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:
Powertrains and Performance
The 2010 Kia Sportage can be had with one of two engines and a choice of
front- or all-wheel drive. LX base models get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that
puts out 140 hp and 136 pound-feet of torque. ...
Kia Sorento Review
When the midsize Kia Sorento first appeared, it featured a traditional,
trucklike body-on-frame design that provided a level of ruggedness not typically
found on crossover SUVs. Blessed with above ...
Efficient, Powerful Engine
Available in two powerplants - a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6
engine - and two five-speed transmissions (manual with LX four-cylinder model
only), the 2009 Kia Optima introduces a new ...