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2009 Kia Optima Sedan

4dr Sdn I4 Auto LX

Starting at $11,100 | Starting at 22 MPG City - 32 MPG Highway

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$11,100 average Retail
$18,950 original MSRP

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Overview
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Printable Version

2009 Kia Optima Sedan

Summary

Provided by NADAguides.com

For 2009, the five-passenger Kia Optima four-door sedan gets a wealth of interior and exterior upgrades. Among the new interior features are a revised gauge cluster and center console and satellite radio, while the EX and SX trims get an optional navigation system. The Optima's upgraded exterior includes new front and rear fascias, hood, side sills, trunk lid and wheel designs. Power on the front-wheel-drive Optima increases to 175 hp and 169 lb-ft of torque for the 2.4L I4 engine, and 194 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque for the 2.7L V6 engine, paired to a five-speed automatic transmission, with a manual-shift capability standard on most trims. Kia Optima fuel economy by EPA standards is up in the realm of 22 mpg city/32 mpg hwy, while the V6 delivers 20/28 mpg. With anti-lock brakes, traction control and stability control now standard safety equipment on all trims, the Optima also features front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags, in addition to all of the other safety equipment for which Kia is known.

Benefits of Driving a 2009 Kia Optima Sedan

The Optima comes standard with full-length side curtain air bags, active headrests, tire pressure monitoring system and a valuable warranty which brings 5 years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance and bumper-to-bumper coverage, along with 10 years or 100,000 miles of powertrain coverage. Highway mileage is estimated at 32 mpg, and pricing for 2009 starts at $17,500.

What's new for 2009?

The Optima has received a complete makeover for 2009. A completely redesigned exterior showcases a new bumper, grille, headlamps, fog lamps, taillights and side skirts, accented by crisp lines and a longer overall length. An additional 3 inches in length and sharper horizontal accents from front to rear make the 2009 Optima look sportier and sleeker. Turn signals are now integrated into the side mirrors, and a barrel-type instrument cluster in hot-red illumination is now standard.

Model Strengths

Stylish appearance
strong fuel economy
class-leading value

Model Review

The 2009 Kia Optima comes with a choice of two engines. The base engine is a 2.4L 4-cylinder engine making 175 horsepower, 169 pound/feet of torque and the Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and Variable Intake System (VIS).

Printable Version

2009 Kia Optima Sedan

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2009 Kia Optima

Source: The Car Connection

The experts at TheCarConnection.com consulted a number of professional review sources in compiling this extensive review on the 2009 Kia Optima. TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Optima and bring their experience to this review.

The 2009 Kia Optima is the Korean automaker's mid-size sedan. Although the Optima continues, as in previous model years, to favor comfort and frugality over style and trend-setting options, the Optima has been made a little more appealing for 2009 with a styling makeover and new engine options.

Both of the Kia Optima's engines receive power boosts for 2009, with the four-cylinder now producing 175 horsepower and the six-cylinder offering 194 hp. Five-speed transmissions are the norm on the front-wheel-drive Kia Optima lineup, with a manual coming standard on the four-cylinder and an automatic option; the V-6 comes exclusively with a five-speed automatic.

With the automatic transmission, there's not really much of a difference in performance between the two models, except the four-cylinder engine can coarsen under hard acceleration. At 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, its fuel economy is also slightly better than with the V-6.

The 2009 Kia Optima boasts a relatively pleasant ride, although running over larger bumps can be jarring. The Optima is clearly more comfortable on city streets than rural roads, where its crisp, responsive steering feel shines through, but it can't maintain its poise when navigating curvy back roads.

Last year's Kia Optima featured one of the roomiest cabins in its segment, and the addition of 3 more inches to the overall length for 2009 only helps in that regard. The Optima boasts good backseat legroom and headroom, and the big 14.8-cubic-foot trunk will swallow more gear than most of the Optima's competitors.

The base Kia Optima LX features standard cruise control, keyless entry and alarm, a manual tilt and telescopic steering column, radio controls on the steering wheel, and floor mats. The Optima LX, meanwhile, adds dual exhaust outlets and alloy wheels when equipped with the V-6. Moving up to the mid-range Optima EX, expect to find alloy wheels, fog lights, solar glass, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat, automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Kia Optima EX also comes standard with an Infinity AM/FM/six-disc CD/MP3 premium audio system, and the V-6 gets dual exhaust outlets. The top-of-the-line Kia Optima SX picks up black leather, aluminum trim, and metal pedals.

The 2009 Kia Optima has top five-star results from the federal government in both frontal and side impact tests, along with a "good" rating in frontal impact and an "acceptable" rating in side impact from the insurance-affiliated IIHS. Standard safety equipment includes front and front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, and active front headrests. Anti-lock brakes and electronic stability control are available together as a packaged option on all but the base model.

The Bottom Line:

The 2009 Kia Optima is a thoroughly competent, comfortable mid-size sedan that's sorely lacking in personality and excitement--even with a modest spice-up for this year.

Printable Version

2009 Kia Optima Sedan

Safety Ratings What do the Safety Ratings mean? The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) performs independent crash testing of new vehicles and then assigns them a score based on their performance. The overall crash test rating is based on how a vehicle performs in the following tests: Driver Crash Grade: Measures the chance of a serious injury to a crash test dummy that is placed in a driver's seat and driven into a fixed barrier at 35 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less chance of injury. Passenger Crash Grade: Similar to the driver crash grade, only now the focus is on the passenger. Rollover Resistance: Simulates an emergency lane change to measure the likelihood of a vehicle rolling over. A five-star rating means there is 10 percent or less risk of rollover. Side Impact Crash Test - Front: Focuses on the front side of a vehicle. It simulates crashes that can occur in intersections by striking a 3,015-pound weight against the side of a vehicle at 38.5 MPH. A five-star rating means there is 5 percent or less chance of injury. Side Impact Crash Test - Rear: Similar to the front side impact test only now the focus is on the rear passenger.
Driver Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Passenger Crash Grade	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Rollover Resistance	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Front	No consumer rating Rate & Review
Side Impact Crash Test - Rear	No consumer rating Rate & Review

Safety Features & Equipment

Braking & Traction
4-Wheel ABS	Std
Traction/Stability Control	Std
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	Std

Passenger Restraint
Driver Air Bag	Std
Passenger Air Bag	Std
Side Air Bag	Std
Side Head Air Bag	Std
Rear Head side Air Bag	Std
Child Safety Locks	Std

Road Visibility
Intermittent Wipers	Std
Variable Inter. Wipers	Std

Accident Prevention
Handsfree Wireless	Opt

Security
Alarm	Std

Printable Version

2009 Kia Optima Sedan

Original Warranty Original Warranty An original warranty is the warranty associated with a vehicle when it is brand new. In addition to the original warranty, select items, like tires, are typically covered by respective manufacturers. Also, an act of Federal law sometimes provides protection for certain components, like emissions equipment. The original warranty is often broken down into multiple sections, including: Basic Warranty: Typically covers everything except for parts that wear out through normal use of the vehicle. Examples of non-covered items are brake pads, wiper blades and filters. Drivetrain Warranty: This warranty covers items the basic warranty does not protect. Wear and tear items such as hoses will not be covered, but key items like the engine, transmission, drive axles and driveshaft often will be. Roadside Assistance: The level of service differs greatly with this warranty, but many manufacturers offer a toll-free number that helps provide assistance in case you run out of gas, get a flat tire or lock your keys in the car. Corrosion Warranty: This warranty focuses on protecting you from holes caused by rust or corrosion in your vehicle's sheet metal. Please check the owner's manual, visit a local dealership or look at the manufacturer's website to learn more about the specifics of the warranties that apply to a vehicle.	Miles	Months
Basic	60,000	60
Drivetrain	100,000	120
Corrosion	100,000	60
Roadside Assistance	60,000	60

Kia Certified Pre-Owned Warranty Certified Pre-Owned Warranty To be eligible for Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) status, vehicles generally must be recent models with relatively low mileage. CPO vehicles must also pass a detailed inspection, outlined by the manufacturer, which is measured by the number of inspected points. Warranty coverage can vary from one manufacturer to the next. While most certified pre-owned programs transfer and extend the existing new car warranty terms, others offer a warranty that simply represents an additional year and mileage value. Always check with the manufacturer for the specific warranties they offer. Common features and benefits of Certified Pre-Owned warranties include: Age/Mileage Eligibility To even be considered for certification, a car must be a recent model year and have limited mileage. The exact requirements are established by individual manufacturers. Lease Term Certified Some manufacturers offer certified pre-owned cars for lease. The length of the lease is often shorter than a new car lease, but it will cost you less. Point Inspection These inspections entail a comprehensive vehicle test to ensure that all parts are in excellent working order. The point inspection list is simply a numbered list of exactly what parts of the car are examined. While many inspections range from a 70- to 150-point checklist, most are very similar and are performed using strict guidelines. Ask your local dealer about specific details. Return/Exchange Program Some manufacturers offer a very limited return or exchange period. Find out if you will get the sales tax and licensing/registration fees back should you return or exchange the car. Roadside Assistance Most certified pre-owned programs offer free roadside service in case your car breaks down while still under warranty. Special Financing Reduced-rate loans are available through many certified pre-owned programs. Manufacturer-backed inspections and warranties help eliminate the risks involved with buying pre-owned, so buyers who qualify can take advantage of the great offers. Transferable Warranty When a new car warranty transfers with the certification of the car and remains eligible for the next owner, it is known as a transferable warranty. Once the original transferable warranty expires, an extended warranty takes effect. Warranty Deductible This is the amount for which you are responsible when repair work is performed under the warranty. Some manufacturers require a deductible while others don't, so always ask.
120-months/100,000-mile Powertrain warranty from original in-service date
Age/Mileage Eligibility	up to 5 model years old w/ less than 60,000 miles
Lease Term Certified	No
Point Inspection	150
Return/Exchange Program	No
Roadside Assistance	10-Year/Unlimited Mileage from In-Service Date
Transferrable Warranty	Yes
Warranty Deductible	$50