The Kia Motors Corp. Optima vehicle is unveiled during the 2015 New York International Auto Show in New York, U.S., on Wednesday, April 1, 2015.Michael Nagle/Bloomberg
Vehicle
The lyrics of an old song – "The old gray mare, she ain't what she used to be, many long years ago …" might be applied cynically to the midsize sedan segment these days. No matter. Kia, swimming upstream against the global tide of SUVs and CUVs, challenged its design centres in Germany, California and South Korea to rejuvenate the five-year-old Optima, its best-selling vehicle. The re-modelled Euro-looking version for 2016 is making its public debut this week. On two of the five trims, turbocharged engines will be available including a new 1.6-litre four-cylinder, both coming to Canada.
Signature feature
Aiming for a sporty look and feel, Kia designed the tiger-nose grille to resemble the company's luxury sedan, the K900. Complementary bi-functional headlights with optional bending capacity and high-beam assist the tarmac around corners.
What else is new
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay technology will connect a smartphone to the dashboard's eight-inch touchscreen display, enabling the driver to access music, messages, navigation and telephone calls via the screen, steering wheel or voice command. As customers complained about backseat headroom, the redesign's wheelbase is a scant 10 mm longer, the cabin 25 mm wider -- seemingly enough room for a single passenger to wear a slightly thicker coat. But the company says the modifications affect the roofline and thus provide more shoulder/head space and legroom in the back. Inside, keys and buttons are reduced and seat frames stiffened to reduce vibration; foam is placed in the headrest, upper back and thigh areas to mitigate that stiffness. The front passenger seat is height-adjustable, while heated and ventilated front seats are available as options depending on trim. Seats come in cloth, leather or Nappa leather. Exterior colours are a vibrant blue "inspired by a sparkling ocean underneath a sunny sky" (company's words), grey with olive undertones, and a deep red.
Under the hood
There are three engine choices. The 1.6-litre engine will be available on the LX, one of the five Sonata trims. Understanding that the company's projected specs have yet to be government-certified, Kia estimates 178 horsepower at 5,500 rpm with 195 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,500 rpm. It's being matched with a new seven-speed DCT that is expected to endow the car with sportiness without abandoning fuel economy. Two powerplants are re-tuned for a 2.4-litre GDI four-cylinder (LX and EX models) and the 2.0-liter GDI turbo (SXL and SX T). Both are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission; the SX and SXL get paddle shifters.
When can I buy it?
Available in the fourth quarter of 2015. Pricing not announced.
Cool quotient
3.5 stars (out of 5)
For a midsize sedan, it looks sporty and with the right engine choice, may feel sporty too.
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Add us to your circles
Sign up for our weekly newsletter