The New Kia Optima

[sbird1]

So the commercial makes it look pretty cool. Anyone have any reason to differ, minus the weak 200 HP?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD0zVP-DkOE

[Razi]

I saw these in during the summer when I was in Korea.

They look really great in person!

[MinisterofDOOM]

Better looking than most of its competition. I like the direction Kia's styling has taken. Needs a better defined decklid rather than just sort of...blahing all together, but aside from that it's a good lookin' car. Certainly metric asstons better looking than it's retarded brother Sonata.

[nissangirl74]

Based on appearance, that's badass. I'd drive it.

[sbird1]

I like them as far as a good four door sedan goes. Anyone ever driven one? Have any experience with the Kia brand in recent years. I haven't driven a Kia since like 2005...

[MinisterofDOOM]

I'm still not sold on the whole tiny-turbo-4 in place of a proper V6 thing though. I'd bet cash money V6 returns better real-world MPG.

[nissangirl74]

I'm still not sold on the whole tiny-turbo-4 in place of a proper V6 thing though. I'd bet cash money V6 returns better real-world MPG.

especially if the car weighs much more than 2,000 lbs.

[Razi]

Hmm the Optima's 2.0 turbo cranks out 270hp while Hyundai's 2.0 turbo only cranks out 210hp.
What are you doing, Hyundai?!!

But yeah, for cars like the Optima, screw having a 2 liter turbo.
V6 prease!

[AZhitman]

VERY hot.

The Sorento is slick as well.

[krash]

what optima? All I saw was a Ford Fusion.

Its a sweet looking car, hard to acknowledge it as a KIA.

[Jesda]

Only 200hp but the new Optima is also lighter. I agree though, I'd prefer a V6 in a sedan this size.

[dasoupdude]

Damn i saw one of these on black friday for the first time, i love em.

Hmm the Optima's 2.0 turbo cranks out 270hp while Hyundai's 2.0 turbo only cranks out 210hp.
What are you doing, Hyundai?!!

i think thats only on the genesis coupe, the sonata 2.0t has about 270

[MinisterofDOOM]

VERY hot.

The Sorento is slick as well.

Kia pulled a Ford and pussed out on the Sorento redesign. First-gen is body-on-frame, longitudinal drivetrain. Decent truck. 2nd gen is a FWD unibody. Styling is also unapologetically lifted from the Lexus RX, which is noteworthy only for its ugliness. Pretty solid round of Fail for the Sorento in my book.

[dasoupdude]

ITT: soup learns that the old sorento came rwd

wow i did NOT know that.

[darens13]

it looks really nice, i just dont think i could ever own a kia.

[Dattebayo]

it looks really nice, i just dont think i could ever own a kia.

People used to say that about Datsuns, you know.

[Kompresshun]

Wow, i'm impressed. Kia has been getting better and better it seems like. I'd buy one for sure, i'd rather drive one of those than the new Hyundai Sonata for sure.

[numbnuts240]

i think it's a good looking car, but those wheels are atrocious imo.

[AZhitman]

it looks really nice, i just dont think i could ever own a kia.

People used to say that about Datsuns, you know.

BEST.

DAVE.

POST.

EVER.

[Razi]

I agree with you Greg.

[Jesda]

it looks really nice, i just dont think i could ever own a kia.

Slap four rings on it. The way they're going, no one on the outside can tell the difference.

[AZhitman]

J - Bex and I were behind a new Audi A5 and a Q5 in traffic this morning. Kinda weird seeing them side-by-side.

Anyhow. Both are awful, esp from the rear.

The new front end is gagworthy... headlights straight out of a ricer's wet dream. Bleh.

[MinisterofDOOM]

J - Bex and I were behind a new Audi A5 and a Q5 in traffic this morning. Kinda weird seeing them side-by-side.

Anyhow. Both are awful, esp from the rear.

The new front end is gagworthy... headlights straight out of a ricer's wet dream. Bleh.

I'm hoping "A5" was a typo. The A5 is Audi's spectacularly-sexy 2 door sedan*. Easily top-5 best looking cars in production now. The Q5, on the other hand, is doomed to ugly by being born as a VAG crossover. Q7 actually manages to look somewhat nice (certainly nice looking next to its Cayenne and Toerag brethren).

*So damn good looking I'll make an exception and not even bother making fun of the fact that it's missing 2 doors.

Audi's styling is right up my alley, and certainly my favorite as far as current-production models go. The new A8? Oh, HELL YES. I can't even think of a superlative powerful enough to describe its beauty.



More proof that you don't have to be revolutionary to stand out AND look good.

[Amays U G37S]

Audi S5 Coupe is where its at

TT V6

[Dittoz7]

Very Acura looking.

[SR Superstar]

my neighbor just got the optima.. it's actually really nice for the price. i hope they knock hyundai out of the competitive market!! i have a santa fe and the thing has been nothing but problems! and i got told by a dealership "we don't know what's wrong, but you can come pick it up whenever" like wtf?! thanks for not helping at all.

[Jesda]

Kia beating Hyundai is like Chevy beating Buick. Its the same parent company.

[ricebike]

nice comeback... after they fell flat on their face in the early years with poor quality cars, they at least learned from their mistakes, not like the big 3; what a difference a bit over a decade made for them.

sidenote:

I don't really like the angle of the a-pillar that much; i prefer to see some of the front of the vehicle... well, that's already on most cars since the late 90's lately... <shrugs>

for example:
I can see da hood!

vs



where is the front of my car???

I believe this part of the discussion was already talked about on here; just too lazy to search and post the link

[Jesda]

I'm glad I'm not the only one who likes seeing my hood. I hate when its invisible; you feel like you're in a minivan.

[Mr1der]

Hmm the Optima's 2.0 turbo cranks out 270hp while Hyundai's 2.0 turbo only cranks out 210hp.
What are you doing, Hyundai?!!

But yeah, for cars like the Optima, screw having a 2 liter turbo.
V6 prease!

no. Hyundai's turbo in the Sonata knocks down around 275hp.

the Optima looks way better though.

I'd like to see Suzuki step up with the Kizashi some. It's nice looking car that could use more power and a little work on the interior.