2005 Kia Optima Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Kia's midsize sedan is based on the 2005 Hyundai Sonata produced by Kia's corporate parent. A redesigned 2006 Sonata went on sale in spring 2005. Sharing the '05 Sonata's 4-cyl and V6 engines, Optima comes in LX and EX models. With the 4-cyl, manual transmission is standard and an automatic, with a manual-shift feature optional. The V6 comes with automatic only. Front side airbags are standard. All Optimas have 4-wheel disc brakes, but ABS is optional only with the V6. V6 models have 16-inch wheels; the 4-cyl models have 15s. Optima does not offer Sonata's traction control or antiskid system.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family oriented sedans and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Our Recommended picks include the Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback and Legacy.

News

A slightly larger, redesigned Optima is due for 2006 as a variation on parent Hyundai's new-generation Sonata. The Kia will again share a basic platform and underskin components, but will differ in appearance and possibly wheelbase. Optima is expected to bow with the '06 Sonata's new 4-cyl engine but not its 3.3-liter V6, making do with the old 2.7 V6 for the time being. Sales should be underway by fall. Keep checking back with us for late-breaking news.

2005 Kia Optima Road Test

Pros	Cons

Instruments/controls	Automatic-transmission performance

Ride	Rear-seat room/comfort

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

EX V6	Class Average
5	5.3

Four-cylinder model not made available for test. Test V6 automatic '05 Hyundai Sonata clocked 8.7 sec 0-60 mph. Optima should be the same. Manual-shift feature helps make up for automatic transmission's tardy "kick-down" action that lengthens midrange passing response.

Fuel Economy

EX V6	Class Average
6	5.2

Test automatic-transmission V6 averaged 22.4 mpg. Expect slightly higher with 4-cyl. Kia recommends regular gas for both engines.

Ride Quality

EX V6	Class Average
7	6.1

Compliant suspension soaks up most bumps with ease, though Optima floats a bit over large dips and bumps.

Steering/Handling/Braking

EX V6	Class Average
6	6.1

Modest, but predictable, despite noticeable body lean in fast corners. Simulated panic stops only class-average short even with ABS. Brake-pedal feel a bit numb.

Quietness

EX V6	Class Average
6	6

Tire noise noticeable, and bumps come through with a loud thump. V6 is quiet at idle, and produces only a muted whine under full throttle.

Controls

EX V6	Class Average
7	6.6

Dashboard design places everything within easy reach, and most buttons and dials are large and easy to use. Materials hard to fault for the price.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

EX V6	Class Average
7	6.3

Spacious in feel and fact, aided by low-rise dashboard and large windows that enhance visibility. Seats don't look special, but seem long-haul comfortable. Decent head room, even with test car's power sunroof.

Room/Comfort (rear)

EX V6	Class Average
4	4.7

Comfortably wide enough only for two adults, who have marginal foot room, OK head room; must sit knees-up behind tall occupants. Entry/exit no problem, despite narrowish door thresholds.

Cargo Room

EX V6	Class Average
5	4.5

Flat-floor trunk has shallow opening that prevents stuffing in big boxes, but volume is good and hinges don't dip into load area. Interior storage consists of two covered cupholders, two-tier console box, dash bin, large glovebox, and map pockets.

Value within Class

EX V6	Class Average
5	5.7

In terms of equipment and comfort, Optima offers impressive value for the money, thus earning our Recommended badge. It is combined with a generous warranty, that's fueled a sales increase. Whether it will also begin to boost the low resale values associated with this and other South Korean cars is undetermined.

Total Score

EX V6	Class Average
58	56.5

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		45
Average Score		56
High Score		71

2005 Kia Optima Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/10/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

LX 4-cylinder 4-door sedan, manual	$19,195	$15,055	$590

LX 4-cylinder 4-door sedan, automatic	$17,450	$16,220	$590

LX V6 4-door sedan, automatic	$18,995	$17,365	$590

EX 4-cylinder 4-door sedan, automatic	$18,900	$17,420	$590

EX V6 4-door sedan, automatic	$20,195	$18,435	$590

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

LX 4-cylinder

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, 4-wheel disc brakes, emergency inside trunk release.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/driver-seat height and lumbar adjustment, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, variable-intermittent wipers, map lights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

205/60R15 tires, wheel covers.

LX V6 adds to LX 4-cylinder:

Powertrain

2.7-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

205/55R16 tires, alloy wheels.

EX 4-cylinder adds to LX 4-cylinder:

Powertrain

4-speed automatic transmission w/manual-shift capability.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Automatic climate control, leather-wrapped steering wheel, 8-way power driver seat, heated power mirrors, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, automatic day/night rearview mirror, universal garage-door opener, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, alloy wheels.

EX V6 adds to SE 4-cylinder:

Powertrain

2.7-liter V6 engine.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

205/55R16 tires.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Leather Pkg.
EX	$1,000	$890
Leather upholstery, 4-way power passenger seat, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Safety
Antilock brakes
LX V6, EX V6	$795	$710


Comfort and Convenience Features
AM/FM/cassette/CD player
LX	$595	$531


CD changer
EX 4-cylinder, EX V6, LX 4-cylinder, LX V6	$375	$288
LX requires AM/FM/cassette/CD player.

Floormats
EX 4-cylinder, EX V6, LX 4-cylinder, LX V6	$85	$65


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
EX 4-cylinder, EX V6, LX 4-cylinder, LX V6	$220	$169


Special paint
EX	$100	$87

2005 Kia Optima Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Kia Optima 4-door sedan

Wheelbase, in.	106.3

Overall Length, in.	185.8

Overall Width, in.	71.5

Overall Height, in.	55.5

Curb Weight, lbs.	3281

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	17.2

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.3

Rear Head Room, in.	37.6

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc I4	dohc V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.4 /144	2.7 /163

Horsepower @ rpm.	138 @ 6000	170 @ 6000

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	147 @ 3000	181 @ 4000

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	23/30	--/--

4-speed automatic	22/30	20/27

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Kia Optima 4-door sedan

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	4

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	10/100,000	--

Bumper-to-bumper	5/60,000	--

Corrosion	5/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: South Korea

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2005 Kia Optima Photos

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Kia Optima Specs & Safety

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