2023 Kia Optima Release Date & Review

We are going to take a look at the new KIA Optima for the year 2023, its interior features, release date, performance specs, highlights, exterior design, and general assessment. Despite the brief pause for confirmation of the standard safety features, the Korean automaker has confirmed the Kia Optima 2023 will feature all of the latest available safety technologies.

It is difficult to believe the Kia Optima 2023 was built — much less used on the same billboards — by The Korean Car Manufacturer as a production model. The one confirmed Kia engine in the US is the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four, which is going to be set in the next-generation Optima GT.

The 2013-2014 model years of Kia Optima, which featured the 2.4-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines, were the subject of recalls. For the Malaysian market, the fourth-generation Kia Optima was launched in May 2017, powered by a Theta II 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Kia confirmed that the second-generation Kia Optima was not developed with the European market in mind, nor any market that uses the right-hand gearbox, because of a declining mainstream market of hatchbacks.

The fully-redesigned Optima, which shares a similar platform with its siblings, the Hyundai i40, named the Kia K5 in South Korean and Chinese markets, made its global debut at the 2010 New York auto show. The second-generation Kia Optima has a much sleeker, sportier profile, designed by new Kia design chief Peter Schreyer, following the new design language introduced on the Kia Forte, Kia Sorento, and the upcoming Kia Sportage and Kia Cadenza — and it uses Kias new corporate grille, known as the Tiger Nose, also designed by Schreyer. Of course, the 2022 Kia K5 is not going to overtake its perennially great competitor, the Honda Accord, but the K5’s list of desirable equipment and its favorable price point makes it a solid value play.

The Kia K5 is a five-passenger, value-oriented hatchback that was previously known as the Optima. The K5 offers good safety and features throughout its lineup, consisting of the LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT models. The LXS GT-Line EX GT.

The 2023 Kia K5 is paired with an 8-speed automatic, and the combined power from the turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and the transmission powers the front wheels of the hatchback. The 2023 Kia K5 makes use of 4WD ABS and disc brakes and is expected to have sharper performance compared to the competition thanks to lower curb weight. The new 2023 Kia Optima will compete with models from the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata in the midsize sedan segment.

The new 2023 KIA Optima also comes equipped with top-of-the-line luxury amenities, such as a 12.3-inch telemeter cluster, ambient lighting, a full-glass sunroof, an air-filtration system, and a wireless charging pad. Among option packages, the GT-Line All-Wheel Drive Premium Package, a new addition for the 2022 model year, includes a panoramic sunroof, heated steering wheel, LED projector headlights, and additional driver-assistance features. There are also a lot of techs available within the Kia Optima 2023, including the 10.25-inch touchscreen optional, an available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and the Bose audio system with 12 speakers.

The 2022 Kia K5 is classified as a family saloon, but its eye-catching design and 290-hp engine options suggest something sexual. While the Kia K5 might look somewhat new in the American market, having been introduced in the 2021 model year, Americans have been driving this sedan for years, since the K5 is merely the rebadged fifth-generation Kia Optima. The Kia Optima is not judged badly by its lack of modern amenities or its higher starting price but has significant mechanical issues both with the used car and newer models.

The GT trim is the highest trim for Kia K5 and comes standard with the 2.5-liter turbocharged, 290-hp, four-cylinder paired with a dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission. The GT-Line ($27,085) brings a sports-oriented appearance but does not cost you the more powerful engine.

The second-generation Kia Optima was launched in Malaysia on December 27, 2011, powered by the 2.0-liter Theta II MPI with 6-speed automatic transmission, and a 2014 model with a facelift was launched in January 2014 in Malaysia. For the 2023 model year, there is going to be a Kia K5, however, Kia K5 has an expected production date. Kia did not announce a name change immediately for the U.S. market until late July 2020, though fueleconomy.gov does now list the new 2023 Kia Optima instead of Optima (see above).

Unfortunately, it does not appear that the 2023 new Kia K5 will have the modular hybrid, or the split-body, variants of previous Optima cars. If one vehicle could define the term redesign, then the Kia Optima 2023 would be the nominee to do so, since the hatchback is the blank slate of the Korean automaker’s midsize sedan. The Kia Optima 2023s 2023 global engine lineup is likely to feature a diesel engine, but we would not count on seeing that. In addition to U.S. diesel engines, the car’s three gasoline engines will be available for a variety of markets worldwide, though none of them are certain for the U.S. market.

When Will the 2023 Kia Optima Be Released?

The expected release date for the 2023 Kia Optima is sometime in late 2023.

What Features Will the 2023 Kia Optima Have?

The 2023 Kia Optima will feature a high-performance engine, a wide range of advanced safety features, and a spacious interior with advanced technology.

What Are the Engine Options for the 2023 Kia Optima?

The 2023 Kia Optima will offer a range of engine options, including an efficient 2.0-liter I4, a 185-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged I4, and a 245-horsepower 2.4-liter GDI I4 engine.

What Safety Features Does the 2023 Kia Optima Offer?

The 2023 Kia Optima will offer a suite of advanced safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking.

What is the Fuel Economy of the 2023 Kia Optima?

The estimated fuel economy of the 2023 Kia Optima will be 28 miles per gallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

What Trim Levels Does the 2023 Kia Optima Offer?

The 2023 Kia Optima will come in four trim levels: LX, S, EX, and SX.

What Technology Features Does the 2023 Kia Optima Have?

The 2023 Kia Optima will come with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice command recognition, wireless charging, and a head-up display.

What Design Changes Will the 2023 Kia Optima Have?

The 2023 Kia Optima will have a modern exterior design with an updated front grille, sleek headlights and taillights, and a sculpted hood.

What is the Price of the 2023 Kia Optima?

The estimated starting price for the 2023 Kia Optima is around $24,000.

Does the 2023 Kia Optima Have AWD?

No, the 2023 Kia Optima does not have AWD, but it does come with front-wheel drive.