Kia’s stunning Optima sedan has shown it is much more than just a pretty face by taking home the ECOcar Magazine Car Of The Year award.
ECOcar Editor Chris Mullett said the Optima was the most impressive car he had driven in the past 12 months.
“It is not only a wonderful looking vehicle, nor just an enormously enjoyable drive experience. The Optima also ticks all the boxes as a responsible, economic car for a modern family, and at exceptional value,” Mullett said following the announcement of the award at a ceremony in Melbourne.
Kia Motors Australia Chief Operating Officer, Tony Barlow, said the recognition from ECOcar was particularly pleasing because of the breadth of characteristics that the COTY award recognised.
“We have been told on many occasions how stylish and attractive the Optima is,” Mr Barlow said. “We have also been told by pundits in the media that the Optima is a very enjoyable drive and that it represents outstanding value.
“Now, with the ECOcar COTY award, we tick another box with recognition that the Optima is also an environmentally responsible car.”
ECOcar Magazine is published quarterly by the Motoring Matters organisation. It is the only car magazine available in Qantas Club lounges across Australia, opening it up to a potential 12 million travellers a year.
“One of the odd little facts we have discovered since putting ECOcar in Qantas Clubs is that it is the most ‘borrowed’ magazine in the bookcase, to such an extent that we had to quadruple the number we supply,” Mullet said.
The 2.4-litre GDi Optima sedan comes in a single Platinum specification at $36,990. The only optional extra is metallic paint at $450.
