New KIA OPTIMA review at a glance:
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Advantages: The Optima continues Kia’s trend of providing a reliable, value-for-money and economical driving experience within a spacious and refined shell.

Disadvantages: The engine can feel a little lethargic at low revs and the automatic gearbox version is strangely three road-tax bands higher than the manual. The sunroof eats into rear headroom.

Summary: The Optima combines stylish reliability and an engaging driving experience in a car that manages to balance fuel consumption and an interior design that boasts better than average gadgetry, even on standard versions.

New KIA OPTIMA Review:


Kia have come a long way in selling in the UK. The new Kia Optima proves just how far.

Kia may just have found ‘the one’ with the new Optima. The diesel-only range has sharp styling and a lot of quality equipment comes as standard. The fuel efficiency won't harm its chances either.

From the outside the Optima looks comfortable in its own ‘skin’ and confident too, as if Kia has found its own design language and doesn’t need to replicate rivals. The interior and particularly the dashboard might feel a little busy and plastic but the overall impression is of a vehicle where high standards matter. All versions come equipped air-conditioning, Bluetooth, alloy wheels and electrically folding mirrors. In essence; a lot more than most standard models when compared to other manufacturers. The seven year warranty also ensures peace of mind.

The ride is quite firm but controlled with good damping which makes the Optima more entertaining to drive than at first anticipated. The 1.7 litre engine is relatively small but the 134bh output does it’s best to make you forget this.

On occasion it can feel that it wallows a touch and the automatic can struggle when ascending steep hills. When the fuel consumption, approximately 57.6 mpg, is this good maybe these are minor trivialities.