History and description of the car Kia Optima

Kia Optima (Optima) - midsize sedan (D-class), produced by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors from 2000 to the present. In Europe and Canada, the car is called Kia Magentis (Magentis), and in South Korea were the names Kia Lotze and Kia K5. Since 2010, the Optima name has become global, except for South Korea and China. Is the successor to the car Kia Clarus (based on Mazda 626), produced from 1996 to 2001.

The petrol or diesel engine is located transversely in front and drives the front wheels through a manual or automatic transmission. Assembled on the same platform as Hyundai Sonata.

The main competitors of the Kia Optima car are Audi A4, Citroen C5, Ford Mondeo, Honda Accord, Chevrolet Malibu, Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Opel Insignia, Peugeot 408, Renault Laguna, Skoda Superb, Suzuki Kizashi, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat. Over the release period since 2000, more than 1 million 300 thousand copies have been sold in the United States.

First generation (MS, 2000—2005)

The first generation of Optima was assembled on the Hyundai-Kia Y4 platform and was essentially a Hyundai Sonata with a modified exterior design, interior and various equipment. The assembly was carried out in South Korea, China and Russia. The body was only a 4-door sedan with a length of 4745 mm, a width of 1815 mm and a height of 1420 mm.

In 2002, there was a slight update in engines and design. The grille and headlights have been changed.

For the first generation, only gasoline engines of the following models and volumes were installed - 2.4 liters (Sirius II I4, 149 hp, 138 hp after restyling), 2.5 liters (Delta V6, 170 HP) and 2.7 liters (Delta V6, 170 HP). Transmission 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual.

The 2001 Forte was tested for safety by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the results are as follows:

• Overall rating - 1 out of 5 stars
• Frontal tests with partial overlap - Acceptable
• Side crash test - Bad
• Head restraint safety rating - Poor

Second generation (MG, 2005—2010)

The second generation, named Magentis, launched in November 2005. The car was much more different from its progenitor Hyundai Sonata than the first generation. Magentis began to use a platform unique to Kia, designated «MG». The body was also a 4-door sedan with a length of 4755-4810 mm, a width of 1820 mm and a height of 1480 mm, that is, the car became a little larger than its predecessor. Assembly shops were located in South Korea, Malaysia and Russia.

Gasoline engines were installed with the following parameters - 2.0 liters (Theta I4, 143 hp), 2.4 liters (Theta I4, 138-162 hp), 2.4 liters (Theta II I4, 175 hp), 2.7 liters (Delta V6, 170 hp) and 2.7 liters (Mu V6, 185 hp, 194 hp after restyling). For the first time, a 2.0-liter diesel engine was installed (CRDI VGT I4) 140 hp The transmission was installed 5-speed mechanics or 4 or 5-speed automatic.

In 2008, the Optima underwent an update, which was presented at the New York International Auto Show. They refreshed the exterior design, interior, engines, and also increased the length by 55 mm.

The car received 5 out of 5 stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4 out of 5 stars from EuroNCAP (see table) and in 2006 the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave Magentis the following marks:

• Overall rating - 3 out of 5 stars
• Frontal tests with partial overlap - Good
• Side Crash Test - Acceptable
• Roof Strength Rating - Extreme
• Head restraint safety rating - Good

Third generation (TF, 2010—2015)

At the 2010 New York International Auto Show, the third generation was introduced with the global name Optima and the code «TF». The exterior design has been given a sleeker, sportier look, while the grille with the name "Tiger Nose" acquired a corporate look, characteristic of other Kia car models. The body is a traditional 4-door sedan with a length of 4845 mm, a width of 1835 mm and a height of 1455 mm. There were three trim levels in total - base «LX», upscale «EX» and sports «SX». The assembly was carried out in South Korea, the USA, Kazakhstan, Russia and China.

The range of gasoline engines is the following models - 2.0 liters (Theta II I4, 163 hp), 2.0 liters (Theta II GDI I4, turbo, 274 hp with.), 2.0 liters (Nu CVVL, 164 hp), 2.4 liters (Theta II I4, 178 hp) and 2.4 liters (Theta II GDI I4, 200 HP). Diesel engines two with a volume of 1.7 liters (U2 CRDi TD I4, 134 HP) and 2.0 liters (D4EA CRDi TD I4, 123 HP). Transmissions 6-speed automatic or manual.

2011 model year car wins award «Top Safety Pick» from the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more detailed results:

• Overall rating - 5 out of 5 stars
• Small Overlap Frontal Tests - Acceptable
• Frontal tests with partial overlap - Good
• Side crash test - Good
• Roof Strength Rating - Good
• Head restraint safety rating - Good

Fourth generation (JF, 2016—present)

The fourth generation Kia Optima was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in April 2015, with sales beginning in late 2015. In addition to the 4-door sedan (length: 4850 mm, width: 1860 mm, height: 1470 mm) first appeared 5-door station wagon «Optima SW» (length: 4855 mm, width: 1860 mm, height: 1470 mm). Assembly was carried out in South Korea, China, Kazakhstan, Russia, USA, Nigeria and Malaysia.

The updated model was officially presented at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018.

Gasoline engines three models with a volume of 1.6 liters (Gamma I4, turbo, 178 hp), 2.0 liters (Theta II I4, turbo, 245 hp) and 2.4 liters (Theta II I4, 188 hp). Diesel engine one volume of 1.7 liters with a capacity of 141 hp. Transmission 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DCT).

The results of safety testing of the 2016 Optima model by the European committee Euro NCAP, see the table. Model 2017 received an award «Top Safety Pick +» from the American Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), more detailed results:

• Overall rating - 5 out of 5 stars
• Frontal tests with small overlap - Good
• Frontal tests with partial overlap - Good
• Side crash test - Good
• Roof Strength Rating - Good
• Head restraint safety rating - Good
• Evaluation of collision avoidance systems - Excellent
• Headlight rating - Good
• Ease of use of child seat attachment - Acceptable

Kia Optima IV 2016, interior

Kia Optima IV 2016, wagon

Kia Optima IV 2016, seats