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 cleaner
    Filter replacement It must be replaced when necessary, and should not be washed. You can clean the filter when inspecting the air cleaner element. Clean the filter by using compressed air. 1 ...

    Gauges
    Speedometer The speedometer indicates the forward speed of the vehicle. Tachometer The tachometer indicates the approximate number of engine revolutions per minute (rpm). Use the tachometer to ...

    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 "Al ...