After years of coming in second place against the Hyundai Sonata, the 2011 Kia Optima is ready to beat the competition, reports MSN Autos.
Known for offering consumers the best deal for what the car is worth, the Kia Optima has an updated design, better powertrains and a smooth ride.
The engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 186 lb-ft of torque; sportier editions have a turbocharged 2.0-liter motor. A 6-speed automatic or manual transmission is available in all models, except the EX 2.0T, which only comes with the former.
"Aside from price (MSN estimates the car will cost around $20,000), the Optima has some strengths that will appeal to families, namely a roomy interior, class-leading fuel economy and a cool new look," states the auto experts.
When it comes to fuel economy, models with the 2.4-liter engine get 24 mpg city/35 mpg highway while the turbocharged ones get an average of two miles less.
The only down side is the lack of V6 power, which is key in a sporty-looking car like the Kia Optima.