It is easy to see why the boldly designed
2016 Kia Optima mid-size sedan has gathered sales momentum in recent years.
A customer could pay $5,000 to $10,000 less for Optima than for a comparable midsize five-passenger, four-door sedan from a competitor.
Offered in five trim levels - LX, LX 1.6T, EX, SX, and SXL, the Optima also has three engine choices. All new for the 2016 model is a 178-horsepower 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine offered on the LX trim. That engine mates to a seven-speed DCT, a first for the Kia brand. Next, the 185-horsepower 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder is available on the LX and EX models, while the SXL and SX are equipped with a 2.0-liter GDI turbo engine that produces 245-horsepower. Both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic shifting, and the SX and SXL trims add paddle shifters.
A recently tested LX model went through two weeks of driving by your reviewers, with the 1.6-liter four-cylinder and shiftable seven-speed transmission. The powerplant was sporty and spirited while averaging 33.3 miles per gallon using regular unleaded gasoline.
The $23,990 LX included an array of sound possibilities including AM-FM and satellite SiriusXM radio, MP3 audio with five-inch LCD rear camera display, USB and auxiliary port and Bluetooth wireless technology. Available on the SX and SXL trims is a 360-degree surround view monitor. The latest driver-aid technology includes blind spot detection with lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert, rear parking assist system, front collision warning system, lane departure warning system and autonomous emergency braking.
Kia's information system called UVO is standard on all Optima models. The system has advanced voice recognition technology, utilizes the voice to help make hands-free calls and manages an Optima owner's music library. The system couples with telematics for a free smartphone app and connectivity with a navigation system. UVO also includes diagnostics capabilities and a rear camera display.
The tested LX's standard equipment also included pushbutton start, smart key, remote trunk release, cruise control, tilt and telescoping manual leather-clad steering wheel (Bluetooth, audio and cruise mounted on it), air conditioning with air filtration, center console for USB chargers and 12-volt outlet, cruise control, power windows (express in front), power foldable and heated exterior mirrors and power door locks.
Also available for the first time on any Kia vehicle are Bi-Xenon HID headlights with dynamic bending lamps.
Activating the Optima's push button ignition brings two new displays to life: a 4.3-inch TFT LCD instrument cluster and optional high-resolution eight-inch navigation and telematics screen, featuring UVO eServices, an eight-speaker Infinity sound system, HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and SiriusXM Traffic.
All-new seat designs ensure a comfortable drive in the powerful and spirited sedan, while an optional new blind spot detection system, which includes rear cross-traffic alert and rear parking sensors.
The trunk opens by key fob or by remote control on the dashboard and what is notable is that when opened remotely, the trunk lid goes way up and not for simply four, five or six inches. Storage space has been upped this year to 15.9 cubic feet approximating that of some full-size sedans. The trunk is lighted but not carpeted. A minispare is stored under the floor. The trunk is flat and deep with a minimum of obstructing indentations such as for wheel housings. The split rear seats fold flat for access to the trunk allowing for more storage space.
Leg room in front is an official 45.5 inches which equals that of a full-sized sedan. To get that amount of leg room in front as well as to design a large trunk, official rear seat leg room is reduced to an official 35.6 inches. Most competitors have 36 to 38 inches in the rear seating area. Rear seats are served by a pulldown armrest with cupholders, storage facilities on front seatbacks, coat hangers and armrests.
Long trips can be taken in comfort when seated in a front bucket seat. Besides leg room, head room is great.
The Optima feels bigger than it should be. Interior cabin volume is 120 cubic feet, which actually puts the Optima into the large instead of the midsize sedan class, according to the federal government. Even so, in the marketplace, the Optima remains a midsize car. The large sedan class, per the government, begins at 120 cubic feet.
Riding on a wheelbase of 110.4 inches, measurements for the 2016 Optima are 191.1 inches in length, 73.2 inches in width and 57.7 inches in height.
Front vented brake discs are 12.6 inches in size. Solid discs in the rear measure 12.2 inches. In media tests, the turbo Optima has braked from 60 mph to a stop in a distance of 121 feet. This is average for a midsize sedan.
An independent suspension system front and rear includes struts, coil springs, gas shocks, multilinks and stabilizer bars. This typical system provided good balance on several rough roads during the test week.
Several U-turns were conducted and they were short and sweet. The turning circle officially is 35.8 feet which compares well with the competition
Safety features, like the competition, includes an antilock braking system, traction and stability controls, air bags in front and on the sides in front and overhead for two rows. The driver's knee also gets airbag protection. Plus, the Optima has hill-start assist as standard as well as dusk-sensing headlamps and a tire pressure monitoring system. Seatbelts with headrests are provided for five.
By adding a technology package costing $2,600, the price of an LX can rise to $26,590. For a fairly equipped midsize sedan that still is a good price. The tech package includes power driver's seat, memory for two (driver's seat and exterior mirrors), dual zone climate control with rear vents, blind spot detection and park assist systems and rear cross traffic alert.
Competitors could outshine the Optima in at least three ways. Interior trim, although not leather, was upgrade cloth with sporty inserts front and rear. Alloy wheels were 16-inch and not 17- or 18-inch and there were no fog lights on the tested Optima.
The interior layout is sensible. Sound controls are easy to understand and not mystifying as in many of today's vehicles. There are manual knobs, if one wants to use them, for tuning and volume. Otherwise the sound can be controlled by a pushbutton screen. One of the manual controls makes it easy to move from AM to FM to satellite radio. This car does not require an in-depth look at the owner's manual to understand the sound system, although reading that tome is always advisable as much useful knowledge is in it.
Sensible is the positioning of fuel filler cap and trunk release side-by-side on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Optima's company brother (or sister) is the Hyundai Sonata. Both are products of Korea's Hyundai Kia Automotive Group. Hyundai bought a controlling interest in Kia in 2008. The two sedans can differ in ride and economy with some auto critics giving the edge to the Optima and others to the Sonata.
That said, both Sonata and Optima are midsized, four-door, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger sedans with most of the pricing for models in the $20,000s.
Both received a 2011 redesign with grilles and placement of fog lamps in front fascia differing. The two are economical, good-looking sedans loaded with amenities and safety features. The two sedans come with a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty as well as a limited warranty of five years or 60,000 miles with 24-hour roadside assistance. As time and mileage warranties go, this is the best in the automobile business.
Optima's recent redesign included a creased hood (as opposed to a raised one) matched by a crease running from the front fenders, along the side beneath the windows and around the short rear deck. Sheet metal indentations lower down on the sides spruce up an otherwise ordinary flat design. Wraparound headlamp assemblies and twin alloy tailpipe tips along with a beehive grille help create the effect of a sporty sedan.
FAST FACTS
Vehicle: LX model of 2016 Kia Optima
Type: front-wheel-drive, four-door, five-passenger midsize sedan
Price: $23,990
Delivery: $825
Engine: 1.6-liter, 178-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: shiftable seven-speed, dual clutch automatic
Fuel tank: 18.5 gallons
Fuel: regular unleaded
Leg room: 45.5 inches in front, 35.6 inches in rear
Wheelbase: 110.4 inches
Length: 191.1 inches
Width: 73.2 inches
Height: 57.7 inches
Trunk: 15.9 cubic feet
Ground clearance: 5.3 inches
P205 Michelin tires, alloy wheels: 16-inch
Turning, curb-to-curb: 35.8 feet
Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles with roadside assistance, 10 years or 100,000 miles powertrain
Assembly: United States, Korean engine and transmission.