You want a new eco-friendly sedan like the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid, but this luxurious hybrid’s top competition may be the 2011 Kia Optima Turbo SX. In weeklong road tests of turbo and hybrid models, which Optima wins in a pro road test reviewer’s challenge?
The easy answer is: both. The much more difficult answer for serious Kia Optima buyers is: Which one should I buy, really?!
For this Optima Turbo versus Optima Hybrid road test challenge, I pit these two excellent models against each other in price, exterior, interior, fuel economy and performance. In the summary, I chose my top pick. Will I go for sporty performance or warp-speed hybrid acceleration?
Turbo vs. Hybrid: Price
Price winner: Turbo (although a comparable fully-loaded hybrid model is just $1,355 more).
The 2011 Kia Optima Turbo has a base MSRP price of $25,995. A fully-loaded model with both “premium” ($2,150) and “technology”($2,000) packages would make the Turbo SX model come to $30,145.
The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid starts at a base MSRP price of $26,500. The only available option is the features-loaded “technology package,” which costs $5,000 extra and includes a panoramic sun roof, UVO auto infotainment and other luxury features. The total cost for a fully-loaded 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid “Premium” is just $31,500. Prices do not include a $695 delivery fee.
Turbo vs. Hybrid: Exterior
The winner? Turbo.
The hot 18-inch alloy wheels and other more aggressive-looking exterior additions give the 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo an even more sophisticated look. Sure, the hybrid looks cool too –especially with its green hybrid badging on the trunk – but the SX says meow.
Turbo vs. Hybrid: Interior
Both Turbo and Hybrid win.
It was hard to choose between Optima SX and Optima Hybrid when it came to the interior. Both interiors are plush, roomy, comfortable, sophisticated and ergonomic. However, the Turbo SX model wowed with its sporty black-and-red motif.
Turbo vs. Hybrid: Performance
The winner: Hybrid.
And not just for its green stance. Performance on Kia’s very first hybrid engine was surprisingly fast and had overall excellent driving dynamics. Sure, the turbo-charged Optima is a hot drive too, but Kia’s new Optima Hybrid really does bring fun-to-drive performance to affordable hybrid.
Turbo vs. Hybrid: Fuel Economy
Hybrid wins, of course.
The Optima Hybrid gets a whopping EPA-estimated 40 mpg highway while the turbocharged SX only gets 34 mpg highway. On real-world road tests with my busy family, we found the Optima Hybrid almost halved our gasoline expenses.
Turbo vs. Hybrid: Auto Infotainment (UVO)
Tech winner: Hybrid.
The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is the first Kia vehicle to come equipped with the first-generation UVO in-car infotainment technology. Powered by the wirelessly upgradeable and award-winning Microsoft Auto Embed 7 and Nuance’s voice recognition platforms, UVO can only be rivaled by Ford’s SYNC, MyFord Touch and MyLincoln Touch systems. This hands-free technology powers audio, Bluetooth connectivity and the industry’s best integrated navigation, digital music and traffic, among many other features.
The Winner: Hybrid
Eco luxury or super sporty? My pick is: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid.
Even as much as this road test reviewer loves hot sports-minded sedans, I’m a middle-aged mother who wants to save the Earth and who also wants function, luxury, speedy acceleration and top notch technology. The Optima Hybrid combines it all in a nice package for my needs. And, you can’t get the state-of-the-art UVO infotainment system on the Optima Turbo model.
However, for those who still can’t sacrifice climate change notions for the thrill of owning a true performance car, the 2011 Kia Optima Turbo SX is definitely the way to go.
Either turbo or hybrid, you can’t go wrong in the award-winning 2011 Optima series from Kia.
Kia provided vehicles for these road tests.
Sheryll Alexander - Sheryll Alexander is a lifestyles writer, automotive journalist and professional road test reviewer based in Costa Mesa, CA.
