Optimal Optima

One of the first motoring articles I ever wrote was on the KIA Cerato Koup, 2 years ago, and it was my wish then that KIA would not fall for the modern day trickery/foolery of car making and to rather move away from the “box car” mentality of their would-be competitors.

At the time, KIA’s vehicle presentation stated: “Committed to surpassing customers’ expectation, with the power to surprise, KIA introduces the Cerato to the Kia range. The new Kia Cerato has been re-created from the ground up focussing on continuous innovative styling, enhanced driving pleasure and the implementation of new technology and value.”

And they’ve done just that in their subsequent line of production, most notably with the KIA Optima.

Wow!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a KIA ambassador or anything, but where credit’s due, it should be given. Especially when its visionary and class-leading type stuff that warrants the credit.

I am however, a strong fan of the KIA Optima. A far cry from the KIA Picantos of the past.

In this day and age, relevance is the key word. Mobile phone companies have gotten that memo loud and clear with the shift of powers from Nokia and Blackberry to iPhone and Android-powered phones. The same can be said for traditional laptops being overtaken by tablets. Great and innovative companies are on the fore-front of their respective markets. No longer can “big” and established companies rest on their laurels and bask in their past glories. And that about the world, excites me! It excites me that there are companies out there working tirelessly to better the world and their impact.

Anyway, about the star of this show, the car this article is meant to be about.

“Innovation, a sporty stance, and style that conveys confident individuality. These are the characteristics you expect from progressive, modern car design. One glance at the bold new shape of the Kia Optima will convince you that these qualities are effortlessly delivered. With the new Optima, our global design team has created a vehicle with distinctive dimensions and proportions that stands apart from everything else in its segment. Using an all-new platform and an all-new bodyshell, Optima moves our mid-size sedan product up to the next level of Kia’s design revolution.”

So it seems KIA has ticked all the right boxes, right? … Wrong! Or maybe not?

Back to my 1st article – I also expressed concern regarding “run away” pricing that car companies default to once their products pick up a bit of momentum. A concern which readers commented on at the time. The Optima comes at a price tag, starting at R314 995. That’s almost 3 series and A4 money.

Has KIA got the innovation part right, but also let it run away from them, or is it purely about “value-pricing”? In a world of give and take, is it value for money? Will you sit in one and feel like “YEAHHHH… I feel a third of a million Rand”

Best believe I’ll be sure to get into one, and let you know soon. If the Optima price tag doesn’t do it for you, other exciting new KIA’s to look at include the RIO, and Cerato Koup, which has “evolved” to stay relevant.

David Abbey