The current generation of the Kia Optima isn’t but a few years old, but its mid-cycle facelift came a little early this time around. As is the usual case, there isn’t a lot of change to discuss, but the updated optima does have a new front fascia, new headlight and taillight units, and a revised rear fascia insert that allows for repositioned reflectors and new exhaust outlets. Interior enhancements are limited to some changes to technology while there are no changes under the hood to speak of. With that said, there are still some interesting things to cover so let’s take a look at the finer details.

2019 Kia Optima Exterior Enhancements

While there’s not a lot going on with the 2019 Kia Optima, most of the new updates come courtesy of the exterior. New lights in the corners bring about revised LED layouts while the taillights see repositioned reverse lights. The front fascia is even more aggressive, with more emphasis around the air dam and larger inserts in the corners with revised fog lamps. The rear fascia gets a similar treatment with a more aggressive rear diffuser element more emphasis below the rear decklid. The rear reflectors have been moved from the lower insert to higher on the corners. Fortunately, the same sport-back like look carries over, leaving the 2019 Optima as a worthy competitor against more high-end models as far as looks are concerned.

2019 Kia Optima Technology Enhancements

At a glance, the interior of the 2019 Optima is indistinguishable from the previous year. Be that is it may, there is some new technology here, or to be more specific, there’s an updated infotainment system. The display is still the same, so you get the same eight-inch screen from the UVO2 system, but the software has been updated to be much easier to use with what Kia is calling a “tiered system” that is easy to understand. LX models get the most basic system that includes Android Auto and Apple Carplay to go with voice recognition. S and EX-trim levels get the Link11 system that has car-connected security and other features like speed and maintenance alerts, on-demand diagnostics, and remote start. Then you’ve got the UVO Link system in the EX Premium Package, SX and SXL that includes all of the features of the systems below plus navigation with two years of free map updates.

2019 Kia Optima Performance

Kia hasn’t said much about on the performance front, but it did say that the EX gets a turbocharged engine with 178 horsepower. That’s most likely the 1.6-liter Turbo Four that delivered 178 ponies and 195 pound-feet. If that same engine carried over, then you can bet the others did as well. That means the base model will offer a naturally aspirated 2.4-liter with 185 horsepower and 178 pound-feet while the range-topping models will get a 2.0-liter turbo four with 247 horsepower and 260 pound-feet. In the end, Kia could apply some minor tuning or tweaks to the 2.0-liter, but I wouldn’t hold my breath, and the other two engines will most certainly stay the same.

Final Thoughts

The Kia Optima is a respectable car, especially when you consider the fact that the brand was once an econobox supplier of subpar economy cars that did nothing more than serve a purpose, aesthetics be damned. It’s hard not to hold Kia in contempt for that front fascia, however, as one could look at it as if the brand was trying a little too hard and it really shows up front. It doesn’t look bad, but there’s almost a little too much going on. This styling will last at least three more years until the point when it’s time for Kia to usher in a new generation but that front-end styling may become quite tiring and dated very quickly on a market where even brands like Mercedes and BMW are toning things down. Kia may have shown up just a little too late to the part here, but for now, it’s fresh and looks good, so we’ll leave it at that.

References

Read our full review on the 2017 Kia Optima.

Read more New York Auto Show news.

Read more Kia news.