Kia Optima 2015 Review

This sleek, easy driving family car brings unique sophistication to your every day, and you can get Kia finance to buy your Kia Optima 2015.

We love:

• Sporty, sleek look
• Excellent quality tyres
• Premium interior finish
• Autonomous braking is standard

Pain points:

• No Apple CarPlay or Andriod Auto
• Slight lag in throttle response exiting corners

Kia Optima 2015 Review

Designed for small families, the 2015 Kia Optima has impressive efficiency and provides a smooth ride. Buy a secondhand car now and it'll still be covered under the factory warranty until 2022.

Image courtesy of Drive.

Exterior of the Kia Optima 2015

The Kia Optima 2015 is very attractive, with a Kia trademark Schreyer grille offset by LED headlights. The low, smooth profile of the sedan hints at the six second 0-100km/h acceleration that the streamlined Kia Optima 2015 is capable of.

The GT model has an optional sunroof, which looks amazing but does slightly reduce headroom. Fog lights and automatic headlights are standard. The automatic folding mirrors also mean you can park safely in shopping centre car parks.

The overall impression is sporty with just the right note of formality.

Inside the 2015 Kia Optima

Good overall interior quality features soft-touch materials with a modern, European influenced design. The partly digital dashboard section sits neatly between traditional analogue speedo and RPM.

"This new Optima possesses mountains of room in the second row and a huge boot as well." - Trent Nikolic, Senior Editor at Car Advice.

The boot holds 510L of luggage, with handy cargo tie-down hooks and rings. ISOFIX anchor points allow seats to be easily fitted to the rear seats, and child-proof rear-door locks ensure kids stay safely inside. There's also dual-zone climate control keeping occupants comfortable.

The only detractor inside the otherwise polished 2015 Kia Optima is that taller adults might struggle for headroom in the back due to the sloping sedan's roofline. Despite this, there's plenty of legroom in the back.

Front seats are heated and cooled, while back seats can be heated too. Once in motion, the interior is quiet due to a noise isolating acoustic windshield that's new in the 2015 Kia Optima.

Connectivity

The easy to use touchscreen displays satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and AUX/USB/iPod ports, as well as a CD player, making up the infotainment for the 2015 Kia Optima played through a six-speaker sound system on the base model.

Image courtesy of Drive

An upgraded car will have a rear-view camera, eight-speaker sound system and 8-inch touchscreen navigation, blind-spot monitor, rear-parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert.

The Uvo electronic interface is powered by Microsoft, similar to Ford's SYNC system, you have voice control of your mobile phone, MP3 player and navigation. It also has an inductive charging pad for wireless phone charging.

Note that there's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto on this model.

What's it like to drive a 2015 Kia Optima?

The base model 2.0L engine generates 138kW at 6000rpm and 241Nm between 1200-4000rpm. For a little more oomph, try the turbocharged 2.0L with 180kW at 6000rpm and 350Nm between 1400 and 4000rpm.

Image courtesy of Drive

Accelerating to freeway speeds you'll find that the cabin stays quiet, and the transmission shifts easily over well-placed ratios. In the city, the eco mode will save you fuel, while sports mode makes country driving more fun, if not a full performance experience.

"It's a well-sorted machine, one that deserves consideration from four-door buyers." - David McCowen, Drive

The base Si model of the Kia Optima 2015 has column steering, but the GT variant has a pricier rack-mounted steering system providing better road-feel and accuracy.

Who's the Kia Optima 2015 for?

Families who appreciate quality or want a sportier car without the flashiness of a Subaru WRX. Both inside and out this car looks more expensive than it is. A great option for a mid-size car that makes a statement because it's not one of the increasingly ubiquitous family SUVs.

Buying a secondhand Kia Optima 2015 will get you a great value for money, classy family car.

Feature Summary

Price: used from $15,999

Engine: Four-cylinder 2.4L naturally aspirated engine, front-wheel drive.

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Wheels: 18-inch alloy

Safety: 5 star ANCAP

Fuel: 8.3L/100km

Emissions: 199g/km

AV and tech: MP3 Compatible CD Player, AUX/USB, Mobile phone connectivity

Seats: 5

Doors: 4

Step up to serious style. Finance a Kia Optima 2015 from $70/week*, get a quick quote to find out exactly what it will cost.

Prefer a larger family car or an SUV? Check out some more Kia Car Loan options.

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