Kia Optima Adds a Pair of Bullet Points to Its Resume

BRAINTREE, MASS. (02/23/2012)(readMedia)-- The midsize sedan market is a competitive one, but experts have increasingly come to agree that the Kia Optima belongs near the head of the class. Currently available at Kia dealerships, the 2012 Optima took home a pair of industry awards this month, one for having the best value in its class and the other for being considered the best family sedan.

For its 2012 Best New Car Values list, Kiplinger's Personal Finance chose the vehicles in 12 categories that excelled in performance, value, safety, roominess and driving impressions. Kiplinger's named the 2012 Kia Optima Best in Class in the $25,000 - $30,000 sedan category, citing the car's value, aggressive styling, five-year warranty and 274-horsepower engine.

"The Optima is for drivers who need the space of a midsize sedan but the fuel efficiency of a smaller car," said Dave Campbell, general manager of Braintree, Massachusetts Kia dealership Quirk Kia. "Many of our customers are initially drawn to the Optima because of its exterior styling, but once they discover how practical it is, they're hooked. This car has won a lot of awards in the past year, and those honors have been reinforced by skyrocketing sales."

Also recently honored as Best Family Sedan in the MotorWeek 2012 Drivers' Choice Awards, the 2012 Kia Optima captured editors' eyes with its exterior styling, but its modern and ergonomically smart interior solidified its top spot. To determine award winners, MotorWeek examined vehicles in the areas of price, practicality, performance and fuel efficiency. Top performers were chosen in 15 categories, with the Kia Optima tying the Hyundai Sonata as Best Family Sedan.

The 2012 Kia Optima is powered by a standard 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that pushes out 200 horsepower and a 2.0-liter outputting 274 horsepower in EX Turbo and SX trims. Even with that power, Kia's six-speed automatic transmission pairs with the engines to net drivers up to 35 mpg on the highway with the 2.4-liter and 34 mpg with the 2.0-liter. Practicality demands the Optima have seating for five and 15.43 cubic-feet of cargo room, so the entire family can bring whatever they need for weekend trips.

Another Kia, the Rio, was also recognized in the MotorWeek Drivers' Choice Awards, winning the Best Subcompact Car category. Sharing the award with another Hyundai, the Accent, the 2012 Kia Rio was recognized because of its handsome styling, sporty handling and reasonable MSRP. The Rio nets drivers up to 40 mpg on the highway, making it even more practical than the Optima for drivers that travel light.

"The Kia Rio is the perfect commuter car; it's small and fuel efficient, but still delivers the driving excitement," added Campbell. "Kia is really focusing on making sure each and every one of its models is fun to drive, so whether you choose the Optima for your family or the Rio for yourself, your day-to-day commuting will be a lot more enjoyable."

About Quirk Kia:

Quirk Kia's goal is to achieve loyal, lifelong customers by providing superior value and service in every aspect of the automobile purchase and ownership experience. Minutes from downtown Boston, Quirk Kia is a premier Massachusetts Kia dealer renowned for its commitment to automotive excellence. Stop by and see for yourself why Quirk Works. Browse Quirk Kia's wide selection of new and used Kias online at www.quirkkia.com, find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/QuirkKia, call them at 781-917-1202 or visit their showroom at 443 Quincy Ave in Braintree, Massachusetts.