Refreshed Kia midsize sedan launched in the United States.
Alongside the exciting Koup concept car, Kia has also unveiled the 2009 Optima midsize sedan at the New York International Auto Show.
A slightly updated Optima mid-size sedan offers a refreshed exterior design, which boasts a more dynamic appearance thant the model it replaces.
The refreshed Kia midsize sedan also benefits from a brand new 4-cylinder engine that provides more power and enhanced fuel economy!
The 2009 Optima is scheduled to go sale in the USA this fall, while Canadian dealerships should put their hands on it a month or two earlier.
Have a look at official photos of new Optima mid-size sedan or learn more about the updated powertrain below.
2009 Kia Optima image gallery
Engines, safety, interior and exterior details and more images
The 2009 Optima is launched with updated front, side and rear design, which builds upon the automaker’s latest design philosophy of creating dynamic and highly-attractive cars that evoke passion.
The Kia designers have enlarged the Optima’s signature grille and restyled the headlamps and fog lamps in order to create a sharper exterior look.
Wider side garnishes add sportiness to the overal look of the refreshed sedan, while the acute front lines continue toward the back, ending on a distinctively shaped trunk lid.
Completing the more exciting look of the updated rear fascia are a set of tail-lights that are narrowed to enhance Optima’s sleeker appearance.
Sporty SX trim level
The 2009 model year has brought a sporty SX trim, which complements the handsomely-equipped, value-priced LX and luxury-oriented EX trims.
The Optima SX provides another choice for those new car shoppers looking for a tad sportier midsize sedans.
The main feature of the Optima SX is the sport-tuned suspension, while other upgrades include:
- black-bezeled front grille and headlamps
- LED outside-mirror turning signals
- fog lights
- silver-finished 17-inch wheels.
More photos of the Optima facelift
More Powerful Engine Range
Kia’s refreshed Optima mid-size sedan offers a choice of two engines: a 2.4L four-cylinder or a 2.7L V6 engine.
There are also two transmissions available: five-speed manual or 5-speed automatic.
The 2,4L engine generates 175 horsepower and 169 lb-ft of torque, while the 2,7L V6 unit delivers 190 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque
Built on a unibody frame, the front-wheel-drive Optima boasts independent front and rear suspension systems with MacPherson struts being used in the front, while a multi-link layout is applied at rear.
The suspension system is joined with coil springs and anti-roll bars to engage drivers with responsive handling.
More Comfortable Interior
The midcycle styling makeover has also brought some new things inside the Optima.
The 2009 Kia Optima’s cabin offers more infotainment features as well as refreshed seat color patterns and color schemes.
Standard features in the car are:
- audio system features MP3 compatibility
- USB port
- SIRIUS satellite radio
- auxiliary jack
- optional in-dash navigation system
Optima continues to offer two seat trims in gray or beige color schemes, while black leather trim is available exclusively on SX models. The latter also features aluminum trim, metal sport pedals and a Supervision meter cluster.
Amidst the host of additional options, Optima still offers an array of standard features.
The LX is equipped with air conditioning, power windows and door locks, an AM/FM/CD audio system with six speakers, cloth seat and door trim, a six-way adjustable driver’s seat and four-way adjustable front passenger seat as well as 60/40-split folding rear seats.
EX models upgrade to a leather-wrapped steering wheel with tilt and telescopic functions, leather seat and door trim, leather-wrapped shift knob, automatic temperature control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror featuring Homelink and an 8-way power adjustable driver’s seat.
Latest safety features
The 2009 Kia Optima is equipped with the following safety features:
- six airbags (dual advanced front and front-seat mounted side as well as full-length side curtain)
- front active headrests
- side-impact door beams
- height-adjustable front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters
- three-point seatbelts for all seating positions
- Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System -TPMS.
- Electronic Stability Control – ESC and Traction Control System – TCS
Is kia interested in using the H-grille on their cars? they didnt even put it on the new soul. This optima looks great and the red back lighting on the gauges look very neat.
Great info Himi! A couple of observations, all in my humble opinion of course :
– like the fact that the body style is fundamentally unchanged- that is Kia has NOT tried to copy that “elongated front look” that Honda and Toyota have moved towards in their new generation mid-sizers. This body design looks sturdy, with european dna – all very good.
_ increase in car size may be ok but I always personally preferred the fact that the Optima offered a slightly smaller body exterior, yet with lots of interior room. Will be interested to see how much the weight of the car increased – hope not too much.
-do not personally like the “barrel -type” instrument cluster and see the move from blue to red highlihts as a step backwards.
– the improved 2.7 engine will be more than adequate for most people BUT the American car review mags will tend to see the lower hp as a shortcoming ,and will leave this vehicle out of most comparos as being not competitive. It`s not clear but Kia would be very smart to offer the SX package with the 4 cylinder engine package !!
Sorry himi- I don`t know what happened above. Maybe you can fix this?
it happens when you start a new paragraph after leaving one line.
No problem micro99! I use Mozilla Firefox and everything is fine. This website is best viewed with Mozilla Firefox, btw…
The red barrel guages are awful. Mom said that she would rather take a step backward into a Spectra. She says that she has never seen worse guages. I have to agree with her. Otherwise, I like it.
its actually the same grill i supose kia has showed of the sporty model of the pack i prefer the chrome grill fro the teaser
Overall it’s a nice midsize, but, I am so smitten by the new Kia Koup and the Spectra-TD sedan for 2009 that the Optima takes a back seat. Pardon the pun. I think that the press is full of crap if they think the lower hp is a big step backwards. Like picky-picky-picky to the max. This will be a more than competent midsize sedan packed with value and good looks and a great Warranty and a very fair initial price. All of the same things that Kia consistently offers folks.
I like torque ratings to be higher than the hp rating but its OK. This is the SX sport package, so maybe the others (EX & LX) will have that chrome H-grille seen the teasers. but this one’s front design just wont do.
it says this is the sx grille since it is blacked out
No. thats in september/october at the paris motorshow.
You’re right Greg. Soul is scheduled for world-wide debut at September’s Paris Auto Show. Can’t wait to see it!!!!!
whats greg right about? the gauges? or were you talking about my post?
I like the new ’09 Optima! I do not like the gauge package!!!! Makes the car look very cheap. Maybe Kia could change it before the new model comes out!!!! If you get up to the higher model the price is going toward a Honda, Toyota and Nissan. I like it but not enough to spend the extra money for the one I want.
how would you like the gauge cluster to be?
Maybe Korea just recently got the 1990 Auto Issue of Consumer Reports. The front end of the new 2009 Kia Optima looks more-than-ever like a 90’s Ford Topaz.
HAHAHAHAHA! ROFL LMAO!! HAHAHAHAHAHA! Were you born without eyes? HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Have you ever seen a topaz? HAHAHAHA!
OMG! my stmach’s hurtin’. LMAO! topaz OHO OHO HAHAHAA!! TOPAZ!!! O I’m going mad! TOPAZ!!!
The Front end favors the Acura TL & Toyota Camry.
i think that kia optima is a best design and have a good engine
KIA MOTORS COMPANY
UNITED KINGDOM
TEL: +33170617847
FAX: +33684720741
AN INFORMATION FROM KIA COMPANY
Complement of the season, greetings to you from the chief executive officer Mr. Morgan Don of KIA Motors Company United Kingdom. On behalf of the company we will like to inform your company about the Fifty Brand New KIA Motors that was manufactured recently in Korea. However we needed companies that will want us to supply Cars to them. And the company has come into final consensus that the first Five companies to send their letter / message of interest or for them having any requirement we receive Cars at a cheaper rate. Message / latter of interest should be sent to the company at [email protected] Note: This offer is due to the fact that the company’s office in Korea has just located this office / company in United Kingdom and we want other companies to be aware of it in case they have any requirement.
For details contact the CEO.
Mr.Charles calum
Email:[email protected]
Fax+33170617847
You should probably report that to someone, Charles. It is nothing but a lie. I’m sorry that got sent to you.
I’m looking to buy a new kia optima in 2010 my wife doesn’t like the interior lay out of the 2009 model and neather do I It just doesn’t seem to go with the chareter of the automobile it self so I’m hoping that kia will make the interior as luxurious as they said the car is to be for the year of 2010, you can’t have a luxurious car with a sporty interior.and to add I also hope that they don’t skimp on the performance and quality parts
@ Charles: sorry mate: UK adress, French phone numbers and a Yahoo e-mail adress… Does not seem very “official”.
@Pierre: I don’t think the MY10 Optima’s interior will be that diffirent from the MY09’s (unless you live in Belgium where they still sell MY07 magentis….). Actually: if you’d order an Optima now, you would already get MY10