Strengths

Stylish appearance; strong fuel economy; class-leading value

 

Changes

The Optima has received a complete makeover for 2009. A completely redesigned exterior showcases a new bumper, grille, headlamps, fog lamps, taillights and side skirts, accented by crisp lines and a longer overall length. An additional 3 inches in length and sharper horizontal accents from front to rear make the 2009 Optima look sportier and sleeker. Turn signals are now integrated into the side mirrors, and a barrel-type instrument cluster in hot-red illumination is now standard.

In addition to the basic LX and luxury EX trims from 2008, a new SX trim is available for a sports car-like experience. SX upgrades from the LX and EX trims include a dazzling black front grille and headlamps, fog lights and hyper-silver-finished 17-inch wheels. Two seat trims in gray or beige are available, with cloth only on the LX, leather available on the EX, and black leather trim on the SX. All trims are available with Sirius satellite, USB port and MP3 capability. An optional navigation system is also now available.

 

Value

The Optima comes standard with full-length side curtain air bags, active headrests, tire pressure monitoring system and a valuable warranty which brings 5 years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance and bumper-to-bumper coverage, along with 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Highway mileage is estimated at 32 mpg, and pricing for 2009 starts at $17,500.

 

Overview

The 2009 Kia Optima comes with a choice of two engines. The base engine is a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine making 175 horsepower, 169 pound/feet of torque and the Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and Variable Intake System (VIS).
The optional 2.7L V6 engine with 190 horsepower and 184 pound/feet of torque also incorporates variable valve timing, mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The base LX model with the 4-cylinder engine is available with a 5-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic transmission, while the EX four-cylinder model and both the LX and EX V6 are available only with the automatic. The new 5-speed automatic with either engine gets a Sportmatic? system that allows manual shifting for sporty driving.

Built on a uni-body frame, the front-wheel-drive Optima utilizes independent front and rear suspension systems. MacPherson struts are used in the front with a multi-link layout in the rear and are joined with coil springs and anti-roll bars (standard equipment on all models) to engage drivers with responsive handling and provide utmost comfort whether the road is smooth or less than ideal.

The Optima offers standard front seat-mounted side air bags and full-length curtain air bags. Four-wheel disc brakes are also standard on the Optima, but anti-lock braking, brake assist, and electronic stability control are optional in the Electronic Stability Package, available on EX and V6 models.

The LX base trim is equipped with air conditioning, power accessories, 6-speaker audio system, cloth seat and door trim, six-way adjustable driver's seat and 60/40 split folding rear seats. Automatic transmission-equipped LX models are available with cruise control, keyless entry with alarm, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls.

EX upgrades include leather wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic function and 8-way adjustable power driver's seat. Other options include a 360-watt Infinity? audio system, which includes 6-disc CD changer, MP3 compatibility, 9 speakers, and rear subwoofer. EX models can also get alloy wheels, automatic climate control, fog lamps, trip computer and various other trim and appearance enhancements, like a sunroof

The LX Appearance Package includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a black grille and trim, fog lights, a supplemental gauge cluster, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. An EX Appearance Package is also available.