KIA OPPORTUNITY? (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 51

If you've never considered owning a medium range Mondeo-sized car with a Kia badge on the bonnet, then you're not alone. But you've probably reckoned without the brand's striking-looking Optima, a car that in much improved 'JF' post-2015-era guise won a few more friends for the Korean maker in this segment.

Modelsword count: 11

4dr Saloon / 5dr Estate (1.7 CRDi / 2.0 GDi PHEV)

Historyword count: 245

If you're thinking of a large family car from the 2015-2020 era and don't want an SUV, then you're probably not thinking of a Kia. Though the Korean maker is now well established in the market's various compact vehicle segments, it has yet to make a significant impact when it comes to larger Mondeo-sector models. Here though, is a contender that aimed to change that - the much improved 'JF'-series Optima, launched in 2015 as the second generation version of this model sold in the UK, though it was actually the furth generation Optima design internationally. Kia launched the earlier 'TF'-series version of this car back in 2012, but with just one engine option, a single saloon body style and few stand-out qualities other than smart looks, its impact on the market was sligh. For this replacement model though, the auspices looked much better. As well as the saloon body style, Kia added an estate body shape to the range, plus there was the option of plug-in hybrid technology too. The fundamental car itself was much better too, longer, wider, taller and even more stylish than before, plus, more importantly, far classier inside than its predecessor. There was extra safety and connectivity and the stiffer body also made the car a little more agile to drive. More importantly, efficiency got a bit closer to the class standard. This Optima sold until early 2020, when it was quietly dropped from the range - and wasn't replaced.

What You Getword count: 349

Prior to this 'JF'-series model's launch in 2015, a lot of the Optima model line's success had had much to do with the way it had been styled. Here, once again, Kia had plenty to thank Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer and his team for. This fourth generation 'JF'-series model (the second generation sold in the UK) looks very similar to its 'TF'-series predecessor, though is actually longer, wider and a little taller than that car was. The longer profile certainly gives it a little more road presence and, as before, the wedgy shape with its high, hunched shoulders and low glasshouse would suit a premium badge. Which pretty much says it all. The key design changes though, took place at the wheel, where the improvements over the previous model were considerable. There were fewer dash buttons and the fascia is divided into upper and lower control zones, these separated by a horizontal chromed strip which enhances the increased width of the cabin. Everything feels more driver-focused than in the previous model, and is, the centre console in the 'JF'-series car angled at 8.5-degrees towards the person at the wheel. Key as usual in this class of Mondeo-class model is the centre dash infotainment touchscreen, 7-inches in size on the entry-level model or 8-inches if you got a variant fitted with the excellent harmon kardon premium 10-speaker sound system. And in the rear? Well thanks to this 'JF'-series model's extra length, height, width and 10mm of extra wheelbase, the cabin in the back offers 25mm more legroom and 10mm more headroom than the previous 'TF' design, enough to make it one of the few in this class able to comfortably seat three adults over longer journeys. The boot lid rises to reveal a rather narrow opening aperture, but get beyond it and you'll find that this 'JF'-series model's extra body length delivered 5 more litres of extra boot space than the previous Optima could provide, the total rising to 510-litres. Choose your Optima in the Sportswagon estate guise that most new owners wanted and you'll get a 533-litre boot.

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