2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Plug-In Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Just unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show, Kia’s all-new Optima Plug-in Hybrid goes on sale for the 2017 model year. This means Kia has now joined its corporate sibling, Hyundai, along with Toyota, Chevrolet, Ford, BMW, and others, in offering plug-in technology in part of its lineup. The Optima Plug-in Hybrid was unveiled alongside the all-new Niro Hybrid and a new version of the normal Optima Hybrid.
As with the regular Optima, the Plug-in Hybrid's wheelbase and overall length have been increased by almost half an inch, but its exterior will now sport unique trim pieces and badges and special alloy wheels. Whereas the Optima is normally built in Kia’s Georgia factory, the Plug-in Hybrid is assembled in South Korea, and for now it is only available in one trim, the EX.
Under the hood, the old 2.4-liter 4-cylinder (I4) has been replaced by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with direct injection, coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The I4 is good for 154 hp on its own, but added electric power boosts its total output to 193 hp. The electric power is transmitted through a 50 kW motor mounted on the transmission, reportedly 42% more powerful than the electric motor in the previous Optima Hybrid. Other changes to the powertrain (in addition to the plug-in system) include a new electric oil pump and water cooling for the transmission. The battery pack also makes 60% more energy than the old Optima Hybrid, allowing the car to travel an impressive 27 miles in full EV mode. Thanks to all this attention to efficiency, including a sleek shape that has the same drag coefficient as a Tesla Model S, the Optima Plug-in Hybrid can go a full 600 miles on a full charge. Fuel economy figures haven’t yet been released, but the outgoing regular Optima Hybrid could do 38 mpg combined, so expect the Plug-in Hybrid to do even better.
The Optima Plug-in Hybrid can also fully charge in less than three hours with a 240V charger, and a little less than nine hours with a 120V charger. After setting off down the road, the driver can choose between All-Electric Mode, Hybrid Mode, and Charging Mode--this last mode directs more energy to the battery than normal so that it charges faster. The car also features a system that uses a blinking icon and audible alert to coach the driver on when to coast and brake (and which sounds, frankly, a little distracting).
Other technology in the cabin includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capability, as well as a Verizon connectivity system and smartphone app with LTE wireless that features remote start/stop and remote cabin temperature setting, not to mention the ability to help you locate nearby charging stations. The sound system is a Harman Kardon 10-speaker setup with a 630-watt digital amplifier. There's also significantly more usable cargo space than in the old Optima Hybrid, thanks to a relocated battery pack and 60/40 split-folding rear seats.
While the Optima Plug-in Hybrid packs a lot of technology into its powertrain and convenience features, it also brings a lot of modern safety wizardry, including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, front-collision warning, and advanced smart cruise control. As a new car, it hasn’t yet been crash tested, but last year’s Optima got top marks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, so we can assume the Plug-in Hybrid version will do just as well.
The Optima Plug-in Hybrid is a big step for Kia, and an important part of the company's commitment to increasing fuel efficiency across its entire range--the stated goal is to be 25% more fuel-efficient across all models by 2020. While a little bit late to the game, Kia's new plug-in hybrid might very well tempt some buyers away from its Japanese rivals. Kia has stepped up its game in a huge way over the past several years, moving away from cheap basic cars and towards well-equipped, genuinely good vehicles that attract a wider variety of buyers. The Optima has arguably most boosted Kia’s image, and the Optima Plug-in Hybrid just boosted it a little more.
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2017 Kia Optima Hybrid Plug-In Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Driver knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · Touch screen display radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 7.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 630 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 12.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.2 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: alloy · Door sill trim: scuff plate · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Ambient lighting: color · Assist handle: rear · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: accessory hook · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
Axle ratio: 3.51
Engine
EV battery capacity: 9.8 kWh · Electric Charge Cord: 240 volt · Electric Motor Battery Type: lithium polymer · Electric Motor HP: 66 · Electric Motor Power Output (Kilowatts): 49 · Electric Motor Torque: 151 · Electric motor charger connector: SAE J1772 · Electric motor charging time: 2.75 hours · Electric motor miles per charge: 29 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP: 154 · Hybrid Gas Engine HP@RPM: 6000 · Hybrid Gas Engine Torque: 140 · Hybrid gas Engine Torque@RPM: 5000
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: hidden exhaust · Exhaust tip color: stainless-steel · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black with chrome accents · Mirror color: body-color · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Apply CarPlay ready · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.3 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 6
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Safety
Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Impact sensor: door unlock · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: touch screen display · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app function: vehicle location · Wifi: hotspot
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Power windows: with safety reverse