Kia optima turbo 2015

2015 Optima Auto Brief

Following a thorough refresh last year the Kia Optima hits 2015 with only minor changes. Among them, the UVO infotainment system has been upgraded, cruise control placement is more ergonomically friendly, and an acoustic laminated windshield is standard.

Model Changes

Crisp, Euro-influenced styling; fuel-efficient powertrains; capacious interior; strong value; hybrid powertrain available; excellent warranty

Model Value

Compared to other mid-size sedans, the Kia Optima stands out in many ways. Showcasing Kia’s more Euro-influenced design direction, the Optima’s styling is much more edgy than that of most other mid-size sedans. The Optima’s design is functional, too, and quite roomy on the inside. The Optima is also one of the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans, offering strong mileage in addition to its sporty performance. The turbocharged engine in the SX-Turbo and Limited trims provides the power and acceleration of a V6 but the gas mileage of a four. Kia continues to offer an excellent 10-year warranty on powertrain components.

Model Overview

The 2015 Kia Optima comes in five different trims, LX, EX, SX, SX Turbo and SXL Turbo. LX and EX models come with a 200-horsepower, 2.4L direct-injection 4-cylinder engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. The Optima SX-Turbo and the SXL get a more powerful 2.0L turbocharged engine, which makes 274 horsepower. Like the 2.4L, it is mated to a 6-speed automatic. The Kia Optima Hybrid comes in LX and EX trims. The hybrid powertrain consists of a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine, a lithium polymer battery and electric motor to wring a total output of 159 horsepower. A 6-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission available for the Hybrid. No matter the trim, the Optima comes with the same body style and essentially the same interior appointments, within a very contemporary exterior. At nearly 191 inches long, with a wheelbase of about 110 inches, the Optima is at the larger end of mid-size, and its cabin layout feels very spacious. The 5-passenger layout includes 60/40-split rear seatbacks in all models, and there’s enough width for three adults to fit across in the back seat. Ride quality is compliant, yet handling is quite responsive for a 4-door sedan, with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup in back, with coil springs and front anti-roll bars. The 2015 Optima is highly fuel-efficient, and that holds true no matter which model is chosen. Base 2.4L models get an EPA-estimated 24 mpg city, 35 highway, while SX and SXL Turbo models get 22/34 mpg. An Active Eco system, which helps improve fuel efficiency by promoting better driving habits and smartly managing accessories, is standard on all the models as well. The Hybrid model improves on this already-impressive fuel economy rating. It is capable of a surprising 40 mpg highway/46 mpg city. Base-level LX models come with a height-adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, power locks, windows and mirrors, heated exterior mirrors, a cooled glovebox and cruise control. The base sound system includes satellite-radio capability, Bluetooth hands-free calling features and steering-wheel audio controls. At the mid-range EX level, the Optima includes upgraded 17-inch alloy wheels, leather trim, wood door trim and metal bezels for the center console, plus leather upholstery, push-button start, a Smart Key system, dual-zone climate control, rear vents, a universal garage-door opener, a 10-way adjustable power driver’s seat, additional interior lighting and floor mats. The SX gets sporty suspension, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, a sportier exterior appearance, LED taillights and 18-inch alloy wheels. The SX Turbo includes the more powerful engine, but also gets HID headlamps. Top of the line SXL models come with nearly every feature available, and also include 19-inch wheels, Napa leather seat-trim and exterior chrome accents. Major options on the Optima include a Convenience Package on the base LX, which includes an auto-dimming rear mirror and an uprated stereo. EX models can be optioned with a Premium Package that brings various upgrades, including heated-and-cooled front seats, a power passenger seat, Infinity audio, power-folding mirrors, a rear camera and Kia’s more sophisticated UVO connectivity system. Premium Package-equipped SX models also get a blind spot detection system and a backup warning system in addition to everything else included in the package. Safety features are well represented too, with seat-mounted side airbags in front, side-curtain bags that cover first and second rows, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist and Hill Assist Control for smooth starts when facing uphill.

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Kia Optima Turbo 2015 Review

We sample Kia’s sporty Optima Turbo driveline ahead of its Aussie debut

Variety is the spice of life, but if you’re a fan of the sleek and well-specified third-generation Kia Optima currently on sale in Australia, the lack of driveline options makes the Korean mid-size sedan more vanilla than its dramatic styling suggests. That’s set to change, with Kia Australia announcing it will offer a 2.0-litre turbocharged variant of the next-gen Optima due here late this year.

Things are different in the United States, where higher sales figures help amortise development costs. Stateside, you can pick from a Kia Optima range that caters to an array of tastes.

There’s the garden-variety 148kW/250Nm naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine as seen in Australia, but there’s also a fuller-fat option; a turbocharged petrol 2.0-litre four-pot, as with Hyundai’s new Sonata.

And there’s even a ‘healthy’ alternative; a modified 2.4 combined with a synchronous electric motor to provide hybrid propulsion.

With the turbocharged power unit confirmed for Australia in the next-generation Optima due in local showrooms around November, Kia flicked us the keys to a current US-spec Optima SX Limited Turbo to sample the driveline ahead of the new model’s New York International Auto Show debut this week.

On paper the 2.0-litre turbo unit impresses, generating 204kW at 6000rpm –- 56kW more than the atmospheric 2.4. But it’s the torque figures that really tell the story, the turbo’s 370Nm peak on tap from only 1650rpm and not tailing off until 4500rpm. That destroys the atmo’s peak by 120Nm.

Even in fuel economy terms, there’s not much in it. Taking the North American specs to compare like-for-like, the atmo car consumes a claimed 27mpg (8.7L/100km), the Turbo 24mpg (9.8L/100km).

Both use six-speed automatic transmissions and drive the front wheels. Interestingly, the US-market SX Turbo costs only $US1910 more than the standard SX ($US27,700 plays $US25,790).

Out on the road, the Turbo converts its on-paper advantage, and then some. Where the aspirated engine feels torque-light compared to a (turbocharged) Skoda Octavia, the Turbo gives the Czech a good kicking.

Similar to the other turbocharged products within the Hyundai/Kia stable, the Optima Turbo is very linear in its power delivery, with no peaks or troughs to speak of.

It can, however, excite the front axle when accelerating hard from takeoff into fast-moving traffic, the open differential revealing itself with a loss of traction.

There’s a little bit of induction noise through the cabin under firm acceleration but once up to speed it provides fuss-free motoring, with the kind of mid-range punch that will prove ideal for overtaking in Australian conditions.

Driven this way on the highway, the Turbo goes close to its advertised combined fuel economy, though it dips to the 19mpg (12.4L/100km) mark as highway gives way to a sweeping desert climb towards the Grand Canyon Skywalk.

There are three driving modes, covering eco, normal and sport. Each step reveals progressively sharper throttle and steering responses, along with altered gearshift points.

The six-speed automatic transmission is a good match for the engine, though curiously the top-line SXL is not equipped with paddle shifters.

Of course, given this is the soon-to-be-superseded chassis (with a pillowy American suspension tune at that), there’s little relevance to detailing the Optima Turbo’s handling, but taken overall you can feel the potential of the turbocharged driveline.

In addition to sampling the Turbo drivetrain, Kia also gave us the opportunity to drive the Hybrid variant that at this stage will not be coming to Australia.

While there is a pure-electric Soul available in the US (not to mention a plug-in Hyundai Sonata), the Optima Hybrid combines a 119kW/209Nm version of the 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated petrol engine with a 35kW synchronous electric motor that draws from a 270-volt lithium-polymer battery.

Combined power and torque figures are listed at 148kW and 319Nm. A six-speed automatic transmission sends the power to the front wheels. Fuel consumption is claimed at 38mpg, or 6.2L/100km.

The hybrid system and associated battery location certainly reduces boot space for the Optima Hybrid, which requires some luggage origami not needed for the Turbo.

On the road the hybrid is quiet and refined, riding softly over expansion gaps, the electric motor cutting in and out smoothly.

Under acceleration the combined system provides more low-down response than the naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre, which was also driven on the day for reference.

Where the 2.4 recorded 27mpg (8.7L/100km; it’s combined claim) on the highway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, the Optima Hybrid sat at 32.7mpg thanks to the hybrid drivetrain and the aerodynamically-optimised body and wheels. It is higher than its combined claim but still beats the atmo on points.

After sampling both drivelines, it’s a pity Australia won’t be seeing the next-generation Optima in hybrid form, but the fact that we are receiving a further-refined Turbo variant — with a locally-tuned chassis — promises much, as it should have the pace, poise and equipment levels to stand out from the competition.

2015 Kia Optima Turbo pricing and specifications:
Price: TBC
On sale: November
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 204kW/370Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Fuel: 9.8L/100km (US claimed)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP (Australian Optima)

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2015 Kia Optima SX Turbo Specs

2015 Kia Optima SX Turbo powered by 2.0L Inline-4 Gas Engine with 6-Speed Automatic transmission.

Performance Specs

Engine and Transmission

Steering

Wheels

Suspension

Tires

Fuel and MPG

Fuel Economy

Fuel Tank

Emissions

Dimensions and Measurement

Exterior Dimensions

Interior Space

Weight and Towing

Cargo Space

Colors and Materials

Standard Exterior Colors

Standard Interior Materials

Features and Options

Infotainment

Interior Trim

Comfort

Additional Packages

SX Technology Package

Blind Spot Detection w/Cross-Traffic Alert, back-up warning system, Radio: UVO eService, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, SiriusXM satellite radio, USB/auxiliary input jacks and Bluetooth wireless technology w/steering wheel mounted controls, Infinity Premium Sound System, 8-speakers w/subwoofer, HD Radio, Navigation System SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM TravelLink which provides real time info on weather, traffic and sports, Rear Camera Display

SX Turbo Premium Package

Heated & Ventilated Front Seats, Driver Seat Memory, Radio: UVO eService, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, SiriusXM satellite radio, USB/auxiliary input jacks and Bluetooth wireless technology w/steering wheel mounted controls, Infinity Premium Sound System, 8-speakers w/subwoofer, HD Radio, Rear Camera Display, Power Folding Outside Mirrors, Heated Rear Outboard Seats, 4-Way Power Front Passenger Seat, Panoramic Sunroof, Gloss Black B-Pillar

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