BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 9th Jan 2019
KIA has gone from budget brand to people’s choice seemingly overnight. Its humble model line-up and industry-leading new-car warranty have raised the bar considerably in recent years. As the Korean brands often do, Kia also doesn’t skimp out on standard equipment, packing its cars with the latest technologies. The Optima is one such Kia model that has become a class-leader since it launched in fourth-generation form in November 2015.
However, mid-size cars like it are becoming increasingly less popular as sales of their SUV counterparts go from strength to strength. The Optima is even feeling pressure from its own sibling, the performance-focused Stinger large car.
As such, Kia Motors Australia (KMAu) has put the Optima on notice, stating that it will axed by the end of this year unless its sales performance improves before then. So, the question remains, does the Optima still have something to offer buyers, or is the Stinger the better option? We test the former in facelifted flagship GT form to find out.