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:

    Automatic climate control system
    1. Temperature control knob 2. A/C display 3. Fan speed control knob 4. AUTO (automatic control) button 5. Mode selection button 6. Air conditioning button 7. Front windshield defrost button ...

    Ultra-compact six-speed automatic transmission
    Developed by the Hyundai-Kia Group for fitment in a wide range of future vehicles, the all-new six-speed automatic transmission now available for the new Kia Sportage is ultra-compact - and can fe ...

    Key positions
    Ignition switch position LOCK The steering wheel locks to protect against theft. The ignition key can be removed only in the LOCK position. When turning the ignition switch to the LOCK positio ...