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In-depth reviews

Kia Optima saloon (2016-2019) - Reliability & safety

The Kia Optima comes with an excellent warranty and feels solidly built.

Carbuyer Rating

3.3 out of 5

Owners Rating

4.8 out of 5

Read owner reviews
Reliability & safety Rating

3.5 out of 5

Although it’s not the most exciting car to drive, the Optima’s sensible credentials are cemented by its excellent safety rating and Kia’s willingness to stand by its cars long for longer than any other manufacturer.

Kia Optima reliability

While the Optima didn’t feature in our 2016 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, Kia’s 14th place (out of 32 carmakers) finish was reasonable if unexceptional, although the brand did manage to come 10th for reliability. Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty is one of the best around, so extra reassurance is to be found there.

Safety

The Optima also scored the full five stars in Euro NCAP safety tests. All cars are equipped with a host of airbags as well as mandatory systems like electronic stability control and tyre-pressure monitoring. The Optima 3 gets a lane-departure warning system, while the Optima GT-Line S has blind-spot monitoring and autonomous emergency braking.

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Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

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