5 reasons why 2016 Kia Optima bagged midsize car best buy award [price, release date, review and features]
When it comes to best buy among midsize cars in the market today, the 2016 Kia Optima is on top of the pecking order in this class and no less than Kelley Blue Book, one of the most respected and trusted automotive research and car valuation companies in the U.S. today, has put a stamp of their approval on this.
The race for the honor of being known as the family-friendly midsize car with a lot of bang for the buck includes a lineup consisting of other standouts from one of the most competitive segment of the market. The five other midsize sedan finalists are the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, 2016 Honda Accord, 2016 Hyundai Sonata, 2016 Mazda Mazda6 and 2016 Toyota Camry.
"The Optima's success has come through constant improvement. Throughout its life this family sedan has persevered to be better, evolving from an also-ran when it debuted 15 years ago to what it is today: a refined, advanced, rewarding-to-drive midsize sedan with luxury looks at a mainstream price," wrote KBB on its site.
"The all-new 2016 Kia Optima is even more focused, besting not only the outgoing model but edging out rivals in one of the market's most competitive segments."
Now, here are some of the reasons why 2016 Kia Optima bagged the midsize car best buy award.
1. The 2016 Optima was redesigned with the comfort and convenience of the consumers in mind. The standard trim includes features like height-adjustable passenger seat, stain-resistant cloth interior and compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the latest in mobile connectivity these days. Car and Driver also notes the easy to use and properly-positioned controls and switchgear.
2. Inside the new Kia sedan, the interior space also offers plenty of space for both the passengers and cargo. The engineering team of the Korean maker made sure that there is a bigger cabin compared to previous models, which makes it even more family-friendly.
3. One aspect that judges from KBB gave the Optima a high score for is its exceptional warranty that really offers buyers peace of mind and security upon purchase. The new model comes with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty on the powertrain, covering major components such as the engine and transmission, just like any Kia vehicle.
4. The new exterior look of the Optima, which was designed by ex-Volkswagen Group designer Peter Schreyer, is sporting an all-new front and rear frascia. One of its selling features in terms of aesthetics is Kia's signature Tiger nose grille.
5. The new Kia vehicle also offers a lot of safety features that come standard for its different trims. These include dual front seat mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, driver's side knee airbag, and rear child-safety door locks.
As for its price and release date, the 2016 Kia Optima now comes available in five trims that potential owners can choose from. These are the LX starting at $21,840 and the EX at $24,890, both of which equipped with a 2.4 liter (185HP) engine; the 1.6 liter, turbocharged (178 HP) LX 1.6T starting at $23,990; and the 2.0 liter, turbocharged (245HP) SX at $29,690 and SX Limited at $35,790.