keith yasso

2013 Kia Optima SXL Review

Kia has truly come along way — first being known as the economy car, now to being known as a top-of-the-line luxury car. The 2013 Kia Optima was everything we thought it was going to be, plus so much more. The SXL we had from Tenafly Kia was the best model you could get and it had everything in it but the kitchen sink.

Our test vehicle was equipped with unique design 18″ chrome wheels, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, LED tail lights, LED daytime running lights and the UVO eServices Infotainment System with Voice-Command Navigation mated to an 8″ display with Sirius radio. It also had a push-button start with a smart key, Infinity Surround Sound Audio System with 8 speakers, amplifier and subwoofer. It also has heated and ventilated front leather seats. All of these top-notch features gave the car a luxury feel and we feel that there was nothing Kia left out of this car.

The Optima SXL has a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, producing 274 horsepower & 269 ft-lb of torque, hooked up to a 6-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with tiptronic and paddle shifters. Weighing in at 3,385 lbs, the turbocharged 4-cylinder pushed the car to 60 from 0 in just over 6 seconds, which we thought was pretty quick. The Optima also features an ECO-mode which helps the car achieve a fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

Pros: A luxurious sports sedan, we thought the Optima SXL was very stylish. The features were a lot better than expected. The amount of technology in the car, from a touch screen voice command navigation, Bluetooth and AUX & USB iPod hookup, was very impressive. When at a rolling start, the pick-up of the turbocharged 4-cylinder was noteworth–we both thought it felt like a high-performance V6. The car values for about 35grand which is no doubt a big bang for your buck.

Cons: Because it’s front-wheel-drive, under normal acceleration patterns, the Optima sometimes struggled to gain traction.

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $26,800 || Price as Tested: $35,570

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, FWD, 5-passenger, 4-door Sport Sedan

Engine: 2.0L, 274-hp, 269-lb-ft. turbocharged 4-cylinder || Transmission: 6-speed electronically-controlled Sportmatic

Curb Weight: 3,385 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 190.7/72/57.3 inches

0-60: 6.6 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 22/34 mpg

RATING: 8.8/10

Exterior: 9

Interior: 9

Acceleration: 8

Braking: 8

Ride: 8

Handling: 9

Gearbox: 9

Audio: 9

Tech: 9

Value: 9

A big thank you goes to Tenafly Kia — ranked in the top 3 Kia dealerships nationwide for Customer Sales Satisfaction. For all of your Kia needs, speak to Keith Yasso at Tenafly Kia and tell them Greg and Dave sent you. Check them out at www.tenaflykia.com.

2014 Kia Sorento SX V6 Review

Recently refreshed for 2014, the Kia Sorento was nothing short of an exceptional vehicle. The SX we had from Tenafly Kia was one step below the top-of-the-line Limited model, but this vehicle had everything we could need in a car.

Our test vehicle was equipped with stylish 19″ alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, roof rails, LED tail lights, the UVO eServices Infotainment System with Voice-Command Navigation mated to an 8″ display with Sirius radio. It also had a power liftgate, push-button start with a smart key, the Infinity Surround Sound Audio System with 10 speakers, amplifier and subwoofer, and heated and ventilated front leather seats. Another thing it had was an all-new digital speedometer, giving the car a luxury feel. What more could we ask for?

The Sorento SX has a 3.3L V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower & 252 ft-lb of torque, mated to a 6 speed automatic, with tiptronic. Weighing in at a slightly hefty 4171 lbs, the engine pushed the car to 60 from 0 in just over 7 seconds, which we feel wasn’t too bad. The Sorento also features an ECO-mode, which help the car achieve a fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

Pros: The Sorento was very roomy, features in the vehicle were a lot better than expected, there was ample elbow room for someone who is broad shouldered. The technology of the UVO eServices system was phenomenal and the value of the car you are getting for under forty grand is astounding.

Cons: Acceleration was slightly sluggish but decent for a vehicle of it’s size.

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $37,550 || Price as Tested: $38,550

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, AWD, 7-passenger, 4-door SUV

Engine: 3.3L, 290-hp, 252-lb-ft. 24 valve V6 || Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 4171 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 184.4/74.2/68.3 inches

0-60: 7.3 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 18/24 mpg

RATING: 8.2/10

Exterior: 8

Interior: 8

Acceleration: 7

Braking: 8

Ride: 9

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 8

Tech: 10

Value: 8

A big thank you goes to Tenafly Kia — ranked in the top 3 Kia dealerships nationwide for Customer Sales Satisfaction. For all of your Kia needs, speak to Keith Yasso at Tenafly Kia and tell them Greg and Dave sent you. Check them out at www.tenaflykia.com.