Station wagons are versatile, useful and especially popular as company cars. But families also appreciate their roominess. Korean carmaker Kia's biggest station wagon is the Optima SW -- short for 'Sportswagon'. Its size makes it practical, but it manages to look sporty, too.
The 1.7-liter, common rail diesel does its job well. With an output of 104 kilowatts, it propels the Optima SW to a top speed of 200 kilometers per hour. And while it takes the car some 11 seconds to go from 0 to 100, drivers can console themselves that at least it's thrifty. Official fuel consumption is 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers.
At 4.86 meters, Kia's Optima Sportswagon is roughly the same length as a BMW 5-Series Touring or an Audi A6 Avant. The base model Optima SW has a starting price of around 26-thousand Euros in Germany. And it comes with lots of equipment that many other manufacturers charge extra for.
On the outside, the car cuts a good figure. Kia's Optima Sportwagon even won a Red Dot Design Award this year -- being named "Best of the Best" in the vehicle design category. This model is also available as a plug-in hybrid.
In the GT version, the wagon is a bit sportier. It features Electronic Controlled Suspension, and its 2-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine generates 180 kilowatts of power.
Naturally, the Optima Sportwagon comes with Kia's signature front grille, too. For a starting price of 26-thousand Euros, European buyers get a 'versatile, spacious and sporty' vehicle.
