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:
Additional Horsepower
The 2.4-liter 161-horsepower 4-cylinder engine has gained 23 horsepower from
the early-2006 model and provides good acceleration below 60 mph—but average
performance above that speed. The 2.7-li ...
Homelink wireless control system
Your new mirror comes with an integrated
HomeLink Universal
Transceiver, which allows you to program
the mirror to activate your
garage door(s), estate gate, home
lighting, etc. The mirror actu ...
Your vehicle at a glance
Interior overview
Instrument panel overview
Engine compartment ...