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Kia Optima review: Ever The Optimist

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This Kia Optima is somewhat confusingly billed as a 'fourth-generation' model but this is the second generation version of this car that we've seen here. Earlier models were known as the 'Magentis' in Britain and shared much of their underpinnings with Hyundai's Sonata. The Magentis was well built, cheap and well equipped but there wasn't anything aspirational about it. In contrast, the Optima saloon we first saw in this country in late 2011 was very different, with styling from Kia's Chief Designer Peter Schreyer that signalled a move upmarket.

This was an unashamed attempt to win over customers from the segment heavyweights such as the Ford Mondeo or Volkswagen's Passat and it was nearly good enough. These days though, Kia isn't satisfied with 'nearly good enough' and in creating this thoroughly redesigned model, the Korean brand's designers and engineers have been focusing their attention on ride and handling, refinement, interior style and practicality. Have all their efforts paid off? Let's look closer.

[breakout title="Scoring: Kia Optima" align="right"]

Performance: 60%

Handling: 60%

Comfort: 80%

Space: 50%

Styling: 80%

Build: 80%

Value: 80%

Equipment: 80%

Economy: 60%

Depreciation: 70%

Insurance: 70%

Total: 77%[/breakout]

Driving Experience

The first thing to acknowledge is that the Kia Optima has lost weight, shedding up to 65kg. The sole 1.7-litre diesel engine on offer now produces 140PS, while low-end grunt has been improved by an electronically controlled turbocharger to deliver 340Nm of torque at lower engine speeds. That's an increase of 15Nm over the old model, resulting in fractionally quicker acceleration times of 10 seconds from 0 to 62mph for the manual and 11 seconds in the automatic. There has been a marginal increase in top speeds as well, with both transmission variants topping out at 126mph. There's the option of a new, more efficient twin-clutch DCT auto gearbox with this engine. And Kia has also developed a petrol/electric hybrid model with a 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine mated to a 50 kW electric motor. Total power output for the package is 205PS.

By stretching out the wheelbase, stiffening the body with 'ADvanced High-Strength Steel' and upgrading the suspension, Kia have sought to improve handling dynamics, while an updated and repositioned electronic 'Motor-Driven Power Steering' system should offer more feel at the helm. One of the biggest criticisms of the outgoing Optima was an unsatisfactory level of refinement. Kia engineers have been focusing on Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) innovations to reduce road, wind and engine noise, stiffening tot he body to avoid vibration and rattles, also improving the seals and insulation around the car.

Design and Build

Despite losing weight, the revised Optima has grown in every direction, affording even greater rear legroom than before - though that wasn't really an issue in the earlier model. Luggage capacity has increased by 5 litres to 510-litres. This is still far short of the VW Passat's 586-litre total and even the Ford Mondeo's 541-litre figure, but it's a step closer. As before, the range is based solely at launch around a saloon bodystyle, despite the fact that it shares it underpinnings with Hyundai's i40, a car offered in both four and five-door guises. Kia says it has future plans for an estate version though.

The Optima's exterior styling is a very subtle evolution from the last model, designed very much to be taken seriously by European car buyers. The dashboard is spread along a more horizontal plane and a wider central console, creating a greater sense of spaciousness. The material quality is significantly improved, with a far higher proportion of soft-touch materials. The central fascia is angled 8.5 degrees towards the driver, with the upper 'display' zone housing a smarter 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system and lower 'control' zone offering fewer buttons to manage the various cabin functions not already built into the touchscreen.

Market and Model

Expect prices for the Optima to remain as before in the £20,000 - £28,000 bracket - though inevitably the hybrid version will cost more than that. This places the Kia Optima right in the heart of the Ford Mondeo's domain, with the Volkswagen Passat also offering a strong package in terms of refinement, quality and style for just a relatively small premium over the equivalent Optima models.

Kia has introduced a number of technological innovations in the cabin, with wireless phone carging enabled by a pad below the centre console. Drivers can simply place their compatible device on the pad and carry on with their journey, with the phone automatically charging as you go. 'Kia Connected Services' is a software package that integrates with the audio-visual navigation system to provide timeley and relevant information to the driver. The 7 or 8 inch touch screen in the centre of the dashboard also controls the DAB Digital radio and infotainment system. Autonomous Driver aids are offered as options inclduing 'Advanced Cruise Control' to adjust the speed in relation to other vehilces, 'High Beam Assist' to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers adn 'Rear Cross Traffic Alert' to make reversing manoeuvres safer for other road-users.

Cost of Ownership

The manual Optima model now emits 121g/km of CO2, which just keeps it in the £110 tax bracket, while those manuals with an 'Idle Stop-Go' pack emit only 110g/km and enjoy the £20 a year tax brand. The auto model's now more efficient DCT 'box impressively produces 116g/km, putting it in the £30 a year rate. The combined cycle fuel economy for the manual is around 51.1mpg while the DCT auto returns 53.5mpg. With the 'Idle Stop-Go' pack, fuel economy can be as high as 56mpg. Rivals like Ford's Mondeo 1.5 TDCi ECOnetic do slightly better, while Volkswagen's Passat BlueMotion 1.6 TDI models manages a combined cycle of 76.3mpg, so Kia still has a little way to go here to match the class leaders.

The first version of the Optima depreciated fear less than its Magentis predecessors but here again, Kia has some ground to make up against rivals. This improved version should continue the upward trend and in this regard, Kia's impressive 7-year or 100,000 mile warranty should help given that's transferable to second owners.

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Summary

This much improved Kia Optima may not look much different from the outside - but then the outside was the one thing that didn't really need changing. What required improvement was the plasticky interior, the gutless engine and the inefficient automatic transmission option and all these issues have been duly dealt with in this enhanced model. Several key ones remain though. Efficiency is still not up to the standard of the class best and there's still only one mainstream engine option - and a single saloon bodystyle in a class where most buyers choose hatches or estates.

Still, if you can overlook these issues, there's much to like here. Affordable pricing, a spacious appealing cabin, high levels of equipment, a smooth DCT auto gearbox and the longest warranty in the class are all big draws. In short, Kia has rejuvenated its offering in this segment.

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