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2011 Kia Optima

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This car still looks great, no matter how many pictures I see of it.

-On sale this fall
-LX,EX and SX models
-18 inch wheels on SX (16 and 17 on other models)
-USB Audio, Bluetooth standard on all models.
-EX comes with rear view camera, push button start.
-SX has black leather seats, carbon fiber look finish-Options include a glass roof, leather interior, 5.1 surround stereo and navigation.
Engines are the same as in the new Sonata, including the Turbo and Hybrid versions.
And just like in the Sonata, a 6 speed manual is only available with the base LX model.
I think this could be one of the best choice for a mid sized car in the US.
And let’s not forget about the 5 year bumper to bumper warranty.
We’ll just have to see if buyers can keep an open mind and consider a brand they never thought of before…

Conversation 33 comments

  1. This is the best looking midsized car that I've seen in a long time. The new Sonata is too bulbous and whale-like and could be the next generation Camry or ES350. The front end of the Sonata, with is enormous lights and oddly placed grill look terrible.

    This new Kia is sporty looking and obviously takes design elements from the Lexus IS but creates a car with so much more character. i like the narrow, angular headlights and the open grill. The narrow taillights are perfect as well.

    The best part of the car is that the interior doesn't follow the typical Japanese / Korean Symmetrical ideals. This interior is more European, where the instruments and dials are angled towards the driver. My first impression is that the dashboard could be out of a future SAAB but it's also very Bimmer like!

    I love all Kia's from the last year or so, starting with the Soul. The Forte is so cute and well designed for what it is. I think Toyota better watch out because Hyundai/Kia are out for blood!

  2. hyundai/kia will no doubt become the top 3 car brand soon.

    there's so much audi on this car, inside and out, but it's a good thing.

  4. Wow.
    Not crazy about the interior but I can live with it. The overall look is really nice.
    I can't name a company that has improved so much in such a short period of time.
    I would like to hear your take on the Kia Forte soon Vince.

  5. Anyone else noticed the design on TOP of the windshield? Mimic the grill just like in the previous released sketches.

    Very Nice touch.

  7. Check out the C-Pillar treatment. Kia got right what the Jag XJ didn't. Amazing how Kia-Hyundai have stormed the automotive world with quality, style and selection. There's a Kia Dealer and a Hyundai dealer in my town. One used to be a Pontiac Dealer and the other a Chrysler Dealer. Who could've guessed back in 1987 when the Hyundai Excel was such a joke?

  8. Im amazed this is a Kia! It looks expensive, futuristic, and better than the competition. I can't wait to see these on the road

  9. what a mess, different for he sake of being different. A true embarassment to be seen in. Trying way to hard. yuk , yuk , oh and did I mention, Yuk!

  12. This thing looks HOT!

    Those looks like HID headlights too.

    I may take an Optima 2.0T over the Fusion Sport….I'm just waiting to see how reliable the 2.0T engine will be….

  14. Outside is really good, those wheels seem unlikely to be standard… probably only on top of the line models….
    The gear shift inside looks like a fisher price toy sorta.

    Why does the Kia brand exist? What is their segment? Are they "younger" Hyundai? Sportier? Cheaper?
    Generally Hyundai seems more conservative, but not always nicer?

    What is Hyundai's obsession with large cars? Why don't they have a luxury brand yet?

    Why do they have like 4 "large" cars in the US that no one buys (No one will buy the Equus, Genesis, or Azera)

    I want something more like a VW GTI from them… Elantra Touring is decent looking, but still pretty yawn…

    I'd like to see the Accent retooled into something more Honda Fit like (super practical – 5 doors, can haul a washing machine in the trunk, yet affordable)

    I wish I could like the Genesis, but I want a hatch, not a coupe, and I don't want huge, I want small and efficient (2.0T though is nice)

    I'm really ranting here, but what use is a "large" "sporty" coupe? It fits no one I know – not for family, not fun, not efficient, and that's why I guess I see so few on the road.

  15. You know what? Based on product placement and image, Kia is what Honda used to be and the same goes with Hyundai being Toyota. This is by FAR the best looking midsize sedan out there. The Sonata looks like a toothless whale with a personality disorder compared to this. I guess they are going for different customers, like Citroen (more sofisticated) and Peugeot (sportish) in Europe. All i can say is… WOW!

  16. Great, stylish exterior. Interior is different, almost Saab-like, but still looks a little early 2000s/Kia cheap. Cupholders are also unecessarily goofy.

  18. "Anonymous said…
    Outside is really good, those wheels seem unlikely to be standard… probably only on top of the line models….
    The gear shift inside looks like a fisher price toy sorta.

    Why does the Kia brand exist? What is their segment? Are they "younger" Hyundai? Sportier? Cheaper?
    Generally Hyundai seems more conservative, but not always nicer?

    What is Hyundai's obsession with large cars? Why don't they have a luxury brand yet?

    Why do they have like 4 "large" cars in the US that no one buys (No one will buy the Equus, Genesis, or Azera)

    I want something more like a VW GTI from them… Elantra Touring is decent looking, but still pretty yawn…

    I'd like to see the Accent retooled into something more Honda Fit like (super practical – 5 doors, can haul a washing machine in the trunk, yet affordable)

    I wish I could like the Genesis, but I want a hatch, not a coupe, and I don't want huge, I want small and efficient (2.0T though is nice)

    I'm really ranting here, but what use is a "large" "sporty" coupe? It fits no one I know – not for family, not fun, not efficient, and that's why I guess I see so few on the road.

    April 1, 2010 6:31 PM"

    What a pointless rant.

    They are doing exactly what the market WANTS and is asking for.

    FYI, the Genesis Coupe is selling very well and beyond their projections. I see a ton of them in the Northern Virginia area.

  20. "what a mess, different for he sake of being different. A true embarassment to be seen in. Trying way to hard. yuk , yuk , oh and did I mention, Yuk!"

    Let me guess you are one of those who just buys Camrys and Accords. So buy them you want get noticed they are seen every.05 of a second on the streets. Who'll notice you?

  21. This is a beautiful example of what good design can do for a commodity product. Honda and Toyota should pay close attention because once Kia gets an endorcement from Consumer Reports (for reliability, and they will), it will eat their lunch. When 2 products perform the same function, but one is way better looking, which one do you think people will buy?

  23. I just looked at http://www.kia.com and noticed that the Optima pictured there has the same grill as all the other Kias instead of this super cool grill that was on the NY Auto Show car. that's a bummer because I was hoping that the NY version's grill would end up making it onto all the other cars. Did anyone else notice this?

  24. The 2011 Optima is not out yet.
    It will be on sale at the end of the year.

    The one on the site is still the "old" one.

  25. There is a tab for future cars and concepts. Kia already has the new Optima and Sportage pictured there. When I looked again, the site has two different front end pictures of the 2011 Optima, one has the grill from the NY show and the other has a grill more like all the other Kias.

  26. You're right.
    I just went on the site.
    The grilles are slightly different, and the one from New York doesn't have the LEDs either.

    Maybe these are some of the differences between EX and SX models. Or Turbo and non-turbo….

  27. Kia is the new Honda. Hyundai is the new Toyota. Americans will be trading in their bloated disgusting Japanese cars for… wait for it… wait for it… KOREAN cars. Here's my forecast for the top brands in the next five years… Kia, Hyundai, Buick, Ford, Cadillac, Audi, Mazda. And maybe chevrolet depending how what they have in the funnel. Others like BMW, Toyota, MB, Honda, Acura will lose market share because they are hunting desperately for relevance. And they're completely lost.

  28. When can we have that 2.0T from the Sonata in a GTI like hot hatch? I'd buy it, especially if it was all wheel drive + 6spd manual. No, don't throw it in an Elantra Touring (too long) something shorter would be amazing, R32 ish really.

  29. The Optima is better equipped than the Sonata. This car will be on my shopping list when i'm in the market for a new car.

  31. Hyundai/Kia is the hardest working car company in the world!! They make Japanese and German companies look like they're on holiday 24/7 365 days. What's making these guys tick?

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