Kia Optima (2016-2019) Review

The Kia Optima Saloon is an affordable family car available as an alternative to the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and the Hyundai i40. The second generation version launched in 2016 and suffered drops in prices throughout its time on sale, leading it to be discontinued in 2019, and making it even better value on the used market.

In recent times, family saloons like the Kia Optima have been overtaken in buyers’ affections by more practical SUVs with their higher driving position and greater sense of space. This being so, you should ask yourself what a car like the Optima can offer you.

How about cheaper running costs, greater comfort and better value for money? On top of all this, all new Kias come with a seven-year warranty, so a two or even three year model will still have as much protection remaining as many new cars.

You can find the Optima with one of three engines: a 1.7-litre diesel, a 2.0-litre petrol, and a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid offering up to 30 miles of electric-only driving. The diesel was the most popular among company car drivers, and there are plenty of these on the used car market as a result.

In 2018, the line-up was reduced to just one engine: a new 1.6-litre diesel. On paper it looks less economical than the older 1.7-litre version, but that’s because it was tested under the newer, more accurate economy test that makes the economy figures of more recent cars appear less impressive. However, you are far more likely to achieve these figures, thus the 1.6-litre version should be more efficient in the real world.

Whichever way you go, both of these diesel engines are a little slow and not especially refined. However, the Optima’s suspension does a good job of smoothing out rough surfaces and the handling is tidy and grippy, which is some compensation. The steering lacks feedback and is a little vague but, overall, the Optima is a comfortable, secure and predictable car to drive. Motorway cruising is especially smooth, while it is just as happy pottering around town or winding along country roads.

It may lack the headroom of a large SUV but the Optima’s interior is nevertheless quite roomy and even rear-seat occupants enjoy plenty of legroom. It's also quite practical for day-to-day use; there are numerous cubby holes for storage ranging from a chilled glovebox to a convenient centre storage box.

By design, however, saloons are never going to be the most practical cars you can buy. The Optima is better than most though, with rear seats that split and fold as standard. While the boot measures a reasonable 505 litres (the Ford Mondeo offers 540 litres) it is spoiled by a large lip you have to lug things over, and the space created by the folded seats is awkwardly shaped. If you go for a used plug-in hybrid model, the presence of the batteries means boot space is reduced to only 307 litres.

Despite being a little bland looking, the Optima’s interior is well finished and solid-feeling, and features lots of high-grade materials. It’s well equipped, too, even in the most basic '2' trim.

Until 2018 there were three trim levels called, '2', '3' and '4'. The top spec '4' model was dropped during the Optima's last year on sale, and mid-range '3' versions may not have been as popular as you’d think because of its significant cost for mainly aesthetic upgrades: fake leather seats, larger alloy wheels and a powered driver’s seat.

Key facts

Warranty	7 years
Boot size	505-litres
Width	1,860mm
Length	4,855mm
Height	1,465mm
Tax	£0 to £300; £145 in second year for cars registered since 1 April 2017

Best Kia Optima for...

Best for Economy – Kia Optima 1.6 CRDi 2 ISG

In manual or automatic guise, this diesel version of the Optima returns 53.3mpg on the new, more realistic fuel economy test. That’s reasonably impressive for a large, heavy family saloon. Level 2 trim helps to keep the price down.

Best for Families – Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi 2 ISG

Replaced by the 1.6 CRDi, this older version of the Optima has had time for used prices to fall. Entry-level 2 trim has all the essentials a busy family could want.

Best for Performance – Kia Optima 2.0 GDI-T GT auto

This Optima was the fastest version you can buy with a top speed approaching 150mph (where permitted) and 0-62mph in just a shade over seven seconds.

One to Avoid – Kia Optima 1.6 CRDi 3 DCT ISG

The Optima’s diesel engine isn't the best while the addition of level 3 trim and the automatic gearbox raises its price so much it puts it alongside much better vehicles. It also loses value quite quickly, meaning it won’t be worth much when you come to sell.

History

Understanding Kia Optima names

Trim 3

Where other makers give their cars fancy trim names to distinguish them, Kia simply calls its trim levels 2 and 3. Remember, older versions were also available in level 4.

Engines 1.6 CRDi

The GDi petrol engines were dropped in 2018, which means 2019 models are available with the CRDi diesel engines instead. The 1.6 figure is the size of the engine in litres, this engine replaces a slightly more powerful 1.7-litre CRDi that was also dropped in 2018.

Gearbox DCT

You can have your Optima with a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic that Kia calls the DCT, for dual-clutch transmission. In terms of economy, it’s as efficient as the manual gearbox.

Kia Optima Engines

Kia Optima Trims

Kia Optima Reliability and warranty

Used Kia Optima

Other Editions