The Optima is Kia's version of the Hyundai Sonata, and falls short of its corporate cousin in ride comfort, braking, and fuel economy. It has responsive and very secure handling, but the ride is borderline stiff and road noise is noticeable. The standard 200-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine performs well. Top-level trims get a turbocharged four-cylinder that's economical and powerful but not as refined as competitors' V6 engines. An unrefined hybrid is also available. The front seats are comfortable, but the rear seat is low. The coupe-like styling detracts from rear visibility and access. Reliability has been average or above.
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Kia Blog Content
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