Our Fleet Test Drive: Kia Optima - 11th Report
Date:
10 August 2012
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Author: Guy Bird
Trim
Plenty of mainstream cars display practical interior design with basic ergonomics and cubbyholes galore, but few also achieve real interior design quality at a decent price.
The sub-£22,000 Optima is an exception. The time taken on the welcome screen's opening credits when you turn the key in the ignition is an example. A pleasant jingle tells you your action has started the process, the seat moves back to make access easier and then a perfectly rendered 3D image of the car plus a few flashes around the digital driver dial display tell you all is well.
Take a closer look at the interior door handle of the Optima in 2 Tech trim when getting in and you'll see simply first-rate fit and finish, the perforated leatherette-covered door cards, upmarket and branded speaker shields plus contrast stitching on the seating, add to the overall effect of real quality. It's a lasting impression too that still makes every journey feel enjoyable and special.
Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi 2 Tech (manual) | Mileage | 3809 | Claimed combined consumption | 57.6mpg | Our average consumption | 38.4mpg | P11D price | £21,640* | Model price range | £19,595-£25,995 | CO2 (tax) | 128g/km/18% | BIK 20/40% per month | £65/£130 | Service interval | 12,500 or 12months | Insurance | group 17 | Warranty | 7yrs/100,000 miles | Boot space | 505 litres | Engine size/power | 1685cc/134hp | Top speed/0-62mph | 125mph/10.2secs | Why we’re running it | To see if Kia really can mix-it with the fleet’s big boys | Positive | Smart exterior, excellent interior quality | Negative | Small function niggles to iron out | *Before options fitted: Metallic paint £475 |
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