New (2006) Kia Optima (NF based)

[SuperGLS]

Cool, finally some pics of it uncovered. Similar to the NF (of course), but enough different to notice. I really like the taillights as well as the overall stance. Someone can search for other pics if they want, I'm sure they are all over the place.

(Some pics might take a while... they are .bmp format). If you don't want to wait you can check out this thread:

http://www.carspyshots.net/zerothread?id=16273

http://www.kiacarman.com/vboard_pic/upfile/r(7).bmp

http://www.kiacarman.com/vboard_pic/upfile/r(5).bmp

http://www.kiacarman.com/vboard_pic/upfile/4Magentis_1.jpg

[02xdGLS]

mmm looks alright overall. nothing really stands out. though i thought of the new jetta for some reason when i looked at the tailight and the back end. i like the look of NF sonata better, but this doesn't look bad either.

[ba_feitl]

I think it looks a bunch like the Acura TL .. . IMO It's a close race with the NF Sonata in my book !


Kudo's to Hyundai Motors for another winner :)

[archywills]

Isn't mengitis an awful disease?

It's a nice looking car. Bland basic transportation, nothing to make you head turn. It has a nice *** end.

I'd buy it if my ex-wife didn't own a Optima.

[Leviathant]

Meh.
Sonata > Optima.

[Kenshin]

If Kia is still going to be marketed as the sportier, younger branch of Hyundai, they're headed in the wrong direction. I think the NF Sonata looks much sportier and more aggressive than this new NF Optima. It looks very plain to me.

[felixr]

it hurts my brain . . . im looking at a corolla, a jetta, and a Q45 all at the same time
"YAYYYYY!!!!! FOR HYUNDAI! THEY COPIED ANOTHER COMPANY'S WORK!!!! WOOHOOO!!!" how is this respectable??

[2001GLS]

Infiniti front end, VW rear. I think the car looks great though! Rumor is since it marketed as sportier than the Sonata the 3.3L V6 will be available with a manual transmission! If that comes to be the case, I might be forced to go that route next time. Not to mention the Kia will likely be a few $$ less than a comparable Sonata.

[Elkane7533]

So you get an Infiniti Q45 lookalike for 20 grand. How's that a bad thing???

I do agree with most people that the Sonata looks a lot sportier, with its bolder lines and stuff. On that note, I also think that the Sonata's interior looks more luxurious than that of the Azera.

Anyway, if it does handle better than the Sonata, the reviewers will love it.

[CornbreadXD]

it looks plain to me, i like the sonata better

[felixr]

the sonataccord

[th003g]

i dont know where you guys are getting vw rear from bu it looks more like a previous generation accord rear to me wqitha last gen TL side and last gen IS front with q45 lights
ohh and I think the Sonata interior is way boring compared to the azera

[SuperGLS]

Cool Taxi chop.

http://www.kiacarman.com/vboard_pic/upfile/rotchetaxi001.jpg

[Elkane7533]

So these are spyshots of the Optima, not the 2007 Elantra... We basically wasted about 3 threads (there are 3 different threads on Elantra spypics) on a car that's not even an Elantra. :rolleyes:

TheCarConnection's Elantra Spyshots (NOT) (http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=178&sid=178&article=7782)

[2001GLS]

So these are spyshots of the Optima, not the 2007 Elantra... We basically wasted about 3 threads (there are 3 different threads on Elantra spypics) on a car that's not even an Elantra. :rolleyes:

TheCarConnection's Elantra Spyshots (NOT) (http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?n=178&sid=178&article=7782)

Apparently so. Time will tell what the new Elantra looks like. Hyundai seems to be doing an excellent job keeping it under wraps.

[SuperGLS]

So these are spyshots of the Optima, not the 2007 Elantra... We basically wasted about 3 threads (there are 3 different threads on Elantra spypics) on a car that's not even an Elantra. :rolleyes:

Well actually, I don't know who we is, haha, but the one thread I posted about the 2007 Elantra is actually going to be the 2007 Elantra. The first time someone posted about it was that ugly thing that looked like the current Elantra with a bunch of uglyness added, and then, someone posted the link that you just came up with. Either way, this is the new Optima and the new Elantra is seen in my 2007 Elantra spy pics post.

[kylemorg]

You know, if Kia does offer the new Optima in a V6 5-speed, I might just consider it. I'd have to look it over, first, of course.

I had a 2002 Kia Optima as a rental last time I was in Fla. It was OK, except it had what I like to call "the world's cheapest dashboard" that looked like crap. The gray rubbery plastic was all dusty-looking and very cheap appearing. Other than that, it was OK.

[Elkane7533]

Yea I was just thinking that too. If this one comes with a V6 and a manual tranny, since it's supposed to be the more sporty sibling of the 06 Sonata, I would definitely consider it when I get a new car next summer.

[SuperGLS]

From what I've read it's a bit smaller than the Sonata as well. I don't know if that's a plus or a minus for you guys though.

[Elkane7533]

The car's supposed to come with the 2.7L V6 and not the 3.3L... And there isn't even a manual tranny option for the V6. Now that's got BORING written all over.