So in car terms, the family saloon segment is very much like the heavyweight class. It's dominated by a few heavyweights - the Mondeo, Passat and Avensis - a worthy group who've seen off all-comers, maintaining their grip on this lucrative sector.
But what impact is the new saloon from Korean giants Kia going to have? Well, on looks alone, the stylish new Optima has what it takes to dine at the top table. If you add the amazing seven-year warranty, frugal engines and low running costs, you have to give it a puncher's chance.
The Kia line up is one of the best range of cars currently available. From the award-winning Rio to the brilliant Sportage, you can't fault their credibility.The one car the Kia range lacked was a capable four-door saloon, given that the Magentis was distinctly below average. Now though, Kia has the introduced the Optima and initial impressions are very good.
Standing back and taking a good look at the new Optima, it has presence. It's a big family car with striking looks carrying Kia's 'tiger nose' front grille. It's no secret that Kia is providing value-for-money cars, but their new line-up has a more upmarket feel and shows that designers are instilling more passion into their product.
The new Optima will be powered by one engine, the 1.7 diesel in either manual or automatic. It's a frugal engine that has just about enough power to propel this large saloon. My test car was the auto offering, and if I was given a choice, I would stick to manual.The auto doesn't fit the engine very well and tends to have a mind of its own. Even when in paddleshift mode, you don't get full control
over the gearbox and it changes gear without your permission.
The Optima will never be best in class for driving experience, but the 1.7 diesel unit produces 134bhp and 325Nm of torque, which is pretty decent, but don't expect to out-run many rivals. I found the Optima to be best suited to longer journeys as comfort levels were high and the engine is less vocal at cruising speeds.The suspension is a little on the firm side and the bigger 18-inch wheel option gives more road noise in the cabin, but it's worth paying this price as they really set the car off.
On the inside, the Optima provides excellent room for all passengers, and with an above-average boot space for a car of this class, it's the perfect fit for large families. The cabin feels well made and the new Kia definitely feels more upmarket than previous attempts.
The new Optima will be offered in two trims, Ex and the range-topping Platinum. Both come with a generous amount of equipment, and at just €26,996, the Ex is real value-for-money. If you can stretch to the all-bells-and-whistles Platinum model, which I tested, you get equipment levels to match that of a premium brand.
Included in the €29,495 price tag is 17-inch alloys, cruise control, voiceactivated Bluetooth, panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery with heated front seats, reversing camera, driver memory seat, UV reducing glass, rain-sensing front wipers and much, much more.
The Kia faces a real fight to join leading rivals in what is arguably the toughest sector in the industry, but I'm really excited about this car. It has a real desirability about it and it won't hit you too hard in the pocket over the years of ownership.A sevenyear warranty gives you peace of mind and competitive pricing gives this new saloon a real chance. It's never going to be the biggest hitter in the family saloon segment, but it puts up an argument that it needs to be taken seriously.
Leading rivals beware - Kia is making a run for the title.
Courtesy of Sunday World (Ireland)
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