Next month is going to see the UK launch of Kia's Optima Sportswagon, a D-segment estate car that'll only be marketed in Europe.

With a design inspired by 2015's Sportspace concept, its 4,855 mm (15’ 11”) length is the same as the saloon's. Of course the Sportswagon is more practical, as cargo space is 552 litres with the 40:20:40 split rear seats upright, or 1,686 litres when they're folded down.

Customers get to choose from three trim grades. As standard, all come with roof rails, 17” alloy wheels, cruise control, a reversing camera, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and satellite navigation.

Additional items fitted to the mid-tier variant include lane-keeping assistance, rear privacy glass, rear electric windows, heated front seats, a Harman Kardon audio system, a larger 8” navigation screen and an 18” wheel upgrade.

At the top of the range, the GT-Line S gains leather upholstery, a wireless mobile phone charger, an automatic powered tailgate, a panoramic sunroof, LED headlights, 360° around-view monitoring and smart parking assistance. Among its extra safety devices are blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert and autonomous emergency braking.

Power is provided by a 1.7 litre turbocharged diesel engine that produces 139 bhp (104 kW / 141 PS) with 340 Nm (250 lb/ft) of peak torque. This four-cylinder, common-rail unit can be paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.