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New Kia Optima Hybrid commercial claims 40mpg AND 206hp!

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Rybold, Sep 30, 2011.

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  1. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    There's a new Kia Optima Hybrid commercial that's been on television the past few days. It claims 40mpg AND 206hp. That's impressive. Usually a car has mpg and low-to-moderate horsepower OR higher horsepower and lower mpg. This car manages both (obviously not at the same time). I searched Youtube and the commercial doesn't appear to have been posted yet. The Kia website supports these numbers: Kia Cars, SUVs, Crossovers, Minivans, & Future Vehicles | Kia Motors America
    (hp: 206, torque: 195ft-lbs, mpg: 35city/40hwy) Okay, so combined is lower than 40, but we have to admit this is still impressive. For a long time, we've been wanting high mpg and horsepower, and many have said it's possible. Well, now it appears that it is. Hopefully this will help get the people that "need" horsepower out of their gas-guzzlers and into cars like this.
     
    #1 Rybold, Sep 30, 2011
  2. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    #2 GasperG, Sep 30, 2011
  3. EVdriver

    EVdriver Junior Member

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    In the real world Kia optima doesn't seem as optimal as on paper:

     
    #3 EVdriver, Sep 30, 2011
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  4. dknight16

    dknight16 New Member

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    Consumer Reports thinks the Sonata Hybrid came up short of what the company claimed. Real world is the only relevant world.
     
    #4 dknight16, Sep 30, 2011
  5. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    It would be comparable to the 41mpg Camry which has 200HP.
     
    #5 F8L, Sep 30, 2011
  6. Zanrok

    Zanrok Casual Prius Lover

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    and where does the sonata fit in all of this? I was really impressed with it when I drove it. The biggest downfall for me, was the lack of trunk space and the strange looking UI.
     
    #6 Zanrok, Sep 30, 2011
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    How's that different from a Camry's 43mpg (41 combined) and 200hp? lose 6hp and gain 3mpg.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Sep 30, 2011
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  8. wwest40

    wwest40 Member

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    "real world is the only relevant world..."

    Yes, but only individually.

    Each of us operates in a different driving "environment" and driving style from the "other" person.

    So we must rely on the EPA test procedures, STANDARD test procedures, as a common denominator.

    Try and standardize "US"..
     
    #8 wwest40, Sep 30, 2011
  9. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    yes.. and camry beats it in both economy and speed... not to mention huge issues with Hyundai/Kia hybrid systems that have had numerous recalls so far... 5 or 6.

    Or real world mpg that is causing forum members to complain, or simply inferior system that uses AT and is not as smooth as all the mags report.
     
    #9 spwolf, Sep 30, 2011
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    The Optima performed quite poorly in the video EVdriver posted. In fact, it sucked.
     
    #10 F8L, Oct 1, 2011
  11. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    #11 Sergiospl, Oct 1, 2011
  12. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    at this point refinement and mpg (or lack of), dont matter that much... right now they have a lot of issues with the cars. Gotta wonder if they had to go back to dealers for 5-6 different hybrid system problems after 4 months on the market, what will happen in 5-6 years from now?
     
    #12 spwolf, Oct 1, 2011
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  13. dairack

    dairack New Member

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    Hello!

    My name is Derek and I'm currently working with Kia to spread awareness of their sleek, stylish, and eco-friendly 2011 Optima Hybrid.

    The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid utilizes top-tier hybrid technology. They have a fantastic infographic describing how this hybrid is more efficient than non-hybrids here - http://bit.ly/SBinfographic

    For just more info on the new Kia Optima Hybrid, check out Kia's video overview - http://bit.ly/SBMTvideos

    If anyone has any questions regarding the Kia and their new Optima Hybrid, please do not hesitate to touch base! Thanks!
     

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    #13 dairack, Oct 6, 2011
  14. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Did you bother to watch the other video where under real word conditions it got spanked hard by the Jetta TDi? I don't consider low 30mpg numbers good for any hybrid sedan.
     
    #14 F8L, Oct 6, 2011
  15. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    top recalled technology for sure... they broke all kinds of records with those hybrids :)
     
    #15 spwolf, Oct 6, 2011
  16. minispeed

    minispeed Junior Member

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    It's really easy to break the record when you just create a new cattagory.... "The record set if officially titled "Lowest fuel consumption driving through all 48 contiguous U.S. states in a gasoline hybrid car." which is a new category created by Guinness World Records"

    I'm sure any of the Prius Chat members with enough time to do that could beat it... oh but you also have to carry two passengers and luggage for it to be official.

    Personaly I'd buy it based on the fact that the option list (at least on the non hybrid optima I drove) is amazing for a car in that price range. Heated steering wheel, heated and AC leather seats, double sunroof, leather trimed dash. I drove it in mid July and that was really nice. I would never be able to get my wife into a Prius because she hates the hatch back look but I would love to convince her to get an Optima.
     
    #16 minispeed, Oct 8, 2011
  17. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #17 cwerdna, Oct 8, 2011
  18. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    #18 spwolf, Oct 8, 2011
  19. ydooby

    ydooby Junior Member

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    The Optima Hybrid gets 40mpg highway (and 35mpg city, 37mpg combined). The new Camry Hybrid gets 41mpg combined. There's a significant 4mpg difference between the two. I'd gladly trade 6hp for 4mpg.
     
    #19 ydooby, Oct 9, 2011
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  20. ydooby

    ydooby Junior Member

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    Yeah I too wonder why they left out the de facto fuel sipper champ on the market right now. It's a comparo for the 2nd bests I guess? :D
     
    #20 ydooby, Oct 9, 2011
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