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 litre 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 litre also gets a 15% power upgrade to 161 horsepower. The top of the range 2.7 litre 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.

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Paul Tan

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.

 

Comments

  • MyviKiller (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 4:45 pm

    Hey, looks like Saturn LS overall now!

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  • MyviKiller (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 4:50 pm

    And looks like Lincoln Zephyr as well.

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  • mitlanevo (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 5:17 pm

    not bad, simple and clean cues…..

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  • cyful (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 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.

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  • scudz (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 5:49 pm

    I don’t like it. At least the old one’s looks were more distinctive. This one is just downright inconspicuous…

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  • hush (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 6:00 pm

    eeewww… i think the design this way too off… still prefer the pre-facelift version…

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  • AvE (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 7:09 pm

    nothing to be fascinated about…dull~

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  • BW (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 7:18 pm

    nice

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  • mct (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 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

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  • nanashisan (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 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.

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  • kei9 (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 8:40 pm

    overall..nothing to shout about.

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  • demio121 (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 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.

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  • transformer (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 9:40 pm

    Look much nicer then its pre-facelift!

    IMHO, front has kind of Ford aura….. anyway, its nice!

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  • mystvearn (Member) on Mar 21, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    No, the front definitely copy the new Honda Accord. I was thinking of how come the front look so familiar.

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  • azrai (Member) on Mar 22, 2008 at 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. :-)

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  • kakilubuk (Member) on Mar 22, 2008 at 7:44 am

    Biase je! Tak menarik pun.

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  • RX7RIDER (Member) on Mar 22, 2008 at 8:47 am

    still look like kia
    but the rear view by side look like 7series
    front like lexus taurus

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  • sxe10r (Member) on Mar 22, 2008 at 9:23 pm

    wow nice optima ~ but 100k above ?

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  • trustgtr (Member) on Mar 22, 2008 at 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..

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  • szw (Member) on Mar 23, 2008 at 11:21 pm

    the grille is too big…

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  • King Samurai (Member) on Mar 24, 2008 at 9:00 am

    Accord Euro + Saab + Saturn body structure… Typical cut & paste Korean design

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