The new KIA Optima business class sedan is hard to miss even in the far corner of a dark parking lot. However, to an enviable appearance with a price tag of 1.3 million rubles. Attached, although not the oldest, is a gluttonous engine and an automatic transmission, which you want to immediately “reflash”.

IVAN BURANOV

Claims for more

The times when Korean cars wanted to be hidden in the depths of the parking lot and not shown to anyone have not been completely forgotten. One of the milestones in the history of the Korean automobile industry was 2006: the European Peter Schreyer, ex-designer of the Volkswagen Audi Group, took over the appearance of Kia. It was he who at one time came up with what the Audi TT, VW Golf IV, and New Beetle should look like.

As a result of the metamorphosis with Kia, several fundamentally new cars for the company rolled out onto the market, including the Kia Rio. This inexpensive and attractive car has been in Russia since 2011, and has already become one of the best-selling foreign cars, with queues lasting several months.

And now the new Optima is an older model in relation to Rio. In this case, Kia faces a much more difficult task: the higher the class of the car, the more difficult it is to win the heart of the consumer. Owners of class D cars - Toyota Avensis, Honda Accord sedan, Hyundai Sonata - are people who live largely by stereotypes and perceive attempts to change their usual routine with caution. Such conservatism is especially characteristic of Russia, where large traditional sedans have always been in great demand.

Partly for the same reason, we do not yet sell the flagship model Kia Cadenza (Optima looks a lot like it), which competes with the Mercedes S-class. Koreans are afraid that such a car will not be in demand. Indeed, getting the consumer to believe that Kia can have a good executive car is difficult.

The Optima model itself is not new to the market, and it has never claimed a serious place in its niche. The new Optima probably claims to be, at least that’s the impression I got from the test drive. In Russia, this car is sold under the slogan “Challenge the Strong,” which, I think, more or less corresponds to reality.

No matter how hard the designers tried to give the Optima a European look, even from a distance it is clear that the car is Korean
Photo: Dmitry Lebedev, Kommersant

Almost no comments

They say that there are no comrades according to taste, but the union of Optima lovers risks becoming massive. The exterior of the model as a whole can be described as futuristic. I came across pencil sketches of similar cars in the magazine "Behind the Wheel" of the late 80s, in the section "Cars of the Future." The “tiger smile” grille, the fruit of Schreyer’s dedicated work, has become a design feature of the entire Kia lineup. Under the headlights there are fashionable European LED strips, with them the Optima is a bit reminiscent of Audi.

If you approach the car a few meters with the key in your pocket, the Optima will greet you by turning on the interior lighting - such friendliness immediately puts you at ease. “Just like a BMW,” said my friend, looking through the doorway of the Optima. The desire to sit in a chair is enhanced by a pleasant and even noble smell (the interiors of many new cars exude some kind of chemical aroma - you have to ventilate). High-quality expensive leather on the panel, plastic - soft to the touch, carbon inserts in the doors. I would call the steel pads on the pedals a controversial decision - some may have associations with the Zhiguli “tuning”, but it cannot be said that this technique causes protest here.

The center console is turned towards the driver, making it more convenient to control the climate control and audio system, and also reduces the amount of light on the navigation system monitor. “Navigation” made a strong impression, the Optima can definitely compete with Audi, BMW and Mercedes in the quality of infographics and image detail. The map is perfectly drawn, the driver even sees the direction of movement on neighboring streets - a very useful function in the center of Moscow, where half of the lanes are one-way. With a large monitor, it is also good to use the rearview camera when parking. The camera, by the way, practically does not become clogged with dirt while driving, while for many cars with a video surveillance system this is a problem. The speedometer and tachometer are hidden in deep wells with silver edging and moon-white backlighting - hello Mercedes.

There is quite a lot of space in the second row of the Optima, and the ceiling does not press on your head, however, even in the most expensive configuration there is no heated rear seats and separate climate control, but it would not hurt in the harsh Russian winter. However, this is already nitpicking - such options are typical for cars of a higher class.

Manufacturers of Kia Optima hope that the car will be in demand in Russia, where large sedans are traditionally loved
Photo: Dmitry Lebedev, Kommersant

Have questions

The engine is started with a button, but this option will not surprise anyone (as well as folding mirrors and a button for opening the trunk from the cabin). In this case, the seat automatically moves closer to the steering wheel, and the speakers emit a pleasant signal-melody. Sound insulation in the Optima is excellent - the 2.4-liter engine is inaudible at idle and practically inaudible while driving. Only standing next to me did I catch his quiet singing.

I hit the road inspired by the Optima's exterior and interior. I switch the transmission to Drive mode and get stuck in a traffic jam. But what is it? The car is behaving strangely, as if it is jerking. You have to carefully work the gas pedal to accurately dose the fuel supply. It seems that all 180 forces (and this is decent for a modern “atmospheric” 2.4-liter engine) are used only for starting from a traffic light. The situation is saved by the Eco mode, which is activated by a button on the steering wheel: the engine pacifies the temper, the car drives smoothly, with comfort, as it should be in this class. But when overtaking, you can’t shake the feeling that the “horses”, strangled by the eco-friendly mode, still remained somewhere in the region of first gear - the declared 180 hp. With. they never showed their worth on the track. However, the appetite appropriate for this power has not disappeared anywhere: 14-15 liters of the 95th.

To be honest, I expected better dynamics from a car with a 6-speed automatic. On the forum of the online club of Optima fans they are already writing that the official dealer is offering to replace the automatic transmission firmware, after which the car stops twitching and drives faster. Probably, with a 2-liter turbocharged engine (278 hp) the dynamics are more interesting, but this version of the Optima is not supplied to Russia, embarrassed by the quality of gasoline at our gas stations.

The Kia Optima handles the road excellently. Ruts, bumps - you don’t feel any of this, the suspension copes with all the delights of the Moscow road network. Optima is based on the Hyundai Sonata, there are no revolutionary solutions in the suspension - the best, as they say, is the enemy of the good.

"Eyelashes" with fluorescent lamps are borrowed from European brands
Photo: Dmitry Lebedev, Kommersant

Waiting for the hijackers

The Optima model is certainly a success for Kia, but there are several nuances that may scare off potential buyers who are already accustomed to Japanese and European automotive industry standards. I would say that this car lacks the nobility inherent in the E-Class. For example, the sound with which the doors and trunk lid slam shut suggests a family connection with the budget Kia Rio rather than a class connection with the Toyota Camry. And looking into the trunk, you come across a sadly protruding speaker, screwed to the rear parcel shelf. It seems that the factory simply forgot to cover it up.

Still, Kia claims to lure potential buyers away from competitors. A newcomer needs very compelling arguments to squeeze into this market segment. And miscalculations should be minimal, especially at the stated price. It looks like Optima will prove to be a strong player.

The most expensive Kia Optima, which we tested, costs more than 1.3 million, the cheapest - 939 thousand rubles.

Kia cars are not yet among the leaders in theft, but experts in automotive security systems say that it is a matter of time. Usually two or three years pass before a new model begins to be actively “pulled”, if, of course, it turns out to be objectively successful and there is demand. The Optima has the makings of a car that would be of interest to car thieves, so insurance should be considered carefully. The cost of comprehensive insurance for Optima starts at about 60 thousand rubles. per year, which is inexpensive for a class E model. The transport tax on Optima is rather large: 8.1 thousand rubles. for a car with a 2.4-liter 180-horsepower engine. The tax is almost half as much for a 2-liter 150-horsepower engine: 4.5 thousand rubles. The mileage between maintenance visits is no more than 15 thousand km (or maintenance once a year). TO-15 for a car with a 2-liter engine will require 8 thousand rubles, TO-30 - 9.3 thousand, TO-45 - 10.2 thousand rubles. For an Optima with a 2.4-liter engine, each maintenance will cost about a thousand rubles more.

The top version of the Kia Optima Premium comes with 18-inch wheels shod with low-profile 225/45 tires. Two sets of such tires are comparable in price to a comprehensive insurance policy. The cheapest tires of the specified size cost 8-9 thousand apiece, that is, it turns out to be somewhere around 35 thousand rubles. per set.

Kia Optima Premium

Dimensions, length / width / height (mm) 4845 / 1830 / 1455

Drive Front

Engine, type Gasoline

Engine volume (l) 2.4

Power (hp) 180

Transmission 6-speed

Automatic transmission

Price (thousand rubles) From 1319

Possible competitors of the Kia Optima Premium

Model
Engine size/transmissionPrice in
Moscow
(thousand roubles.)

Toyota Avensis Elegance Plus	1.8 l (147 hp) / CVT	1225
Mazda 6 Sport	2.5 l (170 hp) / automatic transmission	1214
Hyundai Sonata Prestige	2.4 (178 hp) / automatic transmission	1238

Gluttonous high school student