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:
Theft-alarm system
This system is designed to provide protection
from unauthorized entry into the
car. This system is operated in three
stages: the first is the "Armed" stage, the
second is the "The ...
Automatic transaxle
Automatic transaxle operation
The automatic transaxle has 6 forward
speeds and one reverse speed. The individual
speeds are selected automatically,
depending on the position of the shift
lever. ...
Manual transaxle
Manual transaxle operation
The manual transaxle has five forward
gears.
Press the clutch pedal down fully
while shifting, then release it slowly.
A special safety feature prevents
inadvertent ...