Impressive Warranty

Hyundai is Kia's corporate parent, so the Optima gets Hyundai's impressive warranty; it includes 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain protection and 5-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance.

Kia is putting more marketing muscle behind the new Optima. Its predecessor received little marketing support, and most folks wanting a Kia sedan brushed past it in showrooms and headed for the automaker's Spectra model.

The front-wheel-drive Optima has quick steering and a decent ride, but the softness of an older Buick and thus just average handling. The brake pedal has a linear action to help provide smooth stops.

    See also:

    Automatic climate control system
    1. Temperature control knob 2. AUTO (automatic control) button 3. Fan speed control knob 4. Mode selection button 5. OFF button 6. Front windshield defrost button 7. Rear windshield defrost bu ...

    Engine START/STOP button
    Illuminated engine start/stop button Whenever the front door is opened, the engine start/stop button will illuminate for your convenience. The light will go off immediately when the engine start ...

    Steering wheel
    Power steering Power steering uses energy from the engine to assist you in steering the vehicle. If the engine is off or if the power steering system becomes inoperative, the vehicle may still be ...