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Kia Optima 2015: The Fourth-Generation Saloon and Its Legacy
In April 2015 Kia presented the fourth-generation Optima (code JF) at the New York and Seoul motor shows, followed by the European version at Frankfurt that September. Built on the platform of the Hyundai Sonata and styled under Peter Schreyer, it added a Sportswagon estate, a 180 kW (245 PS) GT and a plug-in hybrid. The K5 replaced it from December 2019.
Key takeaways
- Revealed in April 2015; sales in South Korea from 15 July 2015 and in Europe from late 2015.
- European engines: 2.0 petrol with 120 kW (163 PS) and 1.7 CRDi diesel with 104 kW (141 PS), plus the 2.0 T-GDI GT with 180 kW (245 PS).
- New body styles and drivetrains: Sportswagon estate (Geneva 2016) and plug-in hybrid with a 9.8 kWh battery.
- Successor: the Kia K5, from December 2019.
What Kia announced in 2015
The JF Optima was a thorough redesign rather than a facelift. Kia said the new body was considerably stiffer, the cabin roomier and better insulated, and the equipment list longer. Highlights included an 8-inch touchscreen with TomTom navigation, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, adaptive dampers and emergency braking. Kia also confirmed a 2.0 turbo GT for 2016.
Size at a glance
Volkswagen Passat B8
The Kia Optima is 78 mm longer and 28 mm wider than the Volkswagen Passat B8.
| Dimensions | Kia Optima | Volkswagen Passat B8 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,845 mm190.7 in | 4,767 mm187.7 in | +78 mm+3.1 in |
| Width | 1,860 mm73.2 in | 1,832 mm72.1 in | +28 mm+1.1 in |
| Height | 1,455 mm57.3 in | 1,456 mm57.3 in | −1 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm110.4 in | - | - |
| Boot | 505 L17.8 cu ft | 586 L20.7 cu ft | −81 L−2.9 cu ft |
Toyota Camry XV70
The Kia Optima is 35 mm shorter, 20 mm wider and 10 mm taller than the Toyota Camry XV70.
| Dimensions | Kia Optima | Toyota Camry XV70 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,845 mm190.7 in | 4,880 mm192.1 in | −35 mm−1.4 in |
| Width | 1,860 mm73.2 in | 1,840 mm72.4 in | +20 mm+0.8 in |
| Height | 1,455 mm57.3 in | 1,445 mm56.9 in | +10 mm+0.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm110.4 in | 2,820 mm111.0 in | −15 mm−0.6 in |
| Boot | 505 L17.8 cu ft | - | - |
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Model and code | Kia Optima, fourth generation (JF) |
| World premiere | April 2015, New York and Seoul motor shows |
| European premiere | September 2015, Frankfurt motor show |
| Platform | Shared with the Hyundai Sonata (LF) |
| Body styles | Saloon; Sportswagon estate from 2016 |
| Production | 2015–2020, South Korea, West Point (USA) and other plants |
| Successor | Kia K5 (from December 2019) |
Key engines and specifications
| Version | Engine | Power | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optima 2.0 | 2.0 petrol | 120 kW (163 PS) | Europe |
| Optima 1.7 CRDi | 1.7 turbodiesel | 104 kW (141 PS) | Europe, 2015–2018 |
| Optima 1.6 CRDi | 1.6 turbodiesel | about 100 kW (136 PS) | Europe, from 2018 |
| Optima GT | 2.0 T-GDI turbo petrol | 180 kW (245 PS) | Europe, US, Korea |
| Optima 1.6 T-GDI | 1.6 turbo, 7-speed DCT | 133 kW (178 hp) | US |
| Optima Plug-in Hybrid | 2.0 GDI + 50 kW motor, 9.8 kWh | - | Europe, US |
The GT reached 100 km/h in about 7.6 seconds; stronger rivals appear in the 1cars ranking of the most powerful saloons. The plug-in hybrid, unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show, covered about 43 km on electricity. A 2018 facelift, shown at Geneva, replaced the 1.7 diesel with a cleaner 1.6 CRDi.
Context: predecessor and rivals
The 2010 third generation had made Kia credible in the mid-size class, especially in the US. In Europe the JF competed with the Volkswagen Passat B8, the Ford Mondeo and the Opel Insignia; in North America with the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.
By our catalogue data, the Optima saloon is 78 mm longer than the Passat B8 (4,845 against 4,767 mm) and has a 505-litre boot. The 1cars size comparison of the Optima and Passat shows the difference in detail.
What happened next: from Optima to K5
The JF won the 2016 Red Dot "Best of the Best" award and an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ for 2017. Kia did not bring the K5 to Europe, so European Optima sales ended around 2020. The fifth generation went on sale in South Korea on 12 December 2019 under the K5 name worldwide, ending the Optima name used in export markets since 2000. Its full history is on our Kia Optima page, and the brand's story is in the history of Kia.
Availability and buying one today
We found no official, dated euro price valid across Europe, so none is given. On the used market, the 1.7 CRDi suits high-mileage drivers, the Sportswagon is the best choice for families, and the GT is for buyers who want a fast, well-equipped saloon. All Kia models are in the Kia catalogue.
FAQ
When did the fourth-generation Kia Optima come out?
Kia revealed the JF Optima in April 2015 at the New York and Seoul motor shows. European sales followed after the Frankfurt debut in September 2015.
What engines did the 2015 Kia Optima have in Europe?
European buyers could choose a 2.0 petrol with 120 kW (163 PS), a 1.7 CRDi diesel with 104 kW (141 PS) or, from 2016, the GT with a 2.0 turbo and 180 kW (245 PS).
What replaced the Kia Optima?
The Kia K5 replaced it. The fifth-generation car went on sale in South Korea in December 2019 and uses the K5 name in every market, ending the Optima name.
Was there an estate version of the Kia Optima?
Yes. The Optima Sportswagon, revealed at the 2016 Geneva motor show, was developed mainly for European buyers. It shared its engines with the saloon, from the diesels to the GT.
