The All New and Restyled Kia Optima

The recently introduced second-generation Kia Optima follows much the same playbook. The Kia Optima's cabin is spacious, and the interior materials as a whole give an impression of quality. Because of their mechanical similarity, the Kia Optima has comparable reliability to Hyundai Sonatas of the same model year. The Kia Optima's cabin is spacious, and the interior materials as a whole give an impression of quality.

In its third model year (2003), the Optima's front end was restyled, which gave it a more upscale European look. In addition, Kia began to offer Sportmatic manual-shift capability on four-cylinder automatic Kia Optimas. The biggest improvement of the new Kia Optima is its exterior look. Unlike the previous generation of Optima's, this vehicle is actually based on the Hyundai Elantra HD (2007-) platform. Like the Sonata, the Optima is also longer and taller than the previous model and has a longer wheelbase. The differences between the Optima and Sonata are mostly in styling details, though the Kia is priced at $500 less.

Kia has emphasized the safety features on the Optima, claiming that it comes standard with many safety features and received a crash test rating of 5-stars from the NHTSA[1] and 4-stars from Euro NCAP[2]. Surprisingly, while other cars are adding power with model-changeovers, Optima's optional V6 only makes 185 hp (138 kW), which is seriously lacking compared to a lot of other models. Though not known to be a competitor in any road racing events, the Optima has proven to be an acceptable rally racing machine.

The Kia Optima (Magentis) raced in several amateur rally events (2003-2004) and, although it never claimed a victory, proved to be a close competitor to the rally machines in its class. From its sparing use of chrome to its plain Jane wheels, the Optima is deeply, wildly inoffensive. Measured against the '07 Accord EX V6, the Optima LX comes up short in acceleration, mileage and toys. But the Kia Optima is a nice car for the price. The Kia Optima is priced below competing models and typically represent a good value when taking into consideration their high feature content. Four years down the road a used Optima will be a steal compared to a used Camry or Accord. With that said, your eyes will have no problem telling the difference between the LX and higher-priced merchandise. The vehicle's "Expected" cost of ownership is based on statistical models that correlate the price of a vehicle with cost of ownership within each of the 34 segments that comprise all vehicles.

By Jim E. Harris

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Why A Kia Ceed?

The all new Kia Ceed surely looks very European and not purely because of the fact that it shares a lot of the design cues of the current Toyota Corolla and Mazda 3, two other Eastern cars designed to meet Western tastes. Not comparable to those mid-sized Korean cars, this model looks as if it has been created by engineers who are conscious of the need to take on the Ford Focus and VW Golf which resulted to a product that appears extraordinarily well adapted to life in one of the toughest sections of the world car market: the family hatchback class. Basically, the Kia Ceed is a small family car which was released in European market and is available in five-door hatchback, 3-door hatchback as well as five-door hatchbacks with an option up to four trim levels, five engines, and either automatic or manual transmissions.

What's with the name? The name was said to originate from the Community of Europe and European Design with an 'ED'as its project name. Another conclusion why it was named that way is it was derived from "cerato evolved" because the Cerato is the predecessor of this model. Through the years they have spent in the industry, they had received several awards which include 'Idea of the Year' presented by Autocar, 'Hatchback of the Year' by What Diesel Car?, Towcar award in the eyar 2007, and 'New Car Honours' by Auto Express.

As you enter the cabin, Kia Ceed will reveal to you its real surprise. One thing, it's roomy. Elegance is tendered by its soft-touch plastics and rubber-finish switches that will enable you to drive according to your needs. The gauge cluster was superbly created to help monitor speed, engine revs, and to see the amount of distance traveled. Furthermore, it is lit with orange glow that is specially made help the eye adjust freely mostly when driving at night time. It has digital information system that gives useful data at an instance like cock, calendar, outside temperature, trip computer, door ajar indicator, audio system information as well as tyre pressure monitoring system.

All of these features will help you achieve hassle-free ride since all the information that you need are furnished. Technologically advanced parts are as well mounted like it has been created with USB socket that will allow the user to play MP3s from a memory sticks. The model also features a water-repellent side glass which is not common to some vehicle model. On the other hand, the vehicle's exterior need not to be discussed more since just a mere look at the model will tell you how beautiful it is. Much more than good looks and comfort, the Kia Ceed is also packed with highly performing parts that will provide excellent drive on the street. Mounted with 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre four cylinder petrol versions plus, er, 1.6 litre and 2.0 litre turbodiesels.

By John Eva