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:

    Ignition switch
    Ignition switch and anti-theft steering column lock Ignition switch position LOCK The steering wheel locks to protect against theft. The ignition key can be removed only in the LOCK position. ...

    Wipers and washers
    A : Wiper speed control · MIST – Single wipe · OFF – Off · INT – Intermittent wipe AUTO - AUTO control wipe (if equipped) · LO – Low wiper speed · HI – High wiper speed B : In ...

    Four wheel drive (4WD)
    Engine power can be delivered to all front and rear wheels for maximum traction. 4WD is useful when extra traction is required on road, such as, when driving on slippery, muddy, wet, or snow-cover ...