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.

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    Gauges
    Speedometer The speedometer indicates the forward speed of the vehicle. Tachometer The tachometer indicates the approximate number of engine revolutions per minute (rpm). Use the tachometer to ...

    If you have a flat tire
    The spare tire, jack, jack handle, front towing hook, wheel lug nut wrench are stored in the luggage compartment. Move the carpeting out of the way to reach this equipment. Removing the spare ...

    Automatic climate control system
    1. Temperature control knob 2. A/C display 3. Fan speed control knob 4. AUTO (automatic control) button 5. Mode selection button 6. Air conditioning button 7. Front windshield defrost button ...