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2003 Kia Optima Road Test

2003 Kia Optima SE-V6 - Luxury Ride, Economy Price

"Is that a Lincoln?" Surely, I thought to myself after the 20 something guy posed the question, this is the first time a Kia has been mistaken for a Lincoln.

My initial instinct was to throw my withering what-kind-of-an-idiot-are-you look at the misguided lad, but upon reflection, the 2003 Kia Optima, in particular from the front, does resemble a luxury ride. Thats no fluke, as was apparent

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press

when the mid-size sedan debuted in North America three years ago. Stocked with creature comforts and features typically reserved for sedans in the plus-$25,000 bracket, the Optima immediately found

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press

favour among a cost conscious public that seems to be, albeit slowly, buying into the abilities of the Korean automaker.

For 2003, the Optima gets an updated exterior - most notably the new hood/front grille design - and a number of interior updates that make the new model even more

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press

impressive. Yet, theyve managed to keep the price of entry hovering around the $15,000 mark.

The Optima is available in four trim levels: the four-cylinder LX; the V6-powered LX-V6; the four-cylinder SE and the top-of-the-line SE-V6. The LX starts at $15,500; the LX-V6 at $17,895; the SE at $18,095, while the fully loaded SE-V6 has an MSRP of $19,495.

My

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press

tester was the SE-V6, and my first impression of driving the Optima was one of, well, being very impressed.

The V6 engine pumps out a smooth and solid 170 horses (the base model offers 138-hp); the interior is well appointed in leather and woodgrain; the front seats are heated, and the drivers seat includes eight way power to help find that perfect driving position.

Handling too is surprising, as I found the Optima to behave very civilized in the

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press

corners. There is a bit of cabin noise at highway speed, though once the engine finds the right revs it seems to settle down some.

For passengers, front and rear, there is plenty of leg and headroom - especially in the rear seats. A flip-down centre rear armrest provides comfort and storage space. In addition, its 60/40 split-folding back seat adds to the Optimas overall utility, as do a variety of storage spaces.

A leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift knob and chrome accents place you squarely in the lap of luxury. Standard features

Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press

include cruise control, AM/FM/CD audio, power windows and air conditioning, all with very easy-to-use controls (something that most definitely cannot be said about some of the Japanese and German luxury sedans which the Optima so favourably compares to).

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