Kia Optima GT road test review
Kia is no longer a cheap and cheerful car company.
The South Korean brand is coming of age with a revitalised product range that builds on its core value proposition with mature styling, up-to-date equipment and technology and solid driving dynamics.
The company's mid-sized Optima sedan is one of the latest models in its line-up to get a major overhaul, and the first to feature its new 2.0-litre turbo charged petrol four cylinder and GT badge in the range-topping model we're testing here.
WHAT DO YOU GET?
The ever-growing league of SUVs have taken over from conventional sedans as the first choice for family vehicles, but the Optima is just one in a long list of similar cars in this segment to feature major upgrades over the last year or so, including rivals such as the top-selling Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Subaru Liberty, the Hyundai Sonata with which it shares its underpinnings and the Drive Car of the Year family car champion, Ford's Mondeo.
The Optima slips into the class with a starting price of $34,990 (plus on-road costs) for the entry-level Si powered by a 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four cylinder and features such as cloth trim, dual-zone climate control and a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen with sat nav, Bluetooth and a six-speaker audio system.
At $43,990 (plus on-road charges), the GT model costs considerably more, but beyond the gruntier engine and larger 18-inch alloy wheels it steps up the luxury with goodies such as heated and ventilated front seats within the leather-lined cabin, a panoramic sunroof, push button start, a larger 8-inch touschreen with a higher grade Harmon Kardon audio system and a wireless phone charging pad in the lower section of the centre console.
Both models are fitted with a six-speed automatic as standard and come with a decent spread of safety equipment, including six airbags, lane departure warning and automated emergency braking. The GT also adds blind spot detection, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive headlights.
They are covered by Kia's benchmark seven-year warranty with roadside assistance and capped price servicing, although the GT has six-monthly intervals (rather than 12 month for the standard model) and costs $1734 for the first three years.
WHAT'S INSIDE?
Kia has come a long way in a short period of time with its interior design.
While the Optima's cabin is a relatively conservative take on the company's new theme, it is well laid out with clear and legible instruments behind a chunky three-spoke steering wheel and a logical layout of buttons for the heating, air con and audio below the infotainment touch screen perched at the top of the centre console.
While our test car's predominantly black trim made it feel a little sombre, it is broken up with some subtle details such as the constrast red stitching in the steering wheel and gearlever and aluminium highlights throughout the dash. While the design doesn't break any new ground, it has a contemporary ambience that wouldn't seem out of place from a mainstream European rival that is backed-up by the use of good quality materials and a solid finish.
The front seats, while not quite offering the body-hugging support you'd expect from a sporty sedan, are comfortable over long distances with plenty of adjustment for the driver, plus there's good vision, ample storage in the centre console and a variety of power outlets to keep phones and other devices topped up.
The cabin also provides a generous amount of space – for all occupants – with good headroom and enough legroom in the back for adults to travel without being too uncomfortable, although the rakish roofline does impede entry into the rear a little.
UNDER THE BONNET
The Optima is the first in a series of GT-badged models to come from Kia over the next few years, in a move that is designed to offer a mix of luxury and performance without stretching too far into the sporty arena.
With that, its all-new 2.0-litre turbo charged four cylinder produces some healthy outputs, with maximum power of 180kW and a broad spread of torque, with 350Nm on tap between 1400-4000rpm.
In isolation, it's a great engine that pulls smoothly from low engine speeds, offering effortless acceleration both around town and out on the open road. Tap into its performance and it spins up quickly into its meaty mid-range for swift getaways, easy overtaking and tackling steep inclines, bringing with it a raspy, but subdued, exhaust note towards the top end of the rev range.
But, it can also easily overcome the grip offered by the front tyres under heavy throttle applications and, in the Optima at least, it doesn't have a genuine sporting character.
And, despite its newer technologies, turbo charger and smaller displacement, the GT's engine consumes slightly more than the larger 2.4-litre naturally-aspirated four cylinder in the standard Optima, with a claimed average of 8.5L/100km. Expect to see higher than that around town too.
ON THE ROAD
Like all new-release Kias, the Optima has undergone a local development program to fine-tune its road-holding to suit Australian conditions and customers.
And, as it is with other models – from the Sportage SUV to the Carnival people mover – the Optima provides a solid balance between comfort and control, with the ability to soak-up road imperfections gently while offering sure-footed and safe dynamics.
The overall bias is more towards comfort than corner carving, because, as previously mentioned, the front-end can scrabble for traction through the bends during spirited driving and push wide at the limit.
In all other circumstances, the Optima GT is competent without setting any new benchmarks as the steering offers good on-centre feel and is well weighted across the ratio, the six-speed automatic is smooth and intuitive in the way it shifts and the electronic safety systems are reassuring without being overly intrusive.
VERDICT
The Optima GT is a good car among a field of equals, but it arrives at a time when conventional sedans are losing flavour among families.
While it needs a bit more polish in the way it drives to live up to its sporting pretensions, but it otherwise offers more gusto than most of its rivals, matches them for value and equipment and out-does them all for peace of mind thanks to Kia's benchmark ownership credentials.
2016 Kia Optima GT Price and Specifications
Price: $43,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 180kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1400rpm
Transmission: 6-spd automatic, front-wheel drive
Fuel Use: 8.5L/100km
The Competitors
Mazda6 GT
Price: $42,720 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four cylinder petrol
Power: 138kW at 5700rpm
Torque: 250Nm at 3250rpm
Transmission: 6-spd automatic, FWD
Fuel Use: 6.6L/100km
Our Score: 7.5/10
Toyota Camry Atara SX
Price: $31,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.5-litre four cylinder petrol
Power: 135kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 235Nm at 4100rpm
Transmission: 6-spd automatic, FWD
Fuel Use: 7.8L/100km
Our Score: 6.5/10
Hyundai Sonata Premium
Price: $41,990 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 180kW at 6000rpm
Torque: 350Nm at 1400rpm
Transmission: 6-spd automatic, FWD
Fuel Use: 9.2L/100km
Our Score: 7/10