2019 Kia Optima Road Test and Review

2019 Kia Optima front ・ Photo by Ron Sessions

So you’re cornered in an elevator by an office co-worker and confronted with the question: What kind of car should I buy? Well, that one’s easy: a mid-size sedan. Mid-size sedans have been the best-selling vehicles in the U.S. for decades before the recent stampede of buyers to SUVs and crossovers. So carmakers tasked with selling their sedans have to work extra hard to win buyers, keeping prices low and adding enticements like advanced infotainment and safety technology as standard equipment.

Such is the case with the 2019 Kia Optima. Already the best-selling sedan from a brand that’s been scoring top J.D. Power quality awards several years running, the 2019 Optima adds an upgraded UVO telematics and infotainment system plus a full range of semi-autonomous driver-assist systems as standard equipment across its complete model range. And it costs many thousands of dollars less than a similar-sized SUV. Including the $920 destination charge, it starts with the well-equipped “base” $23,820 Optima LX 2.4, and includes the sporty $25,820 S 2.4, the Euro-inspired $27,720 EX 1.6 Turbo, and the performance-oriented $32,820 SX 2.0 Turbo.

Curb Appeal

It helps that the Optima is so good-looking with crisp, taut character lines, a sloping roofline that channels visions of the Mercedes-Benz CLS sedan, and a prominent Tiger Eye grille that’s become a design cue under Kia chief Peter Schreyer. The 2019 model year brings refreshed front and rear fascias and LED running lights inspired by Kia's new Stinger luxury performance car. Uplevel Optimas get LED headlamps, fog lamps, and turn signals as well.

The Optima also offers a class-leading warranty: Along with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Sonata, the 2019 Kia Optima comes with a standard five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty as well as 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. And its recent J.D. Power initial quality ratings have topped some luxury brands such as Porsche, BMW, Lincoln, and Genesis.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Bringing the Quality

Inside the Optima, the sedan’s build quality, and interior fit and finish are impressive, especially at this price point. That may come as no surprise to those buyers aware of Kia’s excellent recent J.D. Power quality scores.

In the top-of-the-line SX, the Optima offers Audi-esque quilted Nappa leather seats in striking red-and-black two-tone ensembles. Channeling Kia’s high-performance Stinger GT, the Optima SX also adds power heated and cooled front seats, a black headliner, shift paddles, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. At the same time, the Optima’s instrument panel is logically arrayed with easy-to-use controls for the serious business of driving.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Upgraded Infotainment

At the forefront of the in-car infotainment battle to keep you connected, informed and entertained, the 2019 Optima rolls with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto cellphone pairing in its standard UVO Play system. The 2019 Optima S, EX, and SX upgrade to a UVO Link system, adding Sirius XM and connected-car convenience and security services such as diagnostics, maintenance alerts, vehicle alarm notifications, remote locking/unlocking, and remote start with climate control, plus geofencing and speed alerts to keep tabs on “younger” drivers. HD radio and navigation with two free over-the-air map updates per year are included with the range-topping SX. Unlike some competitors, however, a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot isn't included.

All 2019 Optimas get upgraded from a 7-inch to an 8-inch touchscreen. The appropriately sized touchscreen is backed up with simple redundant knobs and buttons that allow quick adjustments with minimal eyes-off-the-road time. Multiple charge points are arrayed for easy access to mobile electronica.

Photo by Ron Sessions

The Shining

There is no such thing as a stripped-down Optima. Even the base $23,820 LX 2.4 comes with standard 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, air conditioning, cruise control, a power driver’s seat with power adjustable lumbar support, Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming, stain-resistant CleanTex cloth seats, and much more.

The $25,820 S trim adds push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control, 18-inch alloys, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and cloth and faux-leather seats. The $27,720 EX brings heated leather front seats, woodgrain accents, rapid-charge USB ports, and smart cruise control with full stop and go capability. And the range-topping $32,820 SX adds a panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a 10-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Riding in the Back

Despite its sporty, sloping roofline, the Optima offers decent rear seat space. Two adults can ride back there comfortably for hours, three for shorter hops. With just two aboard, the fold-down rear center armrest with cupholder adds comfort and convenience.

The seatbacks are split 60/40, folding down as necessary to accommodate longer items in the trunk. Luggage space is a generous 15.9 cubic feet.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Under the Hood

Under its shapely hood, the Optima offers a choice of three four-cylinder engines. Unlike several competitors, there is no V6 option. The base LX 2.4 and sportier S 2.4 models feature a reasonably peppy 185-hp 2.4-liter engine hooked to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4-liter is EPA-rated at 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway. The fuel-economy-leading EX 1.6T switches to a responsive 178-hp 1.6-liter turbo and crisp-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with 195 lb-ft of torque on tap. That combination nets EPA estimates of 27 mpg city/37 mpg highway.

The top-of-the-line SX 2.0T runs with a very satisfying and fun-to-drive Audi A4-like 245-hp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo with a generous 260 lb-ft of torque available from just 1350 rpm. This engine, shown here, works with a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. All engines, even the turbo models, are tuned to use less-expensive regular unleaded gas. Kia has not yet announced its plans for 2019 versions of the Optima's hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Optimized Performance

The front-wheel drive Optima costs a fraction of what midsize German sport sedans cost, yet it manages to impart some of the spirit of its rear-drive and considerably more expensive Stinger brandmate. A smooth and well-controlled ride makes the Optima both a good everyday commuter and satisfying ling-distance cruiser. Body roll is well controlled in curves. The electric power steering is precise and doesn’t require constant lane-tending to keep the car going where you want it to, although there isn’t an abundance of road feel.

Drivers can tailor steering effort via Drive Mode Select: lighter in comfort mode, heavier in sport mode. The sportiest Optima is the SX model with its sport-tuned suspension, standard 18-inch wheels, and showy red brake calipers.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Expanded Safety

The 2019 Optima gets an expanded suite of standard safety and driver-assist features and stacks up well against popular competitors such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Last year, the Optima added rear cross-traffic and blind-spot monitoring, plus rear parking assist, as standard equipment. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure and forward-collision warnings, automatic high beams, and front automated braking.

For 2019, the Optima brings more standard features: a lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-change assist, a driver attention warning system, and automatic emergency braking across the board on every Optima sedan. The lane-change assist feature enhances blind-spot monitoring by checking for and warning the driver of any fast-approaching vehicles several hundred feet back. The midlevel EX now adds standard adaptive cruise control with full stop and go as well.

Photo by Ron Sessions

Easy to Recommend

So with its up-to-date infotainment, impressive array of standard advanced safety systems, roomy cabin, 15.9 cubic-foot trunk, industry-leading powertrain warranty, top-notch J.D. Power quality ratings, up to 37-mpg EPA estimated highway fuel economy, and very competitive price, the sharply dressed 2019 Optima is an easy car to recommend. Especially after you drive one.

Photo by Ron Sessions