The Hyundai Sonata and the Kia Optima used to be mechanical brothers, and both variants were available here in Malaysia, with the latter offered by Naza Kia Sdn Bhd. The Hyundai Sonata has since been updated with an all-new model here in Malaysia first as a CBU and subsequently as a locally assembled CKD unit.
As for the Kia offering, the old Optima is still on sale, but looking at Naza Kia’s continuous efforts with the Kia brand here in Malaysia (the most recent being the introduction of a locally assembled Kia Sportage), we are poised to see the new Kia Optima here very soon as a locally assembled model.
The new Kia Optima differs slightly from it’s Hyundai Sonata brother in the area of front suspension setup, where the Sonata uses a multilink setup while Kia uses a MacPherson strut setup at the front.
Engine options consist of a 145 PS inline-4, a 161 PS 2.4 litre inline-4 and a 185 PS 2.7 litre V6 mated to a 4-speed or 5-speed automatic transmission, with a 5-speed manual also available for those who prefer clutch action.
Kia has been emphasizing on the crash test results of the new Optima, which earned a 5-star rating in the NHTSA crash tests and a 4-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test.
According to a dealer tip, unlike the Sonata which offers 2.0 and 2.4 litre variants, the Kia Optima will most likely be offered as a 2.0 litre inline-4 only, but will have two different trim levels – a standard one called EX with dual airbags, ABS, fabric seats, CD/MP3/USB audio and a higher spec model called EX “Special Package” with more goodies like a 6.1 Infinity sound system (4 speakers, 2 tweeters, 1 subwoofer) with a 420 watt external amplifier and a 6-CD in-dash changer, ESP stability control, 215/50R17 Michelin Pilot Premacy-wrapped 17″ wheels, powered driver’s seat, and suede/leather upholstery.
Both models will be available with a 4-speed auto gearbox, as the 5-speed units are only available for the 2.7 litre engine. Expect a classy black interior with real aluminium trim, similiar to the locally assembled Kia Sportage.
Have a look at more pics and videos after the jump.
Video: Kia Optima Promo
Video: Kia Optima Promo 2
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
wait for its arrival in few weeks time…
With the 2.4 Sonatas dipping down to the 100k, this new Kia (well here at least) is going to be a tough sell. The 2.4 Sonatas are a tough value to beat.
I wonder why they still plonk the old 2.7V6 in when the Hyundai group already has the excellent lambda 3.3.
On a side note, I wonder if The “Other Korean” mid-sized sedan is going to make it here. They have already launched the new Chevolet Epica last year. Looks quite a lot sharper than the 2 Hyundai siblings especially if equipped with the factory bodykit.
the front face looks like Mitsubishi Galant 360
(as rumously to be Proton Perdana replacement).
Anyway, for me it is PLAIN design, suitable for senior executive but not for young and young at heart.
the car looks like its from the 80′s. reminds me a little of the lexus of that period.
morning every1~
Last evening when i was in the LRT, i overheard from a man wearing NAZA shirt talking to the phone;
” we’ll be launching a new product next month…replacing the optima &…”
Obviously there were a group of NAZA men yesterday walking in the KLCC.
The front looks much like an Infiniti model in the US. I hope Naza can price it lower than the Sonata, perhaps at RM90K range.
The interior looks very nice, but I prefer the Hyundai Sonata with 112k, but you must have a lot of confident if you want to buy Korean cars even thought Korean cars have made great improvement in recent years…
Can anyone comment about Korean cars quality compare to local and Japanese made?
Kia is one of the company from Korea.. They also came out as the same time with P1.. Now they have a car which is 5-star rating in the NHTSA crash tests and a 4-star rating in the EuroNCAP crash test. They have also more goodies like a 6.1 Infinity sound system (4 speakers, 2 tweeters, 1 subwoofer) with a 420 watt external amplifier and a 6-CD in-dash changer, ESP stability control, 215/50R17 Michelin Pilot Premacy-wrapped 17″ wheels, powered driver’s seat, and suede/leather upholstery. Well.. P1 perdana, is time to change ur old model for a newer man! They even have 2.7 V6 with 5-speed auto! But i think the 2.7L will be hard to sell in Malaysia due to high road tax.
The promo 2 movie got something different with the spec in US i think.. The 2.0 is VGT turbo diesel engine.. When are we going to get that? Well i word, the ads really done better then any p1 ads before.. more to international market!
Weird, I thought this was the previous gen Optima as opposed to the replacement. The car was never successful in Malaysia to begin with.
the styling is very dull , look so american…
It looks like the vw passat from the rear view and front view continue its kia style…the price must very competitive as it want to face tough challenge from accord,camry,teana,mazda6 also ‘brother’ sonata…
a question why only offer 2.0L …?
littlefire85,
“Kia is one of the company from Korea.. They also came out as the same time with P1..”
please get your Facts right, KIA has been around for 6 decades (go and count how many years is that).
They are the 1st producer of korean cars, went bankrupt and hyundai now owns them. but yes, they are not an extremely successful company.
oops.. typo in my previous message..I meant to say, they are now a very successful car company racking up huge export sales.
interior is not flush,
exterior nothing exciting
I mean after Kia are taken over by hyundai, they started to fly.. Aywayz 6 decade ago, they only do steel tubing and bicycles. Who say they are making cars? They really into cars in when partnership with Ford, Kia produced several Mazda derived vehicles for both domestic sales in Korea and imports into other countries. And that is from 1986! This is when Kia is serious in making cars!
The 2nd video is really cheesy. Nothing to shout about with this car and it doesnt get you “feeling” anything.
The first ad is a total loser.
trying to look simplistic european,
but too plain and boring, imageless,
2nd video is cheesy – like “can you feel it” and provides nothing to excite.
1st video is hopeless. No selling point at all.
I wonder who does all these below par videos?
LittleFire85,
http://www.kia.com/
“From its very humble beginnings as a manufacturer of bicycle parts by hand on the outskirts of Seoul, Korea, Kia motors has emerged as the driving force behind the Korean motor vehicle market for the last six decades, laying claim to the production of the country’s first automobile as well as Korea’s first automobile export.”
by your reasoning, if VW theoretically takes over proton today, by next july 2008, proton is 1 year old as a car company?
what engine they use..
their own engine or japanese engine?
boring..
crowded dashboard..plain and dull exterior..a bit plain as well in the front..only the taillights is ok..but somehow reflects the japanese..anyway, maybe we should look the powertrain..maybe its good in that area..
everthings are OLD FASHION…most beautiful korean car right now may be HYUNDAI GENESIS
not too bad if 2007 carens
‘Semak’ interior.
wat a lovely song the video kia promo 2…..hahah….
this time i congratulate proton designing batter looking car,
lol simple but nice ~ …. front looks like Mitsubishi galant 360 ?? like msmar_453 said, … yes it is same ~ …. hyudai & kia engine some of that base on mitsubishi engine & mazda also ~ the 4G93 elantra & 4G15 on accent ~ kia some of engine base on mazda … naza ria 2.5v6 cames from mazda mpv ~ spectra old model 1.6dohc cames from mazda dunno which cars … sorento ~ i think from mazda also coz the oil filter same ~
hmmmmm a 2.7L with 185PS? would’ve expected 200PS at least…
The dashboard looks similar to the new Rio/Accent.
sxe10r: u are wrong about the naza ria and kia carnival engine, the 2.5 v6 is not from the mazda mpv. it is a rover kv6, similiar to the 2.5 v6 in the Rover 75
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rover_KV6_Engine
Hey the videos look great especially the red one! Infinity, Michelins? Wow they are really moving up …
The car design looks like 3 years old. Sure it is good, but will be a sleeper hit.People see one time think this is China car.
It really looks like an aussie Mitsu 380. Kah Bintang is assembling their Sonata 2.0 for RM120K (2007) model. Naza would priced theirs slightly cheaper than theirs. The design looks pretty normal, not as elegant as Sonata. I guess it is inline with KIA’s fun and value image compared to Hyundai’s higher-image wannabe status.
Korean cars low resale value, high FC and expensive spare part.
this car reminds me of the VW passat…
typical korean manufacturer…
still other ppl design…
but the interior is kinda nice…
Wow, Mazda’s taillight.
I can see the effort from KIA but sorry, the exterior is still plain boring and no soul….but the interior is quite interesting btw
Ugly car. Good build quality. Poor interior material quality. Vague steering.
However KIA CEED is a good car but bland. Definitely better than any Proton and even the Citroen C4/Peugeot 307. So KIA is improving dramatically, but Proton is still at a slug’s pace.
design overall ok for korean cars.. in my opinion, the price suits the car.. good car for family or as a second car.. =)