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:
2010 Kia Forte
The all-new Forte is replacing Kia's best-seller, the Spectra, in the
company's lineup for 2010. Can this smartly designed sedan grab more market
share from the likes of the Honda Civic, Toyota Co ...
Maintenance schedule
Chart symbols:
I- Inspect these items and their related parts. If necessary, correct, clean,
refill, adjust or replace.
R- Replace or change
L- Lubricate.
(1) Refer to the lubricant and co ...
THE VERDICT
Kia won’t release pricing for the Optima for another few weeks, but we’re
assured it will come in at under $20,000 to start and we expect it to undercut
(slightly) the Sonata, which starts at ...