Is the Optima GT the real deal or a pretender, ponders Damian O’Carroll.
The Kia Optima GT is a car that, on paper, looks to be a sure bet for someone wanting a bit more excitement out of their mid-size sedan experience which, let’s face it, is not traditionally a segment packed with excitement.
The Optima GT promises a bit more, not just by adding a GT badge, but also adding a new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine and a number of other up-spec goodies.
While the she standard Optima is a sexy, well-equipped car, the GT extras just make it even better.
Starting on the outside, the black sill inserts on GT work extremely well, while the GT-exclusive LED daytime running lights are particularly aggressive.
On the inside the GT gets the same clean and attractive dash as the rest of the Optima range, but the aluminium trim brings a nice touch of sportiness, while the nicely shaped flat-bottomed GT steering wheel is a tactile delight and the excellent seats are comfortable and supportive.
However, it is all still very black and a bit drab and, oddly, features a lot of nice soft-touch materials that have been made to look hard. No, we’re not sure about that one either!
Out on the road the 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo engine is smooth and powerful, particularly down low, while the six-speed automatic transmission is well matched to engine and impressively slick.
However, it never really feels like a car with that sort of power and torque and the engine runs out of puff in the mid and upper range. More annoyingly, however, is the fact that, while it is well matched and slick, the ttransmission is oddly sluggish to kick down on part throttle, even in Sport mode.
The Optima GT roars and bellows when given a healthy dose of throttle, but this is all smoke and mirrors that only you hear, as it is completely fake. Outside the car it sounds like any other 2.0-litre four-cylinder, but inside it is doing an impression of a big six.
While this is amusing at first, the novelty quickly wears off and, given that Kia haven’t provided it with an off switch (it does only come on in Sport mode, however) it soon becomes a bit grating.
The Optima’s ride is firm but compliant and pleasantly comfortable, with nicely sporty undertones. The well-sorted chassis feels confident, responsive and well-planted.
However, the steering is too light and over-assisted and is also slightly dead around the centre with minimal communication.
The Optima GT is in many ways a very impressive and enjoyable car, but it all just feels like it doesn’t quite go far enough to be truly great.
The engine starts out impressively low down, but gets less impressive the higher in the revs you go. Likewise, the transmission is excellent around town, but ask it to come over all sporty and responsive on the open road and it just throws its hands in the air.
Still, the engine is fantastically smooth and flexible low down and the chassis is nicely set up. It’s still decent to drive, but you just can’t shake the overwhelming feeling that it could be so much better.
At $53,990 the GT offers impressive value for money, with a good swag of standard equipment on offer. Just don’t expect sporty.
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Specifications
Body type 4 door sedan
Drive Front-wheel-drive
Engine type Inline four-cylinder petrol
Engine capacity 1998cc
Max power 180kW @ 6000rpm
Max torque 350Nm @ 1400rpm
Fuel consumption 8.5L/100km
C02 emissions 191g/km
0-100km/h n/a
Front suspension MacPherson strut
Rear suspension Multi-link
Roof rack No
ABS brakes Yes
Airbags 6
Stability programme Yes
Air conditioning Dual zone climate
Lap/diagonal belts 5
Satellite navigation Yes
Electric seats Yes
Burglar alarm Yes
Boot release Yes
Cargo cover n/a
Boot capacity 510 litres
Wheel type 18-inch alloy
Spare tyre Full size
ANCAP rating 5 Star
Price $53,990
