Every time I see the exterior of our 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo I remember how much I really dig the styling of this Kia (Peter Schreyer does good work). And I'd option mine in this very same Corsa Blue, it just looks right with the dark grille and Kia's slightly over-the-top wheels.
But then I get in and see the touchscreen that doesn't really make anything easier. It's just a touch-based interface because that's what someone said a car like this needed. And then there's the display in the IP. The resolution is low and the displays are, again, kind of pointless. The whole thing feels like a forced attempt at hitting the marks set by market research.
Kia apparently knows this, though, as they've got the new UVO system available on a host of 2012 MY cars, but you can't get it with Nav. Not in the Optima. The system is dated but isn't deal breaker bad. It would, however, count as a check in the "cons" column of the list I make for every purchase and in a field this tight, every check counts.
(It should be noted that the non-touchscreen controls -- HVAC, hard radio buttons-- are very good.)
Mike Magrath, Features Editor, Inside Line
kplacer says:
06:01 PM, 01/31/12
The Optima IP is very disappointing given the exterior design. It is a sea of unattractive black plastic with overdone ventilation grilles. The IP reminds me of something the Cerberus-era Chrysler might have produced for a Dodge. It goes to show that you might be able to buy a brand-name stylist for the sheetmetal, but the overall talent level in the design group is still pretty thin.
a1ch3myst says:
06:21 PM, 01/31/12
I've owned a Kia Optima for nearly 3 months and I love the touchscreen. It's extremely responsive and every screen is clean and legible. It doesn't look as nice as Toyota's Entune but it sure works a lot better.
jdubbs115 says:
06:31 PM, 01/31/12
Wards would disagree:
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2011/04/chevy-cruze-honda-odyssey-and-kia-optima-interiors-voted-the-best.html
Whether you agree with them or not, well, that's entirely up to you.
kandeemann2001 says:
08:42 PM, 01/31/12
I respectfully disagree with you here. The new Kia Optima has been very well received as it regards its interior styling. In almost every video review that I've seen, journalists praise the new forward-looking design and, specifically, the angled dash console. It also seems to be bringing in a lot of new buyers to Kia, since sales have been remarkably high. As far as the touchscreen goes, it certainly isn't an afterthought, by any stretch, because in your very next paragraph, you write about your dislike for the fact that the UVO system doesn't provide a navigation feature. In fact, most reviewers criticize sedans for not providing a touchscreen nav/entertainment system, as more and more people depend on them for travel, music, iPod, etc. And as it regards the IP feature, I'm not convinced that it was a 'forced attempt' at anything, but something they may have thought younger buyers might appreciate.
So, it's a far stretch to say that your dislike of the touchscreen and the IP make the Optima's interior 'dated'. I think Peter Schreyer has a good eye and is very in-tune with where the future of the car business is headed, so IMO, the Optima - as a whole - is a great vehicle and a respectable effort. But again, I respect your opinion and can appreciate where you're coming from.
esoterica says:
09:12 PM, 01/31/12
Most touchscreen interfaces suck. In most cars, the solution is to not get nav. But in more and more cars, it's impossible to get the top-shelf audio system without nav. Which really sucks, because I can't stand crappy car audio systems, but I also generally think built-in nav is a complete waste in the era of smartphones.
thebandleader says:
10:03 PM, 01/31/12
I actually love the interior and the touchscreen. However, I don't have Mike's experience across the board. The only thing I don't like about the IL is the space between the Speedo and the tach. (the EX's dash looks nicer, but I had to have Corsa Blue, only available on the SX, plus I like the SX's sportier looks with the "luxury wheels")
I have a different take on UVO. After testing UVO and Hyundai's Blue Whatever we realized many functions wouldn't work in our area so it wouldn't be worth the subscription. That would result in a pet peeve of mine: buttons that don't do anything. I was pleased that with the Optima I could get the nav without the UVO.
alexdi says:
10:04 PM, 01/31/12
These things won't get any better until the UI is projected onto the windshield as a HUD and the controls are on the steering wheel. Apple could have designed the current UI and it would still suck. The task-switching time to reorient from the road to a touchscreen, or any dash-mounted console, is much too high. The space they gain from dumping it for a HUD will leave plenty of room for tactile, usable, physical controls.
That fundamental issue aside, the rest of the layout seems decent enough.
ldbs101 says:
11:29 PM, 01/31/12
I'll tell you why i like the kia optima touch screen.
Its not clogged up by useless crap.
You don't have to go through many menus to get what you want.
It is to the point. You touch and press what you want and it is there. Example look at how many people have issues with ford sync and how many complaints they get.
Some people prefer basic, and that is what the kia optima nav touch screen is, Basic and to the point.
billt9 says:
02:13 AM, 02/ 1/12
I just checked out the A6 and the Optima side by side, and the Optima felt like the more comfortable place to be, with more padded and leather/vinyl panels, softer and comfortable to touch than the Audi.
But that has nothing to do with the touch screen.
Instead of "Dated Interior?" as this post's title, this post seems to be focused on the multifunction display, and should be titled "Dated Multifunction Display?"
snipenet says:
04:11 AM, 02/ 1/12
The ventilation does seem a bit misplaced but I do like the 'for the driver' look rather than the 'available to everyone' format.
throwback says:
05:37 AM, 02/ 1/12
Every time I see this interior I think Saab.
alpha01 says:
06:02 AM, 02/ 1/12
@throwback - funny you say that, I think the same thing. And, I really don't think its a bad thing at all. The Optima has possibly my favorite interior design in the class, though I really don't care for red illumination. There's some thing very cheap and Pontiac-y for me about bright red illumination.
kain77 says:
06:09 AM, 02/ 1/12
I'll echo the others who love the interior. Not overwrought, clean lines, nice-looking material. Does much more for me than the current trend for Star Trek-y interiors (ironically, I'm looking at you, Hyundai).
ed124c says:
07:34 AM, 02/ 1/12
I love Star Trek-y. Guess which of the two I like better. Yup, the inside and out gorgeous Sonata. And now, since Motor Trend has debunked the Sonata Turbo, I would retreat to the comfort of the six speed manual base model Sonata, which has everything I need, including Bluetooth. (I could get an after-market sunroof later.)
jaeger1 says:
07:49 AM, 02/ 1/12
I think Saab, too. I find it a bit on the dull side in terms of layout, but not so much that I'd call it a negative. I don't understand the criticism of the touchscreen being "just a touch-based interface". As opposed to what, exactly?
duck87 says:
07:54 AM, 02/ 1/12
My only criticism for the Kia is the weird shift knob shape. Other than that, it's fairly well executed for this class.
collisio888 says:
08:39 AM, 02/ 1/12
How can *THAT* interior be labeled dated? You guys do know the average person drives a car that is 10.8 years old? Have you seen the interior of my wife's 2005 Grand Prix! Oh my. You guys need to get in an average car to see "Dated".
This Optima has very clean and inviting visuality and possesses a simplicity that screams 'not trying too hard', but definitely trying. And succeeding imho.
Do you wanna see 'not trying at all'? Get into any recent high-selling Buehler...errr...Honda. That is Ferris. Ferris is still trying to get out of doing what he needs to do. Everyone, who is anyone(even the Camry interior!), is doing whatever it takes, but not Ferris. Ferris is the perfect pitchman for today's Honda.
victorminator says:
09:46 AM, 02/ 1/12
I sat in one and was very pleased by the quality of the surfaces and the overall look!
Also while I agree with the Saab reference, I would also add that it's got the Audi style for the button layout which is not surprising if Mr. Shreyer had any input on the interior.
Overall one of the best interiors in its class and in style might trump a few higher end models too.
shabadoo25 says:
10:47 AM, 02/ 1/12
I know I'm biased as an owner, but I think this is the sharpest looking interior in the class and even better than some luxury class ones, like the Infiniti G.
I find it so odd to hear from so many people that love the exterior and dislike the interior. To me, the opposite reactions would make more sense.
BTW, I also owned a Sonata and its endless sea of plastic really starts to look worn out fast.
jaeger1 says:
02:01 PM, 02/ 1/12
Better interior than a G37? Now we really have entered the realm of fantasy. Best interior in class? That's a pretty far stretch as well. It's certainly class-competitive, but hardly top of the heap. The entire class is pretty much defined by okay-to-pretty-good interiors. None are really crappy, and none are clearly class-topping standouts.
shabadoo25 says:
07:01 AM, 02/ 2/12
It's all a matter of perception. For what I paid, I find this interior to be very nice. For what Infiniti charges, I find their interior to be not up to snuff for the price.
Coming from a BMW 3-Series, too many of the Infiniti switches and controls seem like they were taken from a 80s Toyota Corolla.
optimasx says:
11:20 AM, 02/ 2/12
As a biased owner, ;) , you can say what you will about the look, but the system is all voice activated for those who spend 5 minutes with it, and the touch screen is very simple to use. I have used smart phones for nav and I really miss the one in my KIA.
The only complaint I have is not being able to select a different colored skin.
jaeger1 says:
01:01 PM, 02/ 2/12
@shabadoo "It's all a matter of perception. For what I paid, I find this interior to be very nice. For what Infiniti charges, I find their interior to be not up to snuff for the price."
That's not what you said before. You said the Optima interior was better than the Infiniti, period. Not better 'for the price'.
I do think the interior of the Optima is very nice for the price (garish orange lighting excepted). But it is not better than the G37. Neither is it the best interior in its class. Then again, considering that you see any equivalence between the interior of the G37 and that of an '80's Corolla, it appears that your ability to perceive reality is somewhat suspect.
shabadoo25 says:
11:00 AM, 02/ 3/12
Whatever, keyboard cowboy.
The Infiniti G interior sucks and looks no better than cars half its price.
The G may be a great car to drive, as a poor man's 3-Series replacement, but the inside is nothing to brag about.