Just test drove two Optimas this morning, comparing to Sonata. Here is my take.
First Dealer
Was greeted by a skinny young salesman guy with a pencil mustache and slicked back hair with Cheech-Marin-sounding "whatsup Boss?!" (Uh, I thought, how about "good morning sir?") It went downhill from there. They didn't have either an EX w/Nav or an SX turbo available for test drive.
I had a weird experience at this dealer. Got the distinct impression that they are geared toward a younger, ethnic demographic. There was nothing refined or even mid-scale about the dealership or the furnishings. Said they were "all out" of brochures for the Optima and that I should just go on the "internet". In short, got the feeling this place was run on a shoestring and staffed with inexperienced and unknowledgeable personnel. I was left with a very poor impression of the dealer and the brand.
Second Dealer
From the parking lot of the first dealer I phoned up a second dealer and asked for Internet Sales. Got a gal, told her what I wanted to test drive, confirmed they had it, and headed over.
Drove an Optima EX w/Nav. Was fairly impressed, though I can't say it drove or handled any differently than the Sonata, for me. The air conditioned seats are interesting, but not a "must have". In fact, felt a bit strange having my back cooled while the rest of me was "normal". But we have three months per year of 100+ degree heat in Austin, so it might feel different and luxurious in that type of heat.
Next, drove an SX turbo. Wow. The black pano-top over White looks nice. When I hit the freeway onramp at about 40 and goosed it, she jumped right up to 80mph in short order, though the steering it different than what I'm use to as a 18+ year pickup and minivan driver . Played with the paddle shifters a bit. Cool, but again, not a "must have" for me. I don't see the point. I'm 49. The seats in the SX felt better than any I've sat in. They were really, really comfortable and attractive.
The Optimas themselves were pretty impressive. The SX was a car I could see myself driving and enjoying for many years, as well as an EX if I don't want to splurge. I drive clients in my vehicles and I think they would be favorable impressed with these cars too.
But the second dealer assigned me a young salesman who has worked there 6 weeks and is a high school graduate still with acne. The interior of this dealership was sketchy as well (little round tables everywhere with red tableclothes). As we cruised, I asked Opie what sort of training he was provided, and he said "none, they just tell us to get to kow the cars and go sell them". OK.
The only Hyundai dealer I've been into in Austin isn't as nice/plush as our Honda dealer, but there was not anything questionable about it. It seemed ok. In other words, I felt I was in a "real" dealership, and my sales-gal has been selling Hyundais there for 6 years. She seems pretty sharp, and even explained to me the trade-off of going to Nav and losing some of the Evo features. When I asked the Optima kid about that, he hadn't a clue.
Our Honda salesman where we purchased our 2007 Odyssey has been there 14 years. I just saw him the other day when I was in for service. And there are a bunch of other salesmen who've been at that Honda dealer 15-20+ years. The service center is so nice that I don't mind paying extra to have the van serviced there regularly. Free coffee, WiFi, private "quiet area" cubes where I bring my laptop and get work done. Free snacks, newspapers, flat screen TVs. It's really a nice place to hang out. Everything is A+ deluxe and I feel like I'm surrounded by quality people. So that's what I'm used to.
I wouldn't trust either of those Kia dealers I visited to work on my lawn mower, much less my car. So, I think I'm going to have to rule out Kia moving forward, unless I can find a local, established multi-brand dealer who is running a serious operation with experienced, veteran industry staff.
I wasn't expecting to discover that I'm a "snob" when it comes to dealership quality, but I can't help letting the dealer experience infect my impression of the brand and the Optima itself. I think Kia has some growing up to do, and some maturing in the area of customer service. Hyundai seems way further along and I think I could more easily truest a Hyundai dealer.
So, for what it's worth, that was my take-away from my Sonata vs. Optima outing today. I wonder if this "quality gap" in the dealerships is universal or just in my city?
Steve
Austin TX