Design
On the outside, the new platform and blank sheet of paper has produced a four-door design that is close to show-stopping. The front grille has a bit of brightwork and a signature Kia opening. Headlights blend in and help the front transition to smooth sides, which have noticeable bulges around the wheel wells.
Despite the stunning looks, there are weaknesses in my mind. The tail doesn’t flow well for me and I can't get used to it, wondering what the designer was thinking. In addition, on some of the darker-colored models with the panoramic roof, the chrome accent stripe on the roof makes the design look busy and the chrome, out of place.
Driving
Driving the Optima can be broken into three segments. The streets and congestion of a large city such as Miami are good examples of how cars in a big urban area get used. To drive in stop-and-go traffic, coupled with the need to change lanes to get by everything from delivery trucks to poorly marked construction, means you need a car that has good visibility and a decent amount of acceleration. In this environment, both the turbo and normally-aspirated versions fared about the same. Excellent visibility from the driver’s seat coupled with comfort and a nimbleness that belies the size of the car means that the Optima shines in city driving.
Out on the highway, both engines are perfectly adequate. The 2.4-litre four needs you to pay attention to your driving and plan your moves. The turbo motor makes up with power what you lose by not paying attention or planning ahead. The difference in power usage will show up in fuel economy. Until you stick your foot on the floor and spool up the innovative dual exhaust intake turbo, fuel economy of these direct-injected fours that run on regular fuel is quite similar.
On a banked oval of Homestead, extra legal speeds of up to 170 km/h tax both the suspension and brakes. One of the things Kia has done to counter any potential brake issues is that when you move up to 17-inch wheels, Kia installs larger front rotors. After two hours of what should be considered emergency panic stops, the brakes may have been smoking, but never failed.
In another move that provides comfort as well as stability at all speeds, Kia uses twin-valve shocks so that the net effect of hard driving is that the dampening action of the shock stiffens up, body roll decreases and the car feels planted on the pavement. Nose dive is minimized and the new stiff platform keeps the car from squirming under such hard braking.
In the end
The Optima may not be for everyone, but the leaders of this segment better be looking over their collective shoulders. Kia is coming and coming fast!!
On the outside, the new platform and blank sheet of paper has produced a four-door design that is close to show-stopping. The front grille has a bit of brightwork and a signature Kia opening. Headlights blend in and help the front transition to smooth sides, which have noticeable bulges around the wheel wells.
Despite the stunning looks, there are weaknesses in my mind. The tail doesn’t flow well for me and I can't get used to it, wondering what the designer was thinking. In addition, on some of the darker-colored models with the panoramic roof, the chrome accent stripe on the roof makes the design look busy and the chrome, out of place.
Driving
Driving the Optima can be broken into three segments. The streets and congestion of a large city such as Miami are good examples of how cars in a big urban area get used. To drive in stop-and-go traffic, coupled with the need to change lanes to get by everything from delivery trucks to poorly marked construction, means you need a car that has good visibility and a decent amount of acceleration. In this environment, both the turbo and normally-aspirated versions fared about the same. Excellent visibility from the driver’s seat coupled with comfort and a nimbleness that belies the size of the car means that the Optima shines in city driving.
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| The front grille has a bit of brightwork and a signature Kia opening. (Photo: Charles Renny/Auto123.com) |
Out on the highway, both engines are perfectly adequate. The 2.4-litre four needs you to pay attention to your driving and plan your moves. The turbo motor makes up with power what you lose by not paying attention or planning ahead. The difference in power usage will show up in fuel economy. Until you stick your foot on the floor and spool up the innovative dual exhaust intake turbo, fuel economy of these direct-injected fours that run on regular fuel is quite similar.
On a banked oval of Homestead, extra legal speeds of up to 170 km/h tax both the suspension and brakes. One of the things Kia has done to counter any potential brake issues is that when you move up to 17-inch wheels, Kia installs larger front rotors. After two hours of what should be considered emergency panic stops, the brakes may have been smoking, but never failed.
In another move that provides comfort as well as stability at all speeds, Kia uses twin-valve shocks so that the net effect of hard driving is that the dampening action of the shock stiffens up, body roll decreases and the car feels planted on the pavement. Nose dive is minimized and the new stiff platform keeps the car from squirming under such hard braking.
In the end
The Optima may not be for everyone, but the leaders of this segment better be looking over their collective shoulders. Kia is coming and coming fast!!
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