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Kia Optima Sportswagon: From the 2015 Spy Photos to the Estate
The Kia Optima Sportswagon was the estate version of the fourth-generation Optima. Spy photos of test cars appeared in December 2015, and Kia revealed the production car at the Geneva motor show in March 2016. It had a 553-litre boot, 48 litres more than the saloon, and went on sale in Europe late in 2016.
Key takeaways
- Inspired by the Sportspace concept of the 2015 Geneva show and designed by Kia's European team.
- Same length and width as the saloon (4,855 mm and 1,860 mm), 5 mm taller.
- Launch engines: 1.7 diesel 104 kW (141 PS), 2.0 petrol 118 kW (160 bhp) and 2.0 turbo 180 kW (245 PS).
- Built for European fleet buyers; Kia expected it to outsell the saloon in Europe.
The Optima's specifications, engines and buying advice are on our main Kia Optima page. This page covers the estate.
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 | - | - |
December 2015: the estate caught on test
In December 2015, Motor1 published photos of a camouflaged Optima estate on test. The old 1cars report linked it to the Sportspace concept of March 2015; Kia had announced an estate that summer.
The main change was the rear end. With no official data yet, the 1cars report guessed that the boot would grow by 60–70 litres over the saloon. The real figure, published at Geneva in 2016, was 48 litres. By our calculation, the guess was 12–22 litres too high.
The estate in figures: Geneva 2016
| Fact | Optima Sportswagon |
|---|---|
| Reveal | Geneva motor show, March 2016 |
| Concept | Kia Sportspace, Geneva 2015 |
| Design | Kia's European design team, alongside the saloon |
| Length / width / height | 4,855 / 1,860 / 1,470 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,805 mm |
| Boot, seats up | 553 litres (saloon: 505 litres) |
| Rear seats | 40:20:40 split folding |
| European sales start | late 2016 |
Details included a powered tailgate that opened when the key came near and a sliding luggage rail.
Sportswagon engines at launch
The estate shared its engines with the saloon (2016 launch data).
| Engine | Power | Gearbox |
|---|---|---|
| 1.7 CRDi diesel | 104 kW (141 PS) | 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch |
| 2.0 petrol | 118 kW (160 bhp) | 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic |
| 2.0 T-GDi turbo petrol (GT) | 180 kW (245 PS) | 6-speed automatic |
The turbo estate reached 232 km/h, against 240 km/h for the turbo saloon. Kia later also offered the Optima plug-in hybrid in estate form, as our main Optima page explains.
Why Kia built an estate for Europe
The reason was the European fleet market. According to Kia, two thirds of the cars sold in this class in Europe were estates, rising to three quarters in fleet sales. Kia said the Sportswagon could outsell the saloon by six to one in Europe.
The rivals Kia named were the Ford Mondeo estate, the Vauxhall Insignia estate and, above all, the Mazda 6 estate. The old 1cars report also used the Škoda Superb Combi as a benchmark, quoting its 660-litre boot. By our calculation, that is 107 litres more than the Optima Sportswagon. Size differences between such estates can be checked with our size comparison tool and the car comparison.
After 2016: facelift, K5 and no estate successor
The facelifted Optima range was shown at the Geneva motor show in 2018. The fifth generation, renamed K5, followed from December 2019. Kia did not bring the K5 to Europe or to right-hand-drive markets, so the Sportswagon had no direct successor there.
Its story begins with the 2015 Optima, and other estates are in our wagons list.
Verdict: who the Optima Sportswagon suits
Our view: the Sportswagon suits a family or high-mileage driver who wants a large estate with a long warranty. The 1.7 diesel fits motorway trips; the GT adds 180 kW. Choose a Škoda Superb Combi instead if boot space comes first.
FAQ
How big is the boot of the Kia Optima Sportswagon?
The Sportswagon has a 553-litre boot with the rear seats up, 48 litres more than the saloon. The rear seats fold in a 40:20:40 split, and a powered tailgate was part of the design.
When did the Kia Optima Sportswagon come out?
Kia revealed it at the Geneva motor show in March 2016, a year after the Sportspace concept, and sales in Europe began late in 2016. Spy photos of test cars had appeared in December 2015.
Was there a Kia Optima GT Sportswagon?
Yes. The estate was offered with the 2.0 T-GDi turbo petrol engine of the GT, giving 180 kW (245 PS) with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Its top speed was 232 km/h, against 240 km/h for the saloon.
Is there a Kia K5 estate in Europe?
No. The Optima was replaced by the fifth-generation K5 from December 2019, but Kia did not offer the K5 in Europe or in right-hand-drive markets. The Optima Sportswagon therefore had no direct successor.
