Kia Optima PHEV Plug-in Hybrid launches in the UK priced from £33,995

[nggallery id=2386 template=customlinks]

The Kia Optima PHEV plug-in hybrid launches in the UK  costing from £33,995 and promising low BIK, 33 mile EV range and official economy of 176.6mpg.

The Kia Optima PHEV got its first official outing as Kia’s first plug-in hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring, and now it’s going on sale in the UK promising the usual impossible PHEV official economy numbers – 176.6mpg in this case – and very business-friendly BIK rates of just 7 per cent.

The combination of a 2.0 litre petrol engine delivering 154bhp and an electric motor a further 67bhp the Optima PHEV has 202bhp to play with, which makes the 0-62mph of 9.1 seconds and top speed of 119mph rather disappointing.

Official economy, as you’d expect from a plug-in hybrid on the ludicrous official cycle, comes out at 176mpg, and Kia claim an EV range of 33 miles. The reality is likely to be economy in the 45mpg range and an EV range of around 20 miles.

Compromises to accommodate the plug-in’s batteries mean Kia has plonked them behind the back seats and in the spare wheel well, cutting boot space to 307 litres, and have cut the fuel tank’s capacity by 15 litres. Which if the PHEV really did 176mpg wouldn’t matter, but on a run it’ll be a pain.

Standard equipment looks pretty good though, with an 8″ touchscreen Sat Nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Wireless Phone Charging, Around View monitor and Harmon Kardon sound.

There’s also aerodynamic tweaks including active flaps on the grill, 17″ alloys, fake leather and cloth seats, parking sensors, reversing camera, Climate and Cruise.

Under the skin, as well as the electric motor and batteries, Kia has sensibly retuned the suspension and fitted bigger brakes to deal with the added weight, as well as fitting column mounted power steering.

Just like regular Kias, the Opima PHEV comes with Kia’s seven year warranty, and the option of servicing packs for three or five years.

But unless you’re a business buyer able to take advantage of the Optima’s low BIK rates, the £34k Optima (£31.5k after the current taxpayer grant) is a bit of a pricey choice, and it’s hard to justify paying so much when even the Optima 3 CRDi with DCT costs under £25k and will probably have very similar running costs.