Kia Optima

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2009 Kia Optima

The Kia Optima (known as Magentis outside of the United States and China) is a midsize car built by Kia Motors for the United States and Australian markets since 2001, and in Europe since 2002.

The Optima is produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company, a joint venture with Kia.

The Optima is considered a landmark car for Kia to reach into a new market of executive luxury cars, although so far sales have been slow.

1 2001
2 2007
3 Photos
4 See Also
5 External links

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2001

2004 Kia Optima

The 2001 through 2005 model year Optimas are mechanically identical to their sister car, the Hyundai Sonata, and is more of a luxury version of the Sonata. The Kia Optima differs from the Sonata in terms of exterior styling, and some interior options. For example, later model year Optimas used the same rear leather seats as the Hyundai XG350 whereas the Hyundai Sonata received different (and arguably inferior) rear leather seats. Because of their mechanical similarity, the Kia Optima has been similarly reliable as Hyundai Sonatas of the model same year.

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2007

The 2007 Optima was introduced on January 9, 2006 at the North American International Auto Show. Substantially similar to the 2006 Kia Magentis, the optima now differs more substantially from the Sonata. One major difference is the use of less-expensive MacPherson struts in front, as opposed to the Sonata's multilink suspension. Like the Sonata, the Optima is also longer and taller than the previous model and has a longer wheelbase. Kia offered the 2007 redesign as a 2006.5 model.

Engines:

2.4 L Theta straight-4, 161 hp (107 kW)
2.7 L Delta V6, 185 hp (138 kW)

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Photos

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image (between 170-190 pixels)
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