Since the Optima landed in Canada in 2009, it has been reworked more times than any other midsize sedan — this is the fourth generation in a very short timeframe. The latest takes Kia’s family/sports sedan to a place it has not been before — the cabin treatment and trickle down of advanced technologies leads the lengthy list of upgrades.
The cabin arrives with much nicer materials, a ton of equipment and, in the SXL, swanky diamond-pattern Nappa leather seats — if you see shades of Bentley in the look, you are not alone. It also comes with the right equipment, ranging from a panoramic moonroof to a 12-way, heated/cooled power driver’s seat, and it touches everything between. In the end, you have to go a long way up the price ladder to get the same sort of pampering and luxury.
One of the pluses proved to be the multimedia interface with navigation. The eight-inch touchscreen has large icons and hard buttons on either side, which makes things quick and easy to access. Likewise, the Harman Kardon sound system and its 630-watt amp delivered crystal clear sound through 10 well-placed speakers. The missing elements are Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; given the Optima SXL’s list of amenities, and the fact that much of the competition offers these smartphone extensions, is an oversight.
The rear environment has ample head- and legroom for six-footers, along with heated outboard seats. The trunk is also up to snuff with 450 litres of space and 60/40-split folding seat backs. It also has an automatic trunk release — when it senses the smart key it pops the deck lid.
Then there’s the lengthy list of driver assist systems — a 360-degree camera, blind spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert and lane departure warning. The latter proved to be very annoying, so the off switch was much appreciated. One of the more impressive technologies is Kia’s Auto Emergency Braking (AEB), which uses radar to recognize other vehicles and a camera to spot pedestrians; should the system sense a collision is imminent, it warns the driver and dabs the brakes to wake them up. If this doesn’t spur the driver into action, the system stops the car before the impact occurs. It works at speeds below 80 km/h for vehicles and 60 km/h for pedestrians; at speeds over 80 km/h, it works to reduce the collision speed through braking. While this technology is par for the course on higher-end rides, it’s a rarity on a sedan costing less than $40K. Automakers have agreed to make AEB standard by September 1, 2022, so Kia is well ahead of the curve.
There are a number of engine choices: the base 185-horsepower, 2.4-litre four-cylinder, a new 1.6-litre turbocharged four with a handy 195 lb.-ft. of torque, and then there’s the big dog, a 2.0-litre Turbo putting out 245 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 1,350 rpm. Think about that for a minute — it is producing peak torque at 700 rpm off idle. This means no turbo lag and a run to 100 km/h of 6.7 seconds, which is very quick for a family sedan.
The only transmission with the Turbo is a six-speed manumatic complete with paddle shifters. While not as slick as the seven-speed twin-clutch that comes with the 1.6-litre turbo, it gets the job done. The shifts are smooth and when the gas pedal is hammered, it kicks down promptly, which puts the engine at the heart of its sweet spot — the Optima’s midrange is very strong. To handle the beefier torque curve, the SXL has larger front brakes, which means less fade when pushed to the maximum.
The Turbo arrives with a sportier suspension than the base models. It is noticeably firmer, but no less comfortable. The secret lies in the “high performance” dampers. These things adjust the damping according to the speed of the body’s movement. When on the highway the shocks deliver softer damping; dial in some steering and the mechanical dampers automatically switch to a firmer setting. It is an inexpensive way of delivering the best of both worlds. Through a series of sweepers the Optima held a flat attitude and understeer was a long way out given the front-drive format. The oversized P235/45R18 tires certainly helped the cause. Conversely, on the highway the ride mimicked that of a luxury sedan.
The engine, transmission and steering can be tailored to taste. Drive Mode alters the throttle’s sensitivity, transmission’s shift points and steering. Eco is too soft in all areas, Normal works in an urban environment, but Sport is the setting of choice; it brings better throttle response, delayed upshifts and it puts more weight in the steering, which brings a crisper response to input. The hitch? It defaults to Normal every time the car is turned off. Instead, it should retain the driver’s desired setting. It became a ritual — seatbelt on, start the car and pick Sport — but it was a pain, nonetheless.
There was little wrong with the outgoing Optima; the latest car takes everything, including the safety technology and engine choices, to the next level. In short, it now has the wherewithal to give the traditional players a serious run for their money.
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