2006.5 Kia Optima Review

Most of us have heard the expression “champagne taste on a beer budget,” but Kia is refuting that notion with the introduction of the redesigned 2006.5 Optima. Thanks to Kia, consumers no longer need to settle for drab and boring just because they might be monetarily challenged. The new Kia Optima offers upscale good looks, a well-designed interior with lots of room, a choice between a four-cylinder or a V6 engine, and respectable handling for a value-packed price. The 2006.5 Kia Optima’s sticker ranges from just under $17,000 to around $24,000 for a fully loaded EX with a V6. This is good news for buyers looking to get the most car for the money while still satisfying the desire to drive something that looks upscale. It’s not surprising that Kia’s recent sales spurt has coincided with significant improvements in design and quality. The company’s biggest hurdle was to dispel a reputation for questionable construction, a work still in progress and kicked off by a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Since the warranty program began, sales have been brisk and customers are looking at the brand in a new way. Now that the new 2006.5 Optima is in showrooms, the difference between what Kia was 10 years ago and what it is today is vast. Your first glance at the Optima midsize sedan will have you wondering if what you see is really a Kia. This new body design is modern, handsome, clean, and has the upscale look Kia has needed to win both hearts and minds. We feel that even the base model is appealing despite wearing plastic wheel covers. It’s nice to see the underdog score a decisive design blow to the competition. Kia claims that the new Optima provides more interior room than its competitors, but that claim wasn’t obvious to us during our test drive. Designers have succeeded in bringing the Optima’s interior components upscale by incorporating dampened covers and assist handles, lined storage and tray areas, and a well-finished headliner – especially around the sunroof. The Optima also gets triple-sealed doors to reduce wind and road noise. We suggest stepping up to the EX model for the leather seating and door panels with perforated inserts, because the lower grade cloth interior just didn’t cut it for us. In our opinion, if you’re driving a car that looks upscale on the outside, the inside should look just as good. Kia offers the 2006.5 Optima in two trim levels. The base LX model gets you air conditioning, power windows and door locks, power heated outside mirrors, a tilt steering wheel, and a six-way manually adjustable driver’s seat. The standard appointments don’t stop there, because you also get a six-speaker CD stereo system, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, an illuminated glove box, and a trunk light. The LX comes standard with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed manual transmission. Adding the optional five-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic manual shifting adds cruise control, keyless entry, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, floor mats, and steering wheel-mounted audio controls. You even have the option of stepping up to a 2.7-liter V6 and getting alloy wheels and dual exhaust outlets as part of the deal. A fully optioned LX with the V6 will only set you back $19,945. Have a bit more in mind? Step up to the EX model and get an automatic transmission, alloy wheels, fog lights, solar glass, chrome door handles, metal sill plates, a trip computer, foot and door courtesy lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat, automatic climate control, and a 360-watt Infinity audio system. Along with all the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s standard appointments, buyers also get a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Every Optima also comes standard with the following safety equipment: dual-stage front airbags, front passenger detection sensors, front side-impact airbags, side-curtain airbags, active front headrests, tire pressure monitors, and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters. An array of options include special pearl white paint, a power sunroof, a rear spoiler, ABS with brake assist, and a traction and stability control system. Clearly, Kia is serious about offering buyers a lot of value for their money. Eighty percent of new Optimas will be equipped with a 161-horsepower four-cylinder engine delivering 163 lb.-ft of torque and running on regular grade gasoline to achieve an EPA-rated 24 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Stepping up to last year’s 2.7-liter V6 hardly makes sense since it only provides 24 more horsepower at 185 horsepower and delivers a mere 182 lb.-ft. of torque while getting worse gas mileage. Supplying the Optima’s ride and handling are MacPherson struts up front coupled with a multi-link rear suspension, and stabilizer bars add roll stiffness front and back. Steering is a speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion system anchored at each corner by either standard 16- or optional 17-inch wheels shod with Michelin tires that enhance both the ride and the handling. With the amount of standard equipment Kia is throwing into the redesigned 2006 Optima, combined with a fantastic warranty and handsome design, this is definitely a car that provides a champagne image while staying within a beer budget.

Driving Impressions

Thom Blackett’s Driving Impressions of the 2006.5 Kia Optima: Driving a four-cylinder Kia sedan saddled with an automatic transmission may sound more like a curse than an opportunity, yet the new 2006.5 Optima proves to be anything but. Granted, with 161 horses on tap, comparisons with turbocharged tuner cars are a stretch, but there’s plenty of power to make for a spirited drive to work. Throttle response is immediate, almost to the point of being too touchy, with the smooth transmission exhibits crisp shifts. In normal mode, the Optima’s automatic tranny acts much like the sport mode in competitors, jumping down one or two gears with the slightest provocation to deliver maximum power. That’s great when the driver wants to play, but can be hard to modulate in stop-and-go traffic. Push the gear lever over to the manual mode for best acceleration, as the engine runs to near redline before the transmission automatically shifts up. All the while, the engine remains as composed as one can expect a high-revving four-cylinder to be. As with the engine, the rest of the Kia Optima is refined and quiet. There’s a bit of road noise on a grooved highway, though it’s not intrusive. Along that same high-speed, multi-lane route drivers will appreciate the Optima’s excellent visibility, and the compliant yet responsive ride. It can be a bit stiff, especially when nailing a pothole, though the upside is a controlled and surprisingly agile demeanor on twisty roads. The 17-inch Michelin tires do a good job of hanging on, and the steering is responsive, a big plus when threading tight corners. However, a bit more road feel would be nice. Also benefiting Optima drivers is the stability control system. During testing, the roads here in Southern California were wet and slick, so the stability control had a chance to work its magic on slippery surfaces. Though we didn’t drive the Optima excessively hard given the weather conditions, this safety system showed constraint during spirited driving and avoided being intrusive. Brian Chee’s Driving Impressions of the 2006.5 Kia Optima: Let’s see if we can get this right: you’re reading a driving impressions page about the 2006.5 Kia Optima, so you expect the customary disclaimer, something along the lines of Or, perhaps, this one: Forget it. Kia is ready for the Big Time, so it needs to start getting the full blown stink-eye from automotive reviewers. So here it is: The 2006.5 Kia Optima is an admirable handler that suffers from a whiny, inefficient engine and too much noise inside the cabin, but in the end presents a very capable, smooth driving sedan that will give Americans many miles of pleasant driving. Easily, the best thing about the Optima’s performance is its handling: the suspension, which uses MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link layout in back, soaks up virtually all road irregularities, lets the driver know what’s going on underneath the tires, and handles corners with just a little bit of body lean. The Optima’s wider track gives the car a connected feel, one that even the most oblivious commuter will appreciate. Though I didn’t get a chance to exercise the tires on my drive, it sure felt as though they’d squeal like little piggies if put to the test. Power-wise, the 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine is capable, generating 161 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 163 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm. That’s slightly more than the Toyota Camry’s four-banger, and slightly less than the Honda Accord’s, while weighing in at a competitive curb weight. Our tester was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with a manual shift mode that smoothly handled power delivery except on hills and during hard driving. Under those conditions, it felt like it had a hot foot – jumping from one gear to another, losing power, regaining its composure, then falling back again and revving high. During normal, everyday driving, however, the powertrain was responsive and spirited, an excellent choice for four-cylinder shoppers. There’s just one significant problem: fuel mileage. Most people purchase a four-cylinder model to enjoy better fuel economy, but in the case of the Optima, that doesn’t pan out – this thing gulps gas like a V6. Other issues included aggressive response off the line, which gave way to a small amount of torque steer, and hard braking, which resulted in a some nose dive and wiggle. Overall, Optima drivers will enjoy the four-cylinder engine with the manual shifting five-speed automatic, but will wish that the gas mileage was better. Mike Sullivan’s Driving Impressions of the 2006.5 Kia Optima: Not too shabby. I was pleasantly surprised by the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s off-the-line acceleration. Jamming on the gas pedal actually caused the tires to bark, but the road wet due to rain to take that observation with a grain of salt. Nonetheless, the Optima quickly got up to speed. Passing performance, on the other hand, was not as impressive. When calling for extra power, the Kia returned a delayed and slightly labored response. Using the transmission’s manual mode produced better results. Cornering and steering felt secure and the overall ride quality was acceptable. For the most part, the Optima absorbed most of the rough bumps while still communicating useful feedback from the road. It’s also a fairly quiet ride, making cell phone conversations clearly understood, and the sound system can be heard without cranking up the volume. Ron Perry’s Driving Impressions of the 2006.5 Kia Optima: Kia is working hard to erase its negative image, and the new 2006.5 Optima may be the giant step forward the company needs to accomplish this task. Past Kia models have felt and looked cheap, and have always been underpowered. This new Optima is no street racer but is sufficiently powered for around-town use. However, the four-cylinder engine lacks passing power on the open road. The ride is supple, as it should be for a car of this type, and the steering and brakes do their jobs with no complaints from this driver. The Optima also handles freeway ramps with sufficient agility thanks to its optional 17-inch Michelin tires.

Comfort

Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Comfort: Comfort is one of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s true strengths. There’s plenty of overall room for front and rear passengers, getting in and out is easy thanks to proper hip points and doors that open wide, the front bucket seats are spacious and sufficiently bolstered, and the rear bench has a comfortable backrest position, three adjustable headrests, and a padded fold-down center armrest with two integrated cupholders. The driver is treated especially well with a power seat, tilt and telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a leather shift knob. All four doors feature padded armrests and door sills, while rear seat passengers’ knees are protected by padded front seatbacks. Our test car featured soft leather upholstery that added to the comfort level, though desirable heated seats were conspicuously absent. Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Comfort: Comfort is king in the 2006.5 Kia Optima, with nice wide seats, comfortable head rests, oodles of room, and an overall interior environment that’s invites people to come in, sit down and relax. Clearly, Kia put much time and effort into the design of the interior, and it has paid off handsomely. During my commute, I found it to be a very easy car to get into, out of, and drive. Even the back seats were comfortable, with enough legroom for most passengers. A kid in a booster seat, one who likes to drum a beat on the seatback, was unable to do so with the passenger’s seat set in a normal position, thanks to generous leg room. That’s a benefit that is repeated in the front, where there’s also plenty of elbow and hip room. The relationship between the driver, the wheel and the pedals is spot on, with plenty of visibility offered through, over and around the steering wheel. Most of what I touched inside the cabin felt like quality materials; indeed, it’s fair to say that driving the Optima – at least the top EX trim with the optional leather package – felt like driving a more expensive car. Highlights included the leather-wrapped steering wheel, the heated seats, power driver’s and front passenger’s seats, and leather upholstery. At just north of $25,000, you could get a lot less for your money. Mike Sullivan’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Comfort: Sitting in Southern California’s rush-hour traffic is no picnic, especially when it rains, but the Optima’s firm leather seats made an unpleasant commute a little easier. But comfort, in this case, applies to people of average build. Although the Optima’s motorized seats can adjust in many directions, one thing they can’t do is grow wider. People with a stockier frame will probably find the seats too narrow. But even if you do fit in the seats, you probably won’t stay in them if you plan on pushing this car. With a lack of bolstering, you’re likely to find yourself pinned up against the door during hard cornering. You’ll be fine if you stick to the commute. Rear seat passengers will also find the Optima to be agreeable, as the seats are firm with ample leg room. Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Comfort: Comfort is where the 2006.5 Kia Optima shines for me. A power driver’s seat with multiple positions made finding an acceptable driving position a snap. Our Optima EX was equipped with leather seating, and lots of well-placed padding made the seats very comfortable. The Optima also offers a thick leather-wrapped steering wheel that telescopes and is both easy and comfortable to use. The gear selector is also wrapped in leather for a nice touch. Getting in and out of the wide door openings was effortless and all knobs and buttons were easily accessible. Even the rear seat in the Kia Optima offers plenty of head, knee and foot room. A center fold-down console with a cupholder adds to the comfort of rear occupants. Minor wind and tire noise were present during my drive, but nothing that got annoying or couldn’t be drowned out with the stereo.

Quality

Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Quality: Kia’s quality has been marching upward over the past few years, a point reinforced by an inspection of the 2006.5 Optima. Exterior gaps are tight and uniform, body panels line up well, and the head and taillight assemblies sit flush with the fascias. The space between the hood and the grille is a bit generous, though it’s not glaring and is consistent on the left and right sides. The Kia Optima’s interior quality is nearly as good, constructed with soft plastics on the dash cap and upper door panels, and hard durable stuff placed on the lower dash, center console, and lower door panels. The optional leather, while soft, is low rent but fine for a low $20,000s sedan. All plastics have a matching grain, with the exception of the panel running across the dash and the door switch panels. The fuzzy headliner is tightly secured and tucks in neatly around the sunroof opening. A few negatives include the inconsistent gaps on both sides of the dash, a point where the dash cap didn’t sit flush with the instrument cluster, and plastic climate control dials that feel like they’re short for this world – rubber textured dials would be preferred. Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Quality: If this is the new Kia, watch out all ye car buyers with lifted snouts at the idea of a Korean car. This sure feels like a well-built car. Gaps were consistent, fit and finish nicely executed, with the biggest flaws showing up inside where the dash trim didn’t match up and I spotted other little irregularities. Overall, however, the Kia Optima will reassure owners that they bought a quality car, whether sitting inside or walking up to it in the company parking lot. Granted, we drove an EX model with all the trimmings and quality feel does come with better materials, but the plastics were also acceptable, if not top-shelf. For around $25,000 our Optima offered a high level of quality. Mike Sullivan’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Quality: The 2006.5 Kia Optima’s leather and soft touch materials are in the right places, and I didn’t see any glaring quality issues, but there are a few things which could be improved. With the market penetration of the iPod and similar devices, Kia really needs to ditch the cassette player in favor of an auxiliary input jack. Also, while the trunk is large and functional, the thin material on the backside of the rear seats hangs loosely off the bottom. Stitch it down, or at least use some sort of rigid backing. Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Quality: Overall, the 2006.5 Kia Optima exhibited much improved levels of quality over previous cars from Korea. Inside, there were no squeaks or rattles and the trim pieces were all tight and evenly placed. The plastics were of nice quality and weren’t over-textured, a problem we have encountered a lot lately. More padded and soft touch surfaces would be a welcome improvement that would add to the overall comfort and look of the interior. One nice luxury touch is the use of dampened compartment covers and assist handles. Outside, the Optima’s panel seams were tight and the seams between the fenders and plastic bumpers were properly aligned. All the trim and chrome pieces looked and felt good and were solidly attached. In my opinion, Kia has really hit a home run with the new Optima.

Design

Thom Blackett’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Design: Comparisons will surely be made between the 2006.5 Kia Optima and its corporate rival, the Hyundai Sonata. One area where Hyundai clearly takes the lead is with regard to visual appeal. The Kia’s overall shape is attractive, thanks in part to the short overhangs, but the front end is too bland even with the detailed headlights. There’s just not much going on up there, and the slight curves in the hood aren’t enough to rectify the situation. Alloy wheels on our test car are a welcome addition, but again don’t add any zest and fail to make this sedan recognizable. Jeweled taillights work in the Optima’s favor, hinting at some Volkswagen influence. More can be said of the Optima’s interior, which is tastefully done with matching plastics, perforated leather seats and door inserts, a soft leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and an alloy-like finish on the door handles, instrument cluster, shifter panel, and control knobs. Our tester’s black interior was slightly offset with a charcoal dash panel, gray pillar covers, and a gray headliner. Chrome rings are featured on the simple gauge cluster, including a speedometer and tachometer. Brian Chee’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Design: There I was, staring at the thing, as if there was something wrong with it – as if there was a yellow junkyard fender bolted onto it. It looked odd, for a Kia, wrong and not at all what I was expecting. The Optima, man – it sure is a handsome car. Smooth lines, slightly oversized headlights, sporty creases down the side, a nice finish in the back that looks a bit like the new Camry in the tail lights, but mostly looks like its own car, with a unique style. Okay – just so we keep from getting too excited, it is a midsize sedan, and these creatures are usually designed to be professional and pleasant in appearance. That the Optima accomplishes easily, enough so that you just may notice it on the freeway and wonder: Hey – is that really a Kia? Inside, it’s the same, especially with its excellent nighttime lighting. The dash, for example, has a refined and pleasant look to it, one that’s also quite functional in terms of readability. Controls are executed flawlessly, for the most part, with radio and environmental switches intelligently placed and vents covering seating areas with a nice consistent blast of cold or hot air. One thing that always seems to stand out about import cars is the design of storage compartments, and the Optima excels in that area. If you need to find a place to put something, the Optima has just the right spot, padded and with a little door. We only wish the cupholders were as thoughtfully engineered – they’re too big and not very adjustable – and I wonder why the Optima even bothers with a cigarette lighter. Mike Sullivan’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Design: The 2006.5 Kia Optima is like a bran muffin, it doesn’t make your mouth water, but it is easy to digest. For me, the car works best from the profile, where a slim beltline runs from headlight to taillight, giving the Optima a bit of grace. Also, the chrome trim around the windows and on the door handles is an inviting element that captures the eye. Overall, the Kia Optima is not the kind of car that will cause accidents by turning heads in rush hour traffic, but on the other hand, your friends won’t make fun of it either. The Optima’s interior, however, leaves a much better impression. A sleek design scheme makes the inside of the Optima feel like you’re driving a vehicle with a higher price tag. Black leather on the seats, steering wheel, and door insets is complimented perfectly by the high quality charcoal colored plastics on the center stack and elsewhere. The technical-pattern trim surrounding the gear selector also adds a nice touch. It’s clear that Kia put some thought into this design because the Optima’s interior not only looks good, but also functions well. The audio and climate controls are well within arm’s reach and are simple to manipulate, there are several handy storage areas including a generously sized console that provides plenty of room for your effects, and the all-important cupholders are easily accessible at the base of the armrest. Overall, if you value your driving environment over exterior styling, the Optima is a winner. Ron Perry’s Opinion of the 2006.5 Kia Optima’s Design: In the 2006.5 Kia Optima, controls are where they should be and are both easy to use and understand. The Optima’s seating was a highlight for me. Outward vision is good all around and the seemingly high quality interior appointments added to the driving experience. The new Kia Optima won’t turn heads pulling into the valet stand but it also won’t embarrass anyone either. Kia has done a nice job with the design both inside and out. The only suggestion have is to add more trim pieces to the interior. As it is, the trim pieces are sparse and give the impression that the interior is unfinished. The design works well but falls short visually. Outside, the new Optima gets nice chrome accents and door handles with handsome wheels and taillights that spruce up the rear end. As for the exterior, more distinctive design is the only suggestion I have for Kia.

Advice

Thom Blackett’s Advice about the 2006.5 Kia Optima With an as-tested price of about $23,000, the four-cylinder 2006.5 Kia Optima EX is in the same ballpark as a V6-powered Hyundai Sonata, a sedan with lots more power, arguably better styling, and the same 10-year/100,000-mile warranty. Were it to stand alone, the Optima would be a winner due to its comfortable ride and enjoyable powertrain. But the midsize family sedan market is fiercely competitive, and it takes more than a killer warranty to turn shoppers into buyers. Brian Chee’s Advice about the 2006.5 Kia Optima Buy the 2006.5 Kia Optima EX with the four-cylinder engine and you’ve got yourself a nicely made sedan, one that should provide miles of easy travel to and from work. Its spacious cabin, superior handling capabilities and overall quality feel add to a very strong value proposition and make the Optima a solid buy for sedan shoppers looking to get the most for their money. Mike Sullivan’s Advice about the 2006.5 Kia Optima If you’re looking for a solid family sedan and you’re on a budget, the 2006.5 Kia Optima is worth test driving. In terms of an overall driving experience, it probably falls middle of the pack within this vehicle segment, but there are other things to consider. For instance, it comes with more standard safety features than vehicles like the Ford Fusion, it has a better warranty than the Japanese entries, and it’s cheaper than its sibling, the Hyundai Sonata. In other words, the Kia Optima a good value. Ron Perry’s Advice about the 2006.5 Kia Optima The 2006.5 Kia Optima should definitely be on your shopping list if you’re looking in this price range. Throw in the exceptional warranty Kia offers and the Optima’s appeal jumps ten-fold. Kia continues to improve the quality and design of its cars and the new Optima is proof of that achievement.

Specifications

Test Vehicle: 2006.5 Kia Optima EX Price of Test Vehicle: $22,695 (includes $600 destination fee) Engine Size and Type: 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder Engine Horsepower: 161 at 5,800 rpm Engine Torque: 163 lb.-ft. at 4,250 rpm Transmission: Five-speed automatic with manual shift feature Curb weight, lbs.: 3,179 EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 24/34 mpg Observed Fuel Economy: 23.4 mpg Length: 186.4 inches Width: 71.1 inches Wheelbase: 107.1 inches Height: 58.3 inches Leg room (front/rear): 43.7/37.8 inches Head room (front/rear): 39.8/38.0 inches Max. Seating Capacity: Five Max. Cargo Volume: 14.8 cu.-ft. Competitors: Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Stratus, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Mitsubishi Galant, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Pontiac G6, Suzuki Verona, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Jetta

Photos courtesy of Kia Motors America