When first introduced, the Kia Optima had a difficult time keeping up with the competition, but the 2009 Kia Optima can hold its own in all areas of concern.
In This Article...
Price and Mileage
A roomy and well-made vehicle, the 2009 Kia Optima is the perfect family car, and the cost is one of the most attractive features. At a manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at $18,170, the 2009 Kia Optima is an excellent value for consumers looking for a dependable car. With gas mileage of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 32 miles per gallon on the highway, the 2009 Kia Optima will help save a few dollars at the pump to boot.
Main Features
On the exterior, the 2009 Kia Optima is quite pleasant looking, with a classy presentation and linear style. A chrome front grille and body color door handles and side moldings offset each other nicely. The dual heated power mirrors, clear lens projector headlights, and in-glass antenna combine functionality with aesthetics very well. The 2009 Kia Spectra is surprisingly attractive for this class.
In the area of performance, the 2009 Kia Optima is about as good as it gets in its class and price range. Powered by a DOHC 4-cylinder engine that has a 175 Horsepower output at 6,000 RPMs, the 2009 Kia Optima comes with a standard 5-speed manual overdrive transmission. 4 wheel anti-lock disc brakes, electronic stability control, and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering make the 2009 Kia Optima very responsive. The front independent suspension with McPherson struts and multi-link rear suspension provides a better-than-average, smooth ride.
From the standpoint of comfort and function, the 2009 Kia Optima does very well in this class. With cloth seat trim and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, the 2009 Kia Optima looks well appointed in comfort. Power windows and door locks, a front center console with an armrest and storage, and air conditioning are pleasant surprises. The audio system on the 2009 Kia Optima is very nice – an AM/FM stereo with a CD player and MP3 capabilities and 6 good speakers.
The safety package on the 2009 Kia Optima is much the same excellent sort found on most Kia Automobiles. Dual front advanced airbags, side airbags, and curtain airbags protect from most angles in an accident. Add to those features side-impact door beams, an impact-absorbing steering column, and front and rear crumple zones, and the 2009 Kia Optima gets an A plus in safety.
Final Words
For a quality family-style car at a very reasonable price, the 2009 Kia Optima is a very good purchase.