The 2020 Kia Optima is available in two different trim levels.
The base Optima Si starts at $33,390 before on-road costs, while the Optima GT is $43,290 before on-road costs or $44,490 before on-roads if you select the Option Pack.
Kia regularly does drive-away offers, however.
Kia has sold mid-sized sedans here under Optima and Magentis nameplates before but the previous generation, introduced in 2011, represented a significant reboot of the line.
The current generation was introduced in late 2015 but it’s in a struggling segment and is outsold by the larger Stinger. Though the next generation of Optima will arrive in other markets this year, it won’t be coming here.
Pricing
- 2020 Kia Optima Si 2.4: $33,390 ($35,390 drive-away)
- 2020 Kia Optima GT 2.0T: $43,290 ($45,290 drive-away)
- 2020 Kia Optima GT 2.0T with Option Pack: $44,490 ($46,490 drive-away)
Engines
The 2020 Kia Optima range comes with a choice of two engines.
The base Si uses a naturally-aspirated 2.4-litre four-cylinder with 138kW and 241Nm while the up-level GT uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 180kW and 350Nm.
All Optimas use a six-speed automatic transmission.
Fuel Economy
The 2020 Kia Optima Si consumes 8.3L/100km on the combined cycle, while the more powerful GT uses marginally more at 8.5L/100km.
All Optimas use 91RON regular unleaded fuel.
Dimensions
Though the Kia Optima is a mid-size car per VFACTS and the Stinger a full-size, the Optima is fractionally longer at 4855mm. It’s also 1465mm tall and 1860mm wide.
The Kia Optima’s total luggage space is 510L.
Safety
When the Kia Optima was tested by ANCAP in 2015, it received a rating of five stars.
That rating was based on an adult occupant protection score of 88 per cent, child occupant protection of 86 per cent, pedestrian protection of 67 per cent and safety assist of 74 per cent.
All 2020 Kia Optima models come standard with autonomous emergency braking with forward-collision warning, as well as lane-keeping assist, anti-lock brakes, and front, front-side and curtain airbags.
GT models add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
Standard Equipment
The base Optima Si comes with the following standard features:
- Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
- 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Adaptive cruise control
- LED daytime running lights
- Cloth seats
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Paddle shifters
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
- Dual-zone climate control
The range-topping Optima GT adds the following:
- 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- LED headlights
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alert
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- Leather seats
- Eight-way power driver’s seat
- Sports appearance package
- Heated steering wheel
- Heated front seats
- Alloy pedals
- Qi wireless phone charging
- DAB digital radio
The Optima GT is also available with the simplistically-named Option Pack, which adds a panoramic sunroof and ambient interior lighting.
Servicing
The 2020 Kia Optima Si requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, while the Optima GT requires servicing every 12 months or 10,000km.
Kia offers seven years of capped-price servicing in addition to its seven-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. The Si has an average service cost of $430 while the GT has an average service cost of $463.
