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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    Price Ranges
    The base Optima LX is priced at $16,355 with a 4-cylinder engine and 5-speed manual transmission and an extra $1,295 with a 5-speed automatic. An LX V6 costs $19,345 and comes only with the automa ...

    Ignition switch
    Illuminated ignition switch (if equipped) Whenever a door is opened, the ignition switch will be illuminated for your convenience, provided the ignition switch is not in the ON position. The l ...

    Weight of the vehicle
    This section will guide you in the proper loading of your vehicle and/or trailer, to keep your loaded vehicle weight within its design rating capability, with or without a trailer. Properly loadi ...