You Steve, I am glad you had Martin talk about his "wife's" car and the reliability of it. That speaks VOLUMES for the brand. I do like this new look but the word KIA on the steering wheel facing me everyday even Toyota and HONDA don't shout their names at you on the wheel. You know?
See lots of these in my neighborhood; they look great an everyone I speak to about them says "it's a great car"; "I got a great bang for my buck", "at this price, you can't beat it".
It's so feature-packed- I don't think even Cadillac has hands-free trunk operation. Didn't the previous trunk lid drop and bonk people on the head? Hope they fixed that.
+DHGroove I'll fix that for you. It's another cookie cutter midsize sedan. They're all shaped exactly the same for >muh empeegee. They just have different faces. The belt line is too high like on all new cars thanks to higher hoods thanks to pedestrian crash standards. It's a resounding meh.
+headcas620 I think the designers do as good a job as they can considering what they need to design around. I will disagree with you, this is not a cookie cutter design. It looks nothing like Accord, Fusion, Altima, ect save for the fact it has a sedan silhouette.
Driven Car Reviews I guess they do as best as they can. They could bring back the slant engine in order to lower hood lines. I will agree that the fusion is boxier and doesn't look exactly like this.
I understand auto journalists deal /w new cars all the time, but for the vast majority of folks out on the road, /w the avg. age of cars on the road of 11+ yrs., 4 yrs. / 30k miles of reliability means nothing. I'd like to know 10+ yrs. / 150k+ miles reliability.
+s50201 How do you suppose auto journalists do that? The only possible way I can see that happening is climbing into a certain DeLorean. Doc Brown probably has better things to do though. With basic care and respect, most cars can easily hit 100K without significant problems. I have a Volvo with 115K and it's been very reliable with no major issues for what its worth.
Driven Car Reviews Checking into a manufacturer's reliability data (and comparable models as applicable) would be a good start imo. Many reputable organizations track such records. For poor folks like myself, 100k+ miles is when we purchase our "new" vehicles. But on second thought, I guess we're not really your target demographic.
I was just wonderin' What if you're a standin' near the boot with the Fob in your pocket and talkin' to some one, will it still pop the boot open.? Isn't that a hassle...? What about the Mexican I m smugglin' in..... Donald Trump's gonna looove this car ;)...
That leather looks straight out of a luxury car
Optima is one of my favorites in the class, it's like they wait six months after the Sonata comes out and then "fix" any complaints you may have. The interior is among, if not the best in the class.
For a "low budget operation" like Tom says (well, regardless of low or high budget), the quality of the reviews is amazing! Keep up the good work!
Best car reviewer out there. The length of these reviews is spot on!
Great review as always. You and Steve Hammes are the two reviewers I watch regularly.
We need to see more of Martin!!
Great Review Tom. Always informational and laid back. I agree that the new Optima seems to be a refinement update more than a stylistic one.
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to You. Looking forward to some more great reviews.
Nice review. We have a 2012 - such a great value and very handsome. We also have had not a single issues. Steering feel drives me crazy in such a weird way. Good to hear they addressed it especially considering Martin has the previous get. Nice work you two!
It's very refreshing to have two people review cars in this channel. /thumbsup
Another great review, Tom. Thank you.
+Lu-Hiep Phan Oh no, thank you!
Great as always...
Beautiful car. But fog lights are missing?
I love your reviews. they're so effortless feeling, if that makes sense
+Cissies A lot of work goes into that effortless feeling. Thanks for noticing.
+Driven Car Reviews I think he meant they are relaxing to watch. Which they are.
Driven Car Reviews right, I didn't mean for the to come across as an insult or anything like that
+Cissies I took it as a very genuine compliment. Martin and I do what we can to give them a seamless feel. Much appreciated!
What's the name of that interior color? It looks so nice! Is the Aubergine color? It almost looks like it's a dark red instead of a dark brown as I've seen in other pics
Love my 2015 Sonata Limited 2.0t!!
i wanna get one with 101k on it looks very clean any opinions? is 101k ok for this sx turbo?
Always have a mechanic look at it.
You Steve, I am glad you had Martin talk about his "wife's" car and the reliability of it. That speaks VOLUMES for the brand. I do like this new look but the word KIA on the steering wheel facing me everyday even Toyota and HONDA don't shout their names at you on the wheel. You know?
Why lower the power though. 2015 sc turbo has more horse power
Fuel economy
See lots of these in my neighborhood; they look great an everyone I speak to about them says "it's a great car"; "I got a great bang for my buck", "at this price, you can't beat it".
It's so feature-packed- I don't think even Cadillac has hands-free trunk operation. Didn't the previous trunk lid drop and bonk people on the head? Hope they fixed that.
I don't think I've seen a single negative review for this car.
+DHGroove Well, I don't read other reviews in order to keep my opinions my own. It is certainly well done... in my opinion.
+DHGroove I'll fix that for you. It's another cookie cutter midsize sedan. They're all shaped exactly the same for >muh empeegee. They just have different faces. The belt line is too high like on all new cars thanks to higher hoods thanks to pedestrian crash standards. It's a resounding meh.
+headcas620 I think the designers do as good a job as they can considering what they need to design around. I will disagree with you, this is not a cookie cutter design. It looks nothing like Accord, Fusion, Altima, ect save for the fact it has a sedan silhouette.
Driven Car Reviews I guess they do as best as they can. They could bring back the slant engine in order to lower hood lines. I will agree that the fusion is boxier and doesn't look exactly like this.
is that a sxl or SX with other packages?
If I remember correctly, it's an SX. It was a while back though.
SXL would have quilted leather seats...which are Nappa leather!! Super comfy and soft...
It's an SX Launch Edition -- I have the exact spec.
Genesis in GT stinger are nice DUDE.. and Hyundai
👍🏻👍🏻
Kia pairs!
What's more upscale? The Kia or Hyundai?
+zkum16 That would be up to your eye to say if you are trying to decide between the two. Mine votes for Optima, I find the styling more daring.
cheaper Hyundai
Fancy Kia
Spare tire? Donut? Fix-a-flat?
Dude was ahead of his time! 3:38
bruh i was thinking the same thing lol
Tom, just a reminder... another midsized sedan got remodeled as well... the Chevy Malibu.
+Billy Sou Oh yes, it's on my radar screen. Waiting for a press car...
Time for Martin to get a new Kia 5 and half years with the same car long
I liked more last year's styling, but it is still a good looking car. Having driven the last gen SX, I can say that this is my favorite Koran car.
I understand auto journalists deal /w new cars all the time, but for the vast majority of folks out on the road, /w the avg. age of cars on the road of 11+ yrs., 4 yrs. / 30k miles of reliability means nothing. I'd like to know 10+ yrs. / 150k+ miles reliability.
+s50201 How do you suppose auto journalists do that? The only possible way I can see that happening is climbing into a certain DeLorean. Doc Brown probably has better things to do though.
With basic care and respect, most cars can easily hit 100K without significant problems. I have a Volvo with 115K and it's been very reliable with no major issues for what its worth.
Driven Car Reviews
Checking into a manufacturer's reliability data (and comparable models as applicable) would be a good start imo. Many reputable organizations track such records.
For poor folks like myself, 100k+ miles is when we purchase our "new" vehicles. But on second thought, I guess we're not really your target demographic.
@@s50201 Why so edgy damn
I would prefer the 2011 model.
lol entertaining as always.
The new optima looks really good. I do agree though on the interior; its not too special.
Passat? Seriously?
Obama test driving a Kia optima
cash board stitch is fake it looks like real but it is not
Do you buy those toilet papers every time?
+Shanmuga Sundaram Yes. Need a great deal on some slightly used TP? Wait, that doesn't sound so good...
LOL.. That doesn't sound/smell/look good at all..
+Shanmuga Sundaram i was thinking the same thing. i would just keep them as my reviews tools, no way i would buy them each time.
I was just wonderin' What if you're a standin' near the boot with the Fob in your pocket and talkin' to some one, will it still pop the boot open.? Isn't that a hassle...? What about the Mexican I m smugglin' in..... Donald Trump's gonna looove this car ;)...
+AeroManiac It begins beeping so you and your friend, Mexican or not, have time to move a couple feet away to keep it from opening.
Driven Car Reviews What if I am deaf...?!!!