Overview
In 2016, KIA kicked off the fourth production cycle of its popular midsize sedan, the Optima. The exterior design, a highly-acclaimed attribute of the vehicle, remains stylish and eye-catching; and the Optima is still accompanied by one of the best warranties in the business. For 2017, nothing has changed, since the production cycle is still very new. There are three trim levels of the 2017 KIA Optima: LX (regular LX and LX 1.6T), EX, and SX (regular SX and SX Limited).
Interior
As a two-row vehicle that seats up to five people, the 2017 KIA Optima provides 104.8 cubic feet of passenger space. The trunk gives up 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, although you can expand it into the cabin because of the split-folding ability of the rear seatback. The front row comprises an 8-way adjustable driver's seat with 2-way lumbar support and a 6-way adjustable passenger seat. The EX trim comes with the following additions or enhancements: Leather seat trim, front-seat and steering-wheel heating capability, and 8-way power adjustability with 4-way power lumbar support and memory system on the driver's seat. The SX Limited-which is designated as the top-of-the-line Optima model-gets additional cooling capability, an upgrade of the driver's seat to 12-way power adjustability and 4-way power lumbar support, and an upgrade of the front passenger seat to 10-way power adjustability with 2-way power lumbar support. Base-level comfort and convenience features on the new Optima include cruise control, a rearview camera, steering wheel-mounted controls, a three-month complimentary SiriusXM satellite radio subscription, Bluetooth for hands-free phone calling and audio streaming, and a stereo system that comes with six speakers and a 5-inch touchscreen display. On the LX 1.6T, KIA upgrades the HVAC system with dual-zone automatic control. On the EX, KIA adds Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to enable you to control infotainment functions with your smartphone, and a 7-inch touchscreen replaces the 5-inch display. On the SX trim level, KIA adds auto dimming on the rearview mirror and paddle shifters on the steering wheel, and it replaces the 3.5-inch LCD meter screen with a 4.3-inch color LCD display. The SX Limited stands out with its 10-speaker 630-watt Harman Kardon surround sound system, as well as a surround-view camera that replaces the rearview one.
Exterior
The 2017 Optima's base-level exterior features include low projector-beam headlights, auto light control for turning headlights on or off depending on the strength of the outdoor light, and manual-folding power side mirrors with turn-signal indicators. The LX 1.6T gets a hands-free smart trunk, as well as heating and power folding on the side mirrors. On the EX, KIA adds high beams and LED daytime running accents on the headlights, as well as LED combination lamps on the rear fascia. The SX trim level gets a dual exhaust system for heightened engine performance, brighter and longer-lasting LED bulbs that replace the halogen headlights, a rear spoiler and sports-style bumpers for a sportier appearance, and a dynamic bending light system with auto leveling for more effective exterior illumination. The SX Limited in particular also gets a panoramic sunroof and headlight high beams.
Mechanical
The 2017 KIA Optima uses a MacPherson strut design for the front suspension and multi-link design for the rear suspension with a stabilizer bar and high-performance dampers to lessen the impact of turbulence from the road. On the SX models, KIA tunes their suspensions more tightly for a firmer driving feel. Steering that depends on a standalone power source (i.e., electric motor) is standard on the Optima for more energy efficiency and precise cornering. However, on the SX models, the electric motor is placed on the steering rack, rather than the steering column; the result is a better balance when driving.
Powertrain
With the LX trim level, you can go with a 2.4-liter inline 4-cylinder (I4) engine that produces 185 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque or you can go with a turbocharged 1.6-liter I4 with 176 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. The latter option explains the "1.6T" suffix for the LX; it's the only trim that has that option. The EX joins the LX in getting the 2.4-liter I4, while the SX trim level stands out with its turbocharged 2.0-liter I4 with 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. While the 2.0- and 2.4-liter engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, the 1.6-liter one goes with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Safety
For providing safety in the event of a crash, the 2017 KIA Optima comes with dual front impact airbags facing the driver and front passenger, dual side impact airbags mounted on the front seats, and a pair of side curtain airbags mounted on the roof. Also standard on the new Optima are electronic stability control to detect and reduce loss of traction, hill start assist to prevent the car from rolling backward when shifting from Park to Drive on a hill, all-wheel disc brakes to optimize stopping ability, and traction control to maximize tire grip with the road surface. KIA adds a ton of advanced safety features on the SX Limited, which include blind spot detection, autonomous emergency braking, rear cross-traffic alert, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning.
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