Kia Optima Sportswagon long-term test
Korean-car convert and What Car? photographer Will Williams needs something that's spacious, economical and comfortable for long trips. Will a Kia Optima estate fit the bill?...
- The car Kia Optima Sportswagon 1.7 CRDi ‘3’ 7-speed DCT auto ISG
- Run by Will Williams, photographer
- Why it’s here As one of the newer estates out there, we want to see if it makes more sense than the ubiquitous SUV
- Needs to Sip fuel, have a flexible and commodious load area and be comfortable on long journeys
Price £26,055 Price as tested £26,600 Miles covered 26,813 Official combined MPG 64.2mpg Test economy 41.6mpg CO2 120g/km Options Temptation Red paint (premium) £545
14 March 2018 – space to spare
An Italian executive saloon isn’t exactly a natural rival for the Kia Optima Sportswagon estate car, but driving the former recently helped me appreciate the latter all the more.
You see it was while I was spending some time in an Alfa Romeo Giulia we had in on test that I realised how helpful all the excellent storage compartments are in the Optima, simply because the Giulia is far more stingy on storage.
Up front in the Kia both doors get massive storage bins – enough to fit a 750ml bottle, as well as my shades, and any other odds and sods that are knocking around.
At the bottom of the dashboard of the Kia Optima Sportswagon there’s loads of space for phones and wallets, and I can fit my tablet in the central arm rest to keep it charging on the move and then hide it when I park up. All very practical.
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