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Kia Optima Sportswagon estate (2016-2020) - Practicality & boot space

The Kia Optima SW doesn’t have the largest load capacity in its class, but it’s pretty spacious all the same

Carbuyer Rating

3.3 out of 5

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Practicality & boot space Rating

3.5 out of 5

These are paramount considerations for estate buyers and the Optima SW does well on both counts – however it can’t be called a class leader when its rivals include the huge Skoda Superb Estate. There’s plenty of space for adult occupants front and rear, though, with plenty of cabin storage for odds and ends, too.

Kia Optima Sportswagon interior space & storage

Just like in the saloon, four adults can travel in the Optima SW estate in comfort – however a slightly raised middle rear seat means carrying five people could be stretch on all but very short journeys. There’s plenty of storage space on offer inside, thanks to a lidded central cubbyhole, a cooled glovebox and a fold-down rear armrest, complete with cup-holders. Unfortunately the door bins aren’t quite large enough for big bottle of water.

Boot space

You get 552 litres of luggage space in the back of the Optima SW – pretty good in isolation, but it pales in comparison to the Superb Estate’s 660 litres. However, the Kia does do a better job of balancing style with practicality than the Mazda6 Tourer, which can only hold 522 litres.

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Drop the Optima’s rear seats down (a simple task thanks to a one-touch lever in the boot) and you’ll free up 1,686 litres – also a good figure, but again less than the Superb manages. At least a wide tailgate and low load lip make getting bulky items into the Optima easy, while 3 and GT-Line S-spec cars get sliding luggage rails and built-in harnesses for even greater versatility.

Towing

We haven’t got confirmed towing capacities for the Optima SW estate just yet, however they probably won’t be too far off the saloon’s limits of 1,800kg (with the manual gearbox) and 1,500kg (with the dual-clutch automatic).

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Richard is a former editor of Carbuyer, as well as sister site DrivingElectric.com, and he's now Deputy Editor at Auto Express. Having spent a decade working in the automotive industry, he understands exactly what makes new car buyers tick.

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