2020 Kia Optima K5 – sexy D-segment sedan due soon

Kia Motors has created a new microsite to drop more details on the upcoming fifth-generation Kia Optima, which is said to be unveiled next month in Korea. The website pays particular attention to the fifth-generation sedan’s design attributes, going as far as to claim that the front fascia gives an “intense first impression.” We’ll leave that to you to decide.

More importantly, the design sketch of the fascia shows quite a bit going on. For example, the bonnet edge appears to be chamfered (a very rare design element for sedans in this era), almost as though the grille surrounds have been integrated into it. The bonnet itself also features a power dome, with more prominent lines that guide the eyes to the A-pillars. Muscle car much?

If you think that’s a tad too distasteful, just remember that design sketches tend to dramatise the actual product – Kia’s official teaser photo reveals much subtler lines, but the power dome and three-dimensional tiger nose grille seem like permanent fixtures. Complementing these are the aggressive front bumper with big intakes, as well as LED headlights with funky LED DRLs.

Over to the back, the Optima/K5 continues to get the fastback look – the thick chrome strips that form part of the window surrounds now underscores the rear glass, creating a wraparound effect that has never been seen on the D-segment sedan before. Accentuating this is the full-width LED tail lights, complete with V-shaped motif at both ends.

Other prominent exterior styling cues include strong shoulder lines and haunches, body-mounted side mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, and huge twin five-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels.

Inside, we get a closer view of the cockpit, which reveals a wholly redesigned dashboard with two conjoined displays. Compared to the existing Optima, the fifth-gen model will get a less cluttered centre dash, offering more stowage space for loose items like a smartphone or wallet.

Interestingly, the piano key-style switchgear on the centre stack may be for the climate control, and further down is a rotary dial gear selector. Other telling features include carbon-fibre inserts on the dash, a split centre armrest, as well as a trio of switches just aft of the gear selector.

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