Description

The 2015 Kia Optima offers two gas-powered I-4 engines: a 2.4-liter with 192 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque and a turbocharged 2.0-liter rated at 274 hp and 269 lb-ft. Acceleration is decent for both engines with plenty of power for passing and merging at high speeds. Handling, however, remains lackluster with a soft suspension that compromised control, with lots of body roll, a wallowing dynamic over bumps, and a somewhat floaty experience at highway speeds. Fuel economy is decent for the class with the 2.4-liter achieving 23-24 mpg city-highway and 20-31 mpg with the turbo-four. A hybrid model is also offered with a 2.4-liter hybrid I-4 rated at 199 hp total system output. Its gas mileage, however, isn't as impressive as competitors with LX models achieving 36-40 mpg and EX variants rated at 35-39 mpg. The 2015 Optima offers a decent amount of interior space and has ample room for cargo with a 15.4 cubic-foot trunk. Cabin design is a 2015 Optima strong suit with a driver-oriented center stack, many small storage spaces, and a large center console bin. Kia's UVO infotainment is easy to use with controls that are laid out logically and comes with a large touchscreen.