Those in the market for a new mid-size sedan have several great cars to choose from, such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata. The Kia Optima is also on the list, and after having been facelifted last year, it promises to be more competitive than ever.
The usual exterior makeover is joined by the updated UVO infotainment that features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and is standard on the entry-level LX. For the navigation function, though, you’ll have to upgrade to the EX with Premium Package, or the top-of-the-line SX.
In terms of pricing, the LX and S will set you back $22,990 and $24,990 (excluding destination), respectively. Both versions are powered by a 185 HP 2.4-liter four that’s paired to a six-speed auto transmission. The EX has a starting price of $26,890 and comes with a 178 HP 1.6-liter turbo, while the SX uses a 245 HP 2.0-liter turbo and has an MSRP of $31,990.
Also Read: Next-Gen Kia Optima To Have A Progressive Design With A Strong Identity
As is often the case, this particular 2019 Optima test car came in the top-spec SX and fitted with a few extras, which raised its price to $33,315. Kelley Blue Book appreciated the well-built interior with a premium feel, comfortable leather seats and soft-touch materials and noted that the infotainment system won’t give anyone a headache either, while interior space is very good all around.
The 2.0-liter mill makes the car feel quick in most scenarios, but the 6-speed automatic gearbox can be sluggish at times. To get past the (inevitable) turbo lag, you’re going to find yourselves driving in Sport mode quite a lot, or in Manual, using the paddle shifters to change gears.
There’s a number of other things about the revised Optima mentioned in KBB’s test drive, and the reviewer has covered them in the video below.