Lower prices for updated Kia Optima

Kia Australia has announced price cuts and revised equipment levels for its lightly facelifted 2019 Optima sedan, which will continue to represent the Korean brand in the shrinking mid-size car segment as sales of the Kia Stinger soar.

So far this year Kia has sold just 237 Optimas in the mainstream mid-size car segment, which is down more than 35 per cent. Meantime, the rear-wheel drive Stinger – despite a higher entry price of $45,990 – has found 896 homes.

However, instead of axing the slow-selling medium sedan, Kia Australia will continue with a cheaper two-model Optima range that won’t include Europe’s new Sportswagon.

Now priced from $33,290 for the base Si (down $1100), the front-drive Optima range remains topped by the GT at $43,290 plus on-road costs -- $1200 less than before.

In addition, both Optima models gain Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity for its 7.0-inch infotainment display, plus driver attention monitoring and lane-keep assist (alongside the pre-existing lane departure warning).

On the downside, the Optima’s new smartphone mirroring function comes at the expense of satellite-navigation system, which is no longer included in the Si, which also swaps its HID headlights for dual-projector halogen units.

Carryover standard Si equipment includes autonomous emergency braking (AEB), a reversing camera with dynamic guidelines, LED daytime-running lights and 17-inch alloy wheels.

The Optima GT flagship, meantime, scores Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for its larger 8.0-inch infotainment screen, plus 10 years of MapCare updates for its satellite-navigation system and a new 'Smart' driving mode.

But at the same time Kia has removed the GT’s front-seat ventilation, power passenger seat adjustment, panoramic sunroof, high-beam assist and tyre pressure monitoring.

Carryover standard Optima GT features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, 10-speaker Harman/Kardon audio, 18-inch alloys and wireless phone charging.

Cosmetically, both models score new headlights and tail-lights with revised LED signatures, plus revised bumpers, fresh wheels and updated interior trims.

There are no changes to the Optima Si’s 138kW/241Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine or the Optima GT’s 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, nor the six-speed automatic transmission in either model.

However, Kia Australia says its engineering team revisited the Optima’s “ride refinement and steering feel to improve on the Optima’s already premium feel from behind the wheel”.

“With the pace at which the new car market is changing – not just new product but variations in consumer demand – it is critical to keep product fresh and relevant,” said Kia Motors Australia COO Damien Meredith.

“Optima has been a key Kia model, for a number of reasons, for more than half a decade and keeping it fresh and market relevant is a constant review process.”

Like all Kias, the Optima continues to be covered by the Korean brand’s industry-leading seven-year warranty, capped-pricing servicing and roadside assist programs.

How much is the 2018 Kia Optima?
Si – $33,290 (-$1100)
GT – $43,290 (-$1200)
* All prices exclude on-road costs