Actually, feeling the paddles is the problem. As you can see, they're made of plastic, which is fine for some things but it's rarely a good idea for something you grab with several of your fingers and pull on.
There's nothing mechanical about plastic no matter how hard or indestructible it may be. It's a flimsiness that's hard to ignore. So although these paddles are unlikely to break off at any time, they lend a certain cheapness to the car that I'm sure Kia would rather not promote.
Oddly enough, the Bentley Continental GT suffers from the same problem. Go figure.
Ed Hellwig, Editor, Inside Line
se_riously says:
06:57 PM, 01/30/12
I think this particular blog is a cheap shot. Notice that the steering wheel buttons and the wiper stalk and engine start/stop button in the same picture are plastic too?
I think if you want a metallic shift paddle, is the least expensive vehicle that has it the Infiniti G or the 370Z?
the_dog says:
08:16 PM, 01/30/12
Or a Subaru Impreza Premium at $20,545, a bit less than the G or 370Z.
jdubbs19 says:
09:40 PM, 01/30/12
I know what Ed's talking about... the paddles in my wife's Genesis coupe look identical (they're probably exactly the same) and feel really hollow and cheap. Although they're effective, I think he means the type or thickness of plastic aren't satisfying, I could agree with that. Too bad, because the rest of the car works really well, actually.
shabadoo25 says:
05:47 AM, 01/31/12
I checked out many sedans before buying a 2012 Optima SX.
One of the reasons I ruled out the Infiniti G was that it's cheap Nissan underpinnings were obvious the more you checked out the levers and switches. I wouldn't care if I were spending Altima money, but not for a premium car.
Kia probably wisely realizes that those shifters will only get used once in a blue moon.
engineear says:
07:26 AM, 01/31/12
Kia probably wisely realizes that those shifters will only get used once in a blue moon.
"wisely"? If they're THAT wise to know it will only be used once in a blue moon, then why put them there? If they were wiser maybe they'd make them from metal and promote it. "Yeah, I know, crappy plastic paddles, but, I never use 'em. Otherwise the car is great!" sheesh
jdubbs115 says:
09:44 AM, 01/31/12
@engineear:
"Why put them there?" you ask? For reasons like this:
http://blogs.insideline.com/roadtests/2012/01/2011-kia-optima-sx-turbo-my-new-must-have.html
People like what they like; the same can be said for dislikes. I actually think they feel fine and use them alot in rush hour traffic, like Mark Magrath. I also appreciate that they're not made out of metal, for those hot summer days. They also won't scratch like metal would over time. Kia also promoted them in the video with one of their team drivers last year.
legacygt says:
09:58 AM, 01/31/12
It's more important that they BE durable than FEEL durable. Plastics can be pretty tough and if they save cost and weight, I'm fine with them.
legacygt says:
10:03 AM, 01/31/12
It's more important that they BE durable than FEEL durable. Plastics can be pretty tough and if they save cost and weight, I'm fine with them.
porschetr says:
01:26 PM, 02/ 1/12
Wow, people complain about everything.