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2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid Road Test and Review

Dan Gray
by Dan Gray
May 7, 2017
5 min. Reading Time
2017 Kia Optima Plug In Hybrid Front Quarter Hero ・  Photo by Kia

2017 Kia Optima Plug In Hybrid Front Quarter Hero ・ Photo by Kia

The 2017 Optima Plug-in Hybrid offers a taste of the future that promises to minimize your daily environmental impact and stress levels. If you hanker for a pure electric vehicle (EV), but aren’t ready to buy the ticket and take the ride, a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) delivers the best of both worlds. Substantial battery packs provide a modest amount of electric cruising, coupled with the endless range of a gasoline engine. If you have a modest commute and can plug in at home or at work (or both), a PHEV allows you to live an electric vehicle lifestyle, without the worries of range anxiety. The plug-in sedan class is expanding slowly. The Optima Plug-in Hybrid’s primary competitors are the Toyota Prius Prime, Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, and Ford Fusion Energi. The Chevrolet Volt, while it offers a higher electric range (and a more EV-oriented approach to propulsion technology), has a significantly tighter back seat.

Substantial battery packs provide a modest amount of electric cruising, coupled with the endless range of a gasoline engine. If you have a modest commute and can plug in at home or at work (or both), a PHEV allows you to live an electric vehicle lifestyle, without the worries of range anxiety. The plug-in sedan class is expanding slowly. The Optima Plug-in Hybrid’s primary competitors are the Toyota Prius Prime, Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid, and Ford Fusion Energi. The Chevrolet Volt, while it offers more electric range (and a more EV-oriented approach to propulsion technology), has a significantly tighter back seat.

Drivetrain

The Optima Plug-in Hybrid’s propulsion system pairs a 2.0-liter GDI 4-cylinder engine with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The system produces a combined 202 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque. The 9.8-kwh lithium-ion battery pack provides an estimated 29 miles of all-electric range. The battery pack charges from "empty" in approximately three hours on a level II charger, and nine hours on house current. The hybrid system’s handy Charge mode allows you to charge the battery with the gasoline engine while you’re driving and you can’t get to a plug. This cool feature allows you to top off the battery while out on the open road, allowing you to cruise city streets exclusively on electric power.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Overall Fuel Economy vs the Competition

The 2017 Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid is the second most fuel-efficient sedan in its class, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with a rating of 103 combined mpgE on a fully charged battery and 40 mpg combined when running solely on regular unleaded gasoline. The Optima Plug-in follows the Toyota Prius Prime by a wide margin (at 133 mpgE/54 mpg), and slots in slightly ahead of the Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (at 99 mpgE/39 mpg) and Ford Fusion Energi (at 97 mpgE/42 mpg). Worth noting: while the EPA classifies ten vehicles as plug-in hybrid sedans for 2017 model year, two are actually five-door hatchbacks (the Audi A3 e-tron and the Ford C-Max Energi).

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Pure Electric Range vs the Competition

How far do you drive on your daily commute? The US DOT estimates that slightly more than fifty percent of all commuters drive thirty miles or less per day, round trip. Optima Plug-in Hybrid’s 29-mile electric range should cover the distance for a great many people and exceeds most of the competition. The Ford Fusion Energi, Prius Prime, and Hyundai Sonata Plug-in Hybrid lag behind the Optima with a 22, 25, and 27-mile electric ranges, respectively. The Chevrolet Volt tops the pack with an impressive 53-mile electric range. Need to go the distance? The Optima Plug-in Hybrid’s 13.4-gallon fuel tank allows for a very generous 610-mile total range when starting with a fully charged battery. Advanced aerodynamics aid highway fuel economy ratings. The handsome exterior delivers a sleek 0.25 coefficient of drag. Kia's designers and engineers have done their job well.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Safety

The Optima Plug-In Hybrid’s safety scores are excellent. The optional Technology package provides a full suite of safety features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and autonomous emergency braking. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) has awarded the 2017 Kia Optima Hybrid with a 5-star overall safety rating. The NHSTA has not tested the Plug-In Hybrid model. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the 2017 Kia Optima a Top Safety Pick when equipped with front crash prevention technology, which is standard with the Plug-in Hybrid. While the IIHS rates the standard Optima’s headlights as poor, the Plug-in Hybrid’s optional LED projector beam headlamps (also included in the Technology option package) should deliver better results. You'll want to take this one for a test drive at night to see the difference for yourself.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Driving Impressions

The Optima Plug-In Hybrid is a pleasure to drive. The ride is smooth, the drivetrain is responsive, and the cabin is wonderfully quiet. Of course, this is a cruiser, not a canyon carver. Although the interior’s design may whisper Audi, the handling isn’t in the same league. It is rather perky, however, with the electric motor delivering instantaneous power. We saw 0-60 mph times in the 8-second range. The conventional 6-speed automatic transmission feels more assertive than a typical CVT. The Optima Plug-in Hybrid is only offered in the EX trim level, but it’s well appointed. Our tester was equipped with the Technology option package, which adds all the bells and whistles, including the stress-relieving safety technology suite. The well-padded leather-wrapped steering wheel includes heating as a standard feature.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Infotainment and Connections

It’s all about infotainment these days, and the Optima Plug-In Hybrid does not disappoint. The generously sized 8-inch touchscreen Uvo Infotainment system includes a host of welcome capabilities, including navigation and SiriusXM satellite radio as standard features. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported. The 630-watt Harman/Kardon premium audio system includes ten speakers and is a welcome feature, at no extra cost. Device charging is made easier with a trio of twelve-volt outlets. A lone USB port is located in a compartment at the base of the dash, alongside a pair of twelve-volt outlets. A third 12-volt outlet is located inside the center console. Rear-seat passengers will be happy to see a fourth (!) twelve-volt outlet and a pair of USB charging ports on the back of the center console.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Options

While the EX Technology option package adds a substantial $5,250 to the bottom line, it includes an impressive array of features, starting with the safety technology suite. The auto-leveling LED headlamps include automatic high beams and dynamic bending light for enhanced visibility while cornering. Parking chores are eased with rear parking assist and rear cross traffic alert, while highway safety is enhanced with Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning System, and Blind Spot Detection. Interior features include ventilated front seats, power adjustment with lumbar in the passenger front seat, heated rear seats, rear-side-window sunshades, LED lighting, and an enormous panoramic sunroof that opens the cabin up with a marvelous view of the sky. While Kia offers a gamut of dealer installed accessories, no other factory options are offered.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Interior

The Optima Plug-In Hybrid’s interior is roomy and nicely appointed, with a European flair. The materials fall far short of Audi and BMW, but the overall design is clean and refreshing. Leather upholstery and heated front seats are standard. The Driver’s seat provides 12-way power adjustment with 4-way power lumbar. The rear seat provides 37.8 inches of head room, 35.6 inches of leg room, and 56.4 inches of shoulder room. The Ford Fusion Hybrid provides more room for long-legged folks, with 37.8 inches of head room, 38.3 inches of leg room, and 56.9 inches of shoulder room. The Prius Prime is tighter, with 37.2 inches of head room, 33.4 inches of leg room, and 53 inches of shoulder room. The Chevrolet Volt is tight as well, with 35.8 inches of head room, 34.7 inches of leg room, and 53.2 inches of shoulder room.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Cargo Capacity vs the Competition

Electric propulsion does have its downside. Hybrid sedans (whether plug-in or conventional) tend to fall short when it comes to trunk space, due to the need to accommodate the battery pack. The Optima Plug-In Hybrid’s trunk is a case-in-point, with a mere 9.9 cubic feet of cargo space. A tire inflation kit is used, in lieu of a spare. The Ford Fusion Hybrid offers 12.0 cubic feet of cargo space, and the Chevrolet Volt offers 10.6 cubic feet. If you’re keen on a plug-in hybrid, and need the maximum amount of cargo space, the Prius Prime hatchback’s 19.8 cubic feet of capacity trumps the class. By comparison, the non-plug-in Optima Hybrid provides 13.4 cubic feet of cargo capacity, while the conventional Optima provides 15.9 cubic feet.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia

Summary

The Kia Optima Plug-In Hybrid offers a compelling package, with a refined ride, a roomy interior, an impressive suite of available technology, and an exceptional warranty. The basic warranty is 60 months/60,000 miles, while the powertrain warranty is 120 months/100,000 miles. If your daily commute is within range and you can charge at home or work (or both) you’ll rarely see a gas station. The Optima Hybrid Plug-In’s suggested MSRP of $35,210 compares well with the conventional Optima Hybrid EX’s $30,990 starting point. Factor in the current $7,500 federal electric-vehicle tax credit and you’ll be ahead of the game on April 15th. While the current administration in Washington D.C. has turned its back on climate change, ultimately we all vote with our wallets. Whether or not the federal electric vehicle tax credit survives is still in question.

 Photo by Kia

Photo by Kia


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