| Introduced as Kia's first midsize sedan, the | | | | |
| first-generation Optima couldn't promise the | | | | In its third model year (2003), the Optima's |
| refinement, documented reliability and | | | | front end was restyled, which gave it a more |
| assured resale value of its key Japanese | | | | upscale European look. In addition, Kia began |
| competitors. The Optima is produced for the | | | | to offer Sportmatic manual-shift capability |
| Chinese market by the Dongfeng Yueda Kia | | | | on four-cylinder automatic Kia Optimas. The |
| Automobile Company, a joint venture with Kia. | | | | biggest improvement of the new Kia Optima is |
| Available in four- and six-cylinder models, | | | | its exterior look. Unlike the previous |
| the first-generation Kia Optima midsize sedan | | | | generation of Optima's, this vehicle is |
| debuted for the 2000 model year. For the | | | | actually based on the Hyundai Elantra HD |
| small selection of buyers it did find, the | | | | (2007-) platform. Like the Sonata, the Optima |
| Optima delivered a lot of bang for the buck | | | | is also longer and taller than the previous |
| with its solid build quality, jackpot of | | | | model and has a longer wheelbase. The |
| features, super warranty and low price. The | | | | differences between the Optima and Sonata are |
| current Kia Optima comes in two trim levels: | | | | mostly in styling details, though the Kia is |
| base LX and premium EX. Although the base | | | | priced at $500 less. |
| four-cylinder provides adequate acceleration, | | | | |
| the Optima's V6 is disappointing. | | | | Kia has emphasized the safety features on the |
| | | | Optima, claiming that it comes standard with |
| The recently introduced second-generation Kia | | | | many safety features and received a crash |
| Optima follows much the same playbook. The | | | | test rating of 5-stars from the NHTSA[1] and |
| Kia Optima's cabin is spacious, and the | | | | 4-stars from Euro NCAP[2]. Surprisingly, |
| interior materials as a whole give an | | | | while other cars are adding power with |
| impression of quality. Because of their | | | | model-changeovers, Optima's optional V6 only |
| mechanical similarity, the Kia Optima has | | | | makes 185 hp (138 kW), which is seriously |
| comparable reliability to Hyundai Sonatas of | | | | lacking compared to a lot of other models. |
| the same model year. The Kia Optima's cabin | | | | Though not known to be a competitor in any |
| is spacious, and the interior materials as a | | | | road racing events, the Optima has proven to |
| whole give an impression of quality. | | | | be an acceptable rally racing machine. |