Kia Optima 2019 Review
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Kia Optima 2019 Review: A Compelling Family Sedan
Introduction
The Kia Optima is Korea’s answer to the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Toyota Camry. Today, you’re going to find out if you should choose the Optima over its Japanese rivals who have dominated the segment for many years.
Exterior
If you’ve been following Kia’s success story over the past decade, then Peter Schreyer is a name you’ve probably heard of. He’s the designer behind some of Kia’s most exciting designs, including the Optima.
The 2010 Optima, with its futuristic styling, was a hit, and nine years later, the design has seen only subtle changes, including new lights and a new grille, while maintaining its overall shape.
Our tester, the GT Line (Kia’s sports package), features a mesh grille, stylish 18-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, and a bold diffuser.
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Interior
The interior of the Optima mirrors its sporty exterior with red and black leather sports seats, brushed metal-like silver trim, and a suede headliner.
While soft-touch materials cover the dashboard and door panels, the quality is not up to par. For example, the A/C control knobs feel flimsy, as does the cupholder cover, with more plastic than expected at this price range.
However, the rear space is impressive, offering ample legroom along with rear A/C vents and a few cupholders to keep passengers comfortable.
Features
As expected from a Kia, the Optima is loaded with numerous features. It includes wireless charging along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but it surprisingly comes with a rather small 8-inch infotainment screen.
Additional features include a panoramic roof and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. However, it’s worth noting that it comes with basic halogen headlamps and lacks some common features, such as adaptive cruise control, despite offering built-in navigation, blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.
Essentially, while there is a lot to offer, some expected features are simply absent.
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Drive
The Optima is available with various engines globally; however, in the UAE, it offers two options. The larger of the two is a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine.
This 'BIG BLOCK' engine produces 185 horsepower and 241 Nm of torque, putting it in the same range as the Camry and Altima, but it lags behind the turbocharged Honda Accord. Its 6-speed automatic transmission provides smooth shifting through gears.
For those interested in a sportier driving experience, the Optima features a flat-bottom steering wheel, aluminum pedals, and multiple drive modes. However, with a 0 to 100 km/h run taking 9.5 seconds, it's worth noting that the Optima is the slowest among its rivals.
Verdict
Priced at 107,000 Dirhams, the top-of-the-line Kia Optima is more expensive than the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima, but it does offer slightly more features. Overall, it is a good package for those seeking a budget-friendly family sedan.
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