LexBob2

The people at H/K are doing few things wrong these days. They are nailing all of the key points in their new product launches.

lamar411

Thanks for the review. Also has a pretty low base price compared to its competitors if im not mistaken?

spwolf

more equipment for the similar price... but what do you expect anyway, it is great looking car with great engine... cant be cheap.

Koreans are a steal due to weak Won.

Coconut

The interior is very audi-esque

superchan7

Nice review...this car finally brings a sporty look to the typically dull segment. I don't think the Sonata is what I look for in the segment--it's a little overdone without even looking sporty, and IMO may have been designed for the wrong crowd.

If the reliability, comfort and driving dynamics are up to snuff, then this car should become quite popular.

Fizzboy7

Wasn't talking about dash materials. Was talking about the style/shape. The 1995 GM C/K trucks had a similar blocky design which got worse with the added passenger side airbag (1997), and then even worse with the next redesign (1999?). This dash harks back to that.

Nice review btw.

mmarshall

Sure. Anytime.

Yes. Base LX Manual versions start just under 19K. But option-laded SX models can run in the high-20s to 30K or more.

mmarshall

It's neatly-done, with good materials, but doesn't have the jewel-like Audi dash and door-panel trim. EX and SX models, as one would expect, are trimmed a little nicer inside than the base LX.

mmarshall

Thanks.

There's more "sport" to this car than just the looks....even in the lower-line LX model. I personally prefered the slightly softer ride and better rear-vision of the old version, but, outside of that, the new Optima easily trumps the old one in almost every way.

Apparantly they ARE up to snuff. Turbo models are selling faster than dealers can get them. As I described in the opening part of the review, after locating a couple of EX Turbos locally, I missed out both of them when they were sold before I could even reach the dealerships.

LexBob2

I priced an EX 2.0T with the Technology and Premium packages. List is $29.5k and they say you can get it for $27.5k. As you said the SX can list for nearly $33k with options.

mmarshall

Are you interested in getting one? If so, it's certainly not a bad way, IMO, to spend your hard-earned automotive dollars. You could do a whole lot worse.

LexBob2

No, I'm not in the market for a car. I was just curious about the MSRP on the new model.

The prices are getting up there on the Kia, but as long as people are buying the new model, it's not too high.

scgt652

The new Kias do resemble Audis in many ways. Partly because Kia's design chief is Peter Schreyer. He used to work for Audi. He is credited with designing the Audi TT.

LexFather

There was a great article on him in CAR recently (or maybe it was EVO). He only wears black (easier to travel) and he discussed the cultural differences and how he was able to create something new. It was a great read.

mmarshall

Next planned MM review: 2011 Buick Regal, which is very similiar to the Optima in many ways, though built by a different manufacturer. It's going to be an interesting comparison.