Auto Review: 2016 Kia Optima

The current generation of the Optima sedan has been a very good thing, as it’s pushed the brand’s mid-size sedan entry from faceless to fashionable. How does Kia take all the ground it gained and add even more luster to the Optima nameplate? With a sweeping yet measured new design, and a slightly larger, lighter, and more rigid framework, Kia aims to improve the appeal of the 2016 Optima with better ride-and-handling characteristics, plus a new focus on cabin quiet and general refinement. View more details and Photos after the cut...

This new version is marginally longer, taller and wider than before, and the wheelbase has been extended slightly from the previous 110.0 inches to 110.4 inches. Kia said these changes enable a roomier and more comfortable cabin with more head room, shoulder room, and rear seat leg room, along with more trunk space.

ENGINE PERFORMANCE

The 2016 Optima comes in five trim levels—LX, LX Turbo, EX, SX Turbo, SXL—and they correspond to several different powertrains. The three engine choices include a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and two powerplants that carry over from the previous generation, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine models.

The 1.6-liter turbo available for Optima LX is expected to produce 178 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque at just 1,500 rpm. The new engine mates to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which works like an automatic. Kia says the seven-speed DCT delivers a sporty feel without sacrificing fuel economy. The 2.4-liter GDI engine available on LX and EX models is estimated by Kia to produce 185 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the 2.0-liter turbo is expected to generate approximately 247 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 1,350 rpm.

Both engines are slightly down in power over the previous versions. Kia says they were retuned for fuel economy and better drivability with maximum torque now available at a lower rev range. Both engines come with a six-speed automatic transmission; SX and SXL trims add paddle shifters.

INTERIOR

More soft-touch materials are used throughout the passenger compartment. Real stitching along the dash and doors are complemented by metallic accents, varying by trim level. The driver-oriented cabin has been simplified with a cleaner, more unified design than the previous generation, with a wider center console that help create a greater sense of space. By grouping and reducing the number of functional keys and buttons, ergonomics are improved. 

An optional Infinity audio system includes 14 speakers, Clari-Fi technology and an upgraded 630-watt digital amplifier. Clari-Fi is a patented music restoration technology that rebuilds audio signals lost in the digital compression process. This technology breathes new life into music, restoring a high-fidelity listening experience to any compressed digital source. The system comes with next-generation QuantumLogic Surround technology, which extracts signals from the original recording and redistributes them into an authentic, multidimensional soundstage for playback purported to be clear, refined and detailed.

 Credit: thecarconnection