2015: New Kia Optima

The new Kia Optima will debut in 2015 with a sharper design and a plug-in hybrid option.

Kia will take a fresh swipe at the new Ford Mondeo, VW Passat and Vauxhall Insignia when it launches an all-new version of the Optima less than a year from now. It will feature a sharper design, higher-quality interior and the option of diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrains, and we had a chance to poke around the production car at Kia’s new Namyang design centre, near Seoul.

Although no photography was allowed of the new car, we can reveal that design sticks closely to the current, post-facelift model (pictured) with a wide ‘tiger nose’ grille connecting up to the headlights either side and large wraparound taillights at the rear. The petrol model features more aggressive, sharper intakes in the front bumper, while the hybrid models get a blanked out front grille that opens when cooling is required. Adding Softer curves in the front bumper, special wheels and a wider rear bumper to help reduce aerodynamic drag.

 Kia Optima - Car Interior

New Kia Optima: interior and tech

The interior quality has taken another leap forward, one of Kia’s main focuses for all its new models, with leather seats and a new larger, widescreen display installed in the centre of the leather-wrapped dash. Matt black switchgear arranged in horizontal rows is reminiscent of BMW’s latest cabin design, which is no bad thing.

No detailed specifications were made available, but bosses confirmed that an model featuring a development of the current 1.7 CRDi diesel engine will be offered, along with a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid a little later in the life cycle. And Kia is targeting a class-leading electric-only range with the plug in, according to its head of overseas marketing, Spencer Cho.

“Look at the Soul EV, apart from the Tesla it has the longest range of any of its competitors,” he said. “In the same way we are trying to extend EV range for plug-in hybrids, too.”

Cho also revealed that a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain is under development, and an Optima estate is under development especially for the European market.

2014: Best City Car - Skoda Citigo

 

The Skoda Citigo is the 2014 Auto Express City Car of the Year

The remarkable Skoda Citigo is really on a roll, with a hat-trick of city car awards to its name. No matter how hard rivals have tried, they’ve failed to knock the Skoda off the top spot. So what makes this appealing little car so enduring?

As its name suggests, the Citigo takes to the crowded urban jungle like a duck to water. Compact dimensions, excellent visibility and an eager three-cylinder engine help you make the most of gaps in the traffic and park in tight spots.

What’s unexpected is the Skoda’s ability to take longer journeys in its stride. The nippy 1.0-litre engine is smooth and refined on the motorway, the cabin is well insulated from wind and road noise and the ride is supple.

 

Also playing their part are the excellent driving position and comfy seats, allowing you to arrive at your destination free of aches and pains. Another surprise is the Citigo’s family-friendly versatility. Yes it’s a strict four-seater, but there’s decent head and legroom for rear passengers.

And then there’s the boot, which at 251 litres shames many rivals from the class above. The big-car feel extends to the Skoda’s impressive tally of kit, which runs to luxuries including air-con, heated seats and Bluetooth, plus life-saving extras such as a low- speed collision avoidance system. And it’s great value for money, too, with prices starting at £7,000 and most models exempt from road tax.

Practical, refined, cost-effective to run and good to drive, the Citigo proves the best things come in small packages.

Why choose Citigo 1.0 75 Elegance GreenTech 5dr (£10,740) ?

It’s not the cheapest Citigo, but the range-topping Elegance model comes with the sort of big car kit that goes hand-in-hand with the little Skoda’s grown-up driving experience and exceptional refinement.

Also commended city cars:

Hyundai i10

 

The new i10 builds on the success of its capable predecessor, with handsome styling, a classy interior and low running costs. A generous five-year warranty brings peace of mind. It lacks the Skoda’s charm and sophistication, but the composed Hyundai i10 is still a great small car.

Toyota Aygo

 

Toyota’s latest Aygo has been injected with some personality and style, plus it comes packed with big- car features. Yet at its core, it still delivers the same blend of reliability and low running costs. Its five-year warranty gives it the nod over sister cars the Peugeot 108 and Citroen C1.