2004 Kia Optima Reviews

The Korean car maker's Australian arm has achieved impressive growth by refusing to base local sales exclusively on the cheaper end of the small car market.Instead, it has cherry-picked a growing line-up of well-engineered and attractively priced models.Then, with the financial might of the factory, it has promoted its products with big-budget sponsorship using global favourite Andre Agassi and the standing of the Australian Open tennis championship.Sales growth over the past few years tells the story: 7013 units in 1997 to more than 16,000 so far this year.Kia Australian invested large helpings of time and effort, researching what potential buyers really wanted – and the prices they were prepared to pay for various models.When the second-generation Optima large car was launched in Korea, the Aussie arm ticked every box in the specification menu.Then it entered into negotiations with the factory to make sure the price was right.After much arm-wrestling, Kia Motors agreed to supply a fully featured, V6-engined medium car at a most attractive price of $26,950.Well-priced, indeed, for a car which comes with full leather upholstery, alloy wheels, a Tiptronic-style automatic gearbox plus anti-lock brakes, electronic traction control and cruise control.Kia expects to sell no more than 80 units a month in the six-cylinder segment dominated by Commodore and Falcon.But success in such company presents Kia's credentials to forge further up-market in the future with more expensive models.Optima may look a little too close in price to the hugely successful large cars – particularly right now when run-out pricing is dragging popular models below the $30,000 level. But when one factors in all the standard equipment, and what would have to be paid for a Commodore or Falcon with the same finery, Optima grows in stature as a package to be considered.Optima may be a little bland and unadventurous in its styling.But to make up for any shortcomings in its design, it does come powered by a most proficient driveline.The car runs a new 24-valve DOHC 2.7-litre V6 engine developed by its parent, Hyundai, for Sonata.The motor comes mated to a four-speed electronic automatic gearbox with a sequential manual selection facility and torque converter which locks up the top three gears.With a fairly modest 132kW on tap, power may not be the engine's most enduring features, but torque is decent at 245Nm.Optima takes a fairly leisurely 9.5 seconds to reach 100km/h from standstill on its way to a claimed top speed of 207km/h.But once under way, good torque characteristics give the model acceptable response.One of the highlights of the new Kia is its fully independent suspension made up of double wishbone and coil springs at the front, and multi-link and coil springs at the rear.With only moderate power inflicted on the well-sorted chassis, Optima remains nice and flat when pressed through corners or when lane changing at speed.And remember, the car is armed with traction control to keep it on the straight and level.Spring settings strike a good compromise between top ride comfort and excellent handling.Potholes encountered along the way are soaked up rapidly.The vehicle's safety equipment includes dual airbags, four-channel anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution plus electronic traction control.Central locking with remote operation, halogen headlights, variable speed windscreen wipers, 15in alloy wheels, plus tinted glass also come as part of the package. So does airconditioning, six-speaker audio system with CD player, cruise control and leather-trimmed steering wheel.And to complete the long list of standard items, leather upholstered seats, door trim, armrests and gear knob, electric windows and woodgrain trim on the centre console and door armrests are included at no additional cost.There are numerous other features to enhance driver comfort and convenience, plus adjustment to the driver's seat and steering wheel, variable lumbar support and lots of places to store items from public view.Not the most dynamic car on the road by any means.But for those looking for a well-priced six-cylinder large car with the lot, Optima commands consideration.Older buyers will be attracted by the many standard inclusions in this package, which is claimed to deliver economy of 10.5 litres/100km to the light-footed owner.Without question, this is a genuine offering which drives nicely, has good grip and traction and is undeniably comfortable to drive or be driven in.The car boasts a long list of items not included when the former Optima was discontinued two years ago – yet the car is $500 cheaper.

This is the second model to be sold here but the first was off-the-pace compared with its blood brother the Hyundai Sonata.The Kia made do with a smaller capacity engine and other potential shortcomings that may have thrown buyers off the scent.That has been addressed with the new model which hits the market head-on at $26,950 complete with a 2.7-litre, twin cam V6 engine lifted from the Hyundai Santa Fe and other models.Hyundai owns Kia.Optima's sheet metal is pretty much identical to the previous model with a new face and a new rump giving it a lift.The front end looks business-like without being trend-setting while the rear end is disctictive and attractive.It's about the same size as a Camry, perhaps a little smaller overall but the interior is roomy and can take five comfortable, esspecially with the factory fitted leather upholstery and all the other trimmings included in the price.Kia certainly makes outher makes look like Scrooge McDuck when it comes to standard equipment.Optima has a swag of goodies to sway you its way – aircon, cruise control with steering wheel control buttons, a decen audio system, power ancillaries, alloys, traction control, dual front air bags, ABS and a four speed auto with tiptronic function – all standard equipment. The V6 is good for 132kW/245Nm and its capably harnessed by the adaptive four speed auto.The engine is reasonably economical but there is a tendency to mild torque steer if you use maximum acceleration in the low gears.Fuel consumption averages around 9.0L/100km with mixed driving and its regular unleaded.The engine is smooth, quiet and responsive and feels livelier than in Hyundai's products for some reason.The Koreans have put some effort into ride quality cars like the Optima which while not sporty, is nevertheless confident and comfy in a wide range of conditions. The suspension is independent all round with double wishbones on the front and multi-links at the rear with passive rear steering built in.It sits on the road well and has good dynamics including the steering and the brakes.The leather clad steering wheel is too slippery.Though Kumho tyres might not enjoy a reputation for handling and grip like some of the more fancied brands, the test car stuck tight on greasy roads indicating the tyres don't deserve their disparaging reputation. They can be pressed to squeal when cornering.There's plenty of boot space and the critical rear seat legroom measurement is good for a car this size.A range of electronics controls the Optima's dynamics including traction control, electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and ABS.Night vision is aided by the supplementary driving lights.The interior has a neat modern look but could do with a bit of relief from the plastic. Any questions about fit and finish with Korean cars seems to be a thing of the past. The Optima has a solid feel and tight gaps to the interior and also the body panels. 

Kia and desirability were pretty much mutually exclusive. The cars that the Korean manufacturer produced were largely crude and rude copies of something the bigger boys made.Times have changed – dramatically.Build quality out of Korea – and Kia in particular – has moved forward in leaps and bounds. Design has also moved along – not in leaps, and not a bound in sight, but with small and steady steps.This is all good news for Korean manufacturing's status but not enough to explain the boom in popularity Kia is currently enjoying.That is the secret of value. Give the punters something they never thought they could afford for a price they can.The Carnival people-mover set the standard for Kia value – a six-cylinder seven-seater with a fair degree of fruit for less than $30,000.Forget that it has more than its share of problems with engine replacements and some pretty crude dynamics; this is the car that brought people-movers to the people who really needed them at a price they could afford.With the latest Optima large sedan Kia has polished its successful marketing approach to a positive shine.Even with badge-reluctance a Commodore/Falcon/Magna/Avalon alternative with full leather trim and a fruit salad of kit as standard would be an interesting proposition at a mid-$30,000 price.At less than $27,000 the immediate question is "What's wrong with it?".The answer is: "not a lot".The quad cam 2.7-litre V6 is at the very bottom end of what would be acceptable to most buyers of a large sedan and it suffers from comparison to the powerplants in most of the cars the Optima will be shopped against.With 132kW available at 6000rpm and peak torque of 245Nm at 4000rpm the Optima takes a little while to get off the line and pulls up short of breath well before it reaches the higher end of the speedo.However, even in full auto, where the four-speed box can tend to hunt a little if the car is loaded, the engine is smooth and quite willing in the mid-range.Using the standard tiptronic function is a viable option to modify the auto's indecision.Steering is light and a little woolly but certainly not the worst available and ride comfort is a points scorer.On the standard 15-inch alloys shod with P205/60R rubber the Optima soaks up the worst Sydney's urban roads have to offer without conveying any large degree of the harshness to the cabin.Brake feel is a little soft but the ventilated front and solid rear discs do a sterling job. Four-channel ABS is standard, as is traction control and electronic brake distribution.The interior of the Optima is not fancy but there are functions and features available that do not make it into far more expensive models.Apart from the leather (well done for a budget job) and wood (not so well done) the steering wheel and driver's seat have height adjustment.Seating is comfortable, with the front seat belts fitted with pre-tensioners, and the twin airbags are standard.The audio system has six speakers and an in-dash CD, and other standard features include cruise control, power windows, central locking and power wing mirrors.Space is generous for front and rear passengers and there is ample luggage room in the deep boot, supplemented by a 60:40 split rear seat.The Optima is not going to win awards, falling short of benchmarks across the board, except for its price.That should win hearts where it really does count – in the showroom.