Leftlane’s bottom line

Kia is no longer content to be the butt of jokes or the car of last resort for those who may be fiscally challenged.

Although still very much a Hyundai rival, Kia finally has a design language and style of its own. The brand is making all the right moves, unlike a certain Japanese rival that seems to make all the wrong decisions these days.

This particular Korean firm is succeeding in their quest to become a tier-one import that won’t cause anyone to have to explain their purchases. Competing brands should do well to look over their shoulders for there is a new contender gaining on them.

    See also:

    INSIDE
    Inside, a good mix of materials with a protruding center stack (reminiscent of the Volkswagen New Beetle) offer a good use of space. The glove box is huge, but the flat-folding rear seats and unde ...

    By the numbers
    The Kia Optima is a five-seat mid-size segment passenger car that has an interior that the EPA will probably consider a full size interior. Longer, lower and wider than the vehicle it replaces, it ...

    Brake system
    Power brakes Your vehicle has power-assisted brakes that adjust automatically through normal usage. In the event that the power-assisted brakes lose power because of a stalled engine or some oth ...