The Optima's styling leans more to convention than cutting edge, with a near-level shoulder character line from front lights to rear and none of the elliptical window and roof lines that seem to be ever more popular.   A rib section below the doors to add style and deflect debris is cleanly integrated.   The roof is relatively flat, yielding a decent-size sunroof, headroom all around, and rear side-door openings you don't have to duck under to get in.   Broad expanses of glass front and rear add spaciousness and improve outward visibility.   And the flat trunk lid means an opening large enough to avoid contortions loading large suitcases or awkward cargo.  

In keeping with that the tail is clean and uncluttered.   Tail lights do what they should without looking to jet into the 22nd century; signals are red and to avoid confusion by following drivers they don't share a bulb with the brake lights.   The tailpipes on V6 models exit straight rearward in bumper cutouts.  

A continuous curve marking the front bumper comes across as a smile and mimics the aerial-view curve of the leading edges of the hood and fenders.   The smooth wraparound lamp housings with projector low-beams remind us of earlier Acura TSX and TL models and Kia's newest design language seen on the Forte.   The black sections above the fog lamps in the lower outboard grilles don't look like bumpers but they do protrude very slightly and will take the brunt of any close-quarter scrapes and save some paint bills.  

Side mirrors are rectangular, the same general shape as most of the vehicles you will see in them.   They fold narrower than the car and have signal repeaters on the outer edges; misjudge a garage or toll booth opening and that will be the most vulnerable point.   Large door handles are easy to grab for anyone and chrome (EX) doesn't suffer ring and fingernail scratches quite like paint.   Simple six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels on our example match the mission ideally, easy to clean (no sand, salt, or snow buildup pockets) and don't stick out beyond the tire sidewall where they're prone to scuffing.  

SX models get the usual visual upgrades for sporty models with a black mesh grille, blacked-out headlight housings, and painted alloy wheels.  

Compared to the sedans in this segment the Optima has the shortest wheelbase and the shortest overall length, typically by just an inch or two, but has among the widest tracks (distance between left and right side wheels) in its class.   The Optima is also the lightest car in its class; less weight translates to better acceleration and fuel economy, all other factors being equal.