2023 Kia Optima: Reviews, Specs, Drive & Pricing

Are you searching for a stylish, comfortable, and spacious midsize sedan that won’t break the bank? Look no further than the 2023 Kia Optima, offering a range of trim levels and features to cater to your specific needs. Read on as we dive into the impressive aspects of this sedan, from its performance to its safety features, and beyond!

Short Summary

• The 2023 Kia Optima is a reliable and comfortable vehicle with impressive features, value-oriented pricing, and a 7-year warranty.
• It offers superior performance compared to the Hyundai Sonata in terms of driving dynamics, safety features, fuel consumption and more.
• The Kia Optima provides an aesthetically pleasing interior design with adjustable steering for comfort along with advanced safety technology at affordable prices.

The 2023 Kia Optima is more than just a pretty face – it’s a capable and reliable vehicle that offers a comfortable ride for all passengers. With its South Korean roots, the Optima boasts a variety of premium features, such as turbocharged engines and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It is available in different variants, including gas-only versions, hybrid, and optima plug-in hybrid models. Kia Australia offers the Optima with a seven-year warranty, ensuring peace of mind for buyers.

The Optima’s sister car, the Hyundai Sonata, shares a platform with the new model and the second generation Optima, but the latter stands out with its value-oriented pricing and impressive new-car warranty. The Optima GT model, in particular, offers a smooth ride on various road surfaces, perfect for long trips. With pricing ranging from $21,340 to $36,080, the Optima offers great value for the money.

Hyundai Sonata Comparison

When comparing the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata, the Optima comes out on top in terms of value, driving dynamics, and safety features. The Optima also offers a more powerful engine than the Sonata, providing a more engaging driving experience. Both cars share many similarities, but the Optima’s superior performance and better fuel consumption make it a more attractive choice for buyers.

The Optima also offers a more luxurious feel and enhanced driving performance compared to the Hyundai Sonata. With the availability of optima hybrid and optima plug-in hybrid variants, the Optima provides eco-friendly options for environmentally conscious drivers. Overall, the Optima’s advantages over the Sonata make it a better choice for those seeking a stylish, comfortable, and efficient midsize sedan.

Step inside the 2023 Kia Optima, and you’ll be greeted with a spacious and practical interior, featuring an aesthetically pleasing dashboard design and superior trim and leather quality. The new Optima boasts improved interior quality, and its infotainment system now features a larger touchscreen for better navigation system usability.

However, it’s worth noting that the interior standard is not quite at the level of the Volkswagen Passat. The Optima’s interior also offers convenient storage solutions for all your belongings, such as door pockets, cupholders, an air-conditioned glovebox, and a deep cubby under the armrest. This makes the Optima a practical choice for families and those going on long road trips.

Seating Options

The Kia Optima features a five-seat cabin with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, providing increased cargo capacity when needed. In the Si variant, front seats and passengers will find comfortable cloth upholstery for a cozy ride.

For those seeking a more premium experience, the Optima GT model offers leather-appointed seats with red stitching, adding a touch of sportiness to the interior. No matter which variant base model you choose, the Optima’s seating options, including cooled seats, ensure a comfortable journey for all passengers.

Under the hood of the 2023 Kia Optima, you’ll find a 1.7-litre diesel engine, providing a balance of power and efficiency. The Optima boasts an acceleration rate of 0-62mph in 10 seconds, ensuring a responsive and lively driving experience. With a fuel efficiency of 67.8mpg combined, as reported by the manufacturer, the Optima is an eco-friendly choice for those looking to minimize fuel costs and environmental impact.

The Optima’s estimated fuel consumption starts at an estimated 8.3L/100km for the Sedan/ULP variant, demonstrating its impressive fuel economy. Additionally, the Optima’s CO2 emissions are reported to be 110g/km, showcasing its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

Four Cylinder Engine

The Kia Optima’s four-cylinder engine offers a perfect balance of power and efficiency, ensuring a satisfying driving experience. With a power output ranging from 138 kW to 148 kW, depending on the year and model, the Optima’s engine is more than capable of handling daily driving demands and longer trips.

One Optima GT driver reported that, after initially finding the steering felt different from their previous vehicle, they became accustomed to it and found it satisfactory, particularly in sports mode, which adds a firmer sensation and eliminates some of the lightness that can be unappealing. Additionally, the heated steering wheel feature provided extra comfort during colder days.

Six-Speed Automatic Transmission

The Kia Optima comes with a six-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth gear changes and dependable performance for drivers. The gear ratio of the Optima’s six-speed automatic transmission is 2.885:1, ensuring a proper balance of power and fuel efficiency.

This transmission choice not only offers a responsive driving experience, but also contributes to the Optima’s overall fuel efficiency and eco-friendly performance. No matter the driving conditions, the Optima’s six-speed automatic transmission is ready to deliver a reliable and enjoyable ride.

Ensuring a safe and secure driving experience for all passengers is a top priority for the Kia Optima. The sedan is equipped with a variety of safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock brakes, forward collision avoidance assist, blind spot collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, and a rearview camera. Additionally, the Optima offers Android Auto for seamless smartphone integration.

The Optima GT model also offers a blind spot warning system and adaptive cruise control, which the driver finds highly convenient and impressive. With its advanced safety features and technology, the Kia Optima provides peace of mind for drivers and passengers alike. You can trust the Optima to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.

The 2023 Kia Optima’s exterior is not only eye-catching but also customizable to your preferences. Available in Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black Pearl, and Gravity Gray exterior colours, the Optima allows you to express your personal style while enjoying its sleek lines and confident stance.

No matter which colour you choose, the Optima’s exterior styling is sure to turn heads. With its bold design and modern features, the Optima is sure to make a statement wherever you go.

The Kia Optima’s dimensions provide ample space for passengers, comfortably seating up to four six-foot adults. The 2023 model has been widened and lengthened, resulting in increased rear headroom for even more passenger comfort. However, it’s recommended to avoid the optional sunroof, as it slightly reduces headroom in the passenger space.

When it comes to cargo capacity, the Optima offers a 510-litre boot space, making it a practical choice for families and long trips. Although it has a smaller boot than the VW Passat and Ford Mondeo, it still offers more space than the Mazda 6.

The Kia Optima offers great value for money, with pricing ranging from $21,340 and going to $36,080 for new models. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, used Kia Optimas start at $11,290, providing an affordable entry point into the world of midsize sedans.

The starting price for the 2023 Kia Optima is $26,415, as listed on the Kia website. With its range of features, comfortable ride, and stylish design, the Optima is a fantastic choice for those seeking a reliable and attractive midsize sedan without breaking the bank.

In conclusion, the 2023 Kia Optima is a stylish, comfortable, and spacious midsize sedan that offers a range of trim levels and features to suit various needs and budgets. With its impressive performance, fuel efficiency, safety features, and practicality, the Optima is an excellent choice for those seeking a reliable and attractive vehicle. Whether you’re a busy professional or a growing family, the Kia Optima is ready to provide the perfect blend of style, comfort, and performance to make every journey enjoyable.

Is a Kia Optima a reliable car?

Overall, the Kia Optima is considered to be a reliable car. Despite some issues like obsolete transmission software in 2001-2017 models, its high reliability ratings make it a dependable vehicle choice for those looking for a used sedan.

Is Kia Optima discontinued in Australia?

It appears that Kia has discontinued the Optima from the Australian market, as of March 2020. While it may still be available through the second-hand market, the current Optima model is no longer offered by Kia in Australia.

Are Kia Optimas no longer made?

Are Kia Optimas no longer made? Yes, Kia stopped producing the Optima in 2020 and replaced it with the K5 model.

The K5 is essentially a continuation of the Kia Optima line, and was renamed to reflect its South Korean name.

Is Kia Optima K5 a good car?

The Kia Optima K5 is a great car that offers plenty of features and performance at an affordable price. It’s a solid choice if you’re looking for a family sedan or a commuter vehicle, as it comes with a good list of standard equipment, comfortable seating, and a smooth ride.

Additionally, its reliable infotainment system makes it a great option for anyone looking for a capable daily driver.

What are the main differences between the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata?

Comparing the Kia Optima and Hyundai Sonata, it’s clear that the Optima offers a greater value for money with a higher power engine, improved driving dynamics, and more advanced safety features.

Overall, the Optima is a better value proposition than the Sonata.