Topic: Test Drive: 2015 Kia Optima Hybrid

[Autos_Editor]

Is Kia's hybrid the optimal choice?
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[Noto]

either way, that six-speed is the weak link in the Optima Hybrid’s mechanical make-up.

surprised to read that, but I agree with you.  Toyota's PSD, IMO, is still the best tranny out there.

Just like everyone else, they put the battery pack behind the rear seat, where it eats about a third of the trunk’s volume and eliminates a folding seatback.

Unless I'm mistaken, that looks like a ski-pass thru, no?  I agree, not folding seatback, but not completely fixed like the Accord Hybrid's, right?  (pictured below)

[Noto]

Where else would the battery go without redesigning the entire vehicle frame?

It's not the battery placement - it's that the Accord (non-hybrid, and hybrid alike) isn't rigid enough (torsen) to allow for a folding rear-seatback.  The standard Optima does get the 60/40 split.  That this comes only with a pass-thru (if the picture is accurate) is suggestive that it's a cost-cutting measure.

[Blueprint]

In the Kia Canada flyer we received, there's a 6k$ incentive (as usual) on the Optima Hybrid. The semi-fine print says 2014 models though 

[chrischasescars]

Yup, a pass-through, but even then, half of it's blocked. Par for the course in a hybrid sedan.

[chignectohead]

Where else would the battery go without redesigning the entire vehicle frame?

It's not the battery placement - it's that the Accord (non-hybrid, and hybrid alike) isn't rigid enough (torsen) to allow for a folding rear-seatback.  The standard Optima does get the 60/40 split.  That this comes only with a pass-thru (if the picture is accurate) is suggestive that it's a cost-cutting measure.

Sorry, the 2015 Accord does have a folding rear seat back, so torsion (not torsen, that's a type of differential) stresses  aren't too high. Problem is, the seat does not split fold - perhaps that was what you were remembering.

[mmret]

Where else would the battery go without redesigning the entire vehicle frame?

It's not the battery placement - it's that the Accord (non-hybrid, and hybrid alike) isn't rigid enough (torsen) to allow for a folding rear-seatback.  The standard Optima does get the 60/40 split.  That this comes only with a pass-thru (if the picture is accurate) is suggestive that it's a cost-cutting measure.

I find a lot of Japanese cars do not have a folding rear seatback, especially the more performance oriented sedans. I think even the regular Accord does not fold.

My TL doesn't fold either, just a ski pass through. M37 and Lexus GS are same (at least the last gen, not sure about current gen).

German stuff always folds. Even my CLK with two giant doors and no B-pillar managed a flat folding rear seat. I wonder how the AMG convertible version felt in terms of rigidity.

[tpl]

I would have thought that any modern mid sized 4 dr sedan that was not rigid enough for a folding seat back, assuming that there would still be a bar across the opening where the trunk lid was attached,would be too weak to pass the sideways crash tests.  So cost cutting it is then.