Kia’s growing fleet of alternative powertrain models is gaining a new recruit in the UK, in the shape of the Optima Sportswagon PHEV.

The Optima SW PHEV joins the Optima saloon PHEV, the all-electric Soul EV, the Niro hybrid crossover and Niro PHEV, all of which are meant to help Kia achieve a 25% reduction in fleet average CO2 emissions by the year 2020.

Priced at £32,645 after the Government’s plug-in car grant of £2,500, the Optima SW PHEV boasts a longer all-electric range, lower CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy compared to the plug-in hybrid saloon. This is all thanks to its increased storage capacity of 11.26kWh.

According to Kia, the Sportswagon PHEV can cover 38 miles (61 km) in all-electric mode (saloon 33 miles / 53 km), with a CO2 figure of just 33g/km. As for combined fuel economy, Kia points to the SW PHEV averaging 201.8 mpg (1.4l/100km), a slight improvement over the saloon’s 176.6 mpg (1.6l/100km).

Powering the Optima SW PHEV is a 154 HP (156 PS) 2.0-liter petrol engine, combined with a 50 kW (67 HP / 68 PS) electric motor. In total, that makes for 202 horses, together with 375 Nm (276 lb-ft) of torque.

UK buyers will enjoy the Optima SW PHEV’s comprehensive standard specification, which includes 17″ alloys, LED daytime running lights and headlights (with automatic leveling), welcome and follow-me-home lighting, black cloth and faux leather seats with 8-way power adjustment (4-way power lumbar adjustment on the driver’s side), front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, dual-zone air conditioning, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter, cruise control with speed limiter, electronic parking brake and a 4.3″ color TFT instrument cluster.

Other standard features include the Electronic Stability Control and Vehicle Stability Management, as well as Hill-start Assist control.

While introducing the Optima Sportswagon PHEV to the UK public, Kia is also adjusting its color options for the entire Optima range. Now, Aluminum Silver is replacing Midnight Black as the standard color for both saloon and SW PHEV models, with Midnight Black becoming a £545 option. Both PHEVs are also available in White Pearl and Gravity Blue, while Temptation Red is offered only on the Sportswagon PHEV.

Buying into the Optima SW range means spending upwards of £22,455 on the 1.7 CRDi 2 version, while the 1.7 CRDi 3, CRDi 3 7-DCT and CRDi GT-Line S 7-DCT cost £24,655, £26,055 and £30,755 respectively.

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