Kia Optima – 2015 Extended Test Revisited – Consumer and Car Exam

2015 Kia Optima

2015 Kia Optima SX and LX…revisiting one of Consumer and Car Exam’s most popular reviews

Plusses: The 2015 Kia Optima SX Limited is a nice, well-balanced car. The Optima’s ride is near-perfect, the interior is comfortable (and roomy), interior materials feel upscale, and the dash design is superb. Cloth materials in the base Optima LX are acceptable, as well. The 2.0 liter, Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), 274 horsepower, turbocharged four cylinder engine is powerful, slick, and very smooth–no turbo lag was detected at all–this is the smoothest turbocharged engine Consumer and Car Exam Has ever tested. Braking feels good as well. The brakes also stop promptly in the Optima LX.

The non-turbo engine in our recent extended test base model Optima accelerated very well, too; it puts out a strong 192 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration is not lacking in either model tested. The trunk is large—cavernous, and it can hold a lot of items. The base suspension on the Optima LX is softer, so it doesn’t handle with the same vigor as the sport-tuned suspension on the SX Limited. Nevertheless, the base LX suspension does a great job of soaking up bumps in the road—it definitely serves its purpose for typical driving here.

2015 Kia Optima

This fully-loaded test model had navigation, rear camera, blind spot detection and much more; the safety features on the Optima are impressive. 34 mpg on the highway also impresses, and the six-speed automatic transmission will not disappoint most drivers; however, there is another caveat about rearward visibility in the upcoming minuses section…The stereo in the Kia Optima LX also has a good sound, with very strong bass tones to spice up the sound if you want to.

2015 Kia Optima

Minuses: The c-pillar design on the roof creates a blind spot, but the blind spot detection system can help compensate for that. Now, the other rearward visibility caveat: the high rear deck lid (and steeply-sloping rear window) makes rear visibility difficult; on the extended test base model Optima LX recently driven, two of the three rear headrests had to be removed to improve the rearward view. The high deck lid could be a problem for short drivers. Any kind of moderately-spirited driving means poor gas mileage (at least in the base LX, fuel economy tanks badly), so one needs to be careful when driving the Optima.

2015 Kia Optima

Final Grade: This is one of the best all-around, mid-sized sedans on the market today–and most worthy of Consumer and Car Exam’s final grade of “A/A+”…Well done, Kia–well done, and the all-new 2016 Kia Optima will hopefully be a winner, too.

2015 Kia Optima

Kia Soul – 2016 – Consumer and Car Exam

Kia Soul – Consumer and Car Exam

2016 Kia Soul – A Consumer and Car Exam Preview: Does it have soul?

The 2016 Kia Soul is an admirable part of the small CUV segment of cars that include the Scion iM, the Honda Fit, and more. The Soul had been around for quite awhile now, and it has proven its worth. Consumer and Car Exam did an extended test, but for now here’s a brief synopsis of Consumer and Car Exam’s findings:

Kia Soul – Consumer and Car Exam

Kia Soul – Rear – Consumer and Car Exam

The 2016 Kia Soul is a good car for long distance highway cruising–if you bring your own lumbar support along. It basically has none, and if you have a bad back, this could potentially be a big problem. Other than that, ergonomics seem pretty decent, the sound system is okay (the touch screen is a bit small, but the backup camera is very welcome for added safety) and interior room is good. There’s a large blind spot in the rear, so exercise caution when changing lanes. The ride soaks up bumps in the road very well–it’s not too soft, and not too firm.

Kia Soul – dash and front seats

Acceleration is adequate–it’s not a hot rod by any stretch of the imagination, but it gets the job done. Fuel economy disappoints, though: Consumer and Car Exam could average no better than 24 mpg in mostly highway driving. Driving conditions could influence fuel economy, though. Overall, the 2016 Kia Soul seems like a good, solid option for those drivers seeking a hatchback with acceptable interior space and decent engine horsepower.

Kia Soul – engine

Also, the 2016 Kia Soul had another nice surprise: a spare tire! What??? A spare tire? That’s right–an actual spare tire, not a fix-it kit. Consumer and Car Exam will add its extended test later for a more detailed look at the 2016 Kia Soul.

Kia Soul – spare tire!

Kia Sedona Quick Test – The Car Exam

Kia Sedona

Good Grades: the Sedona has nice styling (inside and out); this easily blows away every other Kia Sedona minivan built before this one. Kia has made terrific strides over the years in every phase of its operations, and this 2015 Sedona shows just how far Kia has come–even in the last 10 years. The 2015 Sedona has a cavernous, comfortable interior, decent braking/handling, a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, fair mpg (18 city, 24 hwy), and nice safety features help the Sedona shine.

Kia Sedona

Kia Sedona Limited

Bad Grades: For some reason, the 2015 Kia Sedona fells a bit slow and underpowered. Having driven a Kia Optima before this, the Sedona felt like it could have used at least an extra 15 horsepower. It doesn’t feel like it’s packing a 3.3 liter, DOHC 24-valve, 276 hp V6 under the hood. The 248 lbs. ft. of torque feels taxed, too. The Limited model The Car Exam tested was north of $40,000, which is pricey for a minivan–potential buyers may wisely choose to opt for an L or LX model (the “L” starts at $26,000, while the LX starts at $28,300).

Kia Sedona

Final Grade: The Car Exam gives the 2015 Kia Sedona Limited a solid “B” grade. The Sedona, in spite of its flaws, is yet another impressive effort from Kia. The Sedona can easily give Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Dodge and Chrysler some tough competition, and look very good doing it.

Kia Sedona Limited

Kia Sedona Review Coming Soon

Kia Sedona

Consumer and Car Exam’s review of the 2015 Kia Sedona is coming soon! How does it drive? Stay tuned to Consumer and Car Exam to find out! More Car and Food reviews are coming up, as well!