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:

    What to do in an emergency
    Road warning In case of an emergency while driving If the engine will not start Emergency starting If the engine overheats Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) If you have a flat tire Towing ...

    Remote keyless entry
    Type A Type B Remote keyless entry system operations Lock (1) All doors (and trunk) are locked if the lock button is pressed. Type A The hazard warning lights blink if the lock button i ...

    Manual Transaxle
    Manual transaxle operation The manual transaxle has 5 forward gears. This shift pattern is imprinted on the shift knob. The transaxle is fully synchronized in all forward gears so shifting to e ...