Acura TL SE--Such a Sophisticate!

Doesn't this 2013 Acura TL SE have a sleek shape? 

One of my followers was asking me the other day where the hell I've been.  It's a long story involving a renovated bathroom.  You don't want to know.  But everything's back on track and I'm back at the computer.

I went to the International Motor Sports Association's Test Days last week at the Monticello Raceway in Monticello, N.Y.  It was a crystal fall day and as I walked around looking at all the cars that the manufacturers bring to test days for us to drive, I was feeling out of touch with the Japanese luxury brands--Infiniti, Acura and Lexus.  So, along with some of those cars, I drove the Chevrolet Silverado and the Ford F150.  We don't often get to drive these models back to back.  It's enlightening.  I loved both of these trucks but each is its own thing--they feel very different when you drive them.  I have more insight into the truck loyalties that are so strong.

Anyway, it was a great day for us auto journalists.  And I got to drive away in a 2013 Acura TL SE (special edition).  Loved this 4-door sedan with a power moon roof.  It has the coolest 18"x 8.0" chrome look alloy wheels and all season tires.  They looked hot and really set off the paint job in what Acura calls crystal black--a sparkly granite gray--very contemporary.

The  280 horsepower, 3.5 liter V-6 engine paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission was not only responsive, it was quiet, elegant and smooth.  There was just enough growl from the sport-tuned exhaust system to disallow senior discounts.

Fuel economy is 20/city-29/hwy/23 combined, nothing to write home about, but I did fine with mileage.  I wasn't on big highways but I moved along on back roads.

Nice deep cabin is roomy, roomy, roomy.  Loved it.

The way Acura has designed the driver and passenger space with the curved instrument panel makes the front very roomy.  There's also plenty of room in the front and so much room in the trunk my weekly haul practically rattled around.  I tote a lot of stuff back and forth on weekends.

I didn't have navigation in the car and I pretty much stuck with my regular radio--the broadway channel on XM and NPR.  The sound out of the radio was great.  And I went back to my paper instructions, which worked perfectly.  Back roads and all.

Price for this lovely car in 2013 is $38,300.  The 2014s are probably in dealerships now.  Check this one out. 

Kia Optima Hybrid

Love those foxy 17" wheels.

Call it fuel economy (FE) if you want but I'm calling it an elegant little package.  The Kia Optima Hybrid did fine on the FE front at an average of 37 mpg.  I was able to keep my eye on the energy indicator on the dash--a green bar--without taking my eyes off the road.  Psychological support for virtuous driving.

How green is my instrument panel?

My car was powered by a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder hybrid engine paired with a 6 speed sportmatic transmission.  The electric power steering left me a little cold--not much feel there but this is a universal complaint about electric steering.
I love the looks of this car.  The design of the Optima doesn't scream hybrid (meaning that I think we're over mere posturing and getting down to some serious personal environmental decision making).  The overall look is low and sloopy--making it one sexy sedan.  The low sloopy business creates a headroom problem in the front so my tall tester (architect Rob Whitlock 6'4") won't be buying this one.  But those of us who do fit under the headliner find the interior design and appointments from fabric to instrument panel very pleasing.  This is just me, but I'd rather be pleased than polarized by my daily driver. 
One thing we did notice is that the batteries cause serious weight gain.  Gross vehicle weight (which includes the curb weight plus passengers and cargo) is over 4,000 pounds!

Nifty seats.

Government safety rates this as five star for frontal, rollover and side rear seat crash.   It has only a three star rating for side front seat crash.

As equipped my hybrid Optima cost $32, 620 including delivery charges.  That also includes $5, 350 for a premium technology package.  The base price without the bells and whistles is $25,700.  The Optima competes with the Toyota Prius, which has a base price of $24,000 and gets better mileage, 51 city/48 highway.  I'm in awe of the Prius and its new "c" model, but I have to say I like the package on the Optima better.

One thing you can count on with Kia.  They are determined, which means they don't want to give you any reason to say no.  The cars are packed with content, they're great cars and the warranty––10 years, 100,000 miles––can't be beat.  I talk cars with a lot of people.  Many of them still say, "Really?" when I recommend they test drive a Kia.  Stop already.  Yeees, really.