KIA Optima SX Turbo

So what have we got here…a half-price Audi?

That's how I felt when I fired up KIA's re-styled top-of-the-line Turbo Optima for the first time.

And no…Audi's A4 and A6 offer a bit more, but KIA is packing a surprising amount of performance, content and comfort in today's Optima SX.

For a low-$30's window-sticker, here's what KIA's Optima SX Turbo delivers: 245 HP from a 2.0 liter four, 6-speed auto, a panoramic sunroof, gloss-black 18" alloys, heated and ventilated two-tone leather plus a heated steering wheel, Harman Kardon sound, LED lighting, "bending" headlamps, and a sport suspension.

And I didn't mention blind-spot, rear cross-traffic, forward collision, and parking distance warnings…because they're standard on ALL KIA Optimas.

KIA's '19 made-in-Georgia Optimas start in the low $20's. That'll get you a non-turbo 2.4 liter, 185 HP four and a 6-speed auto. You'llhave wheel covers and cloth seats in their entry-level package, but you'll also have all the safety features just mentioned, and ample room for five. The EPA says that you'll see 24 city MPG and 33 Hwy.

Just two thousand more adds alloys, a more attractive interior, push-button start, LED lighting and a Sirius radio.

Another two thousand, but still under 30K, gets you KIA's mileage champ…their EX which sports a 1.6 liter turbo and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and heated leather seating. Here we're lookin' at 27 city and 37 Hwy…pretty impressive mileage for a roomy mid-sized four-door.

But it's the SX Turbo that'll stir your soul. Again, it's got enough "Go" for 99% of the drivers on the road, with sharp handling to match. Add in the relatively quiet ride, room for five, large trunk and two-tone ventilated leather and you've got just about everything that today's driver wants and needs…and you've got it in the low $30. That's what's called a pretty good deal.

And what if you're not one of the 99%?

Well, KIA makes the highly acclaimed Stinger. With a twin turbo four or a six, the Stinger was built to take on ( and perhaps beat ) Europe's finest sport sedans.

But just remember…KIA makes the Stinger out of the "bones" of their Optima SX Turbo. There's a lot of Stinger in there.

Just sayin'.

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