Kia Motors America has officially announced pricing for their 2016 Optima.
This is a vehicle that has been a major success story for the Koreans, so it’s no real surprise that many people have been waiting with baited breath for the pricing of the new model.
The base 2016 Kia Optima MSRP comes in at $21,840, and it comes fitted with more standard features than ever before.
Let’s take a closer look at the 5 available Optima trims, and the features and pricing of each:
2016 Optima LX
The 2016 Optima LX is the base model which costs less than $22,000.
It is on sale at an incredibly affordable starting price of just $21,840. The Optima LX comes equipped with a 2.4-liter engine.
2016 Kia Optima LX 1.6T
The biggest selling point of the Optima LX 1.6T may well be the great fuel economy, which is delivered via a new 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that’s mated to a seven-speed dual clutch transmission -DCT, a first for Kia.
Pricing begins at $23,990, but for an extra $1,850 you can take advantage of the optional LX Convenience Package. That gets you rear cross traffic alert, rear parking assist, and blind spot detection with lane change assist.
Also available is the LX Turbo Technology Package, which comes with navigation, Sirius XM traffic, LED taillights, and USB chargers in front and back. This package is optional and costs an additional $2,600.
2016 Optima EX
Starting at $24,890, the 2016 Optima EX has a 2.4L engine exclusive to that trim level. It features LED tail lights, dual projection headlights with LED positioning lamps, and power folding heated outside mirrors.
There are a number of premium features found standard on the EX trim level, including heated steering wheel, 12-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support and integrated memory system, and heated front seats with leather trim.
An extra $1,200 gets you the Premium Audio Package on the EX model.
Included in that package is a Harman/Kardon QuantumLogic7 Premium Surround Sound Audio System, which includes 10 speakers, Clari-Fi™7 technology and an upgraded 630-watt digital amplifier, another first for Kia.
Top-of-the-range 2016 Optima SX, SXL
The 2016 Kia Optima SX and SXL are priced at $29,690 and $35,790, respectively.
Both come equipped with a 2.0L turbocharged GDI 4-cylinder engine as standard.
These trims feature another Kia first, which are Bi-Xenon HID headlights with dynamic bending lamps -DBL and SXL adds intuitive high beam assist.
The beauty of these headlights as that they switch from high to low beam when they recognize oncoming traffic.
The SX Launch Edition is an optional package that costs $2,700.
It includes a number of exclusive features, such as merlot leather seating, 18-inch alloys, and premium tricot black headliner and roof pillars.
It also comes with the aforementioned Harman/ KardonQuantumLogic Premium Surround Sound Audio System and a panoramic sunroof.
The SX model has another optional package available known as the Technology Package.
At a cost of $4,800, you get front collision warning system, advanced smart cruise control, lane departure warning system, electronic parking brake, and autonomous emergency braking.
The latter system will, in certain conditions, bring to vehicle to a full stop to prevent a collision and potential damage.
The 2016 Kia Optima SXL adds some great standard equipment, too, including quilted Nappa leather-trimmed seats, a wireless charging system for mobile devices, and silver perforated stitching on the instrument panel and front door trim.
Technology sure has changed. I remember the days back in 2002, the Optima started around 12K and fully loaded it was around 18K.