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Kia’s midsize sedan is one good-looking vehicle. It’s a mix of luxury and sport, with a hint of aggression. Sure it shares the spotlight with rivals like the Ford Fusion and the Mazda6, but it offers a lot of the goods that consumers are looking for. With the SX Turbo trim, the 2014 Kia Optima delivers a delightful driving personality to go with that sleek styling.
Review Overview
Interior - Style - 80%
Interior - Space - 75%
On the road - Comfort - 85%
On the road - Enjoyment - 85%
On the road - Performance - 85%
Fuel Economy - 60%
Winter - 75%
78%
Overall
It’s one thing to look at the Kia and judge it from a distance. It’s another thing entirely to sit in the driver’s seat, grip the steering wheel, and press your foot against the gas pedal. You may be surprised by how your senses react on several levels.
Exterior and Interior
First, your sense of sight will be pleased with the exterior look of the car. The 2014 SX Turbo receives Xenon headlights complemented by LEDs along with more LEDs serving as fog lights. Turn it on at night, and the Optima SX Turbo can be seen from quite a distance. Walk to the rear of the car, and you will notice more stylisgh LEDs found in the taillights. Moreover, the SX Turbo comes equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside, there is a lot going on, but everything is easy to find and within reach. The cabin looks good. The black leather seats are comfortable, as are the rear seats. Your sense of touch may not find overly soft-touch surfaces within the vehicle, but as your body leans into the seat, it does feel good. This is especially the case during those long drives.
Front and rear passangers also get a lot of interior space. The 2014 Optima SX Turbo provides 2,893 litres of interior space, while trunk can hold 437 liters. The latter could stand to offer a bit more room, though luckily the rear seats fold down to increase cargo space.
Some major features to note in the 2014 Kia Optima SX Turbo are the steering wheel paddle shifters, though we lose the heating steering wheel option. In addition, there is an integrated driving mode system that includes Normal, Eco and Sport modes. A panoramic sunroof adds to the style and is quite enjoyable when warmer weather comes around, and the turbocharged engine turns the Optima into a fun driving machine.
Under the hood
The lower trim levels will be equipped with a 2.4-litre GDI 4-cylinder engine that produces 192-horsepower. The SX Turbo, on the other hand, comes with something a little stronger. Under the hood, you will find a 2.0-litre Turbo GDI 4-cylinder engine. This one will generate 274 hp, and 269 lb-ft of torque at 1,750-4,500 rpm. It may not be a V6, but you will be surprised by how powerful it feels.
Handling is nice too, and the car is quite responsive. The sound is pleasant in that it is not beastly or obnoxious, but just the right amount of hum.
And it’s all mated to a 6-speed automatic with a Sportmatic sequential shifter, and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The paddle shifters are not useless, and the way they shift gears do add a bit of sportiness to the overall ride. At least, more so than some other vehicles I have tested.
Competitors like the 2014 Mazda6 will offer up to 184 hp with the SKYACTIV-G 2.5-litre engine. As for the 2014 Ford Fusion, the 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine will produce 240 hp. All three cars may look good in terms of styling, and with a range of features and equipment on the inside, but the 2014 Optima SX Turbo also shines in every area. It has a pleasant amount of kick, good initial acceleration, more power, and a nice, sporty feel.
Fuel economy
If you are wondering about fuel consumption, the ratings will be higher on the SX Turbo, versus the LX, EX or SX trim levels. For the lower trims, one can expect 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres in the city, and 5.7 on the highway. In comparison, the SX Turbo’ fuel economy ratings state 10.3/6.4 l/100km in the city and on the highway respectively.
As for my actual fuel economy, I averaged more than 14.0 liters per 100 kilometers when driving agressively. The turbo is very sensitive to how we choose to drive, and it will penalize spirited driving in the fuel economy department.
Features and technology
Still, the 2014 Kia Optima SX Turbo, as an overall package, is a very tempting purchase. Starting from $34,795 it offers electronic stability control, keyless entry with panic alarm and heated seats from the get-go.
Oh, but there is so much more that is available to the driver. Dynamic dampers, AM/FM/CD/MP3 and satellite radio, steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, cruise control, and dual zone climate control. The rear seats also have the option of being heated.
There is a navigation system and blind spot detection, rear parking sensors and a backup camera that make parking and driving the car in tight spots easier.
Conclusion
The 2014 Kia Optima SX Turbo sets itself apart from its main competitors with its sporty personality and powerful engine. It’s also stylish, comfortable and spacious. While it does have some downsides, there is something about the 2014 Optima SX Turbo that appeals to the senses. All together, it offers a delightful driving experience.
