With all the variety of choice, South Korean cars are in high demand in the Russian market. According to polls, Kia Optima takes leading positions in various ratings.
Quality concept
The presentation of the new Kia Optima model took place in the summer of 2010 at the next auto show in New York. According to some experts, the South Korean concern had serious problems at that time. Against the background of "ruthless" competitors from Japan, Europe and the United States, the "Koreans" looked more than pale. Car owners gave preference to proven and positively proven models. After a detailed analysis of the current situation, top managers of Kia Motors have drawn up a new development program.
The traditional idea of a business class car has been corrected. The Kia Optima sedan differed from previous concepts in the following features:
· New name;
· Balanced exterior design;
· Optimum performance.
Famous artists and stylists were involved in the development of the exterior. The car appeared on the Russian market in 2012. The clear advantage of Optima over other models is the affordable price and adaptation to harsh operating conditions.
Korean engineers and managers have proposed another option that no one has thought of before. The future owner got the opportunity to tune the car before buying. Standard discs can be replaced with light alloy cast ones. Plus, to make the edging of the air intakes with chrome-plated material. Select a radiator grille with a suitable pattern. Dealers have other attractive offers that can be used at a reasonable price.
Thanks to the striking design, the car is easy to recognize in the traffic flow. The Kia Optima is 4855 mm long, 1860 mm wide, and 1485 mm high. The ground clearance is 140 mm. The salon is spacious, passengers in the back seat do not have to curl their legs. The trunk with a volume of 500 liters can easily fit knots and trunks with the things you need for a trip. Depending on the configuration, the car is equipped with a gasoline engine with a capacity of 150 or 188 horsepower. The car is capable of speeds up to 200 km / h.
In recent years, car owners have begun to pay more attention to vehicle safety systems. A reliable, safe and economical car is in trend today. Kia Optima, regardless of the configuration, is equipped with airbags. On more expensive models, rear-view cameras are installed, which greatly facilitate the driver's parking procedure in a confined space. For some models, a standard navigation system is provided.
Complete set Classic
The car in the classic configuration is equipped with a 2.0-liter engine with a capacity of 150 horsepower. The transmission is only mechanical, six-speed. According to the passport data, the model accelerates to a reference speed of 100 km / h in 9.5 seconds. The standard fuel consumption is 10, 5 liters in urban conditions and 6, 1 liters on the highway. The maximum speed is 205 km per hour. When buying a car, it should be borne in mind that the real indicators will differ from the values indicated in the passport.
The cabin has six airbags. Two front and two side ones are designed to protect the driver and front passenger. Two side airbags protect rear seat passengers. Comfortable conditions in the cabin are created using the audio system. To this minimum, you can always add accessories that the owner chooses.
Comfort package
The comfort assembly car is equipped with an extended range of options. The engine is used the same as in the basic configuration. The buyer can choose a manual or automatic transmission. At the same time, the fuel consumption on the machine in urban conditions will be higher. And on the track - below. The maximum speed is 202 km per hour. The cost of a car in the "comfort" configuration with automatic transmission will be 100-120 thousand rubles more expensive. Driver's knee protection has been added to the standard six-bag safety system. Installed an electronic mechanism for redistributing torque when driving on a slippery road.
The car body is equipped with fog lights. The cabin has a climate control system and a heated steering wheel. Heating is switched on in winter and air conditioning in summer. A rain sensor warns when the road surface is wet. A rear-view camera and standard parking sensors make it much easier for the driver to park at night. An acoustic complex of six speakers and a radio tape recorder create the appropriate musical accompaniment on a trip.
Prestige package contents
On the Russian market, Kia Optima is presented in three standard trim levels. The maximum set of options is provided by the "prestige" package. It is important for future car owners to know that the engine and transmission remain the same as in the previous version. However, the list of devices and opportunities for increasing the comfort of the car and ensuring the safety of passengers is significantly increasing. The cruise control system allows the driver to control the correct movement along the route. The blind spot control mechanism reduces the likelihood of a road accident.
The electric front seats and heated steering wheel create a comfortable driving environment. His attention increases and fatigue decreases. Automatic adjustment of the rear-view mirrors performs the same function. There is a tire pressure gauge on the dashboard. The driver does not need to stop and check the condition of the wheels. Kia Optima in the "prestige" trim level is equipped with an automatic parking brake and a key card for remote engine start.
Advantages and disadvantages of the Kia Optima
Russian drivers have accumulated sufficient experience to objectively assess the pros and cons of any model. Cars from the West and the East on domestic roads demonstrate their reliability and unpretentiousness. Reviews of the Kia Optima indicate that the car is thoroughly registered in Russian latitudes. Among the advantages, the following parameters are noted:
· Spacious salon;
· Roomy trunk;
· Economical engine.
To these parameters should be added high-quality interior heating in winter.
Along with this, like any vehicle, Optima also has certain disadvantages. It is important to emphasize that when assessing the quality of any vehicle, subjective opinions must also be taken into account. Among the disadvantages, the following parameters are most often mentioned:
· Insufficient clearance;
· Headlights fog up in winter;
· Weak rear suspension springs.
The fact that the Optima's ground clearance is designed for use in urban environments was clear from the very beginning. It is not suitable for driving over potholes and bumps.
The fact that condensation accumulates on the inner surface of the lighting fixtures became known immediately after the start of operation of the machine. So far, there has been no reaction to this defect from the dealers. Real exploitation reveals strengths and weaknesses. In any case, the owners should notify the representatives of the manufacturer's company about the detected defects. Based on this information, regular work is carried out to improve the design of the car.
