2010 Kia Optima

The 2010 Kia Optima LX presents itself as a well-rounded midsize sedan, offering good value and a comfortable everyday driving experience. Under the hood youll find a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine producing around 175 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque, mated to a five-speed automatic (or five-speed manual in some cases) driving the front wheels. The drivetrain yields an EPA rating of about 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, making it fairly efficient for its class. On the styling front, the Optima LX carries a clean, modern sedan design: a length of roughly 189 inches, width about 71 inches, and a wheelbase nearing 107 inches provide a substantial footprint. The exterior shows modest but contemporary touchesbody-colored moldings and door handles (on LX), steel wheels with covers (on the base LX), a chrome-accented grille and clear-lens halogen headlights. The overall look is simple but pleasant, avoiding flash for a more restrained family-sedan appeal. Inside, seating for five is standard, and the cabin offers a comfortable and spacious environment. Front legroom measures in the low 40-inch range, and rear passengers get decent room for the class. The trunk holds around 15.0 cubic feet of cargo space. Standard features on the LX include power windows, power door locks, keyless entry, cruise control, steering-wheel mounted audio controls, a tilt/telescoping steering column, cloth upholstery, and an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with USB/auxiliary input. The materials and ergonomics are solid for the price pointno luxury finishes, but clean and functional. On the driving side, the suspension is independent front and rear, with MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Steering is power-assisted rack and pinion, reasonably responsive for everyday use. The car handles daily driving effortlessly, delivering a composed ride, and body roll is kept in check for the segment. Acceleration from 0-60 is estimated in the high 7-to-8-second zone with the 2.4-liter engine, which is perfectly acceptable for a midsize sedan. Safety is addressed with standard features such as front and side-impact airbags, full length curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with electronic stability control, and traction control. Overall reliability ratings for this generation Optima are generally above average, and the normative warranty for the original buyer included a generous basic and power-train coverage. In summary, the 2010 Kia Optima LX offers a compelling blend of efficiency, comfortable interior space, functional features, and modern stylingall at an attractive value. It may lack the premium feel of higher end competitors, but for a practical midsize sedan it hits many of the right notes.