A New Face for Kia's Midsize Sedan

Late last week, Kia introduced an updated version of its midsize sedan, the

Optima. Kia's midsize four-door has taken a bit of a backseat to its twin, the Hyundai Sonata, but it's an admirable vehicle nevertheless.

For '09, the biggest change is up front, with a brand new nose. Kia has swapped out the chunky headlamps and corporate grille for a new look with a sleek visor-like wraparound headlamp and grille assembly that was also featured on the Koup Concept which was introduced on the same stage. A new rear bumper and narrowed taillights have also been added. The new bumpers increase the total length of the vehicle by nearly three inches in total.

Under the hood, both available engines have been upgraded. The entry level inline-four, a 2.4-liter unit, now produces 13 extra horsepower for a

total of 175, while torque is now up to 169 lb-ft. It's available with either a five-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. The upgrade engine, a 2.7-liter V6, receives a boost to 190 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque and is offered with a five-speed automatic only.

The main revisions to the interior focus around content. For the first time, Kia's midsize sedan will be offered with an in-dash navigation system, while better audio systems with USB integration can also be had.

Finally, Kia has added a performance-oriented model, dubbed SX. It offers suspension tweaks, LED turn signals integrated into the mirrors and aluminum interior trim and pedals.