2009 Kia Optima shows up at NY show
The Kia Optima, our recommended midsize car that everyone chooses to ignore, has been heavily facelifted for the 2009 model year. Revealed at the 2008 New York Auto Show, the new Optima is still very similar to the existing version.
The American market gets two upgraded engines, namely a competitive 175 hp 2.4-litre 4-cylinder, and a small 190 hp 2.7-litre V6, both with manual and automatic options.
Available features now include 17-inch wheels, USB connector for iPods, LED turn indicators in the side mirrors, and an interior very similar to the one in the outgoing model.
While we’re not sure if the restyling makes it look any better, it should remain a great value proposition.
Comments
Bashar Dahdah
The only reason I hate the current Optima is because of its looks and its engines. Looks like Kia have solved the looks part, but why not the engine?
lotfi
wat r u on about dahdah the car ha sgd engines 2.4 175 bhp is gd and the 2.7 will probs rap ur caprice
Bashar Dahdah
the 2.4 is good but what’s the point of the v6? extra l/100km for just a few more ponies
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
I liked the V6 I tested. The extra cylinders offer good torque compared to the usual 4-cylinder models, and while the hp number is low, the top-spec V6 I tested was priced only 70k back then.
vivek
the front looks like the american spec civic!!..but yea, much better compard 2 the current one!
Don
the grilll luks pretty outdated ….it doesnt luk new
Rayan K
Man come on!!…Theyve been killing honda for this…its the second time they do this…They get the same design from the accord n change a bit and *TA TAA* a new kia….They did that with the old accord the 2004 model….then honda had to change there model thats when they changed the back side of the accord they made the shape with the big boot….now kia does the same thing n copies honda again….come on!!…i knw kia r trying there best to fit in the market n etc…but they’ve gotta find other ways.
benjapel
Yes I can see a little bit of Accord and Civic on it. I really don’t care if it looks like another car if the quality is good i would always go to the cheaper one.
Boris
This one has a better rear end but they’ve just spoilt the front. The new sonata got a 3.3 lambda V6 so why not the same with optima? BTW, I was looking for an article on the Kia KOUP concept on this site. that thing has got no competitors because its based on on the cerato platform, not the optima so accord and altima coupe are not its competitors. Right now KOUP is just a concept but Kia said that they’ll be putting it into production as the cerato coupe.