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:
Other Cars to Consider
In a class crowed with cars that offer a fair price, numerous standard
features and good performance, the Kia Rio has difficulty competing. Kia offers
another car, the Kia Forte, that makes up for ...
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 ...
Model Lineup
The Forte represents a new design DNA for Kia, and the car's chiseled
physique, intense front fascia and broad-shouldered fender treatments are a huge
departure from the outgoing Spectra, and shou ...


