Segment: Medium
Production years: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Just three years, give or take a few months after it unveiled the first generation of the Optima/Magentis lineup, Kia introduced a mid-life cycle refresh for its flagship model.
The Korean carmaker thought that if it would change the generations faster, will catch up with its main competitors on the market. Somehow, that system worked quite well for Kia, and its evolution was faster than anyone predicted. But not any facelift might be a good reason to buy the newest version.
Stylewise, Kia didn't know exactly how to design its cars and make them appealing to the customers. It tried different lines and shapes. Some of them worked, some didn't. While the 2001 model featured classic-looking horizontal headlights, the 2003 updated version came with individual round headlamps and additional ones on the front fascia's outer side. They looked strange, to say at least.
Inside, the carmaker didn't try too hard to hide its low-budget vehicle expertise. The car offered cloth seats for the base trim levels but installed standard air-conditioning, power windows and locks, power mirrors, and a sound system that worked well. Kia kept the split-folding rear seats. A leather-clad interior and a premium sound system were fitted as standard on the top trim level, while the sunroof was on the options list.
Under the hood, Kia installed a 2.0-liter engine for the entry-level version, while the top trim level received a V-6 unit. For the U.S. market, an inline-four 2.4-liter was available on the base model.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 4AT (134 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1836 cm3 |
Power: | 98.6 KW @ 6000 RPM 134 HP @ 6000 RPM 132 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 125 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 169 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection Naturally aspirated |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60/R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.2 in (4729 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/59.8 in (1,539/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3097 lbs (1405 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 5MT (134 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1836 cm3 |
Power: | 98.6 KW @ 6000 RPM 134 HP @ 6000 RPM 132 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 125 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 169 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection Naturally aspirated |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60/R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.2 in (4729 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/59.8 in (1,539/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3064 lbs (1390 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 16V 4AT (136 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 6000 RPM 136 HP @ 6000 RPM 134 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 98 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 133 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection Naturally aspirated |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 10.6 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60/R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.2 in (4729 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/59.8 in (1,539/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3093 - 3269 lbs (1403 - 1483 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4376.2 lbs (1985 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 18 mpg US (13.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 24.2 mpg US (9.7 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 16V 5MT (136 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 100 KW @ 6000 RPM 136 HP @ 6000 RPM 134 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 98 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 133 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection Naturally aspirated |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 129 mph (208 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 11.5 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-Speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60/R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.2 in (4729 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/59.8 in (1,539/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3038 lbs (1378 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4376.2 lbs (1985 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 19.6 mpg US (12 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 35.1 mpg US (6.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 204 g/km |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 4AT (149 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 109.6 KW @ 6000 RPM 149 HP @ 6000 RPM 147 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 142 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 193 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection Naturally aspirated |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 129 mph (208 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60/R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.2 in (4729 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/59.8 in (1,539/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
Turning circle: | 34.1 ft (10.4 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3131 lbs (1420 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 5MT (149 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1997 cm3 |
Power: | 109.6 KW @ 6000 RPM 149 HP @ 6000 RPM 147 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 142 lb-ft @ 4500 RPM 193 Nm @ 4500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection Naturally aspirated |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 17.2 gallons (65.1 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 121 mph (195 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60/R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.2 in (4729 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Height: | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/59.8 in (1,539/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
Turning circle: | 34.1 ft (10.4 m) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3097 lbs (1405 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.5L V6 4AT (169 HP) | |
---|---|
Cylinders: | V6 |
Displacement: | 2493 cm3 |
Power: | 124 KW @ 6000 RPM 169 HP @ 6000 RPM 166 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 166 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM 225 Nm @ 4000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Multipoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
---|---|
Top Speed: | 133 mph (214 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 8.8 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
---|---|
Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed automatic |
BRAKES SPECS | |
---|---|
Front: | Ventilated Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 205/60R15 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 186.2 in (4729 mm) |
Width: | 71.7 in (1821 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 60.6/59.8 in (1,539/1,519 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 106.3 in (2700 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 6.1 in (155 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.6 cuFT (385 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.32 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
---|---|
Unladen Weight: | 3086.5 lbs (1400 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 4409.2 lbs (2000 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
---|---|
City: | 15.6 mpg US (15.1 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 31.4 mpg US (7.5 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 22.8 mpg US (10.3 L/100Km) |
CO2 Emissions: | 246 g/km |