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:

    Driving your vehicle
    Before driving Key positions Engine start/stop button Manual Transaxle Automatic transaxle Four wheel drive (4WD) Brake system Cruise control system Economical operation Special driving condi ...

    Door locks
    Operating door locks from outside the vehicle • Turn the key toward rear of vehicle to unlock and toward front of vehicle to lock. • If you lock the driver’s door with a key, all vehicle ...

    Windshield defrosting and defogging
    WARNING - Windshield heating Do not use the or position during cooling operation in extremely humid weather. The difference between the temperature of the outside air and the windshield could c ...