2009 Kia Optima Facelift unveiled at NYIAS 2008
Kia has given the Kia Optima some changes to the front and rear that gives the sedan a drastic all new look and feel - from a grown-up mature executive sedan into something younger and sportier, much like the USDM Accord turned into the Euro Accord. The front now no longer looks like a shorter version of the Kia Sportage, but takes on a design similiar to the Kia KOUP Concept.
Aside from the obvious new front headlamps, grille, and rear lamp cluster treatment, the Optima also gets a new front bumper with a lower air intake split into 3 instead of one large one, LED wing mirror turn signals, and a new meter panel on the inside featuring a triple-pod design much like the Mazda 3 or the Honda City.
The 2.0 liter CVVT Theta II engine now puts out 158 PS (likely 163 PS in the Korean market just like the facelifted Sonata), and the 2.4 liter also gets a 15% power upgrade to 161 horsepower. The top of the range 2.7 liter V6 now puts out 190 horses and 250Nm. These engines now gain Dual CVVT on both intake and exhaust, an upgrade of the previous single CVVT on the intake side, as well as a variable length intake manifold.
On the inside, there is of course the new meter panel I mentioned. Other than that, sat-nav is now an option with the Optima.
Look after the jump for plenty more photos.
March 21, 2008 @ 4:45 pm
Hey, looks like Saturn LS overall now!
March 21, 2008 @ 4:50 pm
And looks like Lincoln Zephyr as well.
March 21, 2008 @ 5:17 pm
not bad, simple and clean cues…..
March 21, 2008 @ 5:26 pm
i dont like the front. too lame as executive car. and the design should not change very much from previous concept as they keep the name.
March 21, 2008 @ 5:49 pm
I don’t like it. At least the old one’s looks were more distinctive. This one is just downright inconspicuous…
March 21, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
eeewww… i think the design this way too off… still prefer the pre-facelift version…
March 21, 2008 @ 7:09 pm
nothing to be fascinated about…dull~
March 21, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
nice
March 21, 2008 @ 7:54 pm
the front look nice
the side profile is bad ,the head of the car is too big for a car like tat
the back lamp is like the taiwan lancer leh
the meter plain but simply is beautiful
March 21, 2008 @ 8:14 pm
this kia optima wanna looks like honda accord euro. so many design cues of accord euro from front profile until rear profile.
March 21, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
overall..nothing to shout about.
March 21, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
one thing about Hyundai/Kia that i admire is their reaction to market.
The Sonata interior have been label called dull and 1 facelift transform the interior totally. May not be the best but the least its better than before.
This Optima have also been called “designed by commitee” and again, one facelift change it. It may still look anonymous, kinda like seen it before but show that the Korean listen to the consumer.
I prefer this new look though its anonymous. the pre-facelift face is too dull.
March 21, 2008 @ 9:40 pm
Look much nicer then its pre-facelift!
IMHO, front has kind of Ford aura….. anyway, its nice!
March 21, 2008 @ 10:28 pm
No, the front definitely copy the new Honda Accord. I was thinking of how come the front look so familiar.
March 22, 2008 @ 7:24 am
Do the new breed of Kia’s designers are from Honda? It’s just like when Mitsubishi and Proton designer are caught with ‘Alfadana’ syndrom nowadays. The new gen of Kia’s more and more looking like Honda. Maybe an EX5 after this.
March 22, 2008 @ 7:44 am
Biase je! Tak menarik pun.
March 22, 2008 @ 8:47 am
still look like kia
but the rear view by side look like 7series
front like lexus taurus
March 22, 2008 @ 9:23 pm
wow nice optima ~ but 100k above ?
March 22, 2008 @ 11:56 pm
i prefer the current optima, it looks unique and nice..wonder why never see one on the road since naza launched it last year..this one looks like just about any taxi around the world today..the front especially..
March 23, 2008 @ 11:21 pm
the grille is too big…
March 24, 2008 @ 9:00 am
Accord Euro + Saab + Saturn body structure… Typical cut & paste Korean design