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.

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    Lubricants and fluids
    Checking the washer fluid level The reservoir is translucent so that you can check the level with a quick visual inspection. Check the fluid level in the washer fluid reservoir and add fluid if ...

    Your vehicle at a glance
    Interior overview Instrument panel overview Engine compartment ...

    Instrument panel overview
    1. Driver’s air bag 2. Light control / Turn signals 3. Instrument cluster 4. Wiper/Washer 5. Ignition switch 6. Steering wheel 7. Digital clock 8. Hazard 9. Audio controls (if equipped) 1 ...