The refreshed 2019 Kia Optima has been detailed with the Korean car maker dropping the price by up to $1200 but deleting features along the way.
THE REFRESHED 2019 KIA OPTIMA has been detailed and in a twist while the price has come down, features have been removed. Often, it’s the other way around.
Kia hasn’t had a local launch for the refreshed Optima (as most changes are features and minor cosmetics) although some local tweaking of the ride and handling has taken place, so Practical Motoring will be driving the updated mid-size sedan in early July. Kia has defended its update to the Optima and price realignment by saying it’s trying to give the thing renewed relevance in an ever-changing Australian new car landscape.
“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,” Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer Damien Meredith said.
“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.”
The key changes to the exterior include an updated grille and front bumper along with restyled wheels. Under the skin, the local engineering team tweaked the ride, handling and steering, “to improve on the Optima’s already premium feel from behind the wheel,” according to Kia.
Inside, the Optima gains a new infotainment head unit (7-inch for the Si and 8-inch for the GT) with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.
The safety pack for both models gains Driver Attention Alert and the Lane Departure Warning System is upgraded to the more advanced Lane Keeping Assist protocol.
With a price reduction of $1100, down to $33,390+ORC, and the inclusion of smart phone compatibility the Optima Si no longer has satellite navigation and the HID headlamps are replaced by dual projection headlamps.
The GT (pictured above) retains satellite navigation through the new OEM head unit with 10-year MapCare and SUNA traffic information, Kia said. However, it’s $1200 price reduction to $43,290+ORC has seen the front passenger power seat make way for manual adjustment, the front seats are no longer ventilated but still heated, and the panoramic sunroof is deleted as is High Beam Assist and tyre pressure monitoring.
