Kia Optima shoppers will find a more brutish-looking vehicle when they arrive at the dealership in the fourth-quarter of this year. Not just in looks, the 2016 Optima falls more in line with the rest of the current Kia offerings taking its looks from the K900 and Cadenza.

Under the Hood

Buyers have the option of three engine choices, including a new 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that’s mated to a seven-speed Dual Clutch Transmission, offered in the LX trim. The other two choices carry over from the previous generation Optima and include the 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder, available on the LX and EX models, and the 2.0-liter GDI turbo engine, available on the SXL and SX models.

Exterior

Like the K900, the 2016 Optima features an aggressive, athletic design accented by the Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille, available on the SX and SXL models. The all-new Optima introduces Kia’s first application of Bi-Xenon HID headlights – with available Dynamic Bending Lamps and High Beam Assist.

At the rear, potential buyers will find carved rear fenders, a raised deck lid and LED halo-style tail lights that will remind brand followers of the Cadenza.

A variety of 16 to 18-inch wheels are available on the 2016 Optima, depending on trim level.

Interior

New for 206 the cabin of the Optima is filled with soft-touch materials accenting a driver-orientated cabin that has been made cleaner with a “more unified design” than previous models. Buttons have also been moved to aid in convenience.

Seating/Storage

With its more athletic-looking body, Kia has added .4 inches to the wheelbase and 1.0 inch to the width of the vehicle allowing for a roomier cabin space by offering more head room, shoulder room and rear seat leg room as well as additional cargo capacity.

Included as part of the all-new 2016 model is a reengineered stiffer frame that is designed to reduce vibration when combined with the foam seating in the Optima. There are also deeper bolsters along with available heated and ventilated front seats with power adjustable driver and front passenger seats which includes a height-adjustable front passenger seat.

Infotainment

Kia’s connectivity system, UVO2, comes standard with four eServices not previously available on Optima:  Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score3 in addition to AndroidTM4 Auto and Apple®5 CarPlay, which are new to Kia vehicles. All apps are utilized via the Optima’s 8-inch touchscreen screen.

Charging you devices is easier than ever before in the Optima with three USB ports and a rear 12V outlet.

As an option, Kia will offer the first-ever available Harman/Kardon QuantumLogic™6 Premium Surround Sound Audio System7, which includes 10 speakers, Clari-Fi™6 technology and an upgraded 630-watt digital amplifier.

A variety of safety features and driver assit technology come standard on every Optima for 2016 including:

• Advanced Smart Cruise Control
• Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Rear Parking Assist System
• Front Collision Warning System
• Lane Departure Warning System
• Autonomous Emergency Braking

Available on every Optima is a rear-camera display8 while SX and SXL trims offer an available 360-degree Surround-View Monitor. Also available for the first time on any Kia vehicle are Bi-Xenon HID headlights with Dynamic Bending Lamps and intuitive High Beam Assist.

Like the outgoing model, the all-new Optima will be built at Kia’s plant in West Point, Georgia.  Pricing will be announced closer to the vehicle’s launch date.

image courtesy of Kia Motors