2019 Kia Optima Review

Under the hood of the entry-level front-wheel-drive Optima LX is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine (185 horsepower, 178 pound-feet of torque) matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, remote locking and unlocking, cruise control, a driver information display, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, height-adjustable front seats (with two-way power lumbar adjustment for the driver), and a 60/40-split rear seat.

Also standard for the LX are Bluetooth, an 8-inch touchscreen and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and HD and satellite radio. Standard advanced safety equipment includes a rearview camera, rear parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. Lane keeping assist, driver attention monitoring, lane departure warning and forward collision warning are made standard for 2019 models.

The optional Premium package adds 17-inch wheels, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, some gloss-black exterior trim, and a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with two-way power lumbar adjustment.

The S adds to the features of the LX with 18-inch wheels, foglights, LED taillights, a rear spoiler, push-button start, and cloth and faux leather upholstery. The optional Panoramic Sunroof package includes a panoramic sunroof and gloss-black exterior accents.

The EX gets its own powertrain, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (178 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque) and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It loses the spoiler but receives acoustic front door windows, power-folding mirrors, illuminated door handles, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, a hands-free unlocking trunk, dual-zone automatic climate control, rear air vents, heated front seats, driver-seat memory settings, interior wood accents, an electronic parking brake, and leather upholstery. Front passengers have two rapid-charging USB ports at their disposal, while rear-seat passengers get one USB port and one power port.

One package is available on the EX. The Premium package adds a 12-way-adjustable driver's seat with a four-way power lumbar, a 10-way passenger seat with a two-way power lumbar, ventilated front seats, the panoramic sunroof, a 10-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, ambient lighting, a heated steering wheel, and a navigation system.

The range-topping SX is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (245 hp, 260 lb-ft) with a six-speed automatic transmission. It is equipped similarly to the EX outfitted with a Premium package, plus additional upgrades including 18-inch wheels, adaptive LED headlights, LED foglights, a rear spoiler, dual exhaust tips, a sport-tuned suspension, red brake calipers, a flat-bottom steering wheel with wheel-mounted shift paddles, ambient interior lighting, metal interior trim, and a larger driver information display. It also adds a temporary spare tire compared to the tire repair kit on other trims.

A choice of three SX Limited packages is available (Aubergine, Black and Bronze), which differ mainly with interior color selection. The rest of the package includes 18-inch black wheels, a black headliner, upgraded door trim and higher-quality leather upholstery, heated outboard rear seats, perforated leather on the steering wheel, body-colored mirrors, rear side window sunshades, and a surround-view camera system.