2016 / 2017 Kia Optima SXL Review and Road Test - DETAILED in 4K UHD 

I remember 10 years ago I laughed at anything Kia...now they make arguably the best looking and best valued cars in the world. South Korea is at the top of their game right now, and I hope they keep it up as it will only make the competition work harder.

Folks would be hard pressed to find a better reviewer out there. Amazing job.

Alex is truly the best car reviewer with the most substance and preparation and clear speaking style.

I am a new sales consultant, just started today. Thank you so much for making this video! It has made beginning this job so much less stressful!! the amount of help this gave is unreal

There's a reason why Kia Optimas are popping up all over town now

Love my Optima. I never imagined I would become such a fan of Hyundai/Kia, but the speed at which they've improved and the value offered is exceptional. It actually makes me excited for the upcoming Genesis brand and whatever Kia has brewing for the future.

8:07 well that escalated quickly...

wow this is the most detailed car review i've ever seen!

Kia is getting seriously smart. they are not putting CVT's in their vehicles.

The view out the back window is about 75% of what you will find in other similar cars. The slope of the glass and the steepness of the rear deck decrease your view considerably. You'll have to rely on the backup camera more than you would think.

Very comprehensive. U know yr stuff very well. For enthusiasts, this is one of the best channels. Keep up the good work.

Hello Alex, I have seen so many Optima reviews lately and I really am impressed. And coming from you WOW!

Just got a used one and I love it! Thanks for the review!

love his reviews .. always detailed and straight to the point, but still has his opinions tossed in the mix ..

This car is a terrific value. Its amenities are 90% a Lexus GS (yes GS, not an ES) at $25K less money.

Alex's reviews are the best. Very mature, and to the point.

Thanks for all the updates and Reviews ! Merry Christmas ! Thanks Joe

Great review! Your reviews are very thorough and I appreciate that level of detail.

I like the fact that you have the links to a specific part of the video in the video! Very thoughtful.

Another amazing detailed review! I am not aware of a better resource for new car research! 👍🏻

Absolutely the best professional in this field with correct info and details.

One of the best reviews I ever saw Very telling and informative Thanks 🌹

Fantastic Review. So detailed and objective. We are looking for 2016 Kia Optima SXL (new) since the promotions on the 2016 are great in Canada. Your review has been really valuable in our decision to get the 2016 SXL. Thank you.

Just plain excellent detailed reviews. Thank you.

Just excellent!!! Looking forward to my new Optima PHEV and this review was very helpfull!

As always, great review, Alex. Aesthetically, Kia has been really stepping up their game. Since I am a manual transmission fanatic, I will defer from the Optima to a Mazda 6 Touring, Accord Sport, or Accord EX.

I'm very impressed with the vehicles that Kia and Hyundai have been coming out with in the last few years. Admittedly, I was not a fan of the noisy interior of the previous generation Elantra, but every other Kia and Hyundai that I have been able to drive or ride in I have really liked. The value is definitely what impresses the most: heated and ventilated seats and a heated steering wheel. The Kia Optima is my new favorite sedan.

I've been saying it to anyone who will listen...Alex is, by far, the BEST reviewer!

Best review on an automobile I've seen thus far. Thanks.

Great 'no nonsense' review....very detailed with substance.

Accord Touring needs to use only one screen as infotainment system and these two cars are going be the strongest rivals in the segment

Recently got a 2017 certified Optima 1.6T with the full sport package/trim: red-leather seats with lumbar & 2 presets, seats/mirrors are heated with 2 person presets, black painted spoiler, led tail-lights, "sport" setting, etc. I love it!

Another great review, thanks Alex. I was really looking forward to this one. Did you test the 0-60 times yourself? The only numbers I've seen so far were 6.8 sec which is quite a bit slower than the 5.9 seconds you mentioned in this review. I'm trying to decide between this and a 2016 Honda Civic Touring so I hope you'll be doing a review of that soon. Cheers and Happy Holidays.

You sir are fantastic. Please keep on reviewing cars... anything! I'm looking at either the KIA EX or a Mazda6 or a Scoobeedoo Impreza.

Still loving our SXL! 51,000k miles and smooth! Still feels like a Lexus!

This is my dream car!!! Amazing job Alex.

Awesome review! I think you are spot on. I put money down on a 2016 Accord Touring, but test drove a KIA Optima SXL last night. I was blown away by the features and quality. I found your review after the test drive and it further strengthened my opinion that the Optima is a better value. Moreover, I do not like the blind spot camera that Honda put on the Accord. I think it is distracting and will not be of any use in bad weather. Rear cross traffic alert is also a glaring omission from the top trim levels in the Accord. Again, bad weather or road spray will coat the camera and make it all but meaningless. Accord's adaptive cruise control is not full range and turns off around 20 MPH. This is less convenient in stop and go traffic. I am sure you mention this in your Accord review, which I am going to view now. Thank you for also answering the question about Android Auto and Apple Carplay. I found reference that they were included in 2016 but could not find a real example of the Optima showing the integration.

Alex , I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a great 2016 .

Well done Alex, as on all your Rich reviews.

Not American. Not even in the market for a new car right now, so the video is kinda irrelevant to me. But you're so thorough and you articulate your voice well; so it's not a boring monotone like some video reviewers who try to do an in-depth review like this. Plus you obviously limit your personal bias, as opposed to just hiding it by choosing fancy wording. Not even in your target audience and yet I was interested enough to stick around til the end of the video. So, good job, Alex!

Great video . this man knows a lot about car

Great review !!!!

They are really great cars. I’ve never driven the hybrid, but I hear good things. This 2016 model was a lot of car and trim and safety package for the price. The 2019 is really another level too. Price is getting up there though. Base model is still pretty packed and very competitively priced.

Alex, I´m eagerly waiting for your review to the 2017 kia optima hybrid . Greetings from Portugal.

Hi Alex, I just wanted to let you know that I have just got the Optima LX 1.6L Turbo with the Tech pkg 4/29/16 and I Truly believe it's "A Must Own"!! I was looking at a Camry Hybrid XLE but after watching your Review of the Optima 1.6T and taking it for a test drive; I changed my mind. Thank You!!

Hi, Alex. I really enjoy watching your reviews. Just wondering if you could review the 2016 Rav4 hybrid. Thanks!

very very thorough. thank you!

I like Kia over Honda. It’s near luxury choice with much less cost. Good job Kia.

Outstanding Review..thank you

Another great review!!

I've driven an Accord, (probably was the EXL, had everything) and that thing had more road noise than my current 2014 Optima Hybrid. Steering feel was better but I didn't care for the center dash layout, preferred the Mazda and the Optima's. Really liked the Mazda's handling but road noise was not much better than my car. Out of the others I tested, Sonata, 6 Optima, the one car that did had a smooth and quiet ride was the Optima EX. If the Mazda had this level of quiet and refined ride (even though sporty, which I like), it would be my top pick. I'm happy the Optima development took longer and even happier they made the improvements better than what they did with the Sonata. Looking forward to see what they do with the Hybrid replacement.

Great review. I tested the KIA SKL today as well as the VW PASAT, and Mazda 6. At this time I am even on the VW and the KIA. Malibu I passed over, the Mazda 6 looks nice and at a much lower price but not as ecstatic the VW and KIA

I was surprised you compared this to the MKZ! I just came off a 2017 MKZ lease and drove a fully equipped 2019 Optima SX yesterday and came to youtube to check what others are saying. The Lincoln listed at $45K and did not have adaptive cruise, lane departure, forward sensing or birds eye parking (they are now mostly standard). Getting to driving modes on the MKZ was cumbersome, requiring scrolling through setup menus vs a simple console push button that cycles through several settings (no suspension adjustment though) on the SX. The only things missing (other than AWD) that I frequently used are the remote start and remote open/close trunk. Perhaps a remote start can be added but may require an additional fob. (Wish my phone bluetooth could replace ALL key fobs) Also Kia has decided to no longer include garage door openers on some models so I would need to clip my ugly controller to the visor (ugg).The MKZ has an attractive attractive grill imo that provides a more distinctive appearance while the Optima is more generic to my eyes. But the price/lease differential is huge! I prefer the seating position on the Kia too as well as the appearance of the dashboard. The panoramic sunroof is nice too which my Lincoln didn't have. One more thing I prefer on the Kia is the use of buttons to change functions on the display. In fact the control layout seems a bit clearer and easier to use, but we will see. I never imagined I would be driving a Kia(or similar Hyundai) but these cars are able to offer lots of features in an increasingly attractive package for what to me seems a comparative bargain.

Alex, yet another exceptional review. I've always liked the interiors of the Optima, but the exteriors were a bit too "out there". I am concerned that Kia may limit the interior trim packages available on their soon-to-be-released hybrid models. I recently test-drove a MKZ hybrid and liked the front compartment a lot, but the rear seating room was limited -- more so than in fact my '14 Mazda6 GT. I'd be interested when you get a chance to test the new '16 Malibu Premier with it's 2.0L engine, as well as it's new hybrid model. If the initial reports are true, the interior room in these new models will be at the top of the class.

Alex- have you ever compared the 2016 Kia Optima to The2016 hyundai sonata?...although i know they are very similar i was wondering if you had an opinion which would be better suited for my eldery parents? The navigation is very important to them and i have heard that the Optima navigation- although very user friendly-is slightly farther away from the driver and perhaps not as easy to use? also what about visibility out of the rear window? Thanks very much ! Arthur

please review the kia stinger when you get a chance.

Another great review.

Thanks Alex, great review. I'm currently cross-shopping this vehicle with the nissan maxima and wondering which i should get. Which car would you say is more luxurious? How do the driving dynamics of the vehicles compare? If it were your money which car would you get?

A+ for your review, Alex.

I have the LX and it does NOT have a power drivers seat, only a power lumbar. Which is still nice, but just an FYI.

Great review, you are so thorough. Was the 0-60 in 5.9 seconds an error? I just bought a new to me 2016 and it does not feel that fast to me.

Very impressive.

Nice detailed review! To me, the packaging of accord in Canada makes it the top, especially the ex-l. If Kia added Napa leather to its Es trim, optima could be ranked higher IMHO.

Alex, another great review. It appears that you can get leather on the 2016 Optima ECO, however, it is no longer available in the 2016 Sonata ECO. I bought a 2015 Sonata ECO with the tech package and love it. My average gas mileage has 34+.

Great video! Thanks. I bought one!

Thanks Alex, love the comprehensive reviews. do you think the Optima will survive 5 yrs in reliability especially with the turbo as the the Accord, camry etc?

Alex, thanks for your very informative auto reviews. I just picked up a 2016 Optima SXL after trading in my 2013 SXL which I very much enjoyed having for 36 months (lease). I am amazed how much the car has evolved in just 3 years and thus far happy with my 2016 and all of its advanced tech. I will say though that I do not think the UI in as snappy as my 2013 was as it seems to take a very long time to answer voice prompts, I would give it a "C" in that department. I am somewhat confused about the autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and the front collision warning system( FCWS) - will those features prevent a forward collision ? What would happen if a pedestrian stepped in front of my car while I was adjusting the climate control, would my car stop by itself ? Perhaps you could shed some light on these features....Thanks again for all your efforts

I've been looking at a lot of Optima reviews. I think now the only review better than this is to test drive one of these for myself. But can anyone provide consumer reports or some other source showing that there is also longterm 10 year value? Only time will tell??

Deja-Vu... Alex, your reviews are the BEST bar none on You Tube. However, there's so much out there to be reviewed (how about the 2016 Malibu, for instance??), that I was sort of distraught that you had doubled-down on Optima (last review not too long ago). Nevertheless, keep up the great work and keep these reviews (new ones) coming!

Hello Alex, I am a big fan of your channel. I am just wondering about the 0-60 tested here. Most other reviewers have it rated at 6.8-7.0s and you had 5.8 seconds. Just wondering why the difference?

Really love the interior on this. Very well done. Definetly better than the Accord

It's really hard to make a wrong choice in this segment. This Optima top trim level competes quite well in the looks department against the Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion, etc. My dark horse contender for the best looking mid-size sedan is the Mazda6 Grand Touring trim level.

Great review. I currently drive a 2014 Kia Cadenza. This new Otpmia now has a few more features than what my car has. I am strongly considering going back to the optima (more luxury appearance)but undecided. The 2017 Cadenza is suppose to drop next fall. I can wait to see your review on that.

24.15" neat treak with the glasses.

I got a 13 and I love it!!

I recently looked at a Mazda 6 Grand Touring with the Premium package (which also features Nappa leather) and came away impressed; I almost likely everything about that car...except the fact it only possess a 184hp 2.5L Naturally aspirated engine. This Optima SXL by the sound of it seems like it sacrifices a bit of driver involvement over the Mazda 6 but with a stronger powertrain, equally luxurious interior & high level of safety & technology, could very well be the car I'm looking for. @Alex how you would say the 2017 Optima SXL compares to the 2017 Mazda 6 GT Premium?

Any review on 2016 Honda Civic soon, Alex? Awesome reviews by the way... :)

I have driven Hyundai kia for the last few years different models. You will be impressed by the cars they make, well equipped , nice well built interior, 7 year warranty,win lots of customers.

I had a kia optima 2005. It went well, but the engine couldn't keep up with me when it get closer to 200 thousand mark. I hope the newer kia would last longer than 200 thousand mark.

I live this color combination so much! But I can barely find it on the used car market. It's hard to even 😂find the Ivory Nappa leather interior bc most of the SX & SXL listings I've seen have the black or dark brown Aubergine Nappa leather interior. I prefer the Aubergine Nappa leather over the all-black interior, but it still looks really dark for South FL. That's why I my first preference is this Ivory Nappa leather interior bc this two-tone color combination looks beautiful

Any idea when the Kia Optima Hybrid 2017 will actually become available? Oh how I wish they would put out a Cadenza Hybrid.. :(

Nice video

How’s this in the snow? Are the head rests adjustable? Ty

Hey can you do a review for the Volkswagen Passat?

Could you do a review of the 2017 Optima Hybrid EX model? I'm wondering what you were talking about at the end, whether all those goodies make it to the Hybrid EX edition at just shy of $31,000. The addition of the Technology Package puts the cost around $37K. I also see they have the Optima Plug-In in EX trim only for about $5K more than the Hybrid EX.

Ahh... finally, it has a better tire pressure monitor that shows the exact PSI per tire. I missed that feature in the 2014.

Can you do a review on 2016 Passat 3.6?

hello, is there supposed to be metal showing behind the side black lip where the exhaust is? any help is greatly appreciated (had the exhaust adjusted b/ it wasn't sitting flush from the dealer and now metal frame piece is showing..)

Review is good and i like the channel perhaps the only complaint i would have is the lack of highlight for the fact that this is an sxl... (most people are going to buy a lx/ex Not a sxl optima sticker price of 36k pluss pluss pluss ...

Alex a Car Gurus reviewer stated he felt the rack and pinion steering changing as he drove and claimed it was really bad. What's your experience about the steering?

How did ya get this to do a 5.9 to 60 and the Sonata 2.0t seems to be getting slower times? Did it have 91-93 octane? Or were the Sonata reviews wrong?

Nice in and out. However, for a techie like me, that squashed roof in the back is a dissonance, since it's form over function. Center console divider is needlessly wide as well. Pity there is no manual transmission option.

I wish KIA put the electronic parking brake on a couple of more trims. It's only on the SXL Turbo.

Can someone please explain how the US version of 2.0 turbo is faster to 60 than the European Optima GT? Engine and transmission seem to have the same specs.

Thanks for another informative review. You are still the best auto reviewer in RU-vid land. If possible, could you provide one reference number in the scale of vehicle size graphic? Small garage requires medium sized or less auto. Looking forward to your reviews in the new year. Happy holidays!

Great Review Alex!!! Merry Christmas & Happy 2016 Man! I just have a few quick questions. How many gallons from the low fuel warning light does this take to full up? How many miles per tank did you get? I think this is great value and certainly has better, more interesting features than the Honda.

have you done the Kia optima 2016 hybrid?

Thank you from Saudi Arabia

its so hard to find a sxl for good price too since theres not a lot of km on um and theyre just rare anyway

how is the road and tire noise? my 2012 SX is pretty bad....