KIA Optima PHEV | Fully Charged

The very sophisticated Kia Optima won me over. At first I was unimpressed, just another plug in hybrid, big petrol engine, all the usual caveats.
However after many miles driving it, I started to appreciate the effort that has clearly been put into this car to make it stand out.
And yes, it's the CLIFTON suspension bridge, not Bristol... duuuur, everyone knows that.

Patreon:

Music:
Delifinger feat. Ravelston

[PaulVanGaans]

I'm so glad you're covering plug in hybrids! For countries like Australia with next to no EV charging infrastructure or Government support, PHEV's are the only realistic option EV's for the long distances we often need to cover. Patiently waiting for affordable long range EV's in Australia!

[thelongdaysofwheeling]

Robert, I have a 2014 Optima Hybrid. No plug in... I avg about 47 Mpg UK. Just thought I'd throw that in there for reference. Now considering, the '14 is smaller in all dimensions, your MPG is pretty damned impressive. And for my commute to work and back every day, I'd never put fuel in. And likely would use very little for a day shopping either. Vacations... I'd certainly avg much less than your 105mpg. But it's not the vacations that are burning fuel... it's every day life. And that is where a plug in hybrid shines. As always, another great video my friend.

[vincentmaturo]

Mr. Llewellen, thank you for keeping your eyes on the road and not the camera. When you're driving I notice that you only GLANCE at the camera infrequently. You LOOK at the camera while stopped, you are a rare bird indeed. I watch more car video reviews than a person should admit to, and you are the ONLY one to do so. Everyone else seems to think it is more important to look at the camera than watch the road. I try to remind myself that when my hands are on a steering wheel, I have human life in my hands. A bad heart surgeon can only take one life at a time, a bad driver can take many more. You are the best.

[JasonCarmichael]

I tried out an EV a few weeks ago. It was a used, off lease, Soul EV. The price is reasonable, finally. I tried to like the Soul EV, but it would only show 58 or 60 miles of range on an overnight charge! I currently own a Kia Niro, a pure hybrid from the get-go. I have owned the Niro for 19 months and spent $1106 on gas, 53.3 mpg lifetime. I have been on several 100+ mile trips, but probably 95% are less than 15 miles.

I am presently shopping for a Niro or Optima PHEV.

I have no interest in an EV, until I can get 300 miles, and recharge for another 300 miles in 30 minutes.
I live in the center of the USA, where wide open highways are everywhere and going 800 miles in a single day is pretty easy.

For me, PHEV is the only viable option. 95% of the time the car is sitting parked, why not let me go ~30 miles in the middle of big sky, wind energy, and diesel pickup trucks!

[Ecoenergy]

Great to see the plug in range increasing. Having seen details on the IONIQ plugin hybrid in the local dealers I would say it would be a great addition to the KIA.Well done, keep up the good work.

[someoneelsealso]

Robert its Thanksgiving Day here in the US. I do not know the equivalent in Britain. So Happy Thanksgiving!!!! Please keep bringing us more good info on renewable energy and keep up the good work..

[Fivetripe]

Robert; another upbeat, enthusiastic video delivered with your usual humble charm. Thank you. Always like the genuine off-the-cuff, but from-the-heart, comments. Crazy that some misguided manufacturers aren't yet queuing up to give you cars to test and that those that do are not giving you them for a couple of days at least.

Maybe, if I could make so bold, keep the PHEV vs EV and EV vs ICE type debates for a dedicated video. I imagine most viewers get the electric future and also welcome both your discussion of the virtues of the different EV types as well as your views on individual models but maybe separately?

Like you I have to beat a path to bristol every term or so but I regularly do so in a PHEV. So I had great sympathy for your filling-up experience as it is the single greatest pain of the trip for me and quite often it is the only time that the car needs fuelling - all other trips being purely electric.

Thanks again.

[leonkernan]

I love the UK take on this, I just wish we had a tenth of the choice of electric or hybrid that you do here in Australia.

[simonthomas]

Been running one of these for 5 years now. Brilliant car. Easily does 75km on battery. Takes about 5hrs to fully charge off a plug in the work car park. I top up the fuel tank once every couple of months but no more. Mon to Fri I can run on pure electric and then it runs as a hybrid on longer weekend journeys or holidays. And I’ve still got 2 years Kia warranty left! What’s not to like?

[mariotardini]

Robert, I love the fact that you were not particularly excited at first because this car also has a petrol engine in it... I drive a Leaf so I understand your feeling! ;)
Please keep up the good work.
Regards from Italy

[Tigermoto]

Oh how I'd love to be rich enough to live in your world. I'm sure my 12 year old Jaguar X-type diesel has you and many of your viewers thinking i'm some kind of evil villain. But some of us have absolutely no ability to spend this kind of money, I simply couldn't afford even the worst cheapest junk version of these vehicles. I respect you very much both past and present Mr Llewellyn, but it's clear your channel was not made for people like me. Keep up the hard work.

[rubenbraekman]

That delay when you floored it tho... 😂 what in the world

[Gormador]

Getting my first "real" pay at the end of the month. This is probably one of the first youtube things I'm gonna put patreon money in. Such quality in production for such an important topic has to have the opportunity to continue.
Thanks for these wonderful videos, Robert & Team! (Though, petrol engine in this one. Eww! ;-) )

[TheUnnamedGent]

I might be wrong, but I think litres/100km is the normal economy metric, rather than litres/km.

[gertahnstrom]

Thank you for the litres per 100 km figure! Very nice video, as always!

[fineartz]

Positively, complimentarily honest and amusing. High compliments.

[juhanyman]

Bought 2018 optima wagon phev used a while ago and gotta say I love it. Loads of space and the car feels great to drive. So far couldn’t be happier.

[lellobgc]

I've been waiting for a long time for a review to this car. I am glad that you were the first to make a good one.
Thanks

[edcooper]

Don't overdo the petrol point, a lot of us run fuel cars and it really isn't a hassle, so stop trying to pretend it is one. In some vehicles you can fill up in Calais and drive to Milan stopping only if you want too, taking whatever route you want. There's plenty of valid reasons for wanting an electric vehicle - that's why I'm here - but the hassle of buying fuel is not one for many.

[MGCTwest]

Where we live in Montana, it is 100 miles to the next city with little to nothing in between except forest, elk and grizzly bears. We do have a Tesla Super Charger in our town because we are the western entrance to Yellowstone. There are still challenges for places with long distances between communities, like Montana and the Central United States. For us the Prius has been wonderful and we look forward to bridging the gap with a PHEV in the future.