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:

    Airbags - advanced supplemental restraint system
    (1) Driver’s front air bag (2) Passenger’s front air bag (3) Side air bag* (4) Curtain air bag* * : if equipped WARNING Even in vehicles with air bags, you and your passengers must alway ...

    Emission control system
    The emission control system of your vehicle is covered by a written limited warranty. Please see the warranty information contained in the Owner’s Handbook & Warranty Information booklet in ...

    Driving
    The Kia is available with 2.0-litre or 2.7-litre V6 petrol engines, but we prefer the 2.0-litre turbodiesel. There's a fair amount of diesel clatter at idle, but once on the move it delivers power ...