Kia’s new Optima saloon car is sleeker and more modern than before. You could be forgiven for thinking it’s a hatchback, while in fact it has a neat opening and spacious boot.

This is a car that challenges the established larger saloons on the market with a combination of modern looks, low running costs and value for money.

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On its own, the new Kia Optima has certain appeal; the car looks modern, it drives well and it gives value for money relative to the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis or Volkswagen Passat. This is the market segment the Optima and its related Hyundai i40 trade in, but at a slightly more competitive price.

While the Kia name has been linked to the seven-year warranty offer, there’s more to owning a car than that alone. You have to like getting into the car, like its styling, because it’s the place many people spend up to 20% of their lives.

The full upgrade for the new Optima has enhanced the appeal of the car. The international Red Dot design team voted the Optima design one of the best modern cars for 2016. I agree largely with their view and I like the slightly devious look of the front grille in the Optima. Somehow it reminds me of a cartoon caricature of a smiling shark, so there is a slightly humorous look to the car that sort of pleased me every time that I approached it.

Apart from the new look, Kia has done some serious work under the skin of the new Optima. It’s lighter and claimed to be stronger and safer due to the use of more higher grade steel in its manufacture.

The internal look of the car is very modern and airy. The dash is slightly lower than some of the competition, giving a great frontal view. It’s very clean and uncluttered with a large central screen to house the information and satnav system.

Personally, I prefer a slightly higher dash, but that’s my own prejudice. The infotainment system works well and is very easy to navigate, with simple set-up for the Bluetooth mobile phone connection.

The car feels spacious, with ample headroom in the rear. The leather-effect seats were comfortable, with durable and washable rear covers on the rear front seats that are easy to keep clean.

The glove box is big but there are not too many other large storage areas. The electronic handbrake was easy to get used to and included the hill hold facility for easier hill starting.

The rear visibility is reasonable and reversing is helped by the standard reversing camera system that transmits on the large central info screen.

The improved 1.7 litre turbo-diesel engine is claimed to be more economical and gives slightly more power, up from 136bhp to 141bhp. The car has more engine torque to give better acceleration, making it slightly faster than some of the competition.

Kia uses what they call the Idle Stop and Go (ISG) engine stop/start system on all models, and this, they claim, has reduced the CO2 emission levels by 14% to 110g/km. The rated fuel economy level has also improved to 23.8km/litre (4.2/100km or 67mpg), which is very competitive. Add the two together and you get a low-running-cost car.

I found this rated fuel economy figure impossible to achieve on the road; my performance figure was about 40% poorer, at 16km/litre. This is a realistic figure and I was impressed that the 70 litre capacity fuel tank, one of the largest in the segment, meant the car was able for a range of more than 1,000km before a refill.

Towing rating is low, at 1.5 tonnes, compared to the German competition, while the boot space is also smaller. Kia fitted a space saver spare wheel in there, which is a benefit.

My ownership cost analysis of the Kia Optima shows that over three years the car is competitive to own, at €0.33/km. That’s because Optimas are showing low depreciation levels, helped no doubt by the extended warranty that is customer transferable.

The entry price is €27,950 or £21,495 in Northern Ireland, which is real value when you look at the specification of the car, even relative to the Hyundai i40. The entry-level EX model comes very well equipped with satnav, auto light control, rain sensor wipers and reversing camera included in the package, along with 17in alloy wheels. The seven-year Kia warranty is the other appeal factor you just can’t dismiss and now there are new performance levels and better road holding to add to the driving pleasure. CL

Kia Optima EX 1.7 VGT

Engine 1.7 litre diesel

Engine power 141bhp

0-100km/hr 10 seconds

Economy 23.8km/litre

Fuel tank capacity 70 litres

CO2 emissions 110g/km

Road tax band A3 (€190)

Main service 20,000km

Euro NCAP rating Five-star

Towing rating 1,500kg

Warranty Seven years

/100,000km

Entry price €27,950

NI price £21,495