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2016 Kia Optima builds on third-gen car's sense of style, efficiency

When Hyundai launched the sixth-generation Sonata in 2009, it gave the world its first real taste of how good a Korean car could be. When Kia launched the redesigned Optima a year later, though, it showed the world just how good a Korean car could look. The handsome design of third-generation car has translated wonderfully to its fourth generation. The attractive sheet metal is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, building on the looks of the previous car, with Kia's trademark grille treatment stretched wide, and better integrated with the headlights. Vertical foglight surrounds and an independent lower grille, meanwhile, make for a more aggressive fascia. LED taillights, an integrated diffuser and a pair of meaty oval exhausts are the highlights in back. Once again, the links to the current car are quite clear. The new Optima should boast some improvements to the current car's technology, as well. A six-speaker stereo is standard, although audiophiles will flock to the optional 14-speaker Infinity unit. Connectivity, being what it is, was also addressed, with Kia offering a new version of the company's UVO infotainment system. Running on an eight-inch touchscreen, the Optima's latest infotainment system integrates neatly with both Android Lollipop and iOS 8. Under hood, Kia will continue to offer a standard, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four-cylinder, as well as an optional 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder. Power for both engines is estimated to be down compared to the current car, with the 2.4 dropping from 192 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque to 185 hp and 178 lb-ft, and the 2.0T losing 27 of its 274 hp and nine of its 269 lb-ft. Kia is claiming that both engines have been retuned for fuel economy, although it wasn't able to provide any figures to back up that argument. On top of the 2.4 and 2.0T, Kia will also offer a 1.6-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, complete with the company's first seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (the previous two engines are mated to six-speed autoboxes). The 1.6, which Hyundai/Kia fans will know from the Veloster Turbo and Forte range, produces 178 hp in the Optima, which is paired with 195 lb-ft of torque. Have a look at the images of the all-new Optima, and then scroll below for the official press release.

2021 Kia Optima getting two turbo engines, all-wheel drive option

Even before we've had a chance to drive it, the 2021 Kia Optima is proving to be an interesting sedan. For one thing, it might not even be called Optima anymore, with a switch to the Korean-market K5 name rumored. The styling is thoroughly aggressive, too. As for the latest Optima news, it's getting a pair of turbo engines for the United States, and two more drive wheels as an option. Unsurprisingly, the Optima will be available with a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four, just like many versions of its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata. It makes 178 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. There's also mention of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four with the same 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque as the Sonata's base engine. Kia doesn't specifically say it will be offered in America, but its presence in the Sonata means it will probably be available. If those engines aren't powerful enough, the Optima will be available with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making 286 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Presumably, this is the same engine that will be in the Sonata N-Line and future Genesis G70. Kia says this engine is good for a 0-62 mph run of 6.6 seconds. The other big news about the Optima, besides the engines, is that it will available with all-wheel drive as an option. The Sonata does not offer it, making it a unique selling point for the Kia. It will join a growing number of sedans with available all-wheel drive including the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and of course the Subaru Legacy. The Ford Fusion is also among this group, but will soon be discontinued. In addition to all-wheel drive, Kia said Optimas will be available with either six- or eight-speed automatic transmissions, though it didn't specify to which engines they would be paired. The same goes for the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic announced, but seeing as the Sonata only has that on the N-Line, it's probably exclusive to the turbo 2.5-liter engine. Pricing isn't available yet for the new Optima. But Kia did say it will go on sale in the first half of 2020. Related Video:    

2020 Kia Forte GT priced under $24,000

The 2020 Kia Forte GT sporty compact sedan was revealed way back at last year's SEMA show along with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine making 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Kia has been pretty quiet about the car until now, having finally revealed its price tag. The cheapest model starts at $23,215 with the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Switching to six-speed manual transmission bumps the price up to $23,815. Regardless of transmission, the Kia Forte GT is cheaper than its Hyundai cousins with the same engine. The Veloster Turbo R-Spec is next in line with a price of $24,070, then the Elantra GT N-Line at $24,230, and the Elantra Sport at $24,730. Besides the turbocharged engine, the Forte GT boasts an independent multi-link rear suspension rather than the standard model's rear torsion beam. It also has unique exterior accents such as a red-accented grille, rear spoiler, side skirts and special wheels. 2020 Kia Forte GT-Line View 14 Photos If you don't care about power, but still like the look of the GT, there's also the newly added Forte GT-Line. It has the same body upgrades, but with the regular Forte's 147-horsepower naturally aspirated engine and CVT. And to help make up for the lack of power, it adds blind-spot warning and rear cross traffic alert. It's also cheaper with a price of $21,315. As for the rest of the Forte lineup, prices and equipment lists are unchanged from 2019. The 2020 Forte models should show up on dealer lots by the end of the year.