Kia Optima Sportswagon?

r3nu4l

just wondering if anyone has any experience of owning one of these? They are relatively new and the reviews are all fairly good. Basic summary appears to be that while the car is an uninvolved drive, the seat comfort and in-car infotainment is excellent...

However, there is some conflict in the reviews I've read, in that some say the engine is loud and gruff and others say it is quiet and refined...

At 140 bhp, it's not going to set the world on fire but just wondering if anyone has bought one and how they are getting on with it?

I'm not looking to buy just yet but my next car will probably be a Superb, Mondeo or some other large family estate car so thoughts appreciated.

GustavoFring

I'm 5'11 and in one with a sunroof there was no way I could adjust the seat that stopped my head touching the headlining. The seat wouldn't go low enough.

cros13

There's a PHEV version due in the next few months that will have more power and lower running costs.
It was launched at the Geneva show last month.

Still trying to get a firm launch date from Kia Ireland.

202bhp combined (50kW electric motor with a 154bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine)
40-45km real world electric range
1.5L/100km (188mpg) (NEDC)

Same as the Optima PHEV but you know.....an estate:
http://www.kia.com/uk/new-cars/all-new-optima-plug-in-hybrid/

r3nu4l

GustavoFring wrote: »

I'm 5'11 and in one with a sunroof there was no way I could adjust the seat that stopped my head touching the headlining. The seat wouldn't go low enough.

Interesting as one of the reviews I read said that there was plenty of room front and back for adults in the estate as the roof doesn't swoop in the same way as the saloon...

cros13 wrote: »

There's a PHEV version due in the next few months that will have more power and lower running costs.
It was launched at the Geneva show last month.

Still trying to get a firm launch date from Kia Ireland.

202bhp combined (50kW electric motor with a 154bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine)
40-45km real world electric range
1.5L/100km (188mpg) (NEDC)

Same as the Optima PHEV but you know.....an estate:
http://www.kia.com/uk/new-cars/all-new-optima-plug-in-hybrid/

If I get one, I'll be driving 200 km each way on the same day each week (with no stops on the way), so PHEV is out for me. I would love an electric but I think it will be a long time until they are ready for my once weekly commute.

cros13

r3nu4l wrote: »

If I get one, I'll be driving 200 km each way on the same day each week (with no stops on the way), so PHEV is out for me. I would love an electric but I think it will be a long time until they are ready for my once weekly commute.

What about your mileage the rest of the week? The PHEV would probably average a touch below the diesel economy over the once-weekly trip (still beating a petrol) but if you're inside the electric only range the rest of the week well.... electricity is 12 times cheaper than diesel. The only issue is if you can make up the difference in purchase price with the savings and the likely better resale value than the diesel.

The full electric Kia Niro due Q1 next year will do in the region of 300-400km on a single charge. And of course you can rapid charge at ~80kW giving you a 0-80% charge in 20-25 minutes.
Not aware of any manufacturer planning a full electric estate but plenty of long range SUVs on the way (though most will be €50k+).

I do around 60,000km a year in my i3 (my commute is 187km) so I can tell you it's worth shifting every km to electric that you can. I save around €6-7k/year.

r3nu4l

Car hardly moves for the rest of the week but I really want a large estate because we use the car for self-catering staycations, three times a year and again on other occasional 200+km each way journeys. Currently have a ce'ed and find the boot space is not big enough for the gear I bring on holidays. Not into roof racks at all.

Edit: Also, not convinced there are anywhere near enough electric charge points in place for the increase we are going to see in electric cars on the roads over the next 2-5 years. I don't want to be stuck 200km from home any evening.

cros13

It would be worth doing the math. Recording the trip meter every day for a week and plugging in the numbers.

Over your long trips the PHEV should average between 4.7 and 6.2 l/100km (45-60mpg) real world depending on whether you start the journey with a full battery or not (vs 6.2-7L/100km (40-45mpg) reported on fuelly for the diesel) but any short range stuff will be nigh on free (you'll get 40km for about 8kWh, at night rate a kWh with Energia is 6.33c inc VAT, so 50 cents for your 40km or €1.25 per 100km).

Re Edit: I think you you misunderstand a PHEV. After the battery is exhausted it operates as a Hybrid, you just continue driving.... total range limited only by the 55 liter fuel tank... which you can just refill as you do with your current car.
The only barrier is whether the savings on running costs will offset the higher purchase price in your particular case... and whether you can charge at home (i.e. you're not in an apartment building with unallocated spaces).

And there are over 1000 chargepoints in Ireland.

As for pure EVs... well I've driven from Dublin to Berlin and back (4000km) in roughly the same time as my old diesel. London several times... Holland twice. I'm heading for the scottish highlands this summer... there are more than 200 rapid chargers and thousands of chargepoints in scotland.... might head for Norway in August too. I've a total of 250,000km on three EVs done... and never run out.