2016 Kia Optima Review - Inside Lane

The all-new 2016 Kia Optima takes on the likes of Ford Mondeo and Skoda Superb, but good cars. Can the new premium design of the Optima and its good value for money take on the best in class? Power is sourced from a 1.7 litre diesel engine producing 139bhp and over 340Nm of torque. A 7 speed dual clutch automatic transmission provides smooth and fast changes. 64 mpg combined is claimed.
This top specification 2016 Kia Optima was equipped with heated and cooled leather seats, glass panoramic roof, 18 inch alloy wheels, lane keep assist, and 360 degree camera. Standard equipment includes DAB radio, touch screen infotainment system, and dual zone climate control.
The 2016 Kia Optima stars from £21,495 with plenty of standard equipment.
Can the new Kia Optima compete with the very best? We find out in this road test.

[@mrortega468]

Good honest review as always.

[@insidelane]

+Mr Ortega Thank you very much!

[@Raj-nh3fc]

Very nice and honest review. I and my son just test drove the estate version with 1,7 lit diesel engine and gt line model. Wow we were impressed with refinement. The sound insulation, the suspension, and even the steering (even though not quite BMW 3 series) were very impressive. I was a bit sceptical about that puny engine but surprised to find that it does deliver power when needed and matches that 7 speed dual clutc aotomatic gear box well. If I was forced to drive it blind folded, I would have thought that I was in the BMW 5 series! It is that good. I know what my next car is going to be when I retire along with my BMW 3 series. By the way I drove the VW passat all track after that with a bigger engine and what a crap that car was compared to Kia Optima.

[@jamiep61]

Great Review and later this year the New Sportswagon will be launched

[@insidelane]

+Jamie Pickles Thanks! Yeah, that looks to be an interesting one. Next weeks road test will be of the new Cee'd Sportswagon.

[@molo1706]

Very Nice Review , can you please review the 2016 KIA Quoris ?

[@insidelane]

+Mohammed Abdulla Glad you liked the review. Unfortunately we don't get the Quoris here in Europe. Sorry.

[@MotorScotti]

indeed, Kia have got a long long long way! I'm not a fan of the Korean cars but they make pretty good cars nowadays! It's more a subjective thing of image / types of cars I like/don't like than an objective comment

[@insidelane]

+MotorScotti Yeah, and I think the more people experience the latest generation Kia's, the more perceptions will shift. As I said, I was impressed with the tech onboard the Optima.

[@user-gy2kb2mn2p]

👍

[@joehallimen1]

can I tow a lightweight camper with my 2015 Kia Optima?

[@insidelane]

+Joe Hallimen Just called Kia... You can tow up to 750kg unbraked or 1800kg in manual, 1500kg auto.

[@TheGeezzer]

...and the Kia Optima 3 2016 is only £30 a year road tax because of its low diesel exhaust emissions! KIA actually got UK road tax down to £0.00 due to zero exhaust emissions! Allegedly..in conspiracy circles, the UK government wasn't too happy at losing revenue so its thought they told KIA to raise up the emissions if they wanted to keep selling their cars in the UK. So in late 2017 KIA upped the exhaust emissions to command the usual £140+ road duty!
All this crap about diesel being bad for the environment is just that....crap, because KIA practically eliminated all the deposits from the exhaust in diesel cars.

[@myshu7627]

Yes,but its coming at a price.Bear in mind,DIESEL engine car is not made for short journeys,because of DPF filter not performing regeneration,short journey has a bad effect on the engine oil because it's getting diluted with diesel.Over a year and around 10.000 miles oil level can rise by 1.5-3.0 l. Mazda,Kia ...