Forget about previous large Korean four-door offerings. The new Kia Optima is so well put together, even the loyalty of pro-Japanese saloon aficionados will be put to the test when they sample it.
People always say making a good first impression is important – whether it’s meeting your prospective in-laws for the first time or your new boss at work. Make a good one and chances are, the rest of your task will be made much easier. The Optima makes a very, very good first impression.
Kia Optima’s scalloped meter housings and steering wheel-mounted controls are classy yet functional touches alien to Magentis cabbies.
It’s evident Kia has pulled out all stops in the looks department. From all angles, this is one striking car. Peter Schreyer, Kia’s design guru, already worked his magic on recent offerings such as the Koup and Sportage – and his genius is once again
on show here.
The new Optima’s outward appearance gives off more than a hint of a European vibe, and is a huge improvement over the Magentis it replaces. Kia’s new corporate grille has never looked more prominent or eye-catching. The high shoulder line melds with the sloping roof and slimmer glass areas to lend the car a coupe-like silhouette, similar to the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Volkswagen Passat CC.
Each of the the Kia Optima’s six forward ratios can be selected via the paddle shifters.
With its bulging wheel arches, large 18-inch flat-bladed alloy wheels, gills on the front fender (like the ones on the outgoing BMW M5) and the slim boot lid spoiler, the Optima also suggests a sporty side. While the car’s performance will not set new benchmarks or make the earth move, it does show off a newfound ability that was sorely lacking in its predecessor.
The Theta II 2-litre four-pot residing in the engine bay produces 165bhp and 198Nm – more than ample to lug this 1.4-tonne saloon around. Even with the engine barely run-in (the odometer showed just 50km when we collected the test car), it shows off a willingness to rev. There is some tightness at higher engine speeds, but that’s to be expected. Mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox, which is creamy smooth and stays that way even at full throttle, the Optima is a decent drive around the city where short bursts of acceleration are often required. But it is out on the expressways that the car is really in its element, as it cruises with the best of them. There is even an “eco” mode that can be activated by the driver – it prompts the on-board ECU to optimise fuel economy.
The Optima’s ride is firmer than its competitors’ but still comfortable (despite the large alloy wheels and 225/45 R18 low-profile tyres), and the sports-oriented suspension settles quickly over bumps and dips. Only over the most pronounced of road imperfections will passengers feel a distinct jolt, but the cabin keeps them well insulated from most traffic noises (except the really loud ones).
On the subject of passengers: The Optima will seat five in a cinch but with four on board, the word “spacious” takes on a whole new meaning. The car is longer and wider than its predecessor; in fact, it is only slightly shorter than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Even taller passengers will find there is ample headroom in spite of the dipping roof towards the rear. They will also be kept cool on the sunniest days, courtesy of dedicated blower vents at the back of the driver’s centre console.
Speaking of the driver, Kia has designed the dashboard so it’s focused squarely on the man (or woman) behind the wheel. Drawing inspiration from sports cars, it has been angled towards the driver (9.6 degrees to be exact), so all the controls are just an arm’s stretch away. Finding the best driving position is also easy with the electrically adjustable seat. The thick-rimmed steering wheel feels good, with paddle shifters for selecting gears manually. A really nice touch is the floor-hinged alloy accelerator pedal, which makes it easier to modulate the amount of pressure while reducing fatigue, as you can rest your heel on the floor.
The Kia Optima’s boot has enough room for a few golf bags, but the protruding wheel arches occasionally get in the way.
Elsewhere, the Optima further entices with standard amenities. The long list includes a Bluetooth hands-free system, iPhone/iPod and USB connectivity, cruise control, electronic stability control, dual-zone climate control and LED daytime driving lights. However, it is precisely the level of equipment that will pose an interesting dilemma for potential buyers of the car.
Kia Optima’s 18-inch “technical” wheels and sizeable rear spoiler boost the car’s showmanship.
Only 50 units of the vehicle you see here will be offered. A high-spec version will be here by the end of this month, and the noteworthy additions to its equipment are a full panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights with static bending lamps and washers, a 3.5-inch TFT colour LCD and a rear-view parking camera.
Despite showing just 50km on the odometer, the Kia Optima’s engine displays a rev-happy attitude.
So, should you settle for this “basic” model, or wait a couple of weeks for the better-equipped one to hit our shores? There’s been no official announcement yet on the price of the latter, but it’s estimated to cost around $10,000 more.
Still, this money talk should not detract from the fact that Kia has been on a roll. With the new Optima, it has another “weapon” to take the fight to the traditional Japanese heavyweights.
The Kia Optima is currently the most “European” Korean saloon in Singapore.
Kia Optima 2.0 (A)
ENGINE 1998cc, 16-valves, inline-4
MAX POWER 165bhp at 6200rpm
MAX TORQUE 198Nm at 4600rpm
GEARBOX 6-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 10.9 seconds
TOP SPEED 202km/h
CONSUMPTION 13.2km/L (combined)
PRICE INCL. COE $115,999 (as of March 2011)
Check out the Kia Optima’s cousin, the Hyundai Sonata
