Facts & Figures
Exterior DimensionsCargo MeasurementFuelFacts & Figures
Exterior DimensionsCargo MeasurementFuelReliability History Reliability History
Trouble
SpotsTrouble
SpotsNEW CAR
PREDICTIONNEW CAR
PREDICTIONEngine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System
Electrical
Climate System
Suspension
Brakes
Exhaust
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
Body Hardware
Power Equipment
In-Car Electronics
USED CAR
VERDICTSEngine Major
Engine Minor
Engine Cooling
Transmission Major
Transmission Minor
Drive System
Fuel System
Electrical
Climate System
Suspension
Brakes
Exhaust
Paint/Trim
Noises/Leaks
Body Hardware
Power Equipment
In-Car Electronics
USED CAR
VERDICTS124 NEW CARS CR.ORG/CARS!
RECOMMENDED1 2 3 4 5
WORSE BETTER!
Kia Optima
Kia’s midsized sedan packs a lot of substance and value. It drives
nicely, with a firm yet absorbent ride and responsive, secure han-
dling. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder is pleasant and returned 28 mpg over-
all in our tests; the uplevel 2.0-liter turbo-four packs more punch. A
1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch trans-
mission is also available. Both hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are
available. The EX trim features comfortable leather seats, automatic
climate control, a roomy rear seat, and heating for the seats and steer-
ing wheel. The controls are very intuitive to use, but the low-mounted
dash vents tend to blow more air on the driver’s hands than on his
face. The Optima comes standard with forward collision warning, rear
cross traffic warning, lane keeping assist, and blind spot warning.Overall Score 84
Predicted Reliability 04
Owner Satisfaction 04
Road-Test Score 86
Front-Crash Prevention Std./ 04Base Price: $22,990-$35,390
Body Styles: sedan
Trim Lines: EX, LX, S, SX
Drive Wheels: Front
Seating: 2 front, 3 rear
Engines: 1.6-liter 4 turbo (178 hp);
2.0-liter 4 turbo (245 hp); 2.4-liter 4
(185 hp)
Transmissions: 6-speed automatic;
7-speed sequentialLength (in.)..................... 191
Width (in.) ......................73
Height (in.) ......................58
Wheelbase (in.) .................110
Weight (lb.) ..................3,300
% weight front/rear ...........61/39Max. Load (lb.) ................ 905
Cargo Volume, cu.ft............... 16
Towing Capacity (lb.) ............NRRegular
CR overall mpg ..................28 Better than average16 17 18
05 05 50
05 05 50
05 05 50
05 05 50
05 05 50
05 05 50
05 04 50
05 05 50
04 05 50
05 05 50
05 05 50
05 05 50
03 05 50
03 04 50
05 05 50
04 04 50
03 04 50
03 03 50
04Kia Niro
Kia’s five-passenger Niro marries good fuel economy with cargo versa-
tility. This front-wheel-drive hybrid uses a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine,
which, in conjunction with the electric drive unit, puts out a combined
139 hp. This combo is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Having the lithium-ion battery located under the rear seat creates a
f lat cargo f loor when the rear seats are folded. We got 43 mpg overall,
which is good but not as impressive as the Hyundai Ioniq or Toyota
Prius. A plug-in hybrid is also available. The handling lacks agility, and
the ride is a bit choppy. The optional power driver’s seat provides bet-
ter support than the standard seats. Available safety features include
automatic emergency braking, blind spot warning, and rear cross
traffic warning, but they push the price to more than $30,000. An EV
version with a 239-mile range is also available.Overall Score 66
Predicted Reliability 04
Owner Satisfaction 04
Road-Test Score 65
Front-Crash Prevention Opt.Base Price: $23,490-$44,000
Body Styles: wagon
Trim Lines: EV, EX, EX Premium, FE,
LX, Plug-in Hybrid, S Touring, Touring
Drive Wheels: Front
Seating: 2 front, 3 rear
Engines: Electric (201 hp); 1.6-liter 4
hybrid (139 hp)
Transmissions: 6-speed sequentialLength (in.)..................... 172
Width (in.) ......................71
Height (in.) ..................... 60
Wheelbase (in.) .................106
Weight (lb.) ...................3,155
% weight front/rear ...........61/39Max. Load (lb.) ................ 850
Cargo Volume, cu.ft............... 19
Towing Capacity (lb.) ............NRRegular or electric
CR overall mpg ..................43 Better than average05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
03 50
04 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
05 50
03 5016 17 1840
K