I remember 10 years ago I laughed at anything Kia...now they make arguably the best looking and best valued cars in the world. South Korea is at the top of their game right now, and I hope they keep it up as it will only make the competition work harder.
I am a new sales consultant, just started today. Thank you so much for making this video! It has made beginning this job so much less stressful!! the amount of help this gave is unreal
Love my Optima. I never imagined I would become such a fan of Hyundai/Kia, but the speed at which they've improved and the value offered is exceptional. It actually makes me excited for the upcoming Genesis brand and whatever Kia has brewing for the future.
Wait till you sell your car and realize you should have bought an accord. You're not gonna receive much when you get rid of it. There's a reason why Kias are so cheap
+Mike Nguyen Didn't want an Accord then and I don't want one now. I'm satisfied with my purchase and I couldn't care less about residual value (which is Factually very comparable). I did my research and objectively picked the best car for me. Your biased and uniformed opinion means nothing to me.
The view out the back window is about 75% of what you will find in other similar cars. The slope of the glass and the steepness of the rear deck decrease your view considerably. You'll have to rely on the backup camera more than you would think.
+Tully3674 If you wanted a FWD instead of a RWD car. It damn sure doesn't drive and handle as well as the Lexus GS. the 5-series can't so this damn sure can't hang.
+What is Bitcoin? FWD or RWD - you can't tell the difference driving on a highway or driving to work. You want a sports car, take the $25K in savings and get a new Miata for weekends. For daily commuting, the Optima is a value (and I own a GS - I know of what I type).
+Tully3674 very well said , though "What is Bitcoin?" is a child . they will learn one day that speed is not everything, sometime cruising on the weekends at a pleasurably pace is amazing
***** Excuse me, Nancy, but bringing in the Lexus GS into the conversation is not about cruising down the highway, which most modern new cars do pretty well. That wasn't what this was about. The GS does many things well besides cruise highways.
I'm very impressed with the vehicles that Kia and Hyundai have been coming out with in the last few years. Admittedly, I was not a fan of the noisy interior of the previous generation Elantra, but every other Kia and Hyundai that I have been able to drive or ride in I have really liked. The value is definitely what impresses the most: heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. The Kia Optima is my new favorite sedan.
Recently got a 2017 certified Optima 1.6T with the full sport package/trim: red-leather seats with lumbar & 2 presets, seats/mirrors are heated with 2 person presets, black painted spoiler, led tail-lights, "sport" setting, etc. I love it!
Awesome review! I think you are spot on. I put money down on a 2016 Accord Touring, but test drove a KIA Optima SXL last night. I was blown away by the features and quality. I found your review after the test drive and it further strengthened my opinion that the Optima is a better value. Moreover, I do not like the blind spot camera that Honda put on the Accord. I think it is distracting and will not be of any use in bad weather. Rear cross traffic alert is also a glaring omission from the top trim levels in the Accord. Again, bad weather or road spray will coat the camera and make it all but meaningless. Accord's adaptive cruise control is not full range and turns off around 20 MPH. This is less convenient in stop and go traffic. I am sure you mention this in your Accord review, which I am going to view now. Thank you for also answering the question about Android Auto and Apple Carplay. I found reference that they were included in 2016 but could not find a real example of the Optima showing the integration.
I've driven an Accord, (probably was the EXL, had everything) and that thing had more road noise than my current 2014 Optima Hybrid. Steering feel was better but I didn't care for the center dash layout, preferred the Mazda and the Optima's. Really liked the Mazda's handling but road noise was not much better than my car. Out of the others I tested, Sonata, 6 Optima, the one car that did had a smooth and quiet ride was the Optima EX. If the Mazda had this level of quiet and refined ride (even though sporty, which I like), it would be my top pick. I'm happy the Optima development took longer and even happier they made the improvements better than what they did with the Sonata. Looking forward to see what they do with the Hybrid replacement.
Hi Alex, I just wanted to let you know that I have just got the Optima LX 1.6L Turbo with the Tech pkg 4/29/16 and I Truly believe it's "A Must Own"!! I was looking at a Camry Hybrid XLE but after watching your Review of the Optima 1.6T and taking it for a test drive; I changed my mind. Thank You!!
+Lucas Goes Sir, I would like to say I drive with a Heavy Right Foot and I get 31 mpg's City & 39 mpg's Highway also the Optima LX 1.6L Turbo has a 18.5 gallon Fuel tank capacity.
Most CVT's are build for better fuel economy, so acceleration might be worse, dynamics a little worse, a little less fun in driving it. Reliability is still very questionable because it's relatively new technology and if you check the way it's build, it does look like metal belt might wear out. CVT's are generally not being installed on more powerful engine cars because more powerful car can wear out metal belt much faster. Never the less CVT's are getting better and better, and probably in near future most small car automatics will be CVTs and there will be no choice.
Roman O little less fun??? more like absolutely NO fun to drive. I hate CVTs. I have driven them enough to like that but that artificial rubber band feel can't go away no matter what the brand.
I have driven Hyundai kia for the last few years different models. You will be impressed by the cars they make, well equipped , nice well built interior, 7 year warranty,win lots of customers.
Not American. Not even in the market for a new car right now, so the video is kinda irrelevant to me. But you're so thorough and you articulate your voice well; so it's not a boring monotone like some video reviewers who try to do an in-depth review like this. Plus you obviously limit your personal bias, as opposed to just hiding it by choosing fancy wording. Not even in your target audience and yet I was interested enough to stick around til the end of the video. So, good job, Alex!
Fantastic Review. So detailed and objective. We are looking for 2016 Kia Optima SXL (new) since the promotions on the 2016 are great in Canada. Your review has been really valuable in our decision to get the 2016 SXL. Thank you.
They are really great cars. I’ve never driven the hybrid, but I hear good things. This 2016 model was a lot of car and trim and safety package for the price. The 2019 is really another level too. Price is getting up there though. Base model is still pretty packed and very competitively priced.
@@ARUclipsChannelwithNoName If you have higher standard, then it's not. But it has really good manufacturing quality than Honda. I drove both civic and rio, feel significant better in Rio than civic. can't believe it, right? Honda has way better reputation, but Civic feels cheap and made with low-end materials but not Rio.
@@luism8612 I had Honda Civic, fixed rear wheel bearing once and seat fan noise once. Kia, fixed windshield washer motor. but Kia has much quieter cabin than any Honda.
I was surprised you compared this to the MKZ! I just came off a 2017 MKZ lease and drove a fully equipped 2019 Optima SX yesterday and came to youtube to check what others are saying. The Lincoln listed at $45K and did not have adaptive cruise, lane departure, forward sensing or birds eye parking (they are now mostly standard). Getting to driving modes on the MKZ was cumbersome, requiring scrolling through setup menus vs a simple console push button that cycles through several settings (no suspension adjustment though) on the SX. The only things missing (other than AWD) that I frequently used are the remote start and remote open/close trunk. Perhaps a remote start can be added but may require an additional fob. (Wish my phone bluetooth could replace ALL key fobs) Also Kia has decided to no longer include garage door openers on some models so I would need to clip my ugly controller to the visor (ugg).The MKZ has an attractive attractive grill imo that provides a more distinctive appearance while the Optima is more generic to my eyes. But the price/lease differential is huge! I prefer the seating position on the Kia too as well as the appearance of the dashboard. The panoramic sunroof is nice too which my Lincoln didn't have. One more thing I prefer on the Kia is the use of buttons to change functions on the display. In fact the control layout seems a bit clearer and easier to use, but we will see. I never imagined I would be driving a Kia(or similar Hyundai) but these cars are able to offer lots of features in an increasingly attractive package for what to me seems a comparative bargain.
It's really hard to make a wrong choice in this segment. This Optima top trim level competes quite well in the looks department against the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, etc. My dark horse contender for the best looking mid-size sedan is the Mazda6 Grand Touring trim level.
I had a kia optima 2005. It went well, but the engine couldn't keep up with me when it get closer to 200 thousand mark. I hope the newer kia would last longer than 200 thousand mark.
Nice detailed review! To me, the packaging of accord in Canada makes it the top, especially the ex-l. If Kia added Napa leather to its Es trim, optima could be ranked higher IMHO.
I recently looked at a Mazda 6 Grand Touring with the Premium package (which also features Nappa leather) and came away impressed; I almost likely everything about that car...except the fact it only possess a 184hp 2.5L Naturally aspirated engine. This Optima SXL by the sound of it seems like it sacrifices a bit of driver involvement over the Mazda 6 but with a stronger powertrain, equally luxurious interior & high level of safety & technology, could very well be the car I'm looking for. @Alex how you would say the 2017 Optima SXL compares to the 2017 Mazda 6 GT Premium?
Alex, yet another exceptional review. I've always liked the interiors of the Optima, but the exteriors were a bit too "out there". I am concerned that Kia may limit the interior trim packages available on their soon-to-be-released hybrid models. I recently test-drove a MKZ hybrid and liked the front compartment a lot, but the rear seating room was limited -- more so than in fact my '14 Mazda6 GT. I'd be interested when you get a chance to test the new '16 Malibu Premier with it's 2.0L engine, as well as it's new hybrid model. If the initial reports are true, the interior room in these new models will be at the top of the class.
As always, great review, Alex. Aesthetically, Kia has been really stepping up their game. Since I am a manual transmission fanatic, I will defer from the Optima to a Mazda 6 Touring, Accord Sport, or Accord EX.
Great review. I tested the KIA SKL today as well as the VW PASAT, and Mazda 6. At this time I am even on the VW and the KIA. Malibu I passed over, the Mazda 6 looks nice and at a much lower price but not as ecstatic the VW and KIA
Thanks Alex, great review. I'm currently cross-shopping this vehicle with the nissan maxima and wondering which i should get. Which car would you say is more luxurious? How do the driving dynamics of the vehicles compare? If it were your money which car would you get?
Alex, another great review. It appears that you can get leather on the 2016 Optima ECO, however, it is no longer available in the 2016 Sonata ECO. I bought a 2015 Sonata ECO with the tech package and love it. My average gas mileage has 34+.
Another great review, thanks Alex. I was really looking forward to this one. Did you test the 0-60 times yourself? The only numbers I've seen so far were 6.8 sec which is quite a bit slower than the 5.9 seconds you mentioned in this review. I'm trying to decide between this and a 2016 Honda Civic Touring so I hope you'll be doing a review of that soon. Cheers and Happy Holidays.
Alex on Autos Cool, thanks for the reply. That's a pretty impressive 0-60 for this segment, isn't it? I'm looking forward to test driving this and the new Civic Touring soon so I can make a direct comparison myself, but in the mean time I have these wonderful in-depth reviews from kind folks like you. :) Cheers, Michael
+Brain Candy TV It is quite good, the Accord V6 and Chrysler 200 V6 post similar times but the Camry V6 is a hair slower and the Fusion 2.0T is as well (likely because the Fusion is heavier)
Alex, thanks for your very informative auto reviews. I just picked up a 2016 Optima SXL after trading in my 2013 SXL which I very much enjoyed having for 36 months (lease). I am amazed how much the car has evolved in just 3 years and thus far happy with my 2016 and all of its advanced tech. I will say though that I do not think the UI in as snappy as my 2013 was as it seems to take a very long time to answer voice prompts, I would give it a "C" in that department. I am somewhat confused about the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and the front collision warning system( FCWS) - will those features prevent a forward collision ? What would happen if a pedestrian stepped in front of my car while I was adjusting the climate control, would my car stop by itself ? Perhaps you could shed some light on these features....Thanks again for all your efforts
Review is good and i like the channel perhaps the only complaint i would have is the lack of highlight for the fact that this is an sxl... (most people are going to buy a lx/ex Not a sxl optima sticker price of 36k pluss pluss pluss ...
Alex should I be concerned with the turbo and engine long term reliability? my understanding at the moment is that the turbo will most likely fail and the engine will most likely burn oil. what are your thoughts on the reliability of small displacement turbo assisted engines? thank you in advance.
What an ultimate Lease Company car. You get comfort, you get the goodies. You get an awesome warranty. An SX-L gives you the good life without going German, or expensive Japanese. I think if I was a traveling Sales, or Technical guy who needed wheels that will get me where I want to go, this car would be it. Never really Liked Hyundai's, but the Kia is so much more classy looking, and feeling. Lincoln???? Eckk! They cannot get out of there own way as far as a snooze wagon, and car. Until they have watermark cars like Cadillac does, I can't take an overpriced dressed up Taurus, or Escape, or Edge, with the Lincoln clothes. Kia is trying so hard, and it shows. My next car or SUV is looking like a Kia. Also if you are worried about AWD, don't. Get the proper tires for your driving environment, as they make a greater difference than paying way more for a heavy, inefficient AWD. Bridgestone Blizzak Tires for the Winter. Great Summer tires for the rest of the year. I still think the Mazda 6 is the most awesome sedan, but the Optima will ride better where the Mazda 6 maybe too firm for my long trips. Thanks for the great review Alex. Keep up the great work.
Nice in and out. However, for a techie like me, that squashed roof in the back is a dissonance, since it's form over function. Center console divider is needlessly wide as well. Pity there is no manual transmission option.
Thanks Alex, love the comprehensive reviews. do you think the Optima will survive 5 yrs in reliability especially with the turbo as the the Accord, camry etc?
+Ric Oaks Let's put it this way, long warranties are usually used to showcase reliability. If you put a long warranty on a product that;s not reliable you'll lose a great deal of money. All indications point to Kia and Hyundai having excellent estimated reliability on their new models and the 10/100K warranty is more an effect of this than a cause if that makes sense.
Great review. I currently drive a 2014 Kia Cadenza. This new Otpmia now has a few more features than what my car has. I am strongly considering going back to the optima (more luxury appearance)but undecided. The 2017 Cadenza is suppose to drop next fall. I can wait to see your review on that.
On the many car reviews I've viewed almost everyone praises the Mazda6 for it's drive. I test drove the Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6 and Kia Optima in one day and I found the Mazda6 to be extremely average compared to the other two! Kia of course was the best in my opinion.
Bonus bird-watching content -- a hummingbird shows up at about 19:39 in the purple flowers by Alex's right leg, just before the list of "EX Trim Standard Features" blocks it out.
+linyasen5 I'm interested in this as well. I'm trying to decide between the 2016 Civic Touring and the Optima SX and would love to hear Alex's take on both models for a more direct comparison.
Alex- have you ever compared the 2016 Kia Optima to The2016 hyundai sonata?...although i know they are very similar i was wondering if you had an opinion which would be better suited for my eldery parents? The navigation is very important to them and i have heard that the Optima navigation- although very user friendly-is slightly farther away from the driver and perhaps not as easy to use? also what about visibility out of the rear window? Thanks very much ! Arthur
I live this color combination so much! But I can barely find it on the used car market. It's hard to even 😂find the Ivory Nappa leather interior bc most of the SX & SXL listings I've seen have the black or dark brown Aubergine Nappa leather interior. I prefer the Aubergine Nappa leather over the all-black interior, but it still looks really dark for South FL. That's why I my first preference is this Ivory Nappa leather interior bc this two-tone color combination looks beautiful
I've been looking at a lot of Optima reviews. I think now the only review better than this is to test drive one of these for myself. But can anyone provide consumer reports or some other source showing that there is also longterm 10 year value? Only time will tell??
This dude is some kind of frikkin WIZARD man. How in the blue blazes is he able to remove his sunglasses without even TOUCHING THEM?!? Unbelievable 24:12
Alex, I found the 2.0 in the 2016 model to be noisy and underpowered. It felt as slow as the 2.4. having leased a 2013 SXL AND THEN DRIVING THE 2016 SXL 2.0 I opted to lease a 2015 SXL for my new lease. I am wondering how you obtained a 0 to 60 time of 5.9 seconds? Motor Trend recently noted that the 1.6 turbo was nearly as fast as the 2.0 turbo. I was also underwhelmed by the interior in particular the wider center stack crowds the legs of passengers and drivers who sit with their legs apart. I agree the interior materials are a step up and the height adjustable passenger seat is a plus. Another benefit is the adaptive cruise and lane departure additions. In the end after careful consideration I just could not tolerate the loss of power and having loved my 2013 SXL I decided to go with 2015 model. The upgraded navigation and UVO SYSTEM as well as the quilted leather were enough to keep me happy.
Deja-Vu... Alex, your reviews are the BEST bar none on You Tube. However, there's so much out there to be reviewed (how about the 2016 Malibu, for instance??), that I was sort of distraught that you had doubled-down on Optima (last review not too long ago). Nevertheless, keep up the great work and keep these reviews (new ones) coming!
Hello Alex, I am a big fan of your channel. I am just wondering about the 0-60 tested here. Most other reviewers have it rated at 6.8-7.0s and you had 5.8 seconds. Just wondering why the difference?
Could you do a review of the 2017 Optima Hybrid EX model? I'm wondering what you were talking about at the end, whether all those goodies make it to the Hybrid EX edition at just shy of $31,000. The addition of the Technology Package puts the cost around $37K. I also see they have the Optima Plug-In in EX trim only for about $5K more than the Hybrid EX.
Great Review Alex!!! Merry Christmas & Happy 2016 Man! I just have a few quick questions. How many gallons from the low fuel warning light does this take to full up? How many miles per tank did you get? I think this is great value and certainly has better, more interesting features than the Honda.
Anyone have an opinion on sonata vs optima? More concerned about user friendly interior and visibility...seems the only real differences is that the sonata has a larger Dedicated temp digital display and a second clock ( temp and clock is tucked in the 8" screen on the optima) but optima has power folding mirrors which sonata doesn't have...any thoughts?
Hi Arthur, Optima does have limited visibility. That's one of the reasons I had to pump in extra money for the 360 degree camera. It is a wide car. Interior is great. Dare I say it on par with the luxury competition like BMW and Mercedes. I am not sure if Sonata will have same limited visibility, are they built on the same platform? If they are then I would assume limited visibility.
Thanks for another informative review. You are still the best auto reviewer in RUclips land. If possible, could you provide one reference number in the scale of vehicle size graphic? Small garage requires medium sized or less auto. Looking forward to your reviews in the new year. Happy holidays!
And why your reviews never mention comparisons to the Mazda6 at length which right now is still the best looking and the best equipped sedans until this Optima showed up? Also its missing in your chart that you show at the bottom.
It's because the mid-size sedan segment is incredibly crowded. That's why the top four competitors that compete with the Optima are the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and the Ford Fusion.
The previous Kia Optima SX had a garage door opener on the rear view mirror. What happened to it on the 2016-7 Kia Optima SXL? Why would they drop that feature in a near luxury vehicle?
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I remember 10 years ago I laughed at anything Kia...now they make arguably the best looking and best valued cars in the world. South Korea is at the top of their game right now, and I hope they keep it up as it will only make the competition work harder.
Folks would be hard pressed to find a better reviewer out there. Amazing job.
Redline used to be my go-to car reviewer. Now it's Alex. When he's done I have no questions. Great job!
I am a new sales consultant, just started today. Thank you so much for making this video! It has made beginning this job so much less stressful!! the amount of help this gave is unreal
Alex is truly the best car reviewer with the most substance and preparation and clear speaking style.
Love my Optima. I never imagined I would become such a fan of Hyundai/Kia, but the speed at which they've improved and the value offered is exceptional. It actually makes me excited for the upcoming Genesis brand and whatever Kia has brewing for the future.
Wait till you sell your car and realize you should have bought an accord. You're not gonna receive much when you get rid of it. There's a reason why Kias are so cheap
+Mike Nguyen Didn't want an Accord then and I don't want one now. I'm satisfied with my purchase and I couldn't care less about residual value (which is Factually very comparable). I did my research and objectively picked the best car for me. Your biased and uniformed opinion means nothing to me.
wow this is the most detailed car review i've ever seen!
The view out the back window is about 75% of what you will find in other similar cars. The slope of the glass and the steepness of the rear deck decrease your view considerably. You'll have to rely on the backup camera more than you would think.
There's a reason why Kia Optimas are popping up all over town now
This car is a terrific value. Its amenities are 90% a Lexus GS (yes GS, not an ES) at $25K less money.
+Tully3674 If you wanted a FWD instead of a RWD car. It damn sure doesn't drive and handle as well as the Lexus GS. the 5-series can't so this damn sure can't hang.
+What is Bitcoin? FWD or RWD - you can't tell the difference driving on a highway or driving to work. You want a sports car, take the $25K in savings and get a new Miata for weekends. For daily commuting, the Optima is a value (and I own a GS - I know of what I type).
This car is not that good. You guys give it too
Much praise. Can't touch the Lexus.
+Tully3674 very well said , though "What is Bitcoin?" is a child . they will learn one day that speed is not everything, sometime cruising on the weekends at a pleasurably pace is amazing
***** Excuse me, Nancy, but bringing in the Lexus GS into the conversation is not about cruising down the highway, which most modern new cars do pretty well. That wasn't what this was about. The GS does many things well besides cruise highways.
Just got a used one and I love it! Thanks for the review!
love his reviews .. always detailed and straight to the point, but still has his opinions tossed in the mix ..
I'm very impressed with the vehicles that Kia and Hyundai have been coming out with in the last few years. Admittedly, I was not a fan of the noisy interior of the previous generation Elantra, but every other Kia and Hyundai that I have been able to drive or ride in I have really liked. The value is definitely what impresses the most: heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. The Kia Optima is my new favorite sedan.
Recently got a 2017 certified Optima 1.6T with the full sport package/trim: red-leather seats with lumbar & 2 presets, seats/mirrors are heated with 2 person presets, black painted spoiler, led tail-lights, "sport" setting, etc. I love it!
Still loving our SXL! 51,000k miles and smooth! Still feels like a Lexus!
I've been saying it to anyone who will listen...Alex is, by far, the BEST reviewer!
Awesome review! I think you are spot on. I put money down on a 2016 Accord Touring, but test drove a KIA Optima SXL last night. I was blown away by the features and quality. I found your review after the test drive and it further strengthened my opinion that the Optima is a better value. Moreover, I do not like the blind spot camera that Honda put on the Accord. I think it is distracting and will not be of any use in bad weather. Rear cross traffic alert is also a glaring omission from the top trim levels in the Accord. Again, bad weather or road spray will coat the camera and make it all but meaningless. Accord's adaptive cruise control is not full range and turns off around 20 MPH. This is less convenient in stop and go traffic. I am sure you mention this in your Accord review, which I am going to view now. Thank you for also answering the question about Android Auto and Apple Carplay. I found reference that they were included in 2016 but could not find a real example of the Optima showing the integration.
Alex , I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a great 2016 .
Now that was 5 years ago...
I've driven an Accord, (probably was the EXL, had everything) and that thing had more road noise than my current 2014 Optima Hybrid. Steering feel was better but I didn't care for the center dash layout, preferred the Mazda and the Optima's. Really liked the Mazda's handling but road noise was not much better than my car. Out of the others I tested, Sonata, 6 Optima, the one car that did had a smooth and quiet ride was the Optima EX. If the Mazda had this level of quiet and refined ride (even though sporty, which I like), it would be my top pick.
I'm happy the Optima development took longer and even happier they made the improvements better than what they did with the Sonata. Looking forward to see what they do with the Hybrid replacement.
Hi Alex, I just wanted to let you know that I have just got the Optima LX 1.6L Turbo with the Tech pkg 4/29/16 and I Truly believe it's "A Must Own"!! I was looking at a Camry Hybrid XLE but after watching your Review of the Optima 1.6T and taking it for a test drive; I changed my mind. Thank You!!
how's fuel economy ?
+Lucas Goes
Sir, I would like to say I drive with a Heavy Right Foot and I get 31 mpg's City & 39 mpg's Highway also the Optima LX 1.6L Turbo has a 18.5 gallon Fuel tank capacity.
Steve Wierzbicki same here more bang for your buck
Absolutely the best professional in this field with correct info and details.
Kia is getting seriously smart. they are not putting CVT's in their vehicles.
+Roman O I was originally looking into Nissan Rouge and just learned about CVT transmissions. What is the disadvantage of a CVT?
Most CVT's are build for better fuel economy, so acceleration might be worse, dynamics a little worse, a little less fun in driving it.
Reliability is still very questionable because it's relatively new technology and if you check the way it's build, it does look like metal belt might wear out. CVT's are generally not being installed on more powerful engine cars because more powerful car can wear out metal belt much faster.
Never the less CVT's are getting better and better, and probably in near future most small car automatics will be CVTs and there will be no choice.
Roman O little less fun??? more like absolutely NO fun to drive. I hate CVTs. I have driven them enough to like that but that artificial rubber band feel can't go away no matter what the brand.
Umair Osman whats a CVT ?
Isnt CVT a government regulation? Someone mentioned it in another channel
Very comprehensive. U know yr stuff very well. For enthusiasts, this is one of the best channels. Keep up the good work.
I have driven Hyundai kia for the last few years different models. You will be impressed by the cars they make, well equipped , nice well built interior, 7 year warranty,win lots of customers.
Alex's reviews are the best. Very mature, and to the point.
Not American. Not even in the market for a new car right now, so the video is kinda irrelevant to me. But you're so thorough and you articulate your voice well; so it's not a boring monotone like some video reviewers who try to do an in-depth review like this. Plus you obviously limit your personal bias, as opposed to just hiding it by choosing fancy wording. Not even in your target audience and yet I was interested enough to stick around til the end of the video. So, good job, Alex!
8:07 well that escalated quickly...
Accord Touring needs to use only one screen as infotainment system and these two cars are going be the strongest rivals in the segment
Fantastic Review. So detailed and objective. We are looking for 2016 Kia Optima SXL (new) since the promotions on the 2016 are great in Canada. Your review has been really valuable in our decision to get the 2016 SXL. Thank you.
They are really great cars. I’ve never driven the hybrid, but I hear good things. This 2016 model was a lot of car and trim and safety package for the price. The 2019 is really another level too. Price is getting up there though. Base model is still pretty packed and very competitively priced.
One of the best reviews I ever saw
Very telling and informative
Thanks 🌹
I like Kia over Honda. It’s near luxury choice with much less cost. Good job Kia.
Me too Kia over Honda 👍
Kia is near luxury?
@@ARUclipsChannelwithNoName If you have higher standard, then it's not. But it has really good manufacturing quality than Honda. I drove both civic and rio, feel significant better in Rio than civic. can't believe it, right? Honda has way better reputation, but Civic feels cheap and made with low-end materials but not Rio.
@@dennisy1837 true I get that but let’s face it wich car do you think will last longer?
@@luism8612 I had Honda Civic, fixed rear wheel bearing once and seat fan noise once. Kia, fixed windshield washer motor. but Kia has much quieter cabin than any Honda.
I was surprised you compared this to the MKZ! I just came off a 2017 MKZ lease and drove a fully equipped 2019 Optima SX yesterday and came to youtube to check what others are saying. The Lincoln listed at $45K and did not have adaptive cruise, lane departure, forward sensing or birds eye parking (they are now mostly standard). Getting to driving modes on the MKZ was cumbersome, requiring scrolling through setup menus vs a simple console push button that cycles through several settings (no suspension adjustment though) on the SX. The only things missing (other than AWD) that I frequently used are the remote start and remote open/close trunk. Perhaps a remote start can be added but may require an additional fob. (Wish my phone bluetooth could replace ALL key fobs) Also Kia has decided to no longer include garage door openers on some models so I would need to clip my ugly controller to the visor (ugg).The MKZ has an attractive attractive grill imo that provides a more distinctive appearance while the Optima is more generic to my eyes. But the price/lease differential is huge! I prefer the seating position on the Kia too as well as the appearance of the dashboard. The panoramic sunroof is nice too which my Lincoln didn't have. One more thing I prefer on the Kia is the use of buttons to change functions on the display. In fact the control layout seems a bit clearer and easier to use, but we will see. I never imagined I would be driving a Kia(or similar Hyundai) but these cars are able to offer lots of features in an increasingly attractive package for what to me seems a comparative bargain.
It's really hard to make a wrong choice in this segment. This Optima top trim level competes quite well in the looks department against the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, etc. My dark horse contender for the best looking mid-size sedan is the Mazda6 Grand Touring trim level.
What car do you drive?
Hello Alex, I have seen so many Optima reviews lately and I really am impressed. And coming from you WOW!
Really love the interior on this. Very well done. Definetly better than the Accord
I had a kia optima 2005. It went well, but the engine couldn't keep up with me when it get closer to 200 thousand mark. I hope the newer kia would last longer than 200 thousand mark.
Nice detailed review! To me, the packaging of accord in Canada makes it the top, especially the ex-l. If Kia added Napa leather to its Es trim, optima could be ranked higher IMHO.
I recently looked at a Mazda 6 Grand Touring with the Premium package (which also features Nappa leather) and came away impressed; I almost likely everything about that car...except the fact it only possess a 184hp 2.5L Naturally aspirated engine. This Optima SXL by the sound of it seems like it sacrifices a bit of driver involvement over the Mazda 6 but with a stronger powertrain, equally luxurious interior & high level of safety & technology, could very well be the car I'm looking for. @Alex how you would say the 2017 Optima SXL compares to the 2017 Mazda 6 GT Premium?
Alex, yet another exceptional review. I've always liked the interiors of the Optima, but the exteriors were a bit too "out there". I am concerned that Kia may limit the interior trim packages available on their soon-to-be-released hybrid models. I recently test-drove a MKZ hybrid and liked the front compartment a lot, but the rear seating room was limited -- more so than in fact my '14 Mazda6 GT.
I'd be interested when you get a chance to test the new '16 Malibu Premier with it's 2.0L engine, as well as it's new hybrid model. If the initial reports are true, the interior room in these new models will be at the top of the class.
I have the LX and it does NOT have a power drivers seat, only a power lumbar. Which is still nice, but just an FYI.
Another amazing detailed review! I am not aware of a better resource for new car research! 👍🏻
As always, great review, Alex. Aesthetically, Kia has been really stepping up their game. Since I am a manual transmission fanatic, I will defer from the Optima to a Mazda 6 Touring, Accord Sport, or Accord EX.
Great review! Your reviews are very thorough and I appreciate that level of detail.
Great review. I tested the KIA SKL today as well as the VW PASAT, and Mazda 6.
At this time I am even on the VW and the KIA. Malibu I passed over, the Mazda 6 looks nice and at a much lower price but not as ecstatic the VW and KIA
Thanks Alex, great review. I'm currently cross-shopping this vehicle with the nissan maxima and wondering which i should get. Which car would you say is more luxurious? How do the driving dynamics of the vehicles compare? If it were your money which car would you get?
You sir are fantastic. Please keep on reviewing cars... anything!
I'm looking at either the KIA EX or a Mazda6 or a Scoobeedoo Impreza.
I like the fact that you have the links to a specific part of the video in the video! Very thoughtful.
Alex, another great review. It appears that you can get leather on the 2016 Optima ECO, however, it is no longer available in the 2016 Sonata ECO. I bought a 2015 Sonata ECO with the tech package and love it. My average gas mileage has 34+.
Thanks for all the updates and Reviews !
Merry Christmas !
Thanks
Joe
Another great review, thanks Alex. I was really looking forward to this one. Did you test the 0-60 times yourself? The only numbers I've seen so far were 6.8 sec which is quite a bit slower than the 5.9 seconds you mentioned in this review. I'm trying to decide between this and a 2016 Honda Civic Touring so I hope you'll be doing a review of that soon. Cheers and Happy Holidays.
+Brain Candy TV Yes, all our 0-60 times are based on our own testing, we do not use other publication's times.
Alex on Autos Cool, thanks for the reply. That's a pretty impressive 0-60 for this segment, isn't it? I'm looking forward to test driving this and the new Civic Touring soon so I can make a direct comparison myself, but in the mean time I have these wonderful in-depth reviews from kind folks like you. :) Cheers, Michael
+Brain Candy TV It is quite good, the Accord V6 and Chrysler 200 V6 post similar times but the Camry V6 is a hair slower and the Fusion 2.0T is as well (likely because the Fusion is heavier)
I guess it is kind of off topic but does anybody know of a good site to watch new movies online?
@Jesiah Tyson flixportal
Ahh... finally, it has a better tire pressure monitor that shows the exact PSI per tire. I missed that feature in the 2014.
Alex, thanks for your very informative auto reviews. I just picked up a 2016 Optima SXL after trading in my 2013 SXL which I very much enjoyed having for 36 months (lease). I am amazed how much the car has evolved in just 3 years and thus far happy with my 2016 and all of its advanced tech. I will say though that I do not think the UI in as snappy as my 2013 was as it seems to take a very long time to answer voice prompts, I would give it a "C" in that department. I am somewhat confused about the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and the front collision warning system( FCWS) - will those features prevent a forward collision ? What would happen if a pedestrian stepped in front of my car while I was adjusting the climate control, would my car stop by itself ? Perhaps you could shed some light on these features....Thanks again for all your efforts
Are you still loving this car 4 years later?
Very impressive.
I wish KIA put the electronic parking brake on a couple of more trims. It's only on the SXL Turbo.
This is my dream car!!! Amazing job Alex.
Review is good and i like the channel perhaps the only complaint i would have is the lack of highlight for the fact that this is an sxl... (most people are going to buy a lx/ex Not a sxl optima sticker price of 36k pluss pluss pluss ...
Alex should I be concerned with the turbo and engine long term reliability? my understanding at the moment is that the turbo will most likely fail and the engine will most likely burn oil. what are your thoughts on the reliability of small displacement turbo assisted engines? thank you in advance.
+miguel tapia So far modern turbos have been looking very good, You should not expect any issues at least for 100,000 miles+
What an ultimate Lease Company car. You get comfort, you get the goodies. You get an awesome warranty. An SX-L gives you the good life without going German, or expensive Japanese. I think if I was a traveling Sales, or Technical guy who needed wheels that will get me where I want to go, this car would be it. Never really Liked Hyundai's, but the Kia is so much more classy looking, and feeling. Lincoln???? Eckk! They cannot get out of there own way as far as a snooze wagon, and car. Until they have watermark cars like Cadillac does, I can't take an overpriced dressed up Taurus, or Escape, or Edge, with the Lincoln clothes. Kia is trying so hard, and it shows. My next car or SUV is looking like a Kia. Also if you are worried about AWD, don't. Get the proper tires for your driving environment, as they make a greater difference than paying way more for a heavy, inefficient AWD. Bridgestone Blizzak Tires for the Winter. Great Summer tires for the rest of the year. I still think the Mazda 6 is the most awesome sedan, but the Optima will ride better where the Mazda 6 maybe too firm for my long trips. Thanks for the great review Alex. Keep up the great work.
Nice in and out. However, for a techie like me, that squashed roof in the back is a dissonance, since it's form over function. Center console divider is needlessly wide as well. Pity there is no manual transmission option.
Can you do a review on 2016 Passat 3.6?
Thanks Alex, love the comprehensive reviews. do you think the Optima will survive 5 yrs in reliability especially with the turbo as the the Accord, camry etc?
+Ric Oaks Let's put it this way, long warranties are usually used to showcase reliability. If you put a long warranty on a product that;s not reliable you'll lose a great deal of money. All indications point to Kia and Hyundai having excellent estimated reliability on their new models and the 10/100K warranty is more an effect of this than a cause if that makes sense.
It's a beautiful car
It's missing fog lights
Great review. I currently drive a 2014 Kia Cadenza. This new Otpmia now has a few more features than what my car has. I am strongly considering going back to the optima (more luxury appearance)but undecided. The 2017 Cadenza is suppose to drop next fall. I can wait to see your review on that.
+Brandon Bates Yes, we should be seeing it "soon" according to Kia.
+Brandon Bates wait the cadenzaaa .. is very premium looking
+Brandon Bates I love the Cadenza's look. Not many on the road so it has a special look to it, like very unique. keep it
On the many car reviews I've viewed almost everyone praises the Mazda6 for it's drive. I test drove the Hyundai Sonata, Mazda6 and Kia Optima in one day and I found the Mazda6 to be extremely average compared to the other two! Kia of course was the best in my opinion.
Bonus bird-watching content -- a hummingbird shows up at about 19:39 in the purple flowers by Alex's right leg, just before the list of "EX Trim Standard Features" blocks it out.
awesome
Any review on 2016 Honda Civic soon, Alex? Awesome reviews by the way... :)
+linyasen5 I'm interested in this as well. I'm trying to decide between the 2016 Civic Touring and the Optima SX and would love to hear Alex's take on both models for a more direct comparison.
+linyasen5 Yes, I want to know if it really is worth all the hype.
+Brain Candy TV civc has a CVT very unreliable after 100000
Alex- have you ever compared the 2016 Kia Optima to The2016 hyundai sonata?...although i know they are very similar i was wondering if you had an opinion which would be better suited for my eldery parents? The navigation is very important to them and i have heard that the Optima navigation- although very user friendly-is slightly farther away from the driver and perhaps not as easy to use? also what about visibility out of the rear window? Thanks very much ! Arthur
Even in 2020, still such a handsome somewhat sport looking 4 door.
Alex, if quietness and reliability are being your most concern, which med size family sedan you'd buy. thanks
+Mahmoud Saber It'd be between the Accord and the Optima
Alex,
I´m eagerly waiting for your review to the 2017 kia optima hybrid . Greetings from Portugal.
Great review, you are so thorough. Was the 0-60 in 5.9 seconds an error? I just bought a new to me 2016 and it does not feel that fast to me.
Just excellent!!! Looking forward to my new Optima PHEV and this review was very helpfull!
I live this color combination so much! But I can barely find it on the used car market. It's hard to even 😂find the Ivory Nappa leather interior bc most of the SX & SXL listings I've seen have the black or dark brown Aubergine Nappa leather interior. I prefer the Aubergine Nappa leather over the all-black interior, but it still looks really dark for South FL. That's why I my first preference is this Ivory Nappa leather interior bc this two-tone color combination looks beautiful
I've been looking at a lot of Optima reviews. I think now the only review better than this is to test drive one of these for myself. But can anyone provide consumer reports or some other source showing that there is also longterm 10 year value? Only time will tell??
24.15" neat treak with the glasses.
please review the kia stinger when you get a chance.
This dude is some kind of frikkin WIZARD man. How in the blue blazes is he able to remove his sunglasses without even TOUCHING THEM?!? Unbelievable 24:12
Best review on an automobile I've seen thus far. Thanks.
Great 'no nonsense' review....very detailed with substance.
its so hard to find a sxl for good price too since theres not a lot of km on um and theyre just rare anyway
Well done Alex, as on all your Rich reviews.
Just plain excellent detailed reviews. Thank you.
Alex,
I found the 2.0 in the 2016 model to be noisy and underpowered. It felt as slow as the 2.4. having leased a 2013 SXL AND THEN DRIVING THE 2016 SXL 2.0 I opted to lease a 2015 SXL for my new lease. I am wondering how you obtained a 0 to 60 time of 5.9 seconds? Motor Trend recently noted that the 1.6 turbo was nearly as fast as the 2.0 turbo. I was also underwhelmed by the interior in particular the wider center stack crowds the legs of passengers and drivers who sit with their legs apart. I agree the interior materials are a step up and the height adjustable passenger seat is a plus. Another benefit is the adaptive cruise and lane departure additions. In the end after careful consideration I just could not tolerate the loss of power and having loved my 2013 SXL I decided to go with 2015 model. The upgraded navigation and UVO SYSTEM as well as the quilted leather were enough to keep me happy.
very very thorough. thank you!
Deja-Vu... Alex, your reviews are the BEST bar none on You Tube. However, there's so much out there to be reviewed (how about the 2016 Malibu, for instance??), that I was sort of distraught that you had doubled-down on Optima (last review not too long ago). Nevertheless, keep up the great work and keep these reviews (new ones) coming!
+Patrick Sohaney Sadly I can only review what I can get my hands on and I have been trying to get teh new Malibu for a while. No luck so far.
Hello Alex, I am a big fan of your channel. I am just wondering about the 0-60 tested here. Most other reviewers have it rated at 6.8-7.0s and you had 5.8 seconds. Just wondering why the difference?
Could you do a review of the 2017 Optima Hybrid EX model? I'm wondering what you were talking about at the end, whether all those goodies make it to the Hybrid EX edition at just shy of $31,000. The addition of the Technology Package puts the cost around $37K. I also see they have the Optima Plug-In in EX trim only for about $5K more than the Hybrid EX.
How’s this in the snow? Are the head rests adjustable? Ty
Great Review Alex!!! Merry Christmas & Happy 2016 Man!
I just have a few quick questions. How many gallons from the low fuel warning light does this take to full up? How many miles per tank did you get?
I think this is great value and certainly has better, more interesting features than the Honda.
+carguy812 To be honest I don't remember
Nice video
I got a 13 and I love it!!
Best car For the buck. All you need is a good set of all season tires. AWD would lower the miles per gallon
Hi, Alex. I really enjoy watching your reviews. Just wondering if you could review the 2016 Rav4 hybrid. Thanks!
Very nice the Optima but I need AWD! Snow for winter! Have look at the Genesis G80 when it is release!
Anyone have an opinion on sonata vs optima? More concerned about user friendly interior and visibility...seems the only real differences is that the sonata has a larger Dedicated temp digital display and a second clock ( temp and clock is tucked in the 8" screen on the optima) but optima has power folding mirrors which sonata doesn't have...any thoughts?
Hi Arthur,
Optima does have limited visibility. That's one of the reasons I had to pump in extra money for the 360 degree camera. It is a wide car. Interior is great. Dare I say it on par with the luxury competition like BMW and Mercedes. I am not sure if Sonata will have same limited visibility, are they built on the same platform? If they are then I would assume limited visibility.
Thanks for another informative review. You are still the best auto reviewer in RUclips land. If possible, could you provide one reference number in the scale of vehicle size graphic? Small garage requires medium sized or less auto. Looking forward to your reviews in the new year. Happy holidays!
They need to stop with wood trim its disgusting, faux or real it just dates any car and I will never own one. I have a 2014 optima I still like it.
Great video! Thanks. I bought one!
D_Rock me 2
And why your reviews never mention comparisons to the Mazda6 at length which right now is still the best looking and the best equipped sedans until this Optima showed up? Also its missing in your chart that you show at the bottom.
It's because the mid-size sedan segment is incredibly crowded. That's why the top four competitors that compete with the Optima are the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and the Ford Fusion.
The previous Kia Optima SX had a garage door opener on the rear view mirror. What happened to it on the 2016-7 Kia Optima SXL? Why would they drop that feature in a near luxury vehicle?
Your dealer can add it for $220 plus install. It's a dealer sold accessory for 2017/2016