Kia Optima

The 2001 Optima received Poor to Average ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[2]

Test	Rating
Overall:
Moderate overlap front:	Average
Side:	Poor
Head restraints & seats:	Poor

The 2002 Optima received a minor update. The car was a luxurious version of Kia Optima sold in South Korea. The grille was redesigned for the United States in 2003 (2004 model year) to feature the Kia badge, and the headlamps were restyled for 2004 (2005 model year).

• 
  2003 Kia Magentis (Canada)
• 
  2005–2006 Kia Optima (US)
• 
  Facelift Kia Optima (China)

The Optima received a crash test rating of five stars from the NHTSA,[6] and four stars from EuroNCAP.[7] The 2006 Optima received Marginal to Good ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[8]

Test	Rating
Overall:
Moderate overlap front:	Good
Side:	Average
Roof strength:	Marginal
Head restraints & seats:	Good

Kia Optima EX (US; facelift)

Kia Optima SX (US; facelift)

Kia Optima LX (US; facelift)

The Optima was revised and updated in 2008, debuting at the New York International Auto Show (as a 2009 model year). This update features new front-end styling and tail lamps. In addition to the revised exterior, length is also slightly increased by roughly 70 millimetres (2.8 in) to approximately 4,800 mm (190 in) long. There is also a new engine and the interior has also been revised.[9] Main changes in the interior are a redesigned instrument cluster and a Sirius Satellite Radio/AM/FM/MP3/CD with an auxiliary jack. In certain markets, the option of satellite navigation is offered.

The new Theta II 2.4-liter I4 employs dual continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and a variable intake system (VIS) to increase power to 131 kW (176 hp), while returning improved fuel consumption over its predecessor. Torque is rated at 229 N⋅m (169 lbf⋅ft). There is a 2.0L I4 for other markets with either a 5 speed manual or 4 speed automatic transmission. Power is rated at 164 hp (122 kW) at 6200 RPM and 197 N⋅m (145 lb⋅ft) of torque. Acceleration for the 2.0L is 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in 9.2 seconds for the 5 speed manual and 10.1 seconds for the 4 speed automatic. Top speed rated up to 208 km/h (129 mph) outside of the US. The 2.7-liter V6 offers few changes to the previous model, though power is increased to 144 kW (193 hp), and torque to 249 N⋅m (184 lbf⋅ft). Acceleration for the 5-speed automatic takes it from 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 8.9sec with a top speed up to 220 km/h (137 mph). A five-speed manual transmission is standard in the base model, and a five-speed automatic is included with mid- and high-end levels (or as an option in the base model).

2010 models see the addition of a Proximity Key with Push-Button Start and paddle shifters on SX models.

In Australia, the Magentis was introduced in August 2006, and replaced the Optima. Initially available with a choice of 2.4 L 4-cylinder or 2.7 L V6 engines, the Magentis' sales never caught on, with sales peaking at only 741 units in 2007. In 2008, the V6 engine was dropped, as was the EX-L model, leaving only the entry-level 2.4 L EX on sale until its discontinuation in 2009. While the facelifted 2010 model was never officially launched, a very small number were imported for "evaluation" purposes, and eventually sold to the public as demos.

The 2011 Optima received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[17]

Test	Rating
Overall:
Small overlap front:	Average
Moderate overlap front:	Good
Side:	Good
Roof strength:	Good
Head restraints & seats:	Good

In a March 2012 comparison test by Car and Driver, the Optima came in third place out of six cars behind the first place Volkswagen Passat and the second place Honda Accord.[18]

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid (US)

2013 Kia Optima Hybrid (Sweden)

The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, and was launched in the U.S. market in November 2011. During its first month in the market sold 524 units.[19] Considering cumulative sales in the U.S. market through December 2011, with 19,672 units sold, together the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Kia Optima Hybrid ranked second in hybrid sales for calendar year 2011, after the Toyota Prius.[20]

The Optima Hybrid uses the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid powertrain, combining a 2.4-liter MPI engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30kW electric motor and lightweight lithium polymer batteries to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid with an estimated fuel consumption of 37 mpg_‑US (6.4 L/100 km; 44 mpg_‑imp) city and 39 mpg_‑US (6.0 L/100 km; 47 mpg_‑imp) highway.[21] The Optima Hybrid is able to travel up to 100 km/h (62 mph) in full electric mode, which helps it stand apart from many competitors.[22] Korean and European markets will get the Optima Hybrid with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine.[23]

The only externally apparent features that differentiate it from the Kia Optima are the hybrid badging, application specific wheel design, a lowered ride height by approximately 1 in (25 mm), and the availability of a special light platinum graphite paint color. It also utilizes an active shutter system behind the upper grille, allowing the car to redirect airflow when the gas engine's heat levels allow (such as when the car is operating in EV mode to improve aerodynamics, or to assist in more rapid warming up of the gas engine).[24]

In September 2011, the Optima Hybrid set a Guinness World Record for "Lowest Fuel Consumption in a Hybrid Gasoline Vehicle" while driving across the continental United States for 14 days, starting from the Kia factory in West Point, Georgia. In its 7,899-mile drive across the 48 states, the car recorded an average of 64.55 miles per gallon while consuming a total of five and a half tanks of gasoline. In order to qualify for the record, the car had two people and luggage throughout the entire trip.[25][26]

The 2017 Optima received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).[29]

Test	Rating
Overall:
Small overlap front:	Good
Moderate overlap front:	Good
Side:	Good
Roof strength:	Good
Head restraints & seats:	Good
Front crash prevention:	Superior
Headlights:	Good
Child seat anchors (Latch) ease of use:	Acceptable

Kia Optima plug-in hybrid

A plug-in hybrid variant was unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. The Kia Optima PHEV shares the powertrain of the Hyundai Sonata PHEV, and like its sibling, it has a 9.8 kWh battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of 27 mi (43 km), but the Optima plug-in hybrid has a lower drag coefficient, which at 0.24 Cd is on par with the all-electric Tesla Model S. The Optima PHEV has an active grille, which automatically opens and closes at high and low speeds, contributing to reduce the Cd.[30] The plug-in hybrid features a 50 kW electric motor and 2.0-liter “Nu” four-cylinder GDI engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.[31]

Retail deliveries began in the United States in January 2017 with 40 units sold.[32]

Optima Sportswagon

At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, Kia revealed the Sportswagon variant of the Optima sedan. The introduction of the SW should broaden the appeal of the Optima. The SW variant is sold worldwide excluding the North American and South Korea market, as station wagons have been overtaken by Crossover Utility Vehicles as the standard family hauler.

The Kia Optima Convertible Concept was shown in 2015; a 4-door concept car similar to the Kia Optima sedan without a roof and rear-hinged doors for the rear passengers in place of the front-hinged doors of the production car. The new Optima will continue to offer its familiar 2.4L and 2.0T Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder engines, though will also offer a new engine option for 2016: an all-new 1.6T Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder engine. As before, no V6 engine options will be available. While the 2.4L and 2.0T engines will be paired with an automatic transmission, the 1.6T engine will be paired with an all-new seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT). All engines will offer improved fuel economy ratings.

A Hybrid version has not yet been announced, however, it is likely that Kia will release a hybrid Optima by 2017. Like its Hyundai Sonata Hybrid platform mate, the existing Optima Hybrid will most likely continue to be sold as a 2016 model, with the new model debuting by mid-2016.

An all-new, upscale interior will offer an optional UVO infotainment system, with support for both Apple's CarPlay and Google's Android Auto technologies. Top-of-the-line Optimas will include a hand-stitched dashboard, quilted luxury leather seating surfaces, high-quality aluminum interior trim panels, Advanced Smart Cruise Control, a Surround-View Monitor, and Bi-Xenon LED Front Headlamps with Auto-Leveling. Blind-Spot Detection and Backup Warning Sensors will also be available, as will Automatic Emergency Braking.

Standard features for the new Optima are expected to include, as with the current Optima: keyless entry, an A/M-F/M stereo with SIRIUS-XM Satellite Radio, single-disc CD/MP3 player, iPod/USB and auxiliary audio input jacks, and Bluetooth with hands-free stereo streaming of audio, six speakers, alloy wheels, and premium cloth seating surfaces.

The facelifted Kia Optima was officially revealed at the 2018 Geneva motor show. In January, the Facelifted Kia K5 was introduced in South Korean market.

• 
  Sedan facelift
• 
  Sedan facelift (rear)
• 
  SW facelift

The Optima is a two-time winner of the International Car of the Year award. it also won the 2016 Red Dot "Best of the Best" Award.[33]