Kia Optima Review

2009 Kia Optima SX Sedan Shown

For much of its life, the Kia Optima has been firmly pegged as an also-ran vehicle. Introduced as Kia's first midsize sedan, the first-generation Optima couldn't promise the refinement, documented reliability and assured resale value of its key Japanese competitors. For the small selection of buyers it did find, however, the Optima delivered a lot of bang for the buck with its solid build quality, jackpot of features, super warranty and low price.

The second-generation Kia Optima follows much the same playbook, but with much better results. Based on a new and larger platform, this model offers plenty of comfort and safety features, decent handling, a roomy interior and the same focus on value and warranty coverage. Our editors still don't rank this sedan as highly as the perennial favorites in the family-car class, but it could be worth a look for price-oriented shoppers.

Current Kia Optima

The current Kia Optima comes in two trim levels -- base and EX -- both of which are available with either a 175-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 194-hp 2.7-liter V6. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the LX. Optional on the LX and standard on the EX and SX is a five-speed automatic transmission.

Although the base four-cylinder provides class-competitive acceleration, the Optima's V6 is disappointing. It's significantly smaller and less powerful than other six-cylinders in the class, and as a result, a V6 Kia Optima takes more than 9 seconds to reach 60 mph. This front-wheel-drive sedan is therefore no hot rod, though its responsive suspension and steering make it reasonably fun to drive around town. Driven aggressively on back roads, the Optima loses that sporting disposition, but as a budget midsize sedan used for daily commuting, it can be surprisingly entertaining. Through it all, the Kia's ride quality is smooth, though many competitors in this class do a better job of isolating you from bumps and ruts.

The Kia Optima's cabin is spacious, and the interior materials as a whole give an impression of quality. The sedan also comes well equipped. The automatic-equipped LX has most convenience features as standard, including a telescoping steering wheel, and all models have front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Stability control is optional on Optimas with the automatic transmission.

Used Kia Optima Models

The current Kia Optima represents the second generation of the model, which debuted for 2006. Shoppers should be aware that the generation switch-over happened midway through the 2006 calendar year. Kia sold some first-generation models for '06 and then released the new sedan as the "2006.5" Optima. Originally, the 2.4-liter four-cylinder produced 161 hp, while the 2.7-liter V6 had an even less impressive 185 hp. These first few years were also characterized by exterior styling so anonymous, the Optima was probably employed by the witness protection program. Both issues were improved for 2009 with a sleeker front end treatment and the current engine lineup.

The first-generation Kia Optima midsize sedan debuted for the 2000 model year. Mechanically, this model was very similar to the Hyundai Sonata of the time. Although it didn't include the finest-quality interior materials, it was well-suited for commuter duty thanks to a spacious cabin and comfortable ride quality.

These first-generation models didn't have stability control or head curtain airbags, and four-cylinder models lacked the availability of antilock brakes. In road tests, we thought the 149-hp four-cylinder engine was a bit short in power and refinement. While the 170-hp V6 didn't inspire thrills, it was smooth and quiet, and offered better acceleration for highway merging than the four-cylinder.

For 2002, the V6 was updated to provide 178 hp. In its third model year (2003), the Kia Optima's front end was restyled (with rather dubious results). Improvements to the interior included a new center stack, door panels and fresh seat fabric. In addition, Kia began to offer Sportmatic manual-shift capability on four-cylinder automatic Optimas. Buyers might also notice that horsepower figures were revised downward that year due to a change in measurement technique, but actual output was unchanged.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.