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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    Before driving
    WARNING - ENGINE EXHAUST CAN BE DANGEROUS! Engine exhaust fumes can be extremely dangerous. If, at any time, you smell exhaust fumes inside the vehicle, open the windows immediately. • Do not i ...

    A safer drive thanks to new 'active' and 'passive' technology
    Kia invests heavily in R&D programmes directed at enhancing both the active and passive safety of its vehicles to deliver the highest levels of occupant protection. To ensure that owning and ...

    Trailer towing
    We do not recommend using this vehicle for trailer towing. Steps for determining correct load limit 1. Locate the statement "The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed X ...