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:
Enhancing occupant and pedestrian safety
Fitted as standard in most European countries, new safety features will
include ESC with a new Roll-over Sensor that deploys the side airbags, curtain
airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when requi ...
Efficient, Powerful Engine
Available in two powerplants - a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6
engine - and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model
only), the 2009 Kia Optima introduces a new ...
New electric steering and new multi-link rear suspension
All around the world, more than 860,000 Kia Sportage owners have enjoyed this
model's special blend of on-road talents and off-road abilities since the
second-generation model was introduced in 20 ...