Kia has launched its good-looking all-new Optima sedan in Australia priced at $36,990.
The thoroughly modern Kia Optima is a slick replacement for Kia’s ancient Magnetis model and actually goes head-to-head against its corporate cousin, the equally handy Hyundai i45.
Kia has cleverly launched the Optima in just one model grade which is comprehensively equipped and luxuriously trimmed – in ‘Kia Speak’ it equates to the range-topping ‘Platinum’ specification.
Power comes from Kia’s competent ‘Theta II’ 2.4-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine which is good for 148kW of power at 6300rpm and peak torque of 250Nm at 4250rpm. Kia says the Optima returns combined cycle fuel consumption of 7.9l/100kms.
Drive is to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission with ‘Sport’ mode and steering wheel paddle shifters for sequential manual changes.
Externally, the all-new Kia Optima continues the outstanding work of Kia’s styling team under the direction of former Volkswagen designer, Peter Schreyer.
For sure, the all-new Kia Optima is a totally contemporary design and its hallmark ‘Schreyer’ blend of geometric precision and overall cleanliness sweeps the board clean from the geriatric Magentis mid-sizer.
The sophisticated look is aerodynamic (Cd 0.29) and significantly larger than the Magentis (Optima’s wheelbase alone is 75mm longer). This translates into enhanced interior space and cargo capacity.
And, for a mid-size sedan priced south of $40K, the all-new Kia Optima delivers an impressive array of technology and standard features. For starters (other mid-size sedan brands please take note!) there’s a 130-degree wide angle rear-view camera as standard – a real safety advance, no doubt about it.
There’s also leather seats, nice wood-look trim, eight-way electronic adjustment for the ventilated drivers’ seat, alloy pedals, dual-zone climate control air-conditioning and a seven-speaker CD sound system compatible for iPod and Bluetooth. A clever feature is the instrument cluster which is angled towards the driver at 9.6 degrees for better visibility.
You also get a panoramic glass sunroof, automatic HID headlights and LED daytime running lights, plus stability/traction control and Hillstart Assistance Control.
“Using an all-new platform and an all-new bodyshell, Optima moves our mid-size sedan product up to the next level of Kia’s design revolution,” explained Mr MK Kim, Kia Australia’s President and CEO. “In keeping with our commitment to deliver not only style but substance, the new Optima has also been optimised locally by the Kia Motors Australia product planning team to ensure driver satisfaction.”
Like the Cerato small car and Sportage SUV, Kia Australia went to great lengths to stress the input of its local team in developing the final suspension tune for the all-new Kia Optima. Kia has yet to provide an Optima for Car Showroom, but we’re scheduled to put the newcomer through our standard test procedure within the next week or two.
