One of the biggest surprises at this year's New York Auto Show was the introduction of the 2011 Kia Optima. Why?
Well, look at it. Attractive for a family sedan, no? Kia figures its best chance of improving sales is to have somewhat nonconventional designs and this Optima takes that idea about as far as any Kia vehicle before it. It doesn't appear over done, just different and that should help in segment that isn't exactly known of intriguing design.
This Kia's other big trump card is under the hood. Not only does it feature a 200-horsepower four-cylinder as its base engine, the 2011 Optima will also an optional turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder that develops 274-hp. Combined with a six-speed automatic, the turbocharged Optima should be quick and fuel efficient.
As if that wasn't enough to draw attention to the Optima, Kia also announced that the Optima will add a hybrid model starting next year. We would assume that it would be the same hybrid system shown for the first time in the Sonata. Looks like a nice system in that car, should be just as impressive in the Optima. Nice job Kia.
kkk
redliner says:
08:08 AM, 04/ 2/10
I see a lot of Audi in the interior, especially the dash. And i absolutely love those ridiculous wheels.
xprojected says:
08:20 AM, 04/ 2/10
"Well, look at it. Attractive for a family sedan, no?"
No. But it's interesting, at least. I'm guessing those wheels won't make it to production.
84skyblue says:
08:37 AM, 04/ 2/10
Nicer looking Accord from the front, a hint of Jaguar in the back and an all-Audi dash.
sonic0075 says:
08:39 AM, 04/ 2/10
I love this car. I'm gonna wait and see if the new K9 sedan will be RWD, if not, I just may have to jump on this. Heated and cooled seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, Infinity sound system, 274 horsepower and the looks! Acura TSX who? Why pay more for less?
jederino says:
09:20 AM, 04/ 2/10
On looks and features, this seems to kill the Honda products. Really curious to read the first drives!
93aero says:
09:34 AM, 04/ 2/10
the way this article is written gives the sense of an unenthusiastically bitter applaud of achievement to Kia lol i am NOT a kia fan in the least bit. But this looks and seems loads better then most "family sedans" I've been seeing on the road. Does Edmunds have a grudge or something; just because this isn't an MB or AUDI?
yellowbal says:
10:11 AM, 04/ 2/10
Anyone notice that the brake calipers are towards the rear? I thought you couldn't do that if the car was FWD?
j2j says:
11:36 AM, 04/ 2/10
84skyblue says:
Nicer looking Accord from the front, a hint of Jaguar in the back and an all-Audi dash.
*******
You mean the Accord which has a front fascia remiscent of the 2007 Sonata?
Anyway, the front headlight design comes from the Kia Kue concept which debuted in 2007, a year before the current Accord went into production.
1487 says:
12:10 PM, 04/ 2/10
the rims are a disaster. The back end is very nice and its better looking than most family sedans. I wish they would show it with other wheels.
dg0472 says:
12:16 PM, 04/ 2/10
@xprojected,
A Kia staffer on the Kia-buzz blog assures me those wheels are KDM production versions, so I'd guess they might well make it to the US, too.
hollowtek says:
01:47 PM, 04/ 2/10
love the car. hate the knock off aston martin fender vent.
jederino says:
02:14 PM, 04/ 2/10
I like the wheels. They're different, in a hyper-80's kinda way.
inlinesix says:
04:42 PM, 04/ 2/10
Im also a fan of the back side of this car. The grill is not great but overall, its good.
firstwagon says:
05:02 PM, 04/ 2/10
Cover up the badges and no one will believe your new car is only a Kia.
ledwinka says:
08:02 PM, 04/ 2/10
I cover Korea automotive industry, so here you go.
1. Those ridiculous wheels are in fact for mass production. They should reach US as well.
2. The K9 will be introduced late 2011~2012 time frame. The name may not be called K9 for sake of our canine pets.
3. The K9 is a sister car to the Hyundai Genesis. It will be RWD, and will be positioned a bit higher than the Genesis. The design...Well, the Sportage R and Optima very well show where the K9 is headed to.
4. Last but not least, Hyundai-Kia is on a roll. In many ways, they remind me of Honda in its heyday with all the technological treats for us consumers. Sigh. Where is Honda now? Insight? CR-Z? Are they kidding me?
travai says:
09:09 AM, 04/ 3/10
This is a fresh and lucid design. It looks like a mash-up between a Renault Laguna and Citroen C5 -- which is a compliment. Also, the interior is Audilicious.
lexuslvr says:
08:22 PM, 04/ 3/10
ledwinka you say the new K9 will be positioned slightly ahead of the Genesis luxury sedan. My question is will the K9 be a performance luxury sport sedan a la 5-series?
mustang5507 says:
11:47 PM, 04/ 6/10
I know SAAB was almost dead a few months ago. But that's no reason to discount the fact that this car SCREAMS Swede. Especially that dash design. Overall, very nice looking, I must admit o.O
rats says:
11:28 PM, 07/13/10
I was quite excited until I got to the dash. That dash is ugly as anything I've ever seen.
I guess I must be the only one that thinks the Audi dash is so 80's like. Audi and Saab's dashes are like some of the worst designs ever made. The exteriors are a different story though.