When
a carmaker sells over 100,000 copies of a single model, it is
understandably conservative when it comes to redesigns. That’s exactly
what the new 2016 Kia Optima is – a conservative update on a successful
sedan.
Visually,
the new Optima looks a lot like the old one, and indeed the basic
styling philosophy is there. It has the same wide trademark grille –
which Kia calls a “tiger” grille – and the same signature roof line that
made the old Optima one of the best looking midsize sedans on the
market.
But
on closer inspection, the differences show. The front end is
redesigned, with the grille a little thinner than before. The headlights
are now Bi-Xenon, high intensity lights, which could be optioned to
move with the car around turns for better visibility. The whole car, in
fact, is slightly longer, lower and wider than the outgoing model.
Inside,
the theme of refinement continues, as the dash has been redesigned to
be more functional and stylish, with a liberal use of soft-touch
materials. One complaint, however, is with the console. Kia made the
console wider, and in doing so, made it less comfortable for taller
drivers whose knees hit the edge. The fact that it’s hard plastic adds
to the discomfort and is a clue that, despite the luxury applications,
the Optima is still a budget sedan.
Driving
dynamics have been improved as well. Although hardly a sports car – and
not quite up to the sporting levels of the Honda Accord or Mazda 6 –
the Optima handles well for a family sedan and outshines other stalwarts
in the class.
Under
the hood is a choice of three engines. The base model Optima gets a
2.4-liter naturally aspirated four cylinder rated at 185 horsepower and
178 lb-ft of torque. Upper trim levels get a 2.0-liter turbocharged four
cylinder rated at 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. The turbo is
actually down on power from last year, as Kia re-tuned the engine for
better economy and mid-range torque. Both engines are mated to a
six-speed automatic transmission.
New
for the Optima is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four cylinder making 178
horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Available only on the LX model, the
1.6 is mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission.
As
is becoming customary in 2016, the new Optima comes with a host of
safety features like lane departure warnings, emergency braking,
intelligent cruise control, among others. The new Optima is also the
first Kia to have both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, allowing
customers to use their smartphones to control music, messaging, voice
calls and navigation.
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