The new Optima estate is arguably better-looking than the saloon. It also boasts more space and a practical interior, so it most definitely is a worthy addition to the range.

The interior feels well-built and there are soft touch materials mixed through that add more sophistication to an otherwise quite plain interior. But plain usually means easy to navigate and that applies here too. Infotainment is provided via a 7” touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Kia’s 1.6-litre GDi turbocharged engine with 178hp is perfectly capable in doing quick and efficient overtaking manoeuvres. Yes, the engine does get a bit coarse at high revs but at a cruise it blends away into the background.

On the road, this is a large, comfortable car that takes motorway journeys in its stride. But it is not the sharpest car dynamically. The light steering is wonderful in town because it makes it very agile in low speed manoeuvres. It becomes frustrating as you pick up speed on faster roads out of town, where you would long for a bit more weight, and there is also not much in the way of feedback.

It holds the road well enough but naturally that big long body starts to lean if it’s pushed too hard through corners. But so long as you’re not looking for a sporting estate, the Optima gets by just fine at a more relaxed pace.

Engine type: Inline 4 Turbo
Fuel Type: Petrol (Gasoline)
Displacement: 1.6 l (1591 cm3)
Power: 178 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque: 264 Nm (195 lb-ft) @ 1500-4500 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Layout: front engine, front wheel drive
Top speed: 204 km/h (126 mph)
Curb weight: 1490 kg (3284 lbs)
Average fuel consumption: 7.6 l/100 km (31 mpg US / 37 mpg UK)

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