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:

    Air bag - supplemental restraint system
    * The actual air bags in the vehicle may differ from the illustration. (1) Driver’s front air bag (2) Passenger’s front air bag (3) Side impact air bag (if equipped) (4) Curtain air bag (if ...

    Smart key
    Smart key With a smart key, you can lock or unlock a door (and trunk) and even start the engine without inserting the key. The functions of buttons on a smart key are similar to the remote keyl ...

    Engine compartment
    Type A 1. Engine coolant reservoir 2. Engine oil filler cap 3. Brake fluid reservoir 4. Air cleaner 5. Fuse box 6. Negative battery terminal 7. Positive battery terminal 8. Auto transaxle oi ...