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

    Interior overview
    1. Door lock/unlock button......................................4- 2. Outside rearview mirror folding button* .............4- 3. Outside rearview mirror control switch...............4- 4. Central ...

    Before driving
    WARNING - ENGINE EXHAUST CAN BE DANGEROUS! Engine exhaust fumes can be extremely dangerous. If, at any time, you smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, open the windows immediately. • Do not i ...