Review
/5
- Pros:
- Stylish looks
- Hugely spacious cabin
- Great value price-tag
- Cons:
- Not as fun to drive as a Ford Mondeo
- Boot could be bigger
- Other models are cheaper to run
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The Optima is Kia's first model in the saloon segment that can battle it out with the best thanks to its bold looks and well-rounded drive."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 1 1.7 CRDi 134bhp 6-speed manual ISG 4dr
£19,595 - The cheapest
- 1 1.7 CRDi 134bhp 6-speed manual ISG 4dr
£19,595 - The fastest
- 1 1.7 CRDi 134bhp 6-speed manual ISG 4dr
£19,595 - Top of the range
- 3 1.7 CRDi 134bhp 6-speed auto 4dr
£26,000
Advertisement
The Kia Optima is an attempt to introduce something a little more daring to a segment that includes dull but worthy models like the Toyota Avensis. Its bold looks and well-appointed cabin will draw some attention and it also comes fitted with a 1.7-litre diesel that provides a good balance between performance and running costs. A hybrid model will be made available later in 2012 too.
Drive
Handling is good but not a match for the class-leaders
At first, the Optima will only be available with a 1.7-litre diesel engine producing 134bhp but a 2.0-litre petrol and a hybrid version with 187bhp will become available later in 2012. We’ve only driven the diesel and while it's not especially quick – with a 0-62mph time of 10.5 seconds – it feels brisk enough and is quiet on the move. The handling isn’t quite a match for the Ford Mondeo but there's no body roll in the corners and the steering is quick and responsive. It's not the driver's choice but it is a fantastic all-rounder.
Comfort
Plenty of space for passengers and comfortable suspension to soak up rough roads
Kia claims that the Optima has class-leading headroom for those in the front and class-leading rear legroom for passengers. With a wheelbase 82mm longer than a Passat rear passengers do have plenty of room to stretch out. The suspension is also well-judged, allowing everyday lumps and bumps to be soaked up easily. On large 18-inch wheels there are more vibrations transmitted to the driver than the smaller alloy wheels.
Reliability
Kia's seven-year warranty should give buyers peace of mind
The Optima has been on sale elsewhere in the world since 2009 and there have been no major reliability issues yet. To provide even more peace of mind, Kia's seven-year warranty covers the Optima and can even be passed on to new owners if the car is sold. EuroNCAP hasn’t yet crash-tested the car but in America it has been awarded the top score for crash safety.
Practicality
The boot isn't as large as some rivals but it's big enough for most occasions
The boot isn’t the largest in this class but with 505 litres of space and a wide opening, buyers won’t often be left wishing for more. On the occasions that a bigger boot is needed, the rear seats fold down flat to liberate more space. The process is made easy with one touch switches in the boot, but the opening is an awkward shape and lacks the height required to carry bulkier items.
Value for money
Basic models are cheap and well-equipped
The entry-level '1' model comes with a generous amount of equipment given its sub-£20,000 price-tag. The list includes cruise control, climate control, alloy wheels and Bluetooth. More expensive '2' models come with part leather, electrically adjustable heated seats and a reversing camera.
Running costs
Not the most efficient car in this class but the 1.7-litre diesel will be cheap to run
The 1.7-litre diesel is the most efficient and cheapest to run. When paired with the six-speed manual gearbox it emits 128g/km of CO2 and can return 57.6mpg. The six-speed automatic pushes these figures up, adding to the road tax bill and increasing fuel costs too.
*Our monthly finance prices are updated on a regular basis, but due to the dynamic nature of the market are not guaranteed accurate. You can always confirm the monthly finance price with FinanceAcar.
