2016 KIA Optima Updates Include More Luxurious Cabin, New Engine Choice

Sporty performance sedan looks to build momentum as KIA’s No. 1-selling nameplate

The KIA Optima has been not only KIA’s best-selling model but also one of the most popular cars in America. However, KIA found a way to improve the sedan for the 2016 model year. Under the care of KIA president and chief design officer Peter Schreyer, the Optima built on its modern design cues and athletic identity.

On the exterior, the 2016 Optima is longer, taller and wider. These changes translate into a roomier cabin and more cargo space in the trunk. On SX and SXL trims, the iconic tiger nose grille design resembles the luxury K900. Three new design choices for the 18-inch wheels vary on the trim level, and three new exterior colors are available — a vibrant blue, dynamic grey and deep red.

New turbo engine choice and transmission

Three new engine choices for 2016 strike a balance between efficiency and sportiness. The 2.4-liter engine and the 2.0-L turbo engine will still sit happily under the hoods of 2016 Optimas, but a newcomer will now be available. A 1.6-L I4 turbo powerplant will be offered on the LX trim for 2016. Drivers can get up to 195 lb.-ft. of torque, and this turbo offering is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, a first for KIA.

Interior craftsmanship

A larger cabin with class-up touches defines the interior. KIA’s premium models such as the K900 and Cadenza played a role in the design of the 2016 Optima’s interior as more soft touch materials are seen throughout. More hand stitching, metallic accents and a more unified design showcase the care and attention for the KIA Optima by its builders and designers.

The interior design team also paid particular attention to seat comfort.  A stiffer seat frame reduces vibration and soft foam in the headrest and upper back, and denser, more supportive foam in thigh-support areas allows occupants to nestle into seats with deeper side bolsters.

Convenience and technology both see an upgrade for the new model year. The UVO infotainment system comes standard, and the 2016 Optima will have available Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on models later in the release, a first for KIA. A back-up camera is available for every Optima trim level along with helpful driver-aid technology. This driver-aid technology includes blind spot detection, lane departure warning system and more.

The Optima is set for another great year satisfying owners new and loyal with its engine offerings, refined cabin and overall superb feel. Check Jim Butler KIA’s inventory for the latest and greatest KIAs in Chesterfield Valley!

To learn more about the KIA Optima or to schedule a test drive, call Jim Butler KIA today at 636-256-9600 or contact us online. As your St. Louis KIA dealer, we invite you to check out our new Optimas in-person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler KIA, you can make your new vehicle purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, MO, and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights KIA dealer.

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Kia Optima Matures into Refined Mid-size Sedan with 2016 Model Reveal at NYIAS

Five years after a major re-design, the 2016 Kia Optima was revealed at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) last week. In those five years, Kia’s best-selling model has transformed into the mature mid-size sedan that those in New York saw last week.


Five trim levels will be available for the 2016 Kia Optima including one available exclusively in the U.S. (SXL), and the 2016 Optima is expected to be on the lot and in the showroom of Jim Butler Kia in St. Louis in the fourth quarter of 2015.

Exterior changes for the 2016 Optima

The 2016 Optima’s chassis is wider, longer and stiffer and provides a bigger cabin and offers improved handling. The trunk also has more cargo space than the previous generation.

Because the previous generation Optima was a market success for Kia’s, the 2016 Optima designers had to strike a delicate balance — retaining the identity of the vehicle while, at the same time, making a confident move forward to keep the car modern and fresh.

The newest Optima has a bit more aggressive stance in the front fascia. On the SX and SXL trims, Kia’s signature tiger-nose grille is hot stamped and composed into a sophisticated pinpoint design that bears a strong resemblance to Kia’s luxury sedan, the K900.

Three new exteriors colors are available for the 2016 Optima and promote the newer sophisticated style: a vibrant blue inspired by a sparkling ocean underneath a sunny sky; a dynamic grey with olive undertones, and a deep red that gains depth from the use of aluminum pigments.

More luxurious cabin graces the 2016 Optima

Class-up touches and exquisite craftsmanship highlight the interior of the 2016 Optima. The more spacious cabin has been simplified with a cleaner, more unified design than the previous generation, with a stronger horizontal plane and a wider center console that help create a greater sense of space.  By grouping and reducing the number of functional keys and buttons, Kia’s already-superior ergonomics are markedly improved.

The seats have been made even more comfortable with more supportive foam, and heated and ventilated front seats are available with power adjustable driver and front passenger seats.

The UVO system comes standard with four additional eServices not previously available on Optima: Geo-fencing, Speed Alert, Curfew Alert and Driving Score. Additionally, Optima is Kia’s pilot vehicle for the introduction of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay (later availability), which allow drivers to access a suite of core functions from their smartphones.

Available on every Optima is a rear-camera display, while SX and SXL trims offer an available 360-degree Around View Monitor.

More choices under the hood

The 2016 Optima will be powered by three different engines across its five trims. These engines provide a balance between efficiency and sportiness. Two engines carry over from the previous Optimas: the 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder, available on the LX and EX models and the 2.0-liter GDI turbo engine, available on the SXL and SX Turbo models. New for the 2016 Optima is a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine. The 1.6-liter will be offered on the LX trim. Pushing out an estimated 178 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and a stout 195 lb.-ft. of torque at just 1,500 rpm, the new engine mates to a seven-speed DCT, a first for Kia.

The newest edition for the Optima family is set to hit Jim Butler Kia in Chesterfield Valley by the fourth quarter of 2015. Stay tuned to Jim Butler Kia’s blog and social media for more updates on the 2016 Optima and other Kia models!

To learn more about the Optima, call us today at 888-392-6606. As your St. Louis Kia dealer, we invite you to check out the Optima in person at our Chesterfield dealership. If you’re in the St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur or Maryland Heights area, stop by our lot at 722 Long Road Crossing in Chesterfield. Here at Jim Butler Kia, you can make your Optima purchase with confidence. We are located in Chesterfield, Mo., and serve as your St. Louis, Chesterfield Valley, Creve Coeur and Maryland Heights Kia dealer.

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