The 2018 Kia Optima is an excellent display of form and function and how everything comes together to provide a reliable, safe, and practical ride.
While not as exciting as other vehicles on the market, the Kia Optima brings a different value quotient. It’s not easy to be in the mid-size sedan class these days as there are many competitors – and many that are brand new for 2018 including the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. While we cannot say what the future holds, competitive pricing, top-of-the-class safety and a bunch of newly standard features will keep the Kia Optima in a good ranking for this year.
Design
Since the “new” Kia Optima was released in 2016, not much has changed in terms of design.
When it comes to mid-size sedans, the Optima is one of the better looking models – especially in comparison to the new Camry which appears a tad too radical for some people.
The Optima is shapely, curvy, and doesn’t feel too boxy or big. The roofline slopes dynamically to give the appearance of a sporty car, while the signature Kia tiger nose grille commands attention.
Base models for the Optima are not lacking in design or standard features, which is a big plus for the money-conscious buyer. A few standard features include keyless push-button start, a USB port, wireless smartphone charging, Bluetooth connectivity, power-adjustable heated front seats, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility with the seven-inch touchscreen with infotainment. You will find some gaps between the quality of materials from the base model to the top model, however, particularly with regards to the cloth/leather used for the seats.
The interior dashboard has been pushed back and minimized slightly to give a clean, horizontal look and an improved sense of space, although the three back seats may find it a little cramped and lacking headroom. The Kia Optima provides a wonderfully quiet ride thanks to improved sound insulation.
Overall, the Optima looks great from outside and inside, but the quality of the materials appear less impressive than the new Camry and the new Accord. These models offer design and quality levels that rival luxury cars costing twice as much.
Performance and Features
There are eight available trims, including the alternative hybrid models for the 2018 Kia Optima: the LX Auto, LX+ Auto, EX Auto, EX Tech Auto, the SX Turbo Auto and the SXL Turbo Auto. All available trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, but the horsepower and torque are what really change. The LX Auto, LX+ Auto, EX Auto and EX Tech Auto come with 185 h.p. at 6,000 r.p.m. and 178 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 r.p.m. If you desire more power than that, opt for the SX Turbo Auto or the SXL Turbo Auto with 245 h.p. at 6,000 r.p.m. and 260 foot-pounds of torque at 1,350 r.p.m.
The driving feel of the Optima is what you expect from an Asian-branded traditional four-door sedan: comfortable, refined and smooth, but lacking some character. Mind you, the Optima provides a slightly better overall road feel than North American counterparts like Ford Fusion or Chevrolet Malibu, but falls slightly short of the new Camry and the Accord.
The ride is quiet and smooth except that it can be a bit rough over bumpy roads. The brakes are average in feel and the acceleration is more than adequate in all the models.
Fuel economy ranges from 9.3 (litres/100 kilometres) in the city to 6.6 (highway) for the LX model, and this rises to 10.9 (city) to 7.6 (highway) for the SXL Turbo. While fuel economy is not as great as some of the competitors, this might be overlooked considering the bevy of other selling points. The Kia Optima is branded for regular gas at the pump which means a small savings over time.
The Kia Optima comes with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. Eco doesn’t feel like it has enough “go,” and the sport mode doesn’t feel like it makes much of a difference.
In the safety category, the 2018 Kia Optima shines with flawless scores from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning high marks from independent testers. Blind-spot monitors, rear parking assist and rear cross-traffic assist now join the rearview camera this year as standard features. Other standard safety features include side airbags mounted on the seats and side-curtain, a driver’s knee airbag, hill-start assist, front active headrests, and stability and traction control systems. Automatic emergency braking is not standard but the feature is increasingly available on other Kia models, which is great to see.
Summary
The 2018 starts from $23,995 for the LX Auto and moves up to $35,845 for the SXL Turbo. Competitors for the Kia Optima include its own sister vehicle, the Hyundai Sonata, as well as the Chevrolet Malibu and the Ford Fusion. Other notable and perhaps better performing competitors include the all-new Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. With so much competition on the market, the 2018 Kia Optima has a lot to prove in a sea of options.
Still, the Kia Optima is a solid choice for those wishing for top-notch safety, reliability, and a smooth ride for a reasonable price. The Kia Optima is like a reliable friend who is always there for you, and you can’t go wrong with that.
