KIA Optima Platinum

Cover the badges on the KIA Optima and you could be looking at one of any number of high end luxury cars.
Such is the style of the Optima it has in fact been mistaken in consumer clinics, for among other things,a Lexus, BMW and even a Jaguar . (I think it does look like an XF Jag from certain angles.)
KIA is quickly forging a reputation in all its model segments for stylish, affordable and even desirable cars. That's not surprising, seeing the man who designs the latest KIAs used to do the same job at Audi.
The KIA Optima Platinum is a much underrated car. It's long wheelbase endows it with plenty of legroom in the cabin, and it's just as swish inside as it is stunning to look at outside, with a genuine, quality feel about it.

An incredibly modest 40K buys you among other things, one of the best equipped cars in its class.
You get heated and ventilated front seats, eight way power driver's seat and four way for the front passenger. Two position seat memory for the front pews, a full length glass roof with opening front section, an electric parking brake with hill hold feature, satellite navigation, vents for rear seat passengers, auto lights and wipers with headlight washers, keyless entry and start, "cross traffic alert" if someone drives behind you as you reverse, rear view camera, blind spot indicators in the wing mirrors, illuminated KIA scuff plates on the door sills, xenon headlights, a safety light in the front door's trailing edges, daytime running lights and eight lens fog lights  to name but a few.
       Oh and there's also the option of "Lane Keep Assist" that keeps the car tracking straight if your attention wanders. Hey,hang on! That's the same feature as in the 96K Mercedes E class coupe I tested last week. To find that technology in a car at this price point is remarkable.

The Optima Platinum has a very ergonomic dashboard layout, slightly angled towards the driver, with easy to use and see controls, including dual zone climate control and a large 7 inch information screen There are only six speakers in the Optima but they are enough to produce decent sound quality. Approaching the car day or night, the folded wing mirrors unfold and all the interior lights switch on. The boot is cavernous and houses a full sized spare wheel. The KIA Optima's owner's manual is one of the most comprehensive I have ever seen. It's the thickness of a good sized phonebook, and includes anything and everything you could ever possibly want to know about the car. It comes wrapped in a classy,quality binder.

    On the road, the Optima Platinum is a revelation. The ride comfort is extraordinary, much better than some premium/luxury cars I've tested. Smooth, supple and able to absorb just about all but the largest bumps with ease. And it does it quietly.The silence in the cabin on the move is equalled only by cars twice its price. Leather seats add to the Optima's upmarket feel and are nice to sit in.. there's even electric lumbar adjustment.

The 2.4 litre four cylinder engine  has plenty of punch...148 kw and 250 nm get you down the road rapidly when accelerating hard. The only quibble I have is that once nearing the 6,300 redline it gets slightly noisy. Driving normally, the engine is unobtrusive.
City cycle fuel consumption is 11 litres per 100 kilometres, giving a range from its 70 litre tank, of over 600 kilometres. Highway cycle is 6 litres per 100 ks..a range of almost 1200 kilometres. Impressive.
Handling too is a big surprise.. KIA has tuned the big Optima's suspension just right. Entry and exit in tight bends are taken without drama, or hardly any body roll. In fact it almost encourages spirited driving. The Optima has a six speed automatic gearbox, with steering wheel paddles for manual shifting when needed.

I would strongly recommend that anyone contemplating buying a Ford Mondeo, Mazda 6, Honda Accord, or Toyota Camry, test drive the KIA Optima Platinum as well, before signing on the dotted line.
In many areas it outshines them all, and is one of the very few cars I would actually consider owning. A five year warranty is icing on the cake.
It's one heck of a lot of quality car for the money.
Peter Sellen