2013 Kia Optima: A looker in any light

Maybe it was just the way the halogen lights played on its angles and planes, but it occurred to me one evening in January that the Kia Optima might be the best-looking family sedan extant. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course, and all the main contenders have stepped up their games lately (think Fusion, Camry, Accord), so I won’t go out on that limb. Still, in the parking-lot light that evening, the Optima’s crisp lines and ideal proportions cohered in a way that belied its modest roots. Shouldn’t be a surprise, I suppose, since Kia’s lead designer, Peter Schreyer, penned some nifty looks during his tenure at VW/Audi. I have certain reservations; the Optima’s front fascia and “tabbed” grille are underwhelming and in that regard, I prefer Schreyer’s work with Audi. Otherwise, the thing is a home run. Life’s all about tradeoffs, though, and the Optima’s elongated roofline takes a toll on headroom, especially in the rear seats. Moreover, tall drivers should think twice before ordering the space-eating (but very cool) panoramic sunroof. Among midsize sedans, total cabin space lands about mid-pack. Inside, Schreyer and his team work with a less exclusive palette than the one he had at Audi but make the most of it, with highly complementary shapes, colors and textures. Seat quality is much improved over earlier Optimas and cabin tech is first-rate. Microsoft developed Kia’s Uvo voice-activated infotainment system — it controls phone, audio and navigation functions — and the results are admirable. Unaccountably, though, Uvo is not available on the new-for-’13 SX Limited we tested. SX is the top-level Optima trim and includes such extras as heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, power folding mirrors, HD radio, rear camera, Uvo and the panoramic sunroof. The new Limited package adds wood interior details, 18-inch chrome wheels, red-painted brake calipers, LED running lights, an electronic parking brake, first-aid kit and premium leather upholstery. Uvo is deleted from the trim. All Optimas are front-drive, with two available engines. A 200-hp 2.4-liter four powers the LX and EX trims. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the LX, with an optional six-speed automatic. The automatic is standard on the EX. With either transmission, EPA-estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway and 28 mpg combined. The SX trims are powered by a turbocharged 174-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic. EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22/34/26. The Optima Hybrid is estimated at 34/39/36  mpg. A word to the wise: Longterm tests suggest Kia’s estimates are on the high side. Kia touts Optima’s “sporty demeanor” and “athleticism,” but is more on-target hailing its “refinement” and “latest technology.” A rigid unibody helps produce a high-quality ride and minimizes noise, vibration and harshness, but lackluster steering and comfort-biased suspension tuning render this a by-the-numbers family sedan. In this segment, of course, by-the-numbers is less a curse than a production target. Factor in Optima’s comely lines, uptown interior and high content count and those numbers could well be formidable. 2013 Kia Optima SX Limited Vehicle base price: $21,200 Trim level base price: $26,800 As tested: $35,470 Optional equipment: Our tester included Premium, Technology and Limited Packages, which incorporate comfort, technology and cosmetic upgrades. EPA ratings: 22 city/34 highway Regular unleaded fuel specified