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Home » Blog » Kia Optima Hybrid to BEECH Retreat

in Family Life

Kia Optima Hybrid to BEECH Retreat

Kia Optima Hybrid Review“Maybe there just might be a Kia in our future…”

Those are the words I heard from my husband as I drove him around to show him all the features of this economical vehicle. What impressed him? The headlights. The seat warmers. The fuel economy screen.

This Kia Optima Hybrid holds great memories for me. It took me to and from BEECH Retreat last week – roughly 1,100 miles round trip. Saved me money on gas. Helped me pick up my long-time friend from the airport. (More on BEECH Retreat here).

Why do I love the Kia Optima Hybrid? Let me count the ways…

kia optima hybrid start buttonLet us start at the start. First of all – it is a hybrid!

The biggest impressions for me were the wonderful gas mileage, the start button and how very quietly the car runs.

kia optima hybrid proximity keyThe Kia hybrid has what is called a proximity key. What that meant to me was I only needed this ‘key’ to lock and unlock the car doors. I didn’t actually have to place any key in the ignition.

kia optima hybrid proximity key restingI just needed to have the ‘key’ close by, place my foot on the brake pedal, make sure the Eco Guide EV level was at ready and press the start button.

kia optima hybrid navigation

Thanks to my friend Mary of Homegrown Learners for taking the navigational photos! She was my driving buddy on the way home.

Love the Navigation

Fully loaded navigational system helped me feel safe while driving solo down to Florida. I entered my destination: Captiva, Island Fl. Then added a waypoint stop at the Ft. Myers airport. It was an easy, straight shot down I-75 but I’m not sure I would have made it to the cell phone waiting lot at the Ft. Myers airport had it not been for the voice navigation system.

Love the steering wheel

A steering wheel that warms your hands? How brilliant is that? That cold morning I drove the girls to drama troupe, my hands stayed toasty. Other features on the steering wheel:

  • volume and tuning control for the radio
  • the ability to answer and end phone calls (my iPhone synced easily with the vehicle so my contact list was available with the push of a button)
  • plus I really liked the ‘handle’ at 6:00 – easy for highway cruising

Kia Optima Hybrid entertainment systemLove the entertainment options

Satellite radio made me happy when I was in middle Georgia out of range of my favorite 104.7 The Fish. Plus, with my iPhone synced, all the music Hodgepodgedad had updated on my phone the night before was readily available.

kia optima hybrid sunroofLove the sunroof

As you can see, the sunroof was a favorite of the children! The sunroof was also a bonus for driving the island roads. My friend, Barb of Harmony Fine Arts, and I soaked up the Florida sunshine while out on our nature adventures. We saw so many birds and even a Florida gator.

kia optima hybrid front interiorLove the room

Though the Kia Optima is sleek and compact from the outside, just take a look at all the room on the inside!

kia optima hybrid cup holdersCup holders galore – both front and back seats and in each of the doors as well.

kia optima hybrid interior back seatPlus plenty of leg room in the back for even the tallest folks.

kia optima hybrid storageBut the best part is the storage. In the hybrid the battery takes up a portion of the trunk space. Even so, two blogging women were able to pack all of their luggage – including laptops and camera gear – into the vehicle.

kia optima storageIn contrast, the regular Kia Optima offers even more trunk compartment space. The back seats fold down very nicely to haul all kinds of groceries or organizational items from IKEA (not that I’d have experience with that 🙂  )

Kia Hybrid Fuel EconomyGas mileage

Technically I could have made it all the way from my home near Atlanta, Georgia all the way to Ft. Myers airport on one tank of gas. 35 miles per gallon! But I didn’t cut it that close. I did cruise well at a steady speed thanks to the cruise control and the options to adjust it on the steering wheel.

hybrid signAbsolute Fun

There were a couple of neat experiences with the Kia hybrid. One was the ‘special’ parking spot Barb and I discovered at the ‘Ding’ Darling Nature Reserve. A parking spot reserved only for hybrid vehicles.

kia optima hybrid at old timey gas pumpAnd another was when my friend Mary and I stopped to fill the tank on the way home and pulled up to an old timey gas pump. Am I dating myself to say I remember these? Old gas pump and a hybrid.

Kia Optima Hybrid thoughtsIn Conclusion

The Kia Optima hybrid is an outstanding vehicle. Quiet, economical, full of fun features – it’s definitely a different experience than the family mini van!

Thank you Kia!

Related

Filed Under: Family Life Tagged With: BEECH, blogging, educational travel, Florida, Kia Optima Hybrid

About Hodgepodgemom

Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. The biggest lesson she’s learned? At the end of the day – when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. Raising children is a God-given privilege and, folks, the time is short.

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Comments

  1. Mary says

    February 7, 2013 at 7:59 AM

    Tricia! It was such a pleasure to ride home with you. I came home talking about a Kia, too! It was so comfortable to drive the 11 hours from Ft. Myers to Atlanta. I loved how your phone was synced – which made it so convenient when your little one was at home sick and you needed to take a few calls to see how she was doing.

    Isn’t it wonderful that they’re made here in GA, too??

    Thanks for including me in this review!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      February 7, 2013 at 8:20 AM

      Hooray for Georgia-made! Mary, that time with you was a gift. To be able to talk over all we learned at BEECH. And yes, having my phone synced sure did help me check on things back at home (she’s feeling much better too – so thankful). Our time together just flew by!

      Reply
  2. Rebecca says

    February 7, 2013 at 8:00 AM

    Looks like a Fantastic trip and that Kia looks amazing!!! So happy you were able to ride there and back in style, comfort and safety – while saving on gas!!!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      February 7, 2013 at 8:48 AM

      Absolutely wonderful on gas conservation. And that ‘green’ eco screen was so very telling – showing how much the battery was in use. How wonderful it would be around town in Atlanta traffic too. Thanks Rebecca!

      Reply
  3. Jamie {See Jamie blog} says

    February 7, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    I really like my Kia minivan, but they came out with all the really cool features AFTER my 2005 model. 😉 When it’s time to get a new vehicle, I’m seriously considering just getting a newer Kia minivan.

    Reply
  4. Heidi says

    February 7, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    I have actually been on the fence about getting a Kia and your review helps! I love the look of the car…so fun!

    Reply
  5. Barb-Harmony Art Mom says

    February 7, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    I never thought of myself as a hybrid sort of person, even though I live in California and they are everywhere. But, after spending the time with you in your Kia Optima Hybrid…I am convinced it is a great way to save money and resources! I loved the quiet ride, the comfort of the seating, the sunroof, the looks of outside, and all the great features like the syncing of the phone and the keyless ignition.

    Thanks for sharing your Kia with me in Florida and sharing the experience of a hybrid car!

    Reply
  6. Sherri Wilson Johnson says

    February 7, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    What an awesome car! I bet it made your trip simply perfect!

    Reply
  7. Kendra says

    February 7, 2013 at 2:17 PM

    Looks like a great car! LOVE the trunk space. I would never guess that a car that size had so much room for cargo!

    Reply
  8. Beth says

    February 7, 2013 at 4:23 PM

    We test drove one and it was a great experience.

    Reply
  9. Felice says

    February 11, 2013 at 6:13 PM

    Did you hear the price of gas is rising, again?! Great Info!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      February 12, 2013 at 8:57 AM

      Exactly! This hybrid vehicle is so economical (and it was such fun to drive!)

      Reply

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