Safety-Minded

As with the rest of the Kia line-up, the 2009 Kia Optima is equipped with many safety features as standard equipment. This includes six airbags (dual advanced front and front-seat mounted side as well as full-length side curtain), front active headrests, side-impact door beams, height-adjustable front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The Electronic Stability Control Package adds Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Traction Control System (TCS), brake assist and four-wheel anti-lock brakes.

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    POWER AND FUEL-ECONOMY ARE UP TO PAR
    That description might have you thinking the Optima has all sorts of power. True, the upgraded 2.4-liter four-cylinder gets added power for ’09 with 175hp and 169 ft-lbs of torque, but it’s no ...

    Audio system
    Antenna (if equipped) Your vehicle uses a roof antenna to receive AM or/and FM broadcast signals. This antenna is removable. To remove the roof antenna, turn it counterclockwise. To install the ...

    DRIVING
    You know what? It drives pretty well. On winding and hilly roads, the car’s comparatively wide stance makes it feel solid, with little body roll. I drove the “+”, “!”, and “sport” tr ...