Optimum package in Optima

srobertson

Kia's Optima offers a pleasant surprise in driving and price

Whoever coined the adage "Big surprises come in small packages" could have been sitting in a new Kia Optima. When I checked out this week's test car, a low-priced midsize provided by Auffenberg Kia in Cape Girardeau, I was blown away! Without a doubt, it's the most surprising car I've ever driven.

This is the Optima's third year on the market, and the revisions are numerous, including double light clusters calling to mind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a new waterfall grill mimicking that of the Lincoln, new wheels, and edgy body panels reminiscent of those expensive German brands. There's lots of chrome and lustrous paint, alloy wheels, Michelin tires, fog lights, heated side mirrors, a power antenna and a sunroof, all pointing toward a high price. That's when I got my first pleasant surprise: the sticker price. Would you believe $18,000, after rebates? More on that later.

Luxurious interior

Surprise again! When I opened the door of this Optima I saw leather and wood trim everywhere, and most of the luxury features found on cars costing tens of thousands of dollars more. Automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Infinity speakers, wood and leather-trimmed steering wheel, keyless entry, power seats, cruise control, automatic headlights and a 120-watt sound system with a CD and cassette player are just some of the features.

Kia, offering the public vehicles with loads of content for very little money, along with one of the best warranties in the industry, has seen a huge upswing in sales over the last two years. When Kia first arrived in the United States its entire lineup consisted of one car, the Sephia, and one SUV, the Sportage. Today, the Kia line touts five cars, a minivan, a mini SUV and an all-new midsized SUV named Sorento. The company is a subsidiary of the Korean industrial giant Hyundai and the Optima is evidence of their recent unity.

Amazing warranty

It takes moxey to compare your vehicles to Honda and Toyota, but that's exactly what Kia is doing with their television and print advertising. When going after the "big boys," the new kid on the block has to give more and charge less. They are definitely doing that. To build excitement and draw customers into the showroom, there is the amazing Kia warranty. Anyone buying a new 2003 Optima isn't going to pay a powertrain repair bill until 2014! Imagine that. And if 10 years of powertrain protection isn't enough, how about a five-year/60,000 mile basic warranty on all the components in the vehicle?

Roadside assistance

Still want more? OK. Kia will also give you a five-year roadside assistance and trip interruption plan. Call an 800 number, and Kia comes to your assistance for the next five years for warranty-related breakdowns. If they are willing to do that, they must be pretty confident about the quality of their vehicles.

The Kia is the same length as the Honda Accord and about an inch longer than a Toyota Camry or a Chevy Malibu. The wheelbase, width and height are also comparable. Inside it has about the same passenger volume as its competitors, but slightly less trunk space. Under the hood, it matches the horsepower of the Malibu, but loses the race when compared to the Honda or Toyota. But it's the ride where the Optima really shines. Its double wishbone front suspension with coil springs and stabilizer bar and multi-link rear suspension are as sophisticated as its competition. Sprung a bit softer than other cars, the Optima delivers a quiet, plush ride, even when fully loaded and even for back seaters. I know because my wife and I rode back there enjoying the center armrest and Infinity sound system all the way to Shawneetown, where we enjoyed my favorite fish dish -- blackened tlapia at the Borderline Grill. Yumm! As good as the back seat is, the front seats are even better: All power, with lumbar support for the driver, of course. And right in front of that is one of those cool half leather, half wood steering wheels like they put in the most expensive cars. The Optima is a pleasure to drive. The variable-assist steering is effortless when parking and nicely weighted on the highway. The Sportmatic transmission is one of the best shifting automatics I've experienced, and it doesn't have an irritating propensity to downshift on interstate upgrades. The V6 engine is smooth and quiet, and although it doesn't have the rocket-like acceleration of an Accord, its 170 horsepower is adequate for interstate work.

Safety

What good is a great car if it's not safe? Fret not, Mr. Nader, this car has side impact door beams, front and rear crumple zones, dual front airbags, front side airbags and an impact-absorbing steering column.

It's also safe to say that Kia has won the price war. This car's sticker price is only $21,215. But you can immediately knock off $2,000, thanks to a factory rebate. Plus, anyone who has ever purchased a new or used Kia gets another $1,000 owner loyalty discount. That makes this car only $18,215. What a pleasant surprise.

Steve Robertson of Robertson's Creative Photography is a car enthusiast and former staff writer/photographer for the Southeast Missourian.