All-new Kia Optima has the right mix

When somebody sits down to write a book on car company turnarounds, they will have to go a very long way to find a better example than Kia. Following the takeover of Kia by then arch-rival Hyundai, there was a period of considerable debate about the future direction of the two brands.

Fortunately for us, some very astute car men were in charge. Hyundai was pointed in the direction of conservatism and luxury, whilst Kia was awarded the sporty crown. Once the directions had been decided, each brand was set free to follow its own course.

For Kia, this culminated in 2006 withthe recruitment of Audi TT designer Peter Schreyer to head its design team. Thiswas a bold move by the company, but Schreyer himself says that he saw in the rejuvenated Kia a company at the same point in its progress as Audi was when he joined them. For Schreyer, this was a golden opportunity, the chance to literally shape a whole car company.

His impact has already been seen inthe profound and effective makeoversof such models as the Sorento and Sportage, but it wasn't until this new Optima was greenlit that we saw a full, design from the ground up. And what a design it is. Determinedly ‘European' in looks, it is a thoroughly modern piece of work, with many Schreyer hallmarks (the new hexagonal family face, LED running lights, a castellated top to the windscreen first seen in the Sportage). At the back, the rear window treatment is very novel, yet somewhat similar to the new Jaguar XJ in that the roof colour stops at the top of the window, and the glass actually extends across the C-pillars, almost the full width of the car. The effect is to ‘suspend' the roof above the car, giving it a very sleek and purposeful rear profile, with the high bootlid in some ways oddly reminiscent of Alfa Romeo's challenging SZ.

With the optional 18in wheels on our test car, it has a purposeful, dynamic stance and could easily have come from any of the production lines in Europe.

Step inside, and the good impressions continue. The optional beige leather on our car felt fine to the touch, and the feel good factor extends to the soft plastics used across the top of the dash. The dash itself is interesting, angled towards the driver and logically organised. Our car was fitted with the six-speed automatic gearbox, and a pair of paddles sprout from behind the leather-clad wheel. The dials behind it do the now obligatory sweep when you first fire things up, and there's even a pair of buttons to blow cooling air through the front seats.

Two engine choices will be available in the region, both derivatives of Kia's Theta II powerplant, a 2.0 and a 2.4-litre four-pot producing 164 and 179bhp respectively. Both feature a two-stage variable induction system and dual continuously variable valve timing. The new 2.0-litre unit which is on the horizon will feature continuously variable valve lift, and it's due to arrive at around the end of next year, which should be an interesting drive.

But today we're behind the 2.4 four cylinder unit, and Kia is confident that this is sufficient to compete even with the V6 lumps in its declared rivals; Nissan's Altima and Honda's Accord. The decision was made, apparently, to suit European tastes for lighter and more economical engines, and it certainly cruises smoothly and quietly enough. Around town it's also perfectly acceptable, though surprisingly vocal. It's the bit in between that disappoints — despite a quoted 231Nm of torque, there's little apparent advantage to the larger engine, and it takes a full 9.5 seconds to get to the 100kph mark. Mind you, it will run on to a decent 210kph and still return fuel economy as good as 29mpg.

This reverence for all things European shows through in the handling too. Kia has seen fit to equip the new Optima with Nexen low-rolling resistance tyres, again in search of quiet cruising and fuel economy, which they deliver impressively. The downside for the enthusiastic driver is a lack of feel and feedback through the steering, and a tendency for the grip to vanish sooner than you might expect. The steering itself is hydraulically assisted, and requires just 2.94 turns lock-to-lock. It is also speed sensitive, weighting up nicely when you're pushing on. Around town, it gets lighter, taking the effort out of parking, but never really communicating the detail you might like.

This relentless pursuit of economy also shows up in the programming of the gear shift points, which Kia seems to have learned from VW whose cars all lunge for the highest ratio possible with unseemly haste. This translates into a rather all-or-nothing driving experience, where the Optima wafts serenely along when it finally gets to its cruising speed, but doesn't seem to come alive and bring out its sporty side unless you really push it. And when you do, the hard tyres and nannying gearbox conspire to take the fun out of the experience. The Optima is a fine and comfortable cruiser, but the sporty part takes a bit more finding.

VERDICT

In many ways Kia's new Optima is let down by decisions made to suit the market demands of a different part of the world. Certainly, economy and durability are important factors and will influence the buying choices of more people in the northern countries. But the factors which make the Optima a compelling choice there are not the same here. It is an undeniably impressive design, beautifully proportioned and nicely detailed. However, the choice of engine and the unforgiving tyres aren't as relevant here. Enthusiastic drivers will be left wanting, wondering where the sporty component lies. But there is hope, and it comes from the United States. In the US there is another engine, a futuristic 2.0-litre GDi turbo unit that pumps out an impressive 100bhp more than the 2.4 we're offered. That would make it a worthy contender indeed.

But perhaps all that is academic anyway. The Optima is a stylish, modern car, equipped with loads of bell and whistles and thoroughly worthy of your attention. It deserves to succeed in this market, and almost certainly will do so when you consider the price — just Dh86,000 for the top of the range EX version. You almost can't argue with that...

231Nm

Despite the ample torque, the 2.4-litre Optima takes 9.5 seconds to hit 100kph

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Model Optima

Engine 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Transmission Six-speed auto, FWD
Max power 179bhp @ 6,000rpm
Max torque 231Nm @ 4,000rpm
Top speed 210kph
0-100kph 9.5sec
Price Dh86,000

Plus Great design, trim, value for money
Minus Not as sporty as Kia would want you to believe

rivals

Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima has been an eternal favourite with UAE drivers in both the 2.5-litre and the more powerful V6 versions. The four-cylinder model is good for 179bhp, the same number of horses as the 2.4-litre unit in the Optima. Priced at Dh69,950 and Dh85,350 it's going to be tough to get an Altima buyer to consider the Dh86K Optima.

HONDA ACCORD

Together with the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord has been one of the most popular mid-size saloons in the UAE for decades now. The Accord, which had a mild facelift this year, is available with a 2.4-litre 178bhp engine mated to a five-speed automatic ‘box. Starting at Dh89K, going all the way up to a 105K, the Accord is pricier than the rest.

specs & ratings