X

2011 Kia Optima Hybrid (photos)

The Kia Optima Hybrid wowed us with its advanced drivetrain and great cabin tech, but slightly disappointing fuel economy and odd cabin tech packaging keep this green car from getting top marks.

Antuan Goodwin
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Antuan Goodwin
34832604_FT.JPG
1 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
For the second time this year, we find ourselves behind the wheel of a Kia Optima. This time our tester is the brand-new Optima Hybrid, which shares top-of-the-line status with the Optima Turbo.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS04.JPG
2 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Under the hood is a 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine that has been augmented with the addition of an electric motor/generator.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS03.JPG
3 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The electric motor gets its energy from a 1.5-kWh lithium polymer battery pack in the trunk. You can see the duffle-bag-size battery hump near the front of the trunk. What you can't see is that the Optima's rear seat preserves a small pass-through for long items, like skis.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS08.JPG
4 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Torque from the gasoline and electric engines is transmitted through a six-speed automatic transmission via a wet clutch, rather than a torque converter.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS02.JPG
5 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The EPA estimates the Optima's fuel economy at 35 city and 40 highway mpg.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS01.JPG
6 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
However, we had a hard time getting the hybrid sedan to reach 32 mpg combined.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS07.JPG
7 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Kia provides a variety of tools to help drivers maximize their miles per gallon, starting with the instrument cluster and its Eco Guide gauge where the tachometer would normally sit.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS16.JPG
8 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
Between the gauges is a small color LCD that displays trip information or an Eco score that increases as you drive more greenly.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS17.JPG
9 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
This screen can also display hybrid system info about the engine and battery.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS11.JPG
10 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
A similar hybrid information display can be shown on the large touch screen at the center of the dashboard.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS09.JPG
11 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The dashboard display has a pair of Eco score displays of its own, including this Earth health graphic. As you drive efficiently, you can watch forests grow. Go heavy on the accelerator pedal and watch pollution spread across the globe.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS12.JPG
12 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The most useful display is this fuel economy history graph, which displays your fuel economy over the last 30 minutes in 2.5-minute intervals.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS10.JPG
13 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The final Eco score display illustrates your driving efficiency in terms of the volume of leaves blowing in the wake of this digital representation of the Optima Hybrid.
34832604_SD.JPG
14 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The Hybrid model has an array of unique features that help it to cut through the air more smoothly than the other Optima models.
34832604_OVR.JPG
15 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
For example, just behind the front grille is an active shutter that closes at speeds above about 35 mph to reduce drag from air entering the radiator.
34832604_INT.JPG
16 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The Optima's cabin is quite comfortable inside and features a variety of materials and textures. Optionally, you can get heated seats at all four seating positions--the driver and front passenger also get cooled seating surfaces--as well as a heated steering wheel.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS18.JPG
17 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The Infinity audio system is a great value offering good sound with solid bass response and staging.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS06.JPG
18 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The Optima's steering wheel features controls for cruise, audio source, and hands-free calling. Additionally, there are buttons for activating the Eco driving mode and toggling the trip computer's screens.
KiaOptimaHybrid_SS15.JPG
19 of 19 Josh Miller/CNET
The Optima Hybrid's technology package is otherwise identical to that of the EX trim level that we previously tested. Check out the full review of the 2011 Kia Optima EX for more details and photos of this infotainment system.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos