Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi 2 Luxe review As far as its exterior goes, the Optima is actually quite a striking car, particularly if you have it with a bodykit and mirrored wheels. The rear legroom is also comendably vast. However, the dash is not, as Kia describes "youthful and sporty," and nor does it give the driver a "hands-on, totally engaged feel." Rather, this tester found it plain and dull, and not a patch on its European rivals for design, fit or finish. In terms of road manners, the Optima doesn't do much wrong, but nor is it worthy of particular priase. It's just a car to get you from A to B with reasonable engine refinement, a slighty unsettled ride on 18in wheels and safe but dull handling. In the manual version, 0-60mph takes 10.2sec, and the top speed is 125mph, while Combined fuel economy sits at a respectable, if not remarkable, 57.6mpg. At one time you could have looked at a starting price of £19,595 and considered the Optima very competitive (not least when you throw in its 7-year, 100,000-mile warranty). However, with Ford now knocking out Mondeo Graphite editions from £15,995, the Kia doesn't even have price on its side. If looks, kit and rear legroom are top of your list, then there might be something in the Optima to recommend it over its rivals. Beyond that, however, I was stumped as to who would buy one of these. Then I watched Alpha Papa, the film starring Alan Partridge. Known for owning a Rover, before upgrading to the world of "Lexi," Norfolk's finest DJ now drives around in Kia's flagship saloon (supplied by Fendales Motors). And that, I think, says all you need to know. Back of the net indeed. Kia Optima 1.7 CRDi 2 Luxe Tested: 1,685 cc four-cylinder turbodiesel, six-speed manual gearbox, front-wheel drive Price/on sale: From £21,695/now Power/torque: 134bhp/239lb ft Top speed: 125mph Acceleration: 0-60mph in 10.2sec Fuel economy: 57.6mpg/49.6mpg (EU Combined/Urban) CO2 emissions: 128g/km VED band: D (£100) Verdict: If the Optima happened to be on your company car list, you probably wouldn't complain, but its rivals have better interiors and are more engaging to drive. This is not a bad car as such, but nor is it a particularly good one either.