2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo Test Drive Review

January 3, 2016 / 23 Comments

Optima

I can honestly, without any reservations say the 2016 Kia Optima has been my favorite car to drive to date! This car is amazing from bumper to bumper!! Platinum Graphite with a black interior, soooo pretty!

I just want to remind you that I am not a ‘car gal’ I know where to put the gas, check the oil and can, if need be, change my own oil. So, this review is not filled with a lot of technical jargon like torque, rpm and cylinder and such. However if you want to know from the NaNa slash Mommy aspect then continue on!!

This is a midsize family sedan with beautiful lines and a oh so comfy interior. This is a comfortable, smooth ride. The Optima is a roomy, sporty, sleek looking car. The 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo is responsive. It handles like a dream. I truly did not want to give this one back.

Starting with the exterior. This has the sleek styling of a very expensive car, yet the Kia Optima LX Turbo is $26,590.00 plus tax.

The LX Turbo is a 1.6 liter 4 cylinder engine
7 speed dual clutch transmission
18″ Alloy Wheels

The side mirrors are power folding AND heated!! I had the Optima during the week it rained a lot here, the mirror stayed clear of raindrops!! That was very nice! Speaking of side mirrors. I love the blind spot indicator. MAN! I wish my Honda had those. 2 little cars light up and stay lit until the danger of an accident has passed. The Optima even has a Rear Cross Traffic Alert. These guys have thought of everything.

Another perk I really liked concerned the windshield wipers. When they are on a small display pops up and tells you the speed or mode the wipers are in. It was great to know for SURE my wipers were off!!

Gas mileage is amazing. 32 miles per gallon. 39 mpg on highway and 28 city. I drove everywhere during the week I had the Optima and never even made it to the half tank mark! I fill my Honda CRV once a week. The Optima I could have gone 2 weeks. When all was said and done I had 30 miles per gallon for the week. That was a sweet change.

Safety

WOW!! This car has major safety perks! Where isn’t there an airbag?
Dual Front Advanced Airbags
Front Seat Mounted Airbags
Drivers Knee Area Airbags
Full-Length Side Curtain Airbags

Back up camera is so clear you could take pictures from it!

Interior

So comfy! You can set the driver’s seat to fit you and then use one of two memory settings. I love that!! No more having to find the ‘perfect’ position. The Kia Optima remembers for me. The driver seat has 12-way power adjusting and has excellent lumbar support. This car would be a joy to take on a long road trip.

We drove around on Christmas Day to visit Grandkids; our son and The Husband road in the backseat and said that it was a comfortable ride with plenty of leg-room. (Both are at least 6′) The center fold-down armrest contains cup holders. There is a heating/cooling vent in the backseat, but no independent controls.

The anchors for the carseat is on the back window dash and made installing the carseat a breeze.

Storage! WOW!! Seriously the trunk is so large we had no problem delivering Santa’s haul to the kids. Need more room? The back seats will both fold down or with a 60/40-split. My favorite feature though is the automatic opening trunk. With the key fob on you or in your purse simply stand behind the Optima and after a series of beeps the trunk will open on its own. SO convenient when your hands are full!!

Warranty

Is there any other car manufacture that offers such an amazing warranty? 10 Year/100,000 Mile Limited Powertrain Warranty. 5 Year or 60,000 Mile Limited Basic Warranty and 5 Year or 60,000 Mile Roadside Assistance! Very impressive.

WHINES

The Kia Optima LX Turbo is a true joy to drive. The ride is smooth, the look is sleek. I got fantastic gas mileage and I did NOT want to give this car back!!

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Disclosure: I received a complimentary week driving the 2016 Kia Optima LX Turbo from DriveShop for the purpose of my review. No, they didn’t let me keep it…. they NEVER let me keep these cars?? WHY??? No other compensation was provided. The opinions are mine and 100% honest. I have not been influenced in any way. Hey DriveShop guys; how about letting me test drive the new 2016 K900?!

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