South Korea's automakers are keen on making a name for themselves in the electric car field, a task Kia kicked off a few years ago with hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions of is Optima mid-size sedan.
For 2019, the Optima Hybrid gains wireless smartphone charging as its only update, while the PHEV carries over unchanged from last year.
Sharing its fundamentals with the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and PHEV, the Optima Hybrid pairs a 2.0L four-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. It's a combo that makes 192 hp in the Hybrid and 202 in the PHEV. Both cars bolt their power sources to a six-speed automatic transmission, making this (and the gas-electric Sonata variants) among the few hybrids not to use a continuously variable (CVT) automatic.
The PHEV's larger battery stores enough energy for a promised 47 km on electric driving, and automatically reverts to normal hybrid drive when that runs out. While the Optima Hybrid's power output isn't remarkable, the electric motor's torque makes the car feel more powerful than those 200-ish horsepower figures suggest.
If you want a full-sized trunk with a proper pass-through, the standard hybrid is the way to go, as the PHEV's bigger battery steals some cargo space.
Ford's Fusion is the only other mid-size hybrid car with both conventional and plug-in variants in the same model. Toyota doesn't make a plug-in version of its Camry Hybrid, and Honda has moved its plug-in technology out of the Accord and into a stand-alone model called the Clarity.
Optima Hybrid starts out in an LX trim that comes with 16-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights and taillights, power-folding side mirrors, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, passive keyless entry, heated steering wheel, hands-free trunk release, smartphone integration, auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated front seats and a backup camera.
EX trim adds 17-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, leather seating, wireless smartphone charging, rear parking sensors and blind spot detection with rear cross traffic alert.
Finally, EX Premium models get auto-levelling adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, 10-speaker stereo, wireless smartphone charging, 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen (up from 7.0 inches) with navigation, electric parking brake, tire pressure monitoring, lane departure warning and automatic emergency braking.
Kia's fuel consumption estimates for the Optima PHEV at 6.2/5.5 L/100 km (city/highway) in hybrid mode and 2.3 Le/100 km in EV mode. The Optima Hybrid is rated 6.0/5.1 L/100 km.
This vehicle has not yet been reviewed
