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:
Air bag - supplemental restraint system
* The actual air bags in the vehicle may differ from the illustration.
(1) Driver’s front air bag
(2) Passenger’s front air bag
(3) Side impact air bag (if equipped)
(4) Curtain air bag (if ...
Instrument panel overview
1. Driver’s Air Bag*
2. Light control / Turn signals
3. Instrument cluster
4. Wiper/Washer
5. Ignition switch
6. Digital clock
7. Hazard
8. Audio controls*
9. Climate control system
10. S ...
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 ...