2001 Kia Optima Review

If nothing else, South Korea's Kia is aggressive.


Kia has the lowest-priced car with its new $8,895 Rio sedan. Now it's entered the cutthroat mid-size auto market with its new, aggressively priced flagship Optima sedan.


This sophisticated $15,299-$19,949 car is on target for the mid-size market and should especially appeal to those who can't afford hot mid-size sedans such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.


Your eyes aren't playing tricks if it seems like the front-drive Optima resembles the Sonata sedan from Hyundai. Kia is owned by Hyundai, and both 106.3-inch-wheelbase cars are similar. The Optima has slightly different styling, a firmer suspension and a different pricing and features mix.


Importantly, the Optima has Hyundai's impressive Long Haul protection. It includes a five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Optima owners also get a five-year/unlimited mileage roadside assistance plan.


The fairly handsome Optima drives like a larger car--especially with its 2.5-liter, 170-horsepower V-6. The base engine is a 2.4-liter 149-horsepower four-cylinder that works best with the standard five-speed manual transmission.


Both engines are sophisticated, with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder.


Most V-6s in this class are larger and more powerful. But the smooth, quiet Optima V-6 provides strong acceleration and brisk 65-75 mph passing times on highways.


There are LX and uplevel SE models. They cost $15,299 to $17,599 with the four-cylinder and $18,499 to $19,949 with the V-6.


The V-6 models come with an electronically controlled four-speed automatic, which costs $850 for the four-cylinder models. The automatic offers a clutchless manual shifting feature designed by Porsche when hooked to the V-6. But it's a bit slow to downshift when left in "drive" mode.


Fuel economy of the Optima is an estimated 19-20 mpg in the city and 25-27 on highways. Not great, but not bad for a car that weighs about 3,200 pounds.


The quick power steering is precise but feels a little stiff--as if Kia meant it to feel sporty but fell short of the mark.


Small 14-inch wheels and 70-series tires handicap roadability of the base LX four-cylinder model, but other models have 15-inch wheels and wider 60-series tires for sharper handling. Kia would be smart to give all models the larger wheel/tire combo.


All Optimas have a sophisticated all-independent suspension for a smooth ride.


The brake pedal is firm but allows good brake modulation. The V-6 models come with a superior all-disc brake setup. But, alas, the $795 anti-lock brakes are offered only for V-6 models.


The Optima has a good amount of standard equipment. Even the LX four-cylinder model has air conditioning, AM/FM/cassette, 60-40 split/folding rear seatbacks, intermittent wipers, rear armrest with a storage compartment and power windows, door locks and mirrors.


Feeling flush? You can get the SE models with a $995 leather interior.


Standard side air bags provide extra safety.


The SE adds a sunroof, power driver's seat, cruise control, uplevel sound system with CD player and heated power mirrors. It also has niceties such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel, wood trim and keyless entry and alarm.


However, the key fob that controls the keyless entry/alarm functions has such tiny controls that even those with small fingers likely will have trouble using it. They can count on occasionally causing the car alarm to go off accidentally.


The Optima's quiet interior easily swallows four 6-footers and has big, supportive front seats. Controls work smoothly and audio controls are conveniently placed atop climate controls. The white-on-black gauges can be quickly read, but the hand brake lever is awkwardly positioned close to the right of the driver.


Also, the cover for the console-mounted front cupholders flips up to partially block a driver's access to them. That's a small flaw that can become consistently annoying.


Rear windows don't roll down all the way for easy access to food and beverages at fast-food drive-through lanes. This is a family car that will see many such lanes, right?


The big trunk has a low opening and its lid has hydraulic struts that don't eat into cargo space.


The Optima generally is a bargain and can't help but enhance Kia's image.