2016 Kia Optima Review Series: 2 of 3

While the Summer’s On Us Sales event is over, we still have amazing Kia deals that can only be found at Lawrence Kia. Remember, we are also the only dealership offering a Complimentary Kia Lifetime Warranty.

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2016 Kia Optima Interior Features

This is the second of a three blog post series on the 2016 Kia Optima. Our first 2016 Kia Optima blog post was focused on the exterior features of the Kia Optima LX, EX, SX and SXL. This blog post will go over the 2016 Optima interior features when comparing the LX, LX Turbo, EX, SX and SXL.

2016 Kia Optima Stereo System

The premium Surround Sound system in the 2016 Kia Optima is optional in the EX and SX models and it standard in the Optima SX Limited. The official name of the system is “Harman Kardon® QuantumLogic™ premium surround-sound audio system w/10 speakers”. The Harman Kardon name is commonly used when talking about a Maserati, Mercedes, BMW and other luxury automotive OEMs. QuantumLogic is patented technology designed by Harman. QuantumLogic is the surround sound technology that debut in the Ferrari FF. QuantumLogic technology is an algorithm that disassembles music into different channels and then reassembles it. You have to listen. It is amazing!

2016 Kia Optima Electronic Parking Break (EPB)

EPB in the 2016 Kia Optima are optional in the EX and come standard with the Optima SX Limited models.

Parking breaks seem like the simple solution to keeping a car or truck in place, but there is much more to the parking break. The parking break protects the transmission, especially when on an incline. When you park your car on a hill without using the parking break, the incline puts a huge strain on the transmission and internal components.

Electronic Parking Break in the Optima is a little different than the standard cable/lever parking break. With the click of a button the EPB engages and a EPB Light comes on letting you know the EPB is activated.

When you are on a steep incline, you are going to need to pull up on the EPB switch for more than 3 seconds to engage the EPB. Think of it as a switch and hold motion.

The EPB system comes with an auto hold feature and is designed to keep the car stopped without you needing to keep your foot on the brake pedal. The auto hold feature supports smooth stops and smooth starts. This feature can be disabled when not in use.

Steering Wheel Mounted Paddle Shifters

One of the coolest features on the 2016 Kia Optima is the paddle shifters giving gear control back to the driver. Paddle Shifters are only available in the 2016 Optima SX and SX Limited models. The use of paddles in a vehicle make the Kia Optima a semi-automatic transmission or a clutchless manual transmission. Paddle shifters historically have been associated to high-end racing cars. In the 1970s Formula One, Lotus introduced paddle shifters. The earliest sighting of paddle shifters was 1912 in the Bollée Type F Torpédo.

If you have ever driven a stick-shift or manual transmission vehicle, the driver needs to press a foot clutch in order to change gears. Think of paddles eliminating the need for a clutch pedal. The semi-automatic transmission on the 2016 Kia Optima SX/SXL has an electronic, fully automatic setting, so you don’t have to use the paddles to switch gears.

Paddle shifters are a lot easier to operate when comparing it to a manual transmission. You use the right paddle to increase gear and speed. Use the left paddle to decrease the speed and go down a gear. Here is a quick video on how to operate paddle shifters:

Dual-Zone, Automatic Temperature Controls w/Rear Vents

The 2016 Kia Optima Dual-Zone AC/Heat with rear vents feature, is optional in the LX 1.6T and comes standard with the EX, SX and Optima SX Limited models. Dual-Zones in the 2016 Kia Optima simply means both the driver and the passengers in the front seat have their own controlled settings.

Automatic Temperature Controls (ATC) system works to keep the temperature in the 2016 Kia Optima at the level specified by the occupant. This way the driver and the front seat passenger can have different temperatures that are maintained in each of the dual-zones.

The 2016 Kia Optima also comes with two air vents in the backseat. Additionally, under the vents there is a 12V/180W power source and a USB connection.

If you are interested in a 2016 Kia Optima, browse our inventory now.