Owning
The Kia's length, width and stretched wheelbase provide excellent legroom in the rear. The boot is also generous, with a 420-litre luggage capacity. In the front, though, the cabin doesn't give you the same sense of space, because the driving position is flawed. Upper-range LS and V6 models get an electric driver's seat as standard, but it doesn't adjust low enough. The amount of reach and rake movement on the steering wheel isn't sufficient, either, so you end up feeling cramped. Seats don't offer much side support either. And although the Kia is very well screwed together, it is summed up by annoying touches such as the aftermarket-style radio and indicators that are on the wrong side of the steering wheel - which ruin the everyday ownership experience. The weighting of the controls could also be better. But equipment levels are very good indeed, though arguably they have to be, given some steep list prices. Depreciation will also be a bit steep, while returns of 38.8mpg from our diesel test car were disappointing - though it had very few miles on the clock. Looser engines often return better figures.
See also:
Vehicle handling instructions
As with other vehicles of this type,
failure to operate this vehicle correctly
may result in loss of control, an
accident or vehicle rollover.
Specific design characteristics (higher
ground clear ...
Competitive Warranty
The 2009 Kia Optima is covered by Kia's comprehensive warranty program, which
offers unprecedented consumer protection. Included in this program are a
10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warra ...
Interior light
CAUTION:
Do not use the interior lights for
extended periods when the engine
is not running.
It may cause battery discharge.
Map lamp
• : Push the switch to turn the
map lamp on or off. Th ...


