LOTS TO LIKE
You’ll find that attention to details carried over in the interior of the new Optima with features like adds unique black leather woven seat trim, black interior trim with carbon insert film available on the premium package for the Optima SX.
It’s the kind of stuff you’d hardly expect to find in a car in this segment.
Standard features include a six-way adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support, illuminated vanity mirrors with a ticket holder and a trip computer further expand the cabin’s luxurious qualities.
Optima EX comes equipped with the UVO powered by Microsoft hands-free in-car entertainment and communication system (available later this year) with rear-view camera, push button start ignition, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to name a few of the features.
The SX also features soft trim with French seams, steering wheel paddle shifters, metal pedals and lighted metal door scuff plates. Moving to the EX Turbo adds wood interior trim with metal accents for a more luxurious feel.
PICK YOUR POWER
The front-wheel drive Optima is available in three all-new engines — a 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder, a 2.0-liter GDI turbo or a 2.4-liter hybrid engine.
The 2.4-liter GDI engine, featured in the model tested, produces 200 horsepower while the 2.0-liter turbo GDI engine (EX Turbo and SX models) ups the horsepower to 274. The 2.4-liter hybrid Optima will be introduced in 2011. All the automatics feature sportmatic clutchless shifting.
Only the LX four-cylinder model is available with a six-speed manual transmission.
Ride and handling is as impressive as everything else about the new Optima, which the carmaker credits in large part to an all new platform that features a stiffer body and independent front and rear suspension systems.
Safety features include six airbags (dual advanced front and front-seat mounted side as well as full-length side curtain), lower anchors and tethers for children and standard hill assist control.
The new Optima also comes with Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile anti-perforation warranty. A five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance plan also is part of the vehicle coverage.
Gotta love that.
Even if you typically wouldn’t ever consider a Kia, with the new design of the Optima and all the stuff offered on the new car, it’s hard not to be impressed.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Pricing: To be announced
- MPG: 24 city/35 hwy
- Hybrid model coming
- Optional UVO hands-free entertainment system
- 100,000 mile limited powertrain warranty
