Optima packs surprises

Prepare to be startled. And prepare to forget about the previous-generation Kia Optima that was about as anonymous as a sedan could be, especially when compared to the new model.

As with the recently released Sorento and Sportage wagons, plus 2010's Forte Koup coupe and box-on-wheels Soul, the new Optima is a visual shot to the solar plexus, but not in any weird or outrageous way. Kia has simply elevated the Optima's styling to a new artistic high from which the competition could (and should) learn a thing or three.

Kia uses the latest Hyundai Sonata platform (Kia is part of the Hyundai family) as its starting point and then adds its own special sheetmetal to make the Optima just about the sleekest sedan on the road.

The spit and polish extends to the passenger compartment with an attractive display panel that's angled toward the driver, but not so much as to deprive anyone seated in the shotgun position from access to the communications and audio controls.

The Optima's larger interior -- in part created by a 3-inch gain in distance between the front and rear wheels -- helps provide greater rear-seat leg room. Wider doors also make for easier back-seat entry and exit.

Also increased are the base and optional powerplant outputs, which mirror those of the Sonata. The starting point is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that makes 200 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque. That's a gain of 25 horsepower and 17 pound-feet of torque over the outgoing engine of equal displacement.

Instead of relying on a traditional V-6 as its optional power source, the new Optima is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that spools out an impressive 274 peak horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. That makes the previous 2.7-liter V-6 option that produced 194-horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque appear anemic.

Later in the model year, you'll be able to order your Optima with a fuel-saving gasoline-electric hybrid system that matches a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a 30-kilowatt electric motor to make 209 net horsepower. The system enables the Optima to reach 60 mph before the gas engine fires up to help out with propulsion duties.

A six-speed manual transmission is available only in the base 2.4-liter LX model, while a six-speed automatic is optional in the LX, but standard in the up-level models.

Kia states that an Optima equipped with the base 2.4 and automatic transmission is rated at 24/34 mpg city/highway. That's two mpg better than the previous Optima and is better than the Toyota Camry's 22/34 rating.

Kia never scrimps when it comes to content and all Optimas benefit from standard air conditioning tilt/telescoping steering wheel, glove-box cooler and various power-operated amenities. At the other end of the scale, the full-load SX 2.0T has dual-zone climate control, eight-way power driver's seat and a sport-tuned suspension.

The chock-a-block option packages include a panoramic sunroof, navigation system with backup camera plus heated and cooled front seats.

The Optima arrives shortly at Kia dealers with an estimated $18,000 base-price sticker, although a low price point is no longer the predominant reason to look at this Korean brand. Quite the opposite. Love the style and be surprised at how little it will cost you to get behind the wheel.