2003 Kia Optima Reviews

Sedans might be sagging in popularity, but the right one can still make for a great family car. But does the Kia Optima GT qualify? There's only one way to find out.

The updated 2018 Kia Optima range sees some notable changes, including price drops, equipment adjustments and new safety gear added on both models in the range. We're testing out the Si and GT.

The Kia Optima Si is the entry-grade of two models, and it comes in at $33,290 plus on-road costs - an $1100 drop over the previous version.

The Kia Optima GT model lists at $43,290 plus on-roads - a $1200 price drop compared to the pre-facelift model. Over the Si, the GT has a new 8.0-inch media screen with extended smartphone connectivity and in-built sat nav (with 10 years of maps included and SUNA live traffic updates), and it also gains redesigned LED headlights but they lose the smart auto high-beam assistance of the old model. Other standard kit in the GT includes leather seats, electric driver’s seat adjustment with memory settings, smart key (keyless entry) and push button start, a sports body kit, a Harman Kardon audio system with 10 speakers and a subwoofer, wireless phone charging (Qi) but no WiFi hotspot, rear sunshades (but no tinted windows), different interior trim finishes, a heated steering wheel, and a colour driver-information screen. But compared with the pre-facelift model, there are some missing items: the front passenger seat is now manually operated (previously electric), the cooling/ventilation of the front seats has been deleted, and the panoramic sunroof of the previous model is gone, too. And while it rides on 18-inch rims with a new design, the tyre-pressure-monitoring system has been removed.Safety for the GT includes driver-fatigue monitoring and an active lane-keeping assistance system (in place of the old lane-departure-warning buzzer). It also has auto emergency braking (AEB), a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors and adaptive cruise control.The Optima GT is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with 180kW and 350Nm. It also has a six-speed auto gearbox, and is FWD. Fuel use is claimed at 8.5L/100km.

Kia's Optima may not have the highest profile in the Aussie new car market, but this well-equipped, well-priced mid-size sedan does so many things, so well.

Alistair Kennedy road tests and reviews the Kia Optima GT with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Graham Smith reviews the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 Kia Optima as a used buy.

Ewan Kennedy reviews the 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Kia Optima as a used buy.

Craig Duff road tests and reviews the Kia Optima with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the Kia Optima GT with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.