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2006 Kia Optima Full Review
Date Published: 7/31/08
Also in the 2006 Kia Optima Review:
2006 Kia Optima Review
Kia's midsize sedan is based on the 2002-2005 Sonata produced by Kia's corporate parent, Hyundai, and receives only minor changes for 2006. A redesigned '06 Sonata went on sale in spring 2005; a similarly redesigned Optima is due as an '07 model in mid 2006.
Optima comes in LX and EX models with either a 4-cyl or V6 engine. With the 4-cyl, manual transmission is standard, an automatic with a manual-shift feature optional. The V6 comes only with the automatic. Front side airbags are standard, but no curtain side airbags are offered. All Optimas have 4-wheel disc brakes, but ABS, previously available on both V6 models, is now optional only on the EX V6. No traction control or antiskid system is offered. Four-cyl models have 15-inch wheels, V6 models get 16s. Leather upholstery is optional on EX models. Optima offers warranty coverage of 5-years/60,000-mi. basic, 10/100,000 powertrain, and 5/60,000 roadside assistance.
Optima comes in LX and EX models with either a 4-cyl or V6 engine. With the 4-cyl, manual transmission is standard, an automatic with a manual-shift feature optional. The V6 comes only with the automatic. Front side airbags are standard, but no curtain side airbags are offered. All Optimas have 4-wheel disc brakes, but ABS, previously available on both V6 models, is now optional only on the EX V6. No traction control or antiskid system is offered. Four-cyl models have 15-inch wheels, V6 models get 16s. Leather upholstery is optional on EX models. Optima offers warranty coverage of 5-years/60,000-mi. basic, 10/100,000 powertrain, and 5/60,000 roadside assistance.
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 Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback and Legacy.
New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Volkswagen Passat.
Our Best Buys include Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Our Recommended picks include Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback and Legacy.
New or significantly redesigned models include Chevrolet Impala, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Volkswagen Passat.
2006 Kia Optima Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Instruments/controls | Automatic-transmission performance |
| Ride | Rear-seat room/comfort |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
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 downshift action that lengthens midrange passing response.
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 5 | 5.6 |
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 downshift action that lengthens midrange passing response.
Fuel Economy
Test automatic-transmission V6 averaged 22.4 mpg. Expect slightly higher with 4-cyl. Kia recommends regular gas for both engines.
| 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
Compliant suspension soaks up most bumps with ease, though Optima floats a bit over large dips and bumps.
| 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
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.
| 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
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.
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 6 | 6.2 |
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
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.
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.8 |
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)
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.
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.6 |
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)
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.
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 4 | 5 |
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
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.
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 3 | 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
In terms of equipment and comfort, Optima offers good value for the money. But it lacks some modern safety features, and Kia's impressive warranty is partially offset by traditionally low resale values.
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 7 | 6.1 |
In terms of equipment and comfort, Optima offers good value for the money. But it lacks some modern safety features, and Kia's impressive warranty is partially offset by traditionally low resale values.
Total Score
| EX V6 | Class Average |
| 58 | 58.2 |
Scores for all Midsize Cars
| Low Score | 44 | |
| Average Score | 58 | |
| High Score | 70 |
2006 Kia Optima Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 07/14/2006
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| LX 4-cylinder 4-door sedan, manual | $16,400 | $15,245 | $590 |
|
|
|||
| LX 4-cylinder 4-door sedan, automatic | $17,650 | $16,405 | $590 |
|
|
|||
| LX V6 4-door sedan, automatic | $19,200 | $17,555 | $590 |
|
|
|||
| EX 4-cylinder 4-door sedan, automatic | $19,100 | $17,605 | $590 |
|
|
|||
| EX V6 4-door sedan, automatic | $20,400 | $18,625 | $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, Infinity AM/FM/cassette/CD/MP3 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.
|
||
|
|
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Safety |
||
|
Antilock brakes
|
||
|
EX V6
|
$795
|
$710
|
|
Requires Stability Pkg.
|
||
|
|
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Comfort and Convenience Features |
||
|
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
|
|
|
||
2006 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 | 5 |
| 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 | 5/60,000 | -- |
| 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
Also in the 2006 Kia Optima Review:
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