First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima
Rivalries are a fact of life. When they are in the family, they can be troublesome. On the other hand, they can help to raise the level of game for both family members.
That’s the case Kia finds itself in with the 2011 Kia Optima.
First seen at the New York International Auto Show back in April, the Optima looked a stunning, almost Teutonic counterpart to the stylized and swoopy Hyundai Sonata. This wouldn’t much matter if the two cars came from separate automakers, but the Optima and Sonata are direct rivals offered by the same parent company.
At that point, the gauntlet was thrown, and all bets were off. It looks like Kia is not content to just play second fiddle anymore.
See also:
THE VERDICT
Kia won’t release pricing for the Optima for another few weeks, but we’re
assured it will come in at under $20,000 to start and we expect it to undercut
(slightly) the Sonata, which starts at ...
Kia Magentis sedan range
A reputation for cheapness, low resale values, and doubts about durability
are all obstacles that the Korean brand must overcome if the now-factory-owned
importer is going to grow in Australia.
...
Lighting
Battery saver function
• The purpose of this feature is to prevent
the battery from being discharged.
The system automatically
turns off the exterior lights when the
driver removes the ignition ...