These days, every auto maker worth its weight has at least one hybrid variant of their top selling sedan. For the Korean car producer, the Kia Optima Hybrid is that vehicle. The car has a sporty new look, with a mean, angled front grille and a rising rear compartment with large trunk and taillights.
Available for a test drive at Wagner Kia of Shrewsbury in Shrewsbury, MA, Optima contains the basic powerplant for a vehicle of its size and class: a fuel efficient 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine, connected to a six speed automatic.
But what makes this car hybrid ready to go? The 40 horsepower electric motor couples to this already powerful 166-horsepowered and 155 lb-ft of torque engine, giving you a better boost in power and greater mileage (which, obviously, the entire point of driving a hybrid).
Kia Optima Hybrid's EPA ratings come in at 35 miles per gallon in the city, 40 mpg on the highway.
"The 2011 Optima Hybrid's power delivery and transmission also get tripped up by the kind of in-and-out throttle action that's common in urban driving. The result is that despite a healthy combined output of 195 pound-feet and 206 hp," as Inside Line added.1
With a starting price of $27,250, Kia offers enough extras (including Hybrid Premium Technology package and get leather, HID headlights, a sunroof, 17-inch wheels, navigation, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seat, fancy audio system, back-up camera) you could see a final cost of $32,250.
Source: 1http://www.insideline.com/kia/optima/2011/2011-kia-optima-hybrid-full-test-and-video.html
