Awkward design element on the MKZ.... still awkward here.

 

Galant comes to mind ...

 

Sure does. Excellent comparison.

 

I use to love that gen Galant!

Is it just me or is this gen Galant probably the best looking 4 sedan from that era today. It still looks modern with a design from 1996.

I bet you could tell people its a 2015 and they would believe you. Especially the VR4 variant with 276 hp (prob more but because of the japan automakers hp agreement) and 268 torque. 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. A 2020 Lexus is350 sport sedan is slower than a family economy car from 1996.

 

I don't like:
1. The orange squiggly line at the lights
2. The bezel around the screen looks dated already...I don't know why it can't sit flush like Toyota does.
3. The horizontal shift lever with the button looks like it was made in the 1980s

Otherwise, it looks pretty good....double fog lights are interesting.

 

Saw a black one driving earlier today. Didn't know they were already at dealers being sold. Looks pretty sharp.

 

I doubt it. We don't even have EPA estimates yet. If it was a new Optima, it was likely a press vehicle or test mule.

 

It was in South Florida, Broward county to be exact. Pretty sure it was it, those DRLS are distinctive (the orange stands out from a far just like the telluride), looked in rear view mirror and saw the kia badge along with the full length tail light. I should have it on my dash cam.

I was shocked too because I thought, this was just released. Perhaps as you mentioned it is a press vehicle.

 

I was referring to the part about the dealerships. Sorry for the confusion.

I recall some members here saw the Genesis GV80 on Florida and California roads as far back as last month, so the new Optima showing up there is plausible. However, I believe those were test mules and not press vehicles.

 

oh i see, makes sense. I love what Kia, Hyundai, Genesis have been doing in general. As a toyota/lexus fan, I'm jealous.

 

Oh wow, it is already on sale at dealerships, less than a couple days after it's been unveiled. I take back what I said...

 

Home run... except the cheap looking shifter

 

Wireless android auto and apple carplay! And heated/cooled seats on a car under 30k is impressive!

 

Can't make a final judgement until I see and feel the quality of the materials first-hand, but, for looks alone, I have to agree on the home run. I was a little disappointed, however, in the feel of the Telluride and Seltos interior materials and door-closings compared to other recent Kias....which have been superb. We'll see what the K5 gives us. Might be promising......in the video, the driver's door-closing sounded almost like one of the older tank-like Mercedes doors.

Oh, and I disagree on the shifter...not only is it a home run, but a Grand-Slam home-run. It is exactly the kind of no-nonsense shifter that, IMO, we need, but that more and more automakers are ignoring today for gimmicks like E-joysticks, push or push/pull-buttons, rotary-*****, and other awkward devices.

Definitely going to look at and test-drive a K5 when local Kia shops here get them.

 

Shifter is a carryover from lower trims of the Stinger.