Introduction

The 2020 Kia Optima is a safety-conscious and well-equipped mid-size sedan with a broad lineup including two hybrid models, regular and plug-in, available in select West Coast markets. It has pleasing looks outside; on the inside, it offers a winning infotainment system but slimmer rear head room, a result of the sleek roofline. 

For 2020, every Optima comes standard with automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitors, and active lane control, as well as many airbags. Adaptive cruise control comes on the top models. The Optima also comes with an industry-best 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. 

Base LX and S Optimas use a 2.4-liter inline-4 making 185 horsepower, while the EX models use a 1.6-liter turbo-4 making a few less horses, at 178 hp, but has quicker acceleration thanks to the turbo. The Optima SX uses a 2.0-liter turbo-4 making 245 hp. 

The Hybrids use an inline-4 paired with batteries and an electric motor to bring gas mileage ratings into the 40-mpg range. The plug-in hybrid can go nearly 30 miles on electricity alone. 

All Optimas offer a comfortable, spacious cabin with materials that range from okay to upscale. 

The Optima 4-cylinder is EPA-rated at 24 mpg city, 32 highway, 27 combined. The EX with its turbo-4 gets an impressive 27/37/31 mpg. With the powerful Optima SX those numbers drop to just 21/30/24 mpg. 

The Hybrids are impressive: 40/45/42 mpg for the standard model, while the Plug-In Hybrid rates 41 mpg combined and 101 MPGe with a full charge, as well as a 28-mile all-electric range. However, both hybrids are available only in certain markets in the Western U.S. 

In crash tests, the NHTSA gives the Optima five stars overall, with four stars for passenger-side frontal impact. The insurance industry-funded IIHS rated last year's Optima a Top Safety Pick+, but only with the LED headlights fitted to the Optima SX. 

Lineup

For 2020, the Kia Optima lineup includes the LX, S, EX, EX Premium, and SX trim levels. Last year's lush SX Limited with its quilted nappa leather seats has been discontinued. 

The Optima LX is well-equipped for around $24,000, including an 8.0-inch touchscreen for infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, power features, and alloy wheels, plus the active safety features. 

For around $25,000, the Optima S strikes a nice balance between price and features. It adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, a power driver seat, keyless ignition, and a few tweaks to exterior trim. 

At the far end of the lineup, the SX costs about $33,000 and includes a 245-hp turbo-4, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, navigation, 10 Harman Kardon speakers,
a power panoramic moonroof, and adaptive cruise control. 

The Optima Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid only come in EX trim, including leather seats (heated in front), power moonroof, and more. The Hybrid is about $30,300, plus $4,500 more for a package with a panoramic moonroof, Harman Kardon speakers, LED lights, cooled front seats, and more. The Plug-In Hybrid costs $37,000 and tops $40,000 with that same option package. 

Walkaround

The first Kia Optima beautifully mimicked the BMW 5-Series, and in the years since then, other sedans have mimicked the Optima. Today its sleek styling is familiar but still attractive. 

The coupe-like roofline roofline and big wheels that fill the fenders make the Optima look sporty–especially the S and SX with their blacked-out exterior trim and larger wheels. The Optima shares lines and proportions with the sexy Stinger hatchback, and that's no bad thing. 

Interior

The Optima dashboard is lower than it used to be; it improves forward vision. The instrument panel is less expressive, but the controls are more convenient. 

The standard cloth seats on the Optima LX look and feel durable, while the synthetic leather/cloth seats on the Optima S are a worthwhile upgrade. Leather is standard on the EX and SX. Overall, the cabin materials at each trim level are good for the price. 

The front seats are comfortable, with good support and adjustment. Ten-way power adjustment is standard on S and higher trims for the driver, while EX Premium and SX trims add lumbar support for the driver and power adjustment for the passenger. 

In the rear there's a reasonable 35.6 inches of leg room, but just 37.8 inches of head room under that low sweeping roof. The rear door openings are small, and entry and exit takes some stooping. 

The trunk holds an average 15.9 cubic feet of cargo on standard Optimas while the Hybrid reduces that to 13.4 and the Plug-In Hybrid cuts it way down to 9.8 cubic feet. 

Driving Impression

In the performance department, the many powertrains mean there are many different Optimas. 

The L and LX use their 2.4-liter inline-4 engines to transmit 185 horsepower to the front wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. The engine is quiet and smooth, and provides decent pep around town. 

The turbo-4 in the EX and EX Premium has less horsepower (178 hp) but more torque (195 pound-feet), and that torque gives it more response for better passing. The dual-clutch automatic transmission gets confused at city speeds on occasion. 

The 2.0-liter turbo-4 in the SX delivers 245 horsepower and naturally better acceleration. It works well with its 6-speed automatic transmission. 

The suspension is MacPherson strut in front and multi-link in the rear, a standard setup for mid-size sedans. It's successfully tuned to provide plush ride, which means it easily swallows big bumps in a polished way. A drive-mode selector offers economy and standard modes in most trims, while the SX adds a sport mode that holds gears longer. 

The electric power steering system is light but delivers good on-center stability. 

Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid use a 2.0-liter inline-4 teamed with electric motors and trunk-mounted batteries. The engine makes a modest 154 horsepower, but the 1.6-kwh battery pack raises that 192 net horsepower. The Hybrid is smooth and delivers acceleration as good as the L and LX, while its 6-speed automatic is free of drama. 

The Plug-In Hybrid has a much bigger 9.8-kwh battery pack, which combined with an upgraded electric motor boosts it to 202 net horsepower. It brings 28 miles of electric-only driving. But keep in mind that's with a very gentle throttle. In our testing, we found that the gas engine kicks in fairly readily. Since the hybrids weigh about 200 pounds more than the other Optimas, their ride is a bit better. 

Summary

The 2020 Kia Optima is short on thrills but offers refinement and near-luxury feel. Its styling remains elegant. The LX is very well-equipped for the price, and is an excellent value. 

 

-by Sam Moses, with driving impressions by The Car Connection.