2011 Kia Optima EX: Bigger, Bolder And Sportier

What’s New:
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The redesigned Optima has stepped up its game for the 2011 model year, offering a sporty design along with a high-level of class-leading features and amenities at an affordable price. With the new design, the Optima has shed its conservative, boring image, while growing in size to a sporty family sedan. Moreover, the feature-rich family sedan will soon be available as a hybrid.

Must Have Goodies:

For now, the restyled Optima is available in three trim levels: LX, EX and SX. (A hybrid model will soon join the line up.) However, there is a lot to choose from depending on how one wants to accessorize their vehicle.

While the base LX trim package is equipped with numerous features, we had an opportunity to review a midlevel Optima EX, which was equipped with the brand’s all-new fuel-efficient, smooth-shifting 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine.

The standard features on our Optima EX included a dual-zone automatic temperature control (heat and) ventilation system, Bluetooth wireless technology, USB input jacks, leather seats, a push-button keyless starter, outside mirrors with European-type turn signal indictors, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a cooling glove box for snacks and the like.

A $2,000 Technology Package is available in the Optima too, which includes a voice-activated navigation system, a back-up camera and a premium sounding eight-speaker Infiniti premium audio system. And there is an upgraded Premium Package one should consider tacking on for an extra $2,500. The Premium Package includes a panoramic roof, a power front passenger seat, a driver’s memory seat, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel.

And for those looking to add a touch of swag to the exterior of the Optima, the top of the line SX trim should fit the bill, adding a unique front grille design, rotating high-intensity headlights, LED rear combination lights, a rear spoiler, aero wiper blades and 18-inch black machined finished alloy wheels.

What Rocked:

The Audi design influence exterior theme of the Optima is attributed to Kia’s design chief, Peter Schreyer, who formerly worked for the German automaker. The newly restyled Kia offers so much for a price point of $27,000, especially when stepping up to a non turbo EX trim. Our Optima was equipped with such high-end features as a heated steering wheel, air conditioned front seats, separate controls to heat the rear seat, a panoramic roof, a back up camera and a navigation system. What else could you expect from a vehicle in this price point?

Moreover, the vehicle handles well for a family sedan on both in the city, on the highway and on rural scenic routes. Don’t expect for the Optima to handle like a sports sedan.

Also a version of Ford’s SYNC system will be available in the Optima. It will be known as UVO, a hands-free in-car entertainment (and communication) system which allows one to use the car as an in-house Smartphone.

What We Hated:

There just isn’t much not to like about the redesigned Optima. We would have like to have seen a sportier wheel package available on the EX trim with the non turbo engine.

And while the vehicle was equipped with a number of high-tech features, the Optima doesn’t offer radar cruise control, which automatically adjusts the speed of the vehicle based upon the speed of the vehicle its following, or blind-spot mirror protection, which alerts the front occupants of objects in its blind spot before merging lanes. However, knowing Kia they’ll probably add these high-tech features in another year or two.

Also will an all-wheel drive model be added to the Optima’s expansive offering?

Any Juice:

The Optima has traded in its six-cylinder engine for two new powertrains: a 2.4-liter engine and a 2.0-liter turbo. While the 2.4-liter puts out 200 horses, the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo model spits out a whopping 274 horses. This is as much power as most 6-cylinder engines.

The Verdict:

Like with the Sportage, the Sorrento and the Soul, Kia has another winner on its hands with the sporty, roomy, fuel-efficient, value-packed 2011 Kia Optima. The 2011 Optima is the sportier alternative to its sibling, the sexy Hyundai Sonata, offering more content at a lower price. In fact, the successful selling Sonata lacks ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a panoramic roof.

Moreover, the fuel-efficient Optima we reviewed managed to achieve close to 460 miles on one tank of gas. According to fueleconomy.gov, Kia’s midsize sedan is capable of achieving 24 miles in the city and 34 miles on highway. To us, it was amazing to see how this responsive four-cylinder engine delivers the same power we’ve come to expect with most six-cylinders.

The Optima also offers one of the best new-car warranties in the industry: a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and a 5-year, 60,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Yes, all of this and more is available starting just under $20,000. A fully optioned top of the line Optima barely reaches $30,000. Like always, Kia gives one a lot of bang for the buck.

Competition: Buick Regal, Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Suzuki Kizashi and Toyota Camry