Kia Tries To Put A Nail In The Coffin Of The Premium Class With Redesigned Optima

Say what you will about Kia designs of the 90s and 00s, but there’s no denying the company has upped its game in recent years with cars like the sporty Stinger, the funky Soul, and the Telluride family hauler. There’s more to come as the company has kicked off the teaser campaign for the new Optima by releasing hugely promising images of the K5 destined for domestic market South Korea.

As you can see in the adjacent shadowy pics, it looks nothing like the Optima on sale today and you’d be tempted to say it’s an entirely different car positioned above the midsize sedan. Have no doubt – it is the K5. We spotted the car several months ago, but the heavy camouflage did a good job of masking the revamped design.

cidflekken - 10/29/2019 12:15:17 PM

+12 Boost

Just stop with the "Kia is crushing the premium class" nonsense. They've barely made the premium brands even do a side-eye look. Is the Telluride good? Sure. But no one is running from the Q7 or X7 or GLS to get a Telluride.

atc98092 - 10/29/2019 2:09:19 PM

0 Boost

Well, I moved from a Q5 to an Outback to a Kia Niro. So yes they could get cross-shopped by someone who isn't into brand status.

cidflekken - 10/30/2019 12:48:11 PM

+3 Boost

That's not cross-shopping. That's downsizing/downgrading.

Truthy - 10/29/2019 1:25:38 PM

+14 Boost

The Optima is a fine midsize car, but it is not putting a nail in the coffin of any class.

countguy - 10/29/2019 4:53:52 PM

+8 Boost

LMAO

MDarringer - 10/29/2019 8:18:26 PM

0 Boost

With everyone leaving the sedan market, it would be wise for several to stay. Kia is gambling right.

jtz7 - 10/29/2019 11:07:29 PM

+1 Boost

Neither is the Mazda 6.

carloslassiter - 10/30/2019 8:11:02 AM

+3 Boost

I'm not into this Kia 'fad styling' that changes wildly with every model update.

MDarringer - 10/30/2019 8:22:47 AM

-1 Boost

Except that it hasn't. The Optima has stayed very true to its look for a LONG time.

carloslassiter - 10/30/2019 1:54:57 PM

+1 Boost

Semantics. People criticize BMW for looking the same for 20 years but I prefer that.