Photo: Guido ten Brink / SB-Medien
With styling cues inspired by the Kia Sportspace Concept of 2015, the all-new Kia Optima Sportswagon is a rather nice tourer. However, the selling point of the Sportswagon is the extra space.
The Optima sedan makes do with 505 liters (17.8 cuFT). Not bad, but not stellar either. This middle-of-the-road approach to cargo capacity is continued by the Optima Sportswagon, which boasts 553 liters (19.5 cuFT) of additional cargo space. Segment rival Volkswagen Passat Variant can do better than that, though, priding itself on 650 liters (22.9 cuFT).
Michael Cole, the chief operating officer at Kia Motors Europe, commented, "In Europe, two thirds of all sales in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers, so the Optima Sportswagon will play a critical role in attracting new private and corporate buyers to the brand."
A redeeming characteristic comes in the form of an electronic suspension system. The feature employs internal valves for each of the four dampers. The G-force sensor in the ECU and the two G-force sensors built into the front wheels work together with sensors for the steering input and accelerator pedal to adapt the suspension accordingly. The electronically controlled suspension is an option on the 1.7 CRDi and a standard feature on the 2.0 T-GDI GT variant.
Speaking of engines, the 1.7 CRDi turbo diesel comes with 141 PS and 340 Nm (250 lb-ft) of torque. Move on up to the 2.0 CVVL gasoline engine and you’re looking at 163 PS. The range-topping choice comes in the form of the 2.0 T-GDI turbo-4 with 245 PS, which is exclusive to the Kia Optima Sportswagon GT. That's not bad at all, but the feature that's missing from the high-powered GT model is an all-wheel-drive system.
Due to hit European dealerships in the fourth quarter, the Optima Sportswagon will be among the first Kia models to get Android Auto. iPhone users shouldn’t worry because Apple CarPlay is also on the menu, boasting full Siri voice control. Just like any other Kia on the market, this family-friendly longroof comes with a 7-year/150,000 km warranty.
Michael Cole, the chief operating officer at Kia Motors Europe, commented, "In Europe, two thirds of all sales in the D-segment, and three quarters of all fleet sales in this class, are made up of tourers, so the Optima Sportswagon will play a critical role in attracting new private and corporate buyers to the brand."
A redeeming characteristic comes in the form of an electronic suspension system. The feature employs internal valves for each of the four dampers. The G-force sensor in the ECU and the two G-force sensors built into the front wheels work together with sensors for the steering input and accelerator pedal to adapt the suspension accordingly. The electronically controlled suspension is an option on the 1.7 CRDi and a standard feature on the 2.0 T-GDI GT variant.
Speaking of engines, the 1.7 CRDi turbo diesel comes with 141 PS and 340 Nm (250 lb-ft) of torque. Move on up to the 2.0 CVVL gasoline engine and you’re looking at 163 PS. The range-topping choice comes in the form of the 2.0 T-GDI turbo-4 with 245 PS, which is exclusive to the Kia Optima Sportswagon GT. That's not bad at all, but the feature that's missing from the high-powered GT model is an all-wheel-drive system.
Due to hit European dealerships in the fourth quarter, the Optima Sportswagon will be among the first Kia models to get Android Auto. iPhone users shouldn’t worry because Apple CarPlay is also on the menu, boasting full Siri voice control. Just like any other Kia on the market, this family-friendly longroof comes with a 7-year/150,000 km warranty.
Google News