The newest generation of Kia's midsize Optima sedan goes on sale this fall, bearing an "aggressive new look" as well as more power, the South Korean automaker says.
Kia, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai, unveiled the redesigned 2009 Optima at the New York auto show in March.
Designed to compete head to head with the segment's leaders, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, the new Optima is larger and roomier, with an interior that can accommodate five people easily.
The Optima's new four-cylinder engine "packs a powerful punch without sacrificing fuel economy," the automaker said. The car also will be offered with a V-6 that carries over from the current generation, which was introduced as a mid-2006 model.
"The refreshed Optima offers a completely modified exterior, which offers a more aggressive, dynamic style than previous models, and is outfitted with a new engine that provides more power and better fuel economy," the company's U.S. arm, Kia Motors America, said during the New York introduction.
The new, larger size "complements its distinctive new styling and separates itself from other vehicles in the growing midsize segment," the automaker added.
"Optima is in a strong position to change the way consumers think about midsize sedan offerings," said Tom Loveless, Kia Motors America's vice president for sales.
"Already known for its exemplary quality, safety and value, Optima's sleek new redesign provides consumers with a sporty, fuel-efficient choice and showcases Kia's commitment to providing the best all-around vehicle package." The car also competes with a similar model from sister brand Hyundai, the Sonata, but the two are built on different chassis.
Other key competitors in the segment include the Nissan Altima, Mazda 6, Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Fusion, Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring, Pontiac G6, Saturn Aura and Mercury Milan.
Although no prices have been announced yet for the new model, the 2008 version ranges from $16,355 to $20,500 (plus $640 freight), which gives the current Optima a significant price advantage over most of its competition. The segment-leading Camry, for instance, begins at $18,720 and runs as high as $28,270.
Kia says the Optima's new styling builds on Kia's philosophy of "creating dynamic vehicles that evoke passion," something that generally is lacking in this segment of mass-market sedans.
"The fog lamps and lower front grille have been enlarged and the headlamps narrowed to create an aggressively sharper look," the company said. "Wider side garnishes add sportiness, while the acute front lines continue toward the back, ending on a distinctly edged trunk lid."
The taillights were "narrowed to enhance Optima's sleeker” appearance.
A new sporty midlevel model, the SX, will be added to the 2009 lineup. Other trims will include the base LX version and the top-of-the-line EX, which comes with the most luxury features.
The SX trim is offered in other Kia model lines, including the subcompact Rio and Rio5, as well as the compact Spectra and Spectra5, offering sportier versions of these vehicles.
That sporty nature comes from such upgrades as a sport-tuned suspension, black-bezeled front grille and headlights, LED turn signals built into the outside mirrors, fog lights and silver-finished 17-inch wheels.
Kia says the EX and LX V-6 models will have 16-inch alloy wheels with Goodyear tires.
The new model is nearly 3 inches longer, giving it an overall length of 89 inches. Other dimensions carry over from the 2008 model.
The base engine is a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder, rated at 175 horsepower and 169 foot-pounds of torque -- up from 161 horsepower in the current model's base engine. That compares with 158 horsepower for the Camry's four-cylinder engine.
The optional engine is a 2.7-liter V-6, with 190 horsepower and 184 foot-pounds of torque. Although this is a carry-over engine, power has been boosted from 185 in this year's model.
Five-speed manual and automatic transmissions will be offered, although the manual will be available only in the base LX model.
Dual continuously variable valve timing and a variable intake system are used to improve performance and fuel economy, Kia says.
EPA ratings on the two engines are not yet available. But the 2008 model's four-cylinder is listed at 21 miles per gallon city/31 highway, and the V-6 at 20 city/28 highway. Those ratings should carry over about the same. The four-cylinder's mileage is identical to that of the Camry four-cylinder.
The Optima has unibody construction with independent front and rear suspension, MacPherson struts up front and coil springs in the rear.
Inside, new technology includes a standard audio system with both MP3 playback capability and a USB port for connecting memory cards or external audio players. There is also an auxiliary jack for those iPods and such, and Sirius satellite radio is optional. Also available is a new dash-mounted navigation system.
Some of the interior features carry over mostly unchanged from 2008, such as the floor console. But there is a new "barrel-type" instrument cluster with red illumination.
The LX has cloth seats, while the EX and SX have leather. The SX also comes with aluminum interior trim, metal pedals and a special instrument cluster.
Standard on the LX will be air conditioning, power windows and door locks, an AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers, cloth seat and door trim, a six-way adjustable driver's seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat that allows for expansion of the trunk's cargo area.
Upgrading to the EX brings a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic adjustments, the leather seat and door trim, leather-wrapped shift knob, automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, universal garage opener and an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat.
Other options include a power sunroof and an Infinity audio system.
Included in the car's safety features are front seat-mounted side air bags, as well as side-curtain air bags for both rows. The car also comes with electronic stability control, four-wheel antilock brakes and a tire-pressure monitoring system.
The cars are scheduled to go on sale in the fall.
G. Chambers Williams III
San Antonio Express-News
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