The Optima Sportswagon has the same dashboard layout as the saloon, with the buttons and central screen aimed towards the driver. The touchscreen is very responsive and laid out in an easy to navigate manner.

Fit and finish is to a high standard, and there’s a pleasing lack of cheap plastic or rattling trim panels. There are quite a lot of buttons on the wheel and by the gearshift though, especially in high spec cars that come with a lot of kit. The upside of this slightly cluttered look is you can find the seat ventilation controls without looking.

Satin chrome trim looks smart and doesn’t glare under direct sunlight, and everything closes or operates with a pleasing and well-engineered thunk. The smartphone wireless charger (available on higher trims) is angled away from the driver to help reduce distractions and keep your device from flying around the cabin on a spirited drive.

Lots of seals and insulation in the front of the cabin help to keep the wind and engine noise out, resulting in a nicely hushed environment at anything below high motorway speeds.

Engine noise itself is largely absent from the cockpit, with little sound or vibration entering through the front of the car unless you’re really wringing the 1.7-litre diesel engine hard.

The suspension isolates lumps and bumps in the road well without thumping around and the ride is particularly well-judged, despite a new focus on driver enjoyment.