Kia’s Mondeo-sized medium range Optima saloon keeps its handsome looks and grows in stature, with the main improvements made to this second generation version targeting refinement, interior style and space.

With this much improved model, Kia aims to challenge the market leaders and even worry a few of the more premium players.

The first thing to acknowledge is that the Kia Optima has lost weight, shedding up to 65kg. And gained power.

The sole 1.7-litre diesel engine on offer now produces 140PS, while low-end grunt has been improved by an electronically controller turbocharger to deliver 340Nm of torque at lower engine speeds.

That’s an increase of 15Nm over the old model, resulting in fractionally quicker acceleration times of 10 seconds from 0 to 62mph for the manual and 11 seconds in the automatic.

There has been a marginal increase in top speeds as well, with both transmission variants topping out at 126mph.

There’s the option of a new more efficient twin-clutch DCT auto gearbox with this engine.

And Kia has also developed a petrol/electric hybrid model with a 2.0-litre GDI petrol engine mated to a 50 kW electric motor.

Total power output for the package is 205PS.

Overall, this much improved Kia Optima may not look much different from the outside - but then the outside was the one thing that didn’t really need changing.

What required improvement was the plasticky interior, the gutless engine and the inefficient automatic transmission option and all these issues have been duly dealt with in this enhanced model.

Several key ones remain though.

Efficiency is still not up to the standard of the class best and there’s still only one mainstream engine option - and a single saloon bodystyle in a class where most buyers choose hatches or estates.

Still, if you can overlook these issues, there’s much to like here.

Affordable pricing, a spacious appealing cabin, high levels of equipment, a smooth DCT auto gearbox and the longest warranty in the class are all big draws.

In short, Kia has rejuvenated its offering in this segment.