Optimal performance

There are certain moments in life when you realise your youth is behind you.

Like when I noticed all sports stars were younger than me, or when my seven-year-old showed me how to use a website, or when I found myself working beside people born about the same time as I started university.

Or when I was sitting in the new Kia Optima, thinking I could quite happily own this big sedan - a class of car I always thought only grown-ups drove.

But maybe that's because the Optima is a thoroughly excellent car.

Let's start with its look. I've admired the styling of the other Kias I've tested and their revamped sibling is no different.

It has a sleek, coupe-like profile, accentuated by two chrome-tipped exhaust pipes, LED daytime running lights and that signature Kia "face" on the front grille.

In fact, if you look at if from a certain angle and don't notice the branding on the 18-inch alloy wheels, you could be forgiven for mistaking it for a BMW.

Inside, the Koreans have got it spot-on, too.

I was in the top-spec Platinum edition and, first-up, there's the keyless entry, which sees the Optima wake up and its wing mirrors spring into life when it senses you coming near it.

Once inside you're greeted with a welcome from the 3.5-inch supervision colour display (the name's right - it is very sharp) on the dashboard, between the glowing speedo and rev counter.

Then there's the leather seats, which are eight-way power adjustable with two memory settings. These seats can also be heated and cooled (a godsend in WA in February) and, for the first time I've noticed in a Kia, the passenger seat has a cooling option too.

Add to this digital dual-zone climate control, rear air-con vents and a cooling glove box and it's a pleasant driving experience whatever the weather.

Just wait until winter before opening up the panoramic sunroof.

Ah, the driving. Hit the organ-pedal accelerator and the 2.4-litre GDI petrol engine, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, thinks for half a second then launches you with the smooth authority of a limo. There's no engine or exhaust hystrionics - this is grown-up driving.

Even more so when you take into account the safety features. These include blind-spot monitors on the wing mirrors, hill-start assist, front active headrests (they move up and forwards in the event of a rear-end collision to protect your head and neck), reversing camera and parking sensors.

How much more sensible do you want? Well, there's 505 litres of luggage space. And the sat nav has a function that lets you know when you're coming up to a speed camera. It's housed in a 7-inch LCD touch screen on the main console, which is tilted towards the driver by 9.6 degrees.

It may not sound much but it seems to put buttons and dials within easier reach. It's just shows that Kia have really thought about this car.

In fact, I really can't find much to complain about with the Optima.

Yes, the brakes are a bit spongier than I would like and the fuel economy is not great - I was averaging 10.3L/100km on my commute - even with the option of an Active ECO system button.

But jump in, turn on the eight- speaker Infinity stereo (one of the best I've experienced) and, if you want a bit more pop, drop down a gear with the steering wheel paddle shifters.

So give me grown-up any day.

VERDICT

Kia's cars have improved hugely in the past five years and the Optima is no different. With a price of $40,480 plus on-roads for the Platinum - and the entry-level Si currently at $30,990 drive away - the Optima is bound to attract fleet and family sales.

KIA OPTIMA
Model Platinum
Price $40,480
Engine 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol
Outputs 148kW/250Nm
Transmission Six-speed automatic

Thirst 7.9L/100km

COMPETITORS
MAZDA6
Model: GT
Price: $43,220
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Outputs: 138kW/250Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic

Thirst: 6.6L/100km

NISSAN ALTIMA
Model: Ti
Price: $40,490
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Outputs: 127kW/230Nm
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission

Thirst: 7.5L/100km

HYUNDAI i40
Model: Premium
Price: $42,990
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol
Outputs: 131kW/214Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Thirst: 7.7L/100km