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:

    All-new U2 1.6 diesel joins five-strong engine line-up
    Although Kia's new Kia cee'd will be offered with the same engine choice as the original model - three gasoline and two diesel engines, ranging in power output from 90 to 143 ps - all the powertra ...

    Automatic transaxle
    Checking the automatic transaxle fluid level The automatic transaxle fluid level should be checked regularly. Keep the vehicle on the level ground with the parking brake applied and check the ...

    Overview
    Created especially for European consumers, the original Kia cee'd marked a major turning point in Kia's history. It was the start of a new era, the first-ever Kia designed and produced in Europe. ...