Kia Optima Sportswagon 2017 Review – The Sexiest Family Estate On Sale? - Car Keys

Believe it or not, this new Kia Optima Sportswagon is actually the first proper family estate that Kia’s ever made. The previous Optima was sold as a saloon only, mainly ‘cos Kia couldn’t afford to devote time at its factories to making a car which will only really appeal to Europeans.

That’s now changed, and the Sportswagon is here to rival estate versions of the likes of the Vauxhall Insignia, Skoda Superb and the Ford Mondeo.

It also happens to be one of the smartest looking estate cars around, giving even the gorgeous Mazda 6 Tourer a run for its money. But beneath the skin, how different is it to the regular Optima?

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[puneetgupta]

my dad has a 2017 1.7diesel manual Kia Optima estate, bought in 2021 with only 10k miles on the clock and paid only £11k for it from car giant, it's amazing, so smooth, quiet, full of features, comfortable, good looking and economical. I'm actually jealous of it and I drive a 2017 e220d Mercedes saloon.

[mikaelandersson]

Proud owner of a Kia Optima SW GT Line Plus. Love this car!

[MrGman]

I hired one of these about 2017 and was very impressed. I later bought a top line Skoda Superb which is really good, except the DSG is now playing up, and this is scaring me away... so I may chop in my Skoda for the Kia which for the 2 weeks I hired it in 2017, I really enjoyed.

[davidthompson]

Just love this car to bits! Thought long and hard about moving to the Kia brand (unsure about quality of dealerships) but having owned one for three months now, I am just so impressed with everything about it. I was tempted by the Mazda 6 Tourer, the Superb L & G, the Mondeo Vignale, Passat estate and even the new Insignia Tourer, but am just so glad I have gone for the Kia. I would go so far as to say this is a real premier quality car - not cheap but with unbeatable specification and don't forget the 7 year warranty. Its a no brainer for me

[rajasaghir]

Kia, all the way, got a 2010 Still going at 235.000 miles.... Good

im about to buy this exact car in black tomorrow 2017 plate im really looking forward to it, its been amazing so far

[franctoma]

Kia is more reliable plus it looks much sharp.

[palebeachbum]

I'm upset Kia does not sell this vehicle in the U.S. This would very likely be my next vehicle if they did.

[shopwithaaron]

Well at least you guys have the choice to choose wagons....nearly nothing here in America!
And I love my Optima EX Premium sedan!

[mikekeith]

Bought this exact car in July and it is great, very comfy and a very capable crusier and although a big car it's light to drive around town. The boot space is amazing and swallows gear with ease, the auto box is a dream and I have not noticed any lag when overtaking as mentioned. A Really good car.

[simonthompson]

Very happy with my Optima SW. It's the GT-Line S.

Highlights for me are:

- Sharp handling (better than my old Superb estate)
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Sunroof
- Harman / Kardon sound system (as mentioned), crank it right up and it punches the sound into your ears.

Agree the auto gearbox isn't too hot, (it annoys me the GT-Line S doesn't have the option of a manual), it is too reluctant to change down for overtaking, as mentioned yet if it hits the slightest of inclines where the torque (there's more than enough of it) would easily pull the car up, it drops one, usually two gears. Sometimes it also doesn't change up soon enough causing it to rev more than needed. I pretty much just use the flappy paddles now because of that, makes for a much smoother time!

It also hasn't been that economical, it's been pretty consistently returning around the 41mpg, where as my Superb was 50mpg - though since hitting 10, 000 miles it's jumped up to around 44mpg.

Other than that, it's little annoying things like interior plastics (although mostly good quality) mark easily and for some reason when you park up, the stop/start kicks in but will restart the engine when you put the box in Park - for some reason!

Oh and it doesn't have Apple Car Play ;)

But I'd definitely recommend one.

[jamiep]

A great Estate Car and I would choose It as a alternative to the competition

[diogodores]

I have a Kia optima GT 2018
Great car I love it, full extras, Comfort I love it .
Well done KIA 👏✔

[markyates]

Having sat in one I would say it is pretty awesome. Admittedly I haven't driven it yet but I will do before I take the plunge. If it had a 2 litre engine I think it would wipe the floor with VW, Ford, Mazda and maybe the Skodas. My only concern is it lacks a bit of grunt. I am a high mileage driver who has to carry weighty samples so I need a little extra HP once in a while. Equipment and spec wise the car compares favourably to my current car, a Mercedes E Class estate (MY 2015/6) which is a comfy reliable load lugger. I suspect this excellent car could offer me the same type of service.

[Taz.B]

If I had to choose a Sportswagon or Estate/Station-wagon then she would be it. Always admired Kia's range of automobile products and generally have heard good reviews in regards to them. So yes I would be the target market of consumers that would rather buy something a little different. May not be the greatest vehicle out there, but by golly she is a pretty sight.

[Explore.Beyond]

I’m considering this for my next car... I currently have a Passat b7 estate DSG gearbox.. would it be a wise move?? I think they are extremely pretty cars.

[CarKeysUKOfficial]

Would you choose the Optima Sportswagon over something like a Skoda Superb or Passat Estate? If not, why?

[daveyboiyeah]

I really like this car. I drove the saloon the other day and I were massively impressed with it! I loved the sound of the diesel engine too. You have a similar Superdry jacket to me! Ha ha

[jjoriordan]

Was gonna buy the new Proceed shooting brake, until I saw one of these on the road and now I'm torn. I don't need an estate, I just prefer the looks over a saloon. Im unsure which to get

[lde]

Skoda Superb over this? =))), no thank you! Would rather buy a Lada then something from vw group! Lovely SW but the sexiest SW for me is the C5 from Citroen :x