Also worth noting is that the AC is run primarily off the electric system; not the gas engine system. Also, - and this is quite trivial - the glove box is also air conditioned to keep any food items cold if you want to put them there.
Most people have reviewed the Hunday Sonata Hybrid as having a really jerky transmission... and the transition between gas and electric isn't smooth at all. I wonder how the Kia is better since it uses the same exact power train no?
@OneOfaKind949 I had also experienced the jerky transmission in the Sonata (though not in the electric to gas transition). It was clearly better in the Optima, so I first called Kia to ask about it. They said since Optima hybrid came out later than Sonata, they were able to tweak the calibration (I'm guessing through firmware). So I then called up Hyundai to see if those same changes were made to Sonata. They said yes, it's much smoother now.
@skoshy It's the kind of thing I like looking for when I photograph a car. It's like easter eggs. Very nice holistic integration on this car.
Speaking of Kia, I was also watching the Soul ad today that uses the LMFAO song and found all sorts of small details (faded LMFAO billboards, "hamstar" logos). Neat little details.
@DrivenCarReviews I think those small details don't get enough credit. Old, staid design cues like the double kidneys and Hofmeister kink just seem trite and overdone now. Nobody else is taking their designs as seriously as Kia and they definitely deserve credit. It's mostly original, aside from the proportions Eric Streyer is already used to, the new design language definitely has a greater impact in a volume brand than it does in a premium one.
Also worth noting is that the AC is run primarily off the electric system; not the gas engine system. Also, - and this is quite trivial - the glove box is also air conditioned to keep any food items cold if you want to put them there.
dallasmsl 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
great car, great review
great car, great review
great car, great review
great car, great review
great car, great review
great car, great review
great car, great review
great car, great review
zoro123456789x 1 month ago
The narrator made a mistake saying that: Camry Hybrid is expected to get 43 City and 39 Highway? How is that possible, doesn't even make sense! 2:11
SimpleDietStore 2 months ago
do you like this or the 2013 malibu better?
uakronsam116 2 months ago
man, i was expecting more of a design departure from the standard gas model, like the sonata vs sonata hybrid.
the new facia makes it look plastic and more toy-like
ktonlai 3 months ago
i hate that rims -_-
manyakols9 4 months ago in playlist More videos from DrivenCarReviews
I honestly thing Optima is one of the best looking car out there today
timtime88 4 months ago
1:48 accerlation?
jsiszero 4 months ago
@jsiszero Wish I had an intern I could blame that on...
DrivenCarReviews 4 months ago 3
GOOD REVIEW
Luislomelid2k 4 months ago
great car, great review
silversteen9 4 months ago
why why why are the wheels on hybrids sooo ugly?!
tomtom5418 4 months ago 2
just wait till the 2013 fusion.
DevPack 4 months ago
Most people have reviewed the Hunday Sonata Hybrid as having a really jerky transmission... and the transition between gas and electric isn't smooth at all. I wonder how the Kia is better since it uses the same exact power train no?
OneOfaKind949 4 months ago
@OneOfaKind949 I had also experienced the jerky transmission in the Sonata (though not in the electric to gas transition). It was clearly better in the Optima, so I first called Kia to ask about it. They said since Optima hybrid came out later than Sonata, they were able to tweak the calibration (I'm guessing through firmware). So I then called up Hyundai to see if those same changes were made to Sonata. They said yes, it's much smoother now.
DrivenCarReviews 4 months ago 7
Glad you pointed out the small design details in the end.
skoshy 4 months ago 3
@skoshy It's the kind of thing I like looking for when I photograph a car. It's like easter eggs. Very nice holistic integration on this car.
Speaking of Kia, I was also watching the Soul ad today that uses the LMFAO song and found all sorts of small details (faded LMFAO billboards, "hamstar" logos). Neat little details.
DrivenCarReviews 4 months ago 4
@DrivenCarReviews I think those small details don't get enough credit. Old, staid design cues like the double kidneys and Hofmeister kink just seem trite and overdone now. Nobody else is taking their designs as seriously as Kia and they definitely deserve credit. It's mostly original, aside from the proportions Eric Streyer is already used to, the new design language definitely has a greater impact in a volume brand than it does in a premium one.
skoshy 4 months ago 2
Another great and insightful review :-)
ormand3000 4 months ago 2
Those wheels are ugly but at least they didn't ruin the design like they did to the Sonata Hybrid.
2Kriss2Kross 4 months ago
First!! BTW, great reviews!!!
Xrobx6000X 4 months ago
!ST
BlackOpsAFG 4 months ago