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Kia

2011 Kia Optima Hybrid

Family Friendliness: 7.9

Recommended: Yes

Specifications apply to this model only.

What it Is: A hybrid midsize four-door five passenger sedan.
Who it's For: Families who value fuel economy more than trunk space in a five-passenger sedan.
What's Hot: Low price, outstanding fuel economy, plentiful features.
What's Not: Narrow windows, limited rear visibility, tiny trunk.
Family Friendly Features: Navigation, backup camera, USB input, panoramic sunroof.
How It Got Its Score: The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid boasts an inexpensive but very efficient hybrid engine that produces excellent fuel economy, but at a low base price. The biggest drawback is the small trunk.


The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid uses the same clever and inexpensive hybrid engine as the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. However, the Kia Optima Hybrid doesn't have the distinctive visual appearance of the Sonata. Like the Sonata, it can travel up to 62 mph on electric power alone, and it offers a clever and cool way of tracking your fuel economy using a color display in the center of the gauges. The rest of the Kia Optima Hybrid benefits from the regular Optima, which is an excellent midsize car. With room for five, plenty of standard features and great safety scores, the Optima Hybrid appears to be an optimal family sedan. The only drawback is trunk space: While the standard Optima has a large 15.4 cu.-ft. trunk, the hybrid's battery pack eats up a large amount of space, reducing it to only 9.9 cu.-ft. It's enough for some groceries, but not much else. Still, if your kids are out of strollers, or if trunk space just isn't very important, then the Optima Hybrid deserves a look.

Note: Mileage figures are estimated pending EPA testing.

Specifications

Price


MSRP $26,500
Destination $750

Mechanical

Engine Size


2.4 liters
Engine Type Inline-4
Horsepower 206 hp
Torque 195 lb.-ft.
Fuel Regular Unleaded
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive
Transmission 6-Speed Automatic

Fuel Economy

EPA City


35 mpg
EPA Highway 40 mpg
EPA Combined 37 mpg

Utility

Vehicle Type


Midsize Car
Family Friendliness 7.9
Doors Four
Seat Rows Two
Passengers Five
LATCH Positions Two
Cargo Space 9.9 cu. ft.
NHTSA Overall 5 Stars
NHTSA Front 5 Stars
NHTSA Side 5 Stars
NHTSA Rollover 5 Stars
IIHS Front Good
IIHS Side Good
IIHS Rear Good
Stability Control Standard
Traction Control Standard
Brake Assist Standard
Side Airbags Thorax and Curtain
Collision Avoidance Not Available
Active Cruise Control Not Available

Photos

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