It seems that when it’s not busy helping people get in ‘the Zone’, the 2016 KIA Optima can also moonlight as an award-winning midsize sedan.
The Optima snagged a ‘Best Buy’ award (for its segment) from a field of 49 finalists, most of which eventually moved aside as only 12 cars won accolades. Apparently it’s not one thing alone that makes the Optima a great “investment”, but a variety of characteristics that add more overall value than you’d get from any of its rivals.
Be that as it may, there are still those who fancy the previous generation model’s design over this one, and at least from some angles, it’s tough to argue against that. To be fair though, in terms of interior quality, comfort and on-board tech the newer car has the edge.
Oh and, those 49 finalists we mentioned earlier were chosen from over 300 new-car models, so grabbing this award was no cakewalk.
“The all-new 2016 Optima has matured in all the right ways, from the European sport-sedan design to the premium interior materials to its vastly improved ride and handling,” said Orth Hedrick, KIA VP of product planning. “To be recognized by the experts at Kelley Blue Book as a Best Buy among some of the toughest competition in the industry is a true honor and strong indication that the all-new Optima is poised to continue its sales success and the ongoing elevation of the Kia brand.”
Jack R. Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book mentioned that “No single attribute set the Optima apart; instead it was the all-new Optima’s combination of high-value elements that prompted us to bestow on it our prestigious Best Buy Award,” which in hindsight is probably the best way in which a car can win this award – through sheer value.
In a way, the part about no single attribute setting the Optima apart probably sounds a lot more “harmless” than it should. When a car can’t ace any category within its own segment, some people might have a hard time seeing it as a truly great product.
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