2021 Kia Optima Will Make You Look Rich and Feel Even Richer

Remember when Kia's lineup was a forgettable fleet of cheap transportation? If you can't recall those rental-counter bottom-feeders, trust us, you're not alone.
The Korean automaker and its corporate counterpart, Hyundai, have been successfully shedding that stereotype for many years now. They've recently blossomed into two of the more interesting brands out there. Kia introduced genre-busting new models such as the sporty four-door Stinger and the terrific three-row Telluride SUV. Now, the all-new 2021 Kia Optima heads further upscale with an even more stylish overhaul that has helped fuel the company's meteoric rise.

Aesthetically Pleasing and Physically Appeasing
It's hard to believe that the new Optima is built by the same company—let alone wears the same nameplate—as the outgoing model. (A quick note: To avoid confusion, we'll refer to the Korean-spec K5 that we drove for this review as an Optima.) Sure, the last generation could be handsome, but its replacement earns more affectionate compliments. Dare we call it sexy, even? Its narrow headlights are outlined by zigzag running lights that merge into Kia's "tiger nose" grille to give the sedan a fierce face. Its hood and side surfaces are creased for extra character without looking extra busy. A chrome strip runs congruent with the sweeping roofline before crossing the rear pillar, tracing the top of the trunklid, and connecting the opposite side of the car. This helps create a fastback profile that finishes with provocative taillights that span the rear end and resemble a heartbeat monitor.

If the Optima's dramatic exterior isn't enough, its impressive cabin ought to do the trick. Kia smartly avoided overdoing the design and opted for an uncomplicated layout with rich-looking materials. The dash is dominated by a piano-black bezel that houses a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.3-inch touchscreen. Seriously, the instrument panel has beautiful displays, including a vista-like background or gauges that transform with the drive modes. The infotainment system is also gorgeous, and its menus are generally easy to navigate. If there's anything to complain about inside the Optima, it's the lack of tactile controls. While the audio system has a volume knob, everything else is controlled via steering-wheel buttons or touch-sensitive zones around the screen. The same goes for the HVAC system. Kia claims these functions are more intuitive than traditional switchgear, but we prefer the more dependable and less distracting physical stuff.





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