Kia Optima hybrid sedan makes its official U.S. premiere at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The long-awaited 2011 Kia Optima hybrid sedan, which utilizes state-of-the art lithium polymer battery for increased fuel efficiency, is finally here.
With its stylish exterior design, roomy interior and a segment leading fuel efficiency, the model is expected to attract consumers looking for well-equipped mid-size sedans that does not sacrifice style, comfort or performance for increased fuel efficiency!
Scheduled to hit the Kia dealerships across the States in the first quarter of 2011, the all-new Optima Hybrid sedan adopts the automaker’s state-of-the-art hybrid car powertrain technology, which enables the vehicle to achieve exceptional hybrid performance and efficiency.
The 2011 Optima hybrid sedan employs Kia’s innovative parallel hybrid system, developed jointly with its parent company, Hyundai Motor Company.
The model packs segment-leading 206 horsepower, including 166 horsepower from the 2.4L four-cylinder engine and 40 horsepower from electric motor.
The engine is coupled with Kia’s six-speed automatic transmission, which is borrowed from 2011 Sorento crossover.
Unlike Hyundai Sonata hybrid car, which features substantially different looking compared to its gasoline counterparts, the 2011 Optima hybrid looks almost the same as gasoline-powered Optima model.
It does, however, feature several slight styling updates ( sleeker front bumper and smaller signature grille) which help improve its drag coeficient.
The fully-loaded Kia Optima hybrid is also the lightest hybrid car in the segment. With only 3.490 pounds, the Optima hybrid weighs as much as 230 pounds less than one of its main rivals, the 2011 Ford Fusion hybrid car.
Thanks to its low weight, highly advanced battery and innovative hybrid-car powertrain technology, the 2011 Optima Hybrid delivers an estimated 36 mpg in city driving and 40 mpg on the highway.
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan image gallery
To be compared to the Jaguar XF is a high compliment in my opinion. That said I agree it’s certainly not a cut and paste. It’s good design elements that yeah, you’ll see similarities in other cars but the same can be said of any car. This Kia is very sharp and in a way that I believe will hold up very well over time. I’m still opting for the SX model myself, but if a hybrid made sense this would absolutely be my choice. Speaking of choice… what’s up with the UVO Kia? Is it in the new Optima or not? I see so much conflicting info. Oh and I like the wheels on this Hybrid model a lot. Better than the SX versions.
I think this is a nice looking vehicle. The non-hybrid Optima is on Kia.com now (instead of having to load a separate webpage). One complaint: They should have given it different headlights as well. it appears the tail lights are slightly different than the LED style that the SX trim gets. I know the Sonata hybrid has LEDs wrapping around the low and high beams, so why not something similar (not a carbon copy but similar) with this vehicle to distinguish it as the hybrid version? You could also use the LEDs in the front as the Daytime Running Lights. All that said though, this new Optima (hybrid and non-hybrid) is a great looking vehicle. Well done Kia!
I can’t think of a better looking hybrid. Much more classy than a horrible Prius or Camry hybrid.
Does anyone know why the 2.4 engine which is part of the Kia Hybird only makes 166 HP; could it be the non DI (older) version of the engine, the DI version makes 200HP; I would think that a smaller engine like their 2.0 would be used in this application.
They use the non-DI 2.4L engine. Mostly like the MG (06-10) Optima.
actually is is the 2.4 gdi engine. what they have done is thanged the timing cycles so that the exhaust vavles stay offen for part of the compression cycle which in turn: reduces resistance in compression stroke, lowers emmisions. the downside is lower hp, thats why its rated at 166 and not 200. But since it does have that electric motor assisting in acceleration it will drive just like the non hybrid model. Remember that 40hp electric motor produces all of its torque from idle, so acceleration will not suffer
Actually, according to official information it is nor direct, but is multiport injected. The combined power and torque actually are better than the standard engine.
when is the k7 finally coming out?:
Hybrid buyers want people to know that they are driving a Hybrid and going “green”
they should add hybrid badging to the sides of the car
@ brad
The Kia Cadenza (K7) is scheduled to arrive at the NAIAS in Detroit.
The Soul Facelift is scheduled for Chicago.
The Rio replacement is scheduled for New York.
Greg – do you know the approximate dates of those three auto shows you just mentioned? – thanks
NAIAS is mid January
Chicago is mid February
New York is first week of April.
I attended all three in 2010, and I plan to attend all three again in 2011. New York is the farthest at 14 hour drive. Detroit is about a 4 hour drive, and Chicago is about a 3.5 to 4 hour drive. Just Googled: NAIAS is Jan 10-23, Chicago is Feb 9-20, NYC is really late this year!! Apr 22 – May 1
Has Kia indicated when the UVO will be available and working with the NAV in the Optima?
Kia has not.
I can’t believe that the Volt won Motor Trend COTY. Wonder how much that cost GM.
Not cost GM but cost the tax payer…
The Chevy Dolt wins car of the year. Almost as dumb as having Justin Bieber win 4 AMA awards. Yikes.
Well, gee, after making the Fusion COTY last year, isn’t almost all of their credibility gone anyway? That car is an absolute joke.
The Chevy Dolt is an over-hyped stretch by GM to get believers back to GM. Newsflash, GM, it didn’t work with me! I never was GM, anyway. The only GM product I’d like to own would be a ’62-’65 Chevy Nova SS. I could use one of those.
As a US taxpayer I am pissed that they would pay them before paying me back. Just more reason to stay away from GM.
Very, very true Greg. Ford asked for no handouts and got no handouts. They only took out loans, for which they are well onto their way to paying them all back. Of the domestics Ford is the one I like best. 56% of all vehicles I’ve owned have been Ford’s.
Lol, now that I have legal ownership of the Optima, I can say that 100% of all the vehicles I’ve owned have been Kia.
2011 Kia Optimas are now on dealer lots in the Seattle area….just got my first today
When will KIA have cars that park themselves? The Sorento and Sportage are amazing, and adding this feature would be awesome
I drive a 2007 Entourage Limited and can’t wait to get out of this van after 4 1/2 years in it. Here I am 40 years old driving a gold van. I want either the 2011 Kia Sportage SX Turbo, 2011 Kia Optima SX 2.0Turbo or 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid. Unfortunately my 2 closest Kia dealership have only 2-3 Sportages on the lot and they are LX’s. These Sportages have been out since July. 5 months now!!!!
I don’t understand what is happening to Kia as far as slow development, slow manufacturing, and slow from getting from the port to Dallas area dealerships. Vehicles such as the Optima and Sportage are taking forever to get more than 2 on the lot, while Hyundai is cranking out the Sonata Turbo’s. We are having to wait forever for the Optima Turbo and Hybrid and Sportage Turbo to even be released. It’ll be October of next before the vehicle I want is on the lot.
Heck, even UVO should be out now, but hasn’t made a premier. Who wants to bet that it’ll be beyond the 2012 models until they incorporate UVO with the Navi unit. Right now I’m very frustrated and thinking about leasing a 2011 Acura TL for 2 years, a least it’s on the lot, and has pushbutton start, Navigation, Leather, aggressive looks and Side marker mirrors. It’ll take that friggin long to get a Sportage Turbo or Optima Hybrid on the lots with the color and features I want.
Our lot doesn’t have many Sportages either. There are some EXs and LXs. I think the push right now is on the Sorentos. We haven’t seen any of the 2011 Optimas.
There is not a vehicle directly in the center, but, arranged in a circle going clockwise from appx. 6:30, here they go: Optima, Sorento, Rio5, Rio, Sedona, Forte, Forte Koup, Forte5, Soul, and Sportage at appx. 5:30.
Greg is correct. I have the brochure in my hands right now.
That is one hot and sexy lineup in a circle, might I add. I don’t even have ta have it in my hot little hands to say that, either!
I saw the optima in person today. that is one sweet ride. i think ill do this one instead of forte. the forte is cool also
I have been driving a RWD Borrego EX V8 the last couple of days, and it is probably the most awesome vehicle I’ve ever driven – even in the deep snow!
Borrego was promised back for MY2012 or 13. It will be an 8-passenger CUV that will take the place of the Borrego and the Sedona. From rumor’s I’ve heard, it will be unibody, but primarily RWD. I guess we will see.
I was going to get the 2010 Kia Optima to replace my early year end 2006 but this new body style will carry it’self next to the best of them. I’ve put 113k extremely hard miles on my car. It has endured me with minimal maintenance and minor wear. I live in MN from -30 to 100 this car has seen it all, not to mention road trips! I can’t wait to upgrade! I keep hearing he the interior material quality is starting to match the exterior and mechanics.
another big, heavy, complex car that doesn’t get very good mpg. what we need is a 2 or 3cyl diesel that gets 100mpg. that’s doable…