Kia Opirus: Which Version Should You Buy?
The Kia Opirus was offered as a Sedan in one generation, first from March 2003 to April 2006 and then as a restyled model from May 2006 to May 2011.
The Kia Opirus was offered as a Sedan in one generation, first from March 2003 to April 2006 and then as a restyled model from May 2006 to May 2011. Choosing between its five listed versions comes down to three priorities: the 3.0 AT and 3.0 MT have the smallest engine, the 3.5 AT provides a middle ground, and the restyled 3.8 AT delivers the strongest performance and the lowest measured combined fuel consumption. The 3.8 AT produces 266 hp, reaches 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and uses 10.9 l/100 km combined. By comparison, the 3.0 versions produce 187 hp and take 9.8 seconds, while the 3.5 AT produces 203 hp and takes 9.2 seconds.
Kia Opirus generations: original or restyled?
The original first-generation Kia Opirus ran from March 2003 to April 2006. It was a Sedan with three versions: 3.0 AT, 3.0 MT and 3.5 AT. Both 3.0 versions use the same 2,972 cc Gasoline engine, rated at 187 hp and 254 Nm. Their key difference is the transmission: 3.0 AT has a 5-speed Automatic, whereas 3.0 MT has a 5-speed Manual. The original 3.5 AT has a 3,497 cc Gasoline engine producing 203 hp and 298 Nm, paired with a 5-speed Automatic. Every original version has FWD.
The first-generation restyling ran from May 2006 to May 2011 and remained a Sedan. Its two versions were 3.5 AT and 3.8 AT. The restyled 3.5 AT retains the same listed 3,497 cc engine, 203 hp, 298 Nm, 5-speed Automatic and FWD specification as the earlier 3.5 AT. The 3.8 AT adds a 3,778 cc Gasoline engine with 266 hp and 353 Nm, while keeping the 5-speed Automatic and FWD layout.
The clearest change within the generation is therefore the arrival of the 3.8 AT. Compared with either 3.5 AT, it has 281 cc more displacement, 63 hp more power and 55 Nm more torque. The data does not list a technical change between the original and restyled 3.5 AT in engine output or performance, although their listed gross weights differ.
Kia Opirus engine and specs
| Period | Version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.0 AT | 187 hp at 5,500 rpm | 254 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 2,972 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.0 MT | 187 hp at 5,500 rpm | 254 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 2,972 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Manual | FWD |
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.5 AT | 203 hp at 5,500 rpm | 298 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 3,497 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| May 2006–May 2011 | 3.5 AT | 203 hp at 5,500 rpm | 298 Nm at 3,500 rpm | 3,497 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
| May 2006–May 2011 | 3.8 AT | 266 hp at 6,000 rpm | 353 Nm at 4,500 rpm | 3,778 cc | Gasoline, 95 | 6 | V-shaped | No | 5-speed Automatic | FWD |
The two 3.0 versions produce approximately 62.9 hp per litre. Each 3.5 AT produces about 58.1 hp per litre, while the 3.8 AT reaches approximately 70.4 hp per litre. That makes the 3.8 AT both the most powerful version outright and the version with the highest power relative to displacement.
The 3.8 AT also has the strongest torque figure. Its 353 Nm is 99 Nm above either 3.0 version and 55 Nm above either 3.5 AT. The 3.0 AT and 3.0 MT are mechanically equal in every listed engine output figure, so the gearbox is the decisive specification when choosing between them.
Kia Opirus performance and mpg
| Period | Version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.0 AT | 9.8 s | 208 km/h | 16.1 l/100 km | 7.9 l/100 km | 11.1 l/100 km |
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.0 MT | 9.8 s | 208 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.5 AT | 9.2 s | 220 km/h | 17.7 l/100 km | 8.7 l/100 km | 11.4 l/100 km |
| May 2006–May 2011 | 3.5 AT | 9.2 s | 220 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| May 2006–May 2011 | 3.8 AT | 7.5 s | 230 km/h | 16.3 l/100 km | 7.8 l/100 km | 10.9 l/100 km |
For outright performance, the restyled 3.8 AT is the clear choice. It reaches 100 km/h 1.7 seconds sooner than either 3.5 AT and 2.3 seconds sooner than the 3.0 AT or 3.0 MT. Its top speed is 10 km/h higher than that of the 3.5 AT and 22 km/h higher than that of either 3.0 version.
Among versions with complete consumption data, the 3.8 AT also records the lowest combined figure at 10.9 l/100 km. That is 0.2 l/100 km below the 3.0 AT and 0.5 l/100 km below the original 3.5 AT. Its 7.8 l/100 km highway figure is also the lowest measured value, while the 3.0 AT has the lowest measured city figure at 16.1 l/100 km, beating the 3.8 AT by 0.2 l/100 km.
No city, highway or combined figure was measured for the 3.0 MT or the restyled 3.5 AT. Their economy should not be inferred from versions with similar engines.
Kia Opirus dimensions, weight and capacity
No exterior dimensions are provided for any Kia Opirus version in the data. Wheel sizes are also not measured for the 3.0 AT, 3.0 MT, either 3.5 AT or the 3.8 AT.
| Period | Version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.0 AT | 1,822 kg | 2,253 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.0 MT | 1,822 kg | 2,253 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| March 2003–April 2006 | 3.5 AT | 1,822 kg | 2,253 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| May 2006–May 2011 | 3.5 AT | 1,822 kg | 2,270 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
| May 2006–May 2011 | 3.8 AT | 1,780 kg | 2,270 kg | 175 mm | 70 l | not measured |
The 3.8 AT is the lightest listed version, with a kerb weight 42 kg below every other version. It also offers the best weight-to-power ratio at about 6.7 kg per hp. The 3.5 AT versions carry about 9.0 kg per hp, while the 3.0 AT and 3.0 MT carry about 9.7 kg per hp.
Ground clearance does not separate the choices because every version has 175 mm. Fuel capacity is likewise identical at 70 l. The original versions have a gross weight of 2,253 kg, whereas both restyled versions are listed at 2,270 kg, a difference of 17 kg.
Kia Opirus interior, problems and reliability
Interior specifications are not included in the supplied data, so the cabin equipment of the 3.0 AT, 3.0 MT, 3.5 AT and 3.8 AT cannot be compared here. The data also contains no records of Kia Opirus problems, maintenance requirements, engine-oil specifications or reliability results. These factors should therefore be checked separately when assessing an individual car; no version can be labelled more reliable from the figures available.
Price and Kia Opirus for-sale information are not provided either. Consequently, the comparison cannot determine whether the additional performance of one version commands a particular premium.
Which Kia Opirus version should you buy?
Choose the restyled 3.8 AT if performance is the priority. It combines the highest output at 266 hp, the strongest torque at 353 Nm, the quickest 0–100 km/h time at 7.5 seconds and the highest top speed at 230 km/h. It is also 42 kg lighter than the other listed versions and has the lowest measured combined consumption at 10.9 l/100 km.
Choose the original 3.0 AT if measured city consumption and the smaller engine matter more than maximum performance. It uses 16.1 l/100 km in the city, 0.2 l/100 km less than the 3.8 AT, but gives up 79 hp and takes 2.3 seconds longer to reach 100 km/h. Its measured combined consumption of 11.1 l/100 km is only 0.2 l/100 km above the 3.8 AT.
Choose the original 3.0 MT specifically if a 5-speed Manual is required: it is the only Manual version in the data. It matches the 3.0 AT with 187 hp, 254 Nm, a 9.8-second 0–100 km/h time and a 208 km/h top speed, but its fuel consumption is not measured.
Choose a 3.5 AT for the middle output level of 203 hp and 298 Nm. It is 0.6 seconds quicker to 100 km/h and 12 km/h faster at the top end than the 3.0 versions, but it remains 63 hp behind the 3.8 AT. The original and restyled 3.5 AT have identical listed engine and performance figures; the original has measured consumption, while the restyled car’s consumption is not measured.
On the supplied numbers alone, the 3.8 AT is the strongest all-round selection. The 3.0 MT is the distinct transmission choice, and the 3.0 AT is the alternative for buyers who prefer its smaller displacement and slightly lower measured city consumption.