If the Optima were a farmer, its standard-equipment crop would be bountiful. A dual exhaust with chrome tips; turn signals integrated into the mirror housings a sound system with Sirius satellite radio and USB, auxiliary, and Bluetooth connectivity; a tilting and telescoping steering wheel; and power locks and windows are all standard on the base LX model. The rear seat splits 60/40 and folds, and all automatic models come with cruise control.2011 Kia Optima Test Drive
Three trim levels are primarily differentiated on the outside by their wheel sizes. LX models wear 16s, EXs get 17s, and the big-dog SX rolls on 18s. To the LX’s gear, the EX adds fog lights, heated outside mirrors, body-color door handles, a little more chrome pizzazz, a rearview camera, push-button ignition, dual-zone climate control, and Kia’s new Uvo vehicle-interface system developed with Microsoft.
Spring for the SX, and you’ll net HID headlights, LED taillights, and an LCD information screen tucked into the instrument panel. The SX also is set apart with a unique appearance, thanks to a separate grille design, exclusive rocker moldings, a lip spoiler, and red brake calipers. Inside is French-stitched black leather, with metal pedals and paddle shifters to make the driver feel faster.
While the look is thoroughly overhauled, don’t expect pricing to change much. When the new Optima goes on sale in early fall of 2010, the sticker should stay close to today’s range of $18,000 to $23,000.
Regardless, in the hyper-competitive mid-size-sedan market, Kia has nothing to lose and everything to gain by turning its milquetoast Optima into something other than what it is today.
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