The Kia K5 (), formerly known as the Kia Optima (), is a

mid-size car Mid-size—also known as intermediate—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than compact cars and smaller than full-size cars. "Large family car" is a UK term and a part of the D-segment in ...

manufactured by Kia since 2000 and marketed globally through various

nameplate A nameplate identifies and displays a person or product's name. Nameplates are usually shaped as rectangles but are also seen in other shapes, sometimes taking on the shape of someone's written name. Nameplates primarily serve an informat ...

s. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in

Europe Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...

and

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

when sales began there in 2002. For the second-generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze and Kia K5 name for the

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the southern half of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and borders North Korea along the Korean Demilitarized Zone, with the Yellow Sea to the west and t ...

n market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

Malaysia Malaysia is a country in Southeast Asia. Featuring the Tanjung Piai, southernmost point of continental Eurasia, it is a federation, federal constitutional monarchy consisting of States and federal territories of Malaysia, 13 states and thre ...

and the

Middle East The Middle East (term originally coined in English language) is a geopolitical region encompassing the Arabian Peninsula, the Levant, Turkey, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq. The term came into widespread usage by the United Kingdom and western Eur ...

, where the Optima name was retained until the 2021 model year. The K5 name is used for all markets since the introduction of the fifth generation in 2019.

First generation (MS; 2000)

From 2000–2005, Optimas were a

rebadged In the automotive industry, rebadging (also known as badge engineering, an intentionally ironic misnomer in that little or no actual engineering takes place) is a form of market segmentation used by automobile manufacturers around the world. T ...

variant of the

Hyundai Sonata The Hyundai Sonata () is a mid-size car that has been manufactured by Hyundai since 1985. The first generation Sonata, which was introduced in 1985, was a facelifted version of the Hyundai Stellar with an engine upgrade, and was withdrawn fr ...

, differing from the Sonata only in minor exterior styling details and equipment content. It was first shown in South Korea in July 2000 and was the first product of the Kia-Hyundai platform integration plan. In Australia, the Optima was introduced in May 2001, offered only with a 2.5 L V6 engine, and choice of manual or automatic transmission. The updated Optima was offered with a new 2.7 L engine, 4-speed automatic (the manual was dropped), and features such as full leather interior and alloy wheels were made standard. Thanks in part to better marketing, sales increased to 41,289 units in 2005, an all-time high. The Optima was sold until 2006, when it was replaced by the Magentis.

Safety

The 2001 Optima received Poor to Average ratings from the

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Highway Loss Data Institute (IIHS-HLDI) is an American nonprofit organization. It was established in 1959, and it is noted for its safety reviews of vehicles in various simulated traffic situations, ...

(IIHS).

Update

The 2002 Optima received a minor update. A luxurious version of the Optima was sold in

as the "Optima Regal", using the 2-liter four or the 2.5-liter V6 only. The grille was redesigned for the

in 2003 (2004 model year) to feature the Kia badge, and the headlamps were restyled for 2004 (2005 model year).

Engines

File:03-Kia-Optima.jpg, Kia Optima (US; first facelift) File:20100902 kia optima regal 02.jpg, Kia Optima (Korea; first facelift) File:Kia Magentis I Facelift SE V6 front 20100508.jpg, Kia Magentis (Europe; second facelift) File:Kia Magentis I Facelift SE V6 rear 20100508.jpg, Kia Magentis (Europe; second facelift)

Second generation (MG; 2005)

The second generation Optima, known as the Kia Magentis globally except in

and

, and as the Kia Lotze in

, was launched in South Korea in November 2005. This generation differed further from the

donor vehicle than the previous model. Unlike the previous Optima though, this vehicle uses a global platform, unique to Kia, designated "MG". The car continues to be built in

and shares its 2.4-liter

inline-four engine A straight-four engine (also referred to as an inline-four engine) is a four-cylinder piston engine where cylinders are arranged in a line along a common crankshaft. The majority of automotive four-cylinder engines use a straight-four layout ( ...

, five-speed '' Sportmatic''

automatic Automatic may refer to: Music Bands * Automatic (Australian band), Australian rock band * Automatic (American band), American rock band * The Automatic, a Welsh alternative rock band Albums * ''Automatic'' (Jack Bruce album), a 1983 el ...

or five-speed

manual transmission A manual transmission (MT), also known as manual gearbox, standard transmission (in Canadian English, Canada, British English, the United Kingdom and American English, the United States), or stick shift (in the United States), is a multi-speed ...

with the Sonata. In addition to the 2.4-liter inline-four and the 2.7-liter V6 offered in North America, globally the Optima/Magentis/Lotze was also available with smaller, 1.8- or 2.0-liter fours, as well as a 2.0-liter turbodiesel engine. South Korean buyers also received and LPG-powered version of the 2.4. The second generation Optima was launched in Malaysia on 15 August 2007 powered by a 2.0-liter Theta DOHC CVVT engine with a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

The Optima received a crash test rating of five stars from the

NHTSA The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA ) is an agency of the U.S. federal government, part of the Department of Transportation, focused on automobile safety regulations. NHTSA is charged with writing and enforcing Feder ...

, and four stars from

Euro NCAP The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e. a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven, Belgium. Formed in 1996, the first results were released in February ...

. The 2006 Optima received Marginal to Good ratings from the

(IIHS).

Update

The Optima was revised and updated in 2008, debuting at the

New York International Auto Show The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show that is held in Manhattan, New York City in late March or early April. It is held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes ...

(as a 2009 model year). This update features new front-end styling and tail lamps. In addition to the revised exterior, length is also slightly increased by roughly to approximately long. There is also a new engine and the interior has also been revised. Main changes in the interior are a redesigned instrument cluster and a

Sirius Satellite Radio Sirius Satellite Radio was a satellite radio ( SDARS) service that operated in the United States and Canada. Sirius launched in 2002, and primarily competed with XM Satellite Radio, until the two services merged in 2008 to form Sirius XM. Li ...

/AM/FM/MP3/CD with an auxiliary jack. In certain markets, the option of satellite navigation is offered. The new '' Theta II'' 2.4-liter I4 employs dual continuously

variable valve timing Variable valve timing (VVT) is the process of altering the timing of a Poppet valve, valve lift event in an internal combustion engine, and is often used to improve performance, fuel economy or emissions. It is increasingly being used in combina ...

(CVVT) and a variable intake system (VIS) to increase power to , while returning improved fuel consumption over its predecessor. Torque is rated at . There is a 2.0L I4 for other markets with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. Power is rated at at 6200 RPM and of torque. Acceleration for the 2.0L is in 9.2 seconds for the 5-speed manual and 10.1 seconds for the 4-speed automatic. Top speed rated up to outside of the US. The 2.7-liter V6 offers few changes to the previous model, though power is increased to , and torque to . Acceleration for the 5-speed automatic takes it from in 8.9sec with a top speed up to . A five-speed manual transmission is standard in the base model, and a five-speed automatic is included with mid- and high-end levels (or as an option in the base model). 2010 models see the addition of a Proximity Key with Push-Button Start and paddle shifters on SX models. In Australia, the Magentis was introduced in August 2006, and replaced the Optima. Initially available with a choice of 2.4 L 4-cylinder or 2.7 L V6 engines, the Magentis' sales never caught on, with sales peaking at only 741 units in 2007. In 2008, the V6 engine was dropped, as was the EX-L model, leaving only the entry-level 2.4 L EX on sale until its discontinuation in 2009. While the facelifted 2010 model was never officially launched, a very small number were imported for "evaluation" purposes, and eventually sold to the public as demos.

U.S. engines

Third generation (TF; 2010)

The completely redesigned Optima, sharing the same platform as its sibling Hyundai i40, named the Kia K5 in the South Korean and Chinese markets, made its world debut at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. It features a new profile designed by Kia design chief Peter Schreyer, following the new design language featured on the

Kia Forte The Kia Forte (), known as the K3 in Asia, the Forte K3 or Shuma in China and Cerato in South America, Australia, New Zealand and Russia, is a compact car manufactured by South Korean automaker Kia from mid-2008 until 2024, replacing the Kia S ...

Kia Sorento The Kia Sorento () is a series of two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive family SUVs manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia since 2002 through four generations. Initially a compact SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the second-g ...

, and Kia Sportage and

Kia Cadenza The Kia Cadenza (also known in South Korea as Kia K7) () is a full-size/executive sedan manufactured by Kia. It was launched in 2010 to replace the Kia Opirus/Amanti. As of January 2014, it was sold in South Korea, United States, Canada, Chi ...

— and using Kia's new corporate grille, known as the Tiger Nose, also designed by Schreyer. Lead designer of the TF in the team of Peter Schreyer and Miklos Kovacs was the Italian Davide Limongelli. For the first time, this model will be using the Optima name worldwide, where the Magentis name had been used previously. As with its

sibling, the Optima's lineup has been replaced with a GDI 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, either mated to a 6-speed

automatic transmission An automatic transmission (AT) or automatic gearbox is a multi-speed transmission (mechanics), transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving conditions. The 1904 ...

with Eco dash display, or to a 6-speed

that is standard on only the LX model. Sales began in fall 2010. The new K5 was released in the South Korean market on 29 April 2010. The new Optima retains its trim lines of the base LX, upscale EX, and sporty SX models. Standard equipment includes safety features such as

electronic stability control Electronic stability control (ESC), also referred to as electronic stability program (ESP) or dynamic stability control (DSC), is a computerized technology that improves a car handling, vehicle's stability by detecting and reducing loss of Tract ...

(ESC) and ABS brakes, as well as Sirius Satellite Radio, cooled glove box,

iPod The iPod is a series of portable media players and multi-purpose mobile devices that were designed and marketed by Apple Inc. from 2001 to 2022. The iPod Classic#1st generation, first version was released on November 10, 2001, about mon ...

connectivity, and handsfree

Bluetooth Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology standard that is used for exchanging data between fixed and mobile devices over short distances and building personal area networks (PANs). In the most widely used mode, transmission power is li ...

phone operation. Starting in October 2013, on LX models, Kia will offer the UVO infotainment system by

Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company, technology conglomerate headquartered in Redmond, Washington. Founded in 1975, the company became influential in the History of personal computers#The ear ...

as part of the convenience package. EX model options include Kia's new UVO infotainment system by

, integrated backup camera, and Proximity Key with Push-Button Start. A panoramic moonroof, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and a navigation system are also available. SX models add a rear

spoiler Spoiler or Spoilers may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media * Spoiler (media), something that reveals significant plot elements * The Spoiler, DC Comics superheroine Stephanie Brown Film and television * ''Spoiler'' (film), 1998 American ...

, metal pedals, black hybrid metal and carbon insert trim, paddle shifters, and illuminated scuff plates. The third generation Optima came with two different ignition options. On some, the ignition is fitted to the steering column with a turn key. In certain specifications, the keyhole is inside of the glove box, with a start button located on the dashboard. A Hybrid model and a Turbo model were also released. In addition, a wagon version was planned for European markets, and two-door coupé version was mooted for the United States. however they were never released. The turbo model has the same powertrain as the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T. The turbocharged model has and of torque in the North American model. The car is estimated to obtain on the highway. The third generation Kia Optima is built and manufactured in

West Point, Georgia West Point is a city in Troup and Harris counties in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is located approximately halfway between Montgomery, Alabama and Atlanta along Interstate 85. As of 2020, its population was 3,719. Most of the city is in Tr ...

, which began in 2011 with the 2012 model. In Australia, the new Optima went on sale in January 2011. Initially available in only one grade, the highly specified "Platinum", it was later joined by an entry-level "Si" model in the 2012 model year. Both models feature a 2.4L GDI engine with 6-speed automatic. A manual was not offered. The facelifted 2014 model was unveiled at the 2013 New York International Auto Show in March. The third generation Kia Optima was launched in Malaysia on 27 December 2011 powered by a 2.0 liter Theta II MPI engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission and in January 2014 the facelift version was launched in Malaysia.

Safety

The 2011 Optima received a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the

(IIHS).

Reception

In a March 2012 comparison test by ''

Car and Driver ''Car and Driver'' (''CD'' or ''C/D'') is an American automotive enthusiast magazine first published in 1955. In 2006 its total circulation was 1.23 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased it from its prior owner Hachette Fi ...

'', the Optima came in third place out of six cars behind the first place

Volkswagen Passat The Volkswagen Passat is a nameplate of D-segment, large family cars (D-segment) manufactured and marketed by the German automobile manufacturer Volkswagen since 1973 and also marketed variously as the Dasher, Santana, Quantum, Magotan, Corsar ...

and the second place

Honda Accord The , also known as the in Japan and China for certain generations, is a series of automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, best known for its four-door sedan variant, which has been one of the best-selling cars in the United States sinc ...

Powertrain

Hybrid version

The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid was unveiled at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, and was launched in the U.S. market in June 2011. During its first month in the market sold 524 units. Considering cumulative sales in the U.S. market through December 2011, with 19,672 units sold, together the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Kia Optima Hybrid ranked second in hybrid sales for calendar year 2011, after the

Toyota Prius The is a Compact car, compact/small family car, small family liftback (supermini/subcompact sedan (car), sedan until 2003) produced by Toyota. The Prius has a Hybrid vehicle drivetrain, hybrid drivetrain, combined with an internal combustion ...

. The Optima Hybrid uses the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

powertrain In a motor vehicle, the powertrain comprises the main components that generate engine power, power and deliver that power to the road surface, water, or air. This includes the internal combustion engine, engine, transmission (mechanics), trans ...

, combining a 2.4-liter

MPI MPI or Mpi may refer to: Science and technology Biology and medicine * Magnetic particle imaging, a tomographic technique * Myocardial perfusion imaging, a medical procedure that illustrates heart function * Mannose phosphate isomerase, an enzyme ...

engine with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 30 kW

electric motor An electric motor is a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. Most electric motors operate through the interaction between the motor's magnetic field and electric current in a electromagnetic coil, wire winding to gene ...

and lightweight

lithium polymer batteries A lithium polymer battery, or more correctly, lithium-ion polymer battery (abbreviated as LiPo, LIP, Li-poly, lithium-poly, and others), is a rechargeable battery derived from lithium-ion battery, lithium-ion and lithium-metal battery technology ...

to produce a full gasoline-electric hybrid with an estimated fuel consumption of city and highway. The Optima Hybrid is able to travel up to in full electric mode, which helps it stand apart from many competitors. Korean and European markets will get the Optima Hybrid with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The only externally apparent features that differentiate it from the Kia Optima are the hybrid badging, application specific wheel design, a lowered ride height by approximately , and the availability of a special light platinum graphite paint color. It also utilizes an active shutter system behind the upper grille, allowing the car to redirect airflow when the gas engine's heat levels allow (such as when the car is operating in EV mode to improve aerodynamics, or to assist in more rapid warming up of the gas engine). In September 2011, the Optima Hybrid set a

Guinness World Record ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, listi ...

for "Lowest Fuel Consumption in a Hybrid Gasoline Vehicle" while driving across the continental United States for 14 days, starting from the Kia factory in West Point, Georgia. In its 7,899-mile drive across the 48 states, the car recorded an average of 64.55 miles per gallon while consuming a total of five and a half tanks of gasoline. In order to qualify for the record, the car had two people and luggage throughout the entire trip.

Fourth generation (JF; 2015)

The 2016 Kia Optima went on-sale towards the end of 2015. It shares a platform with the 2015

, and offers a new design, with new features and enhancements. As with the previous-generation Optima, the new model was designed by Kia's Chief of Design, Peter Schreyer. Unveiled at the 10th Seoul Motor Show in April 2015, the new K5 was released in the South Korean market on 15 July 2015. For the Malaysian market, the fourth generation Kia Optima was launched in May 2017 powered by the Theta II 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

Sportswagon

At the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, Kia revealed the Sportswagon variant of the Optima. Developed mainly for the European market by Kia's European design team, Kia says the model represents a significant growth opportunity in Europe, as two thirds of all models sold in the class are estates, rising to three quarters when looking purely at fleet sales. In its case, Kia says the estate could outsell the sedan version six to one.

Powertrain

Plug-in hybrid

plug-in hybrid A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) or simply plug-in hybrid is a type of hybrid electric vehicle equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be directly replenished via a charging cable plugged into an external electric power so ...

variant was unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show. The Kia Optima PHEV shares the powertrain of the Hyundai Sonata PHEV, and like its sibling, it has a 9.8 kWh battery pack that delivers an

all-electric range All-electric range (AER) is the maximum driving range of an electric vehicle using only power from its on-board battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a Battery electric vehicle (BEV), it means the maximum range per rech ...

of , but the Optima plug-in hybrid has a lower drag coefficient, which at 0.24 Cd is on par with the all-electric

Tesla Model S The Tesla Model S is a battery-electric, four-door full-size car produced by the American automaker Tesla since 2012. The automaker's second vehicle and longest-produced model, the Model S has both received mixed reviews from critics and a ...

. The Optima PHEV has an active grille, which automatically opens and closes at high and low speeds, contributing to reduce the Cd. The plug-in hybrid features a 50 kW

and 2.0-liter “Nu” four-cylinder GDI engine, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Retail deliveries began in the United States in January 2017 with 40 units sold.

Facelift (2018)

The facelifted Kia Optima was officially revealed at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. In January, the facelifted Kia K5 was introduced in South Korean market.

Safety

The 2017 Optima received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the

(IIHS).

Awards

The Optima is a two-time winner of the International Car of the Year award. it also won the 2016

Red Dot The Red Dot Design Award is an international, annual design competition for product and industrial design, brand and communication design as well as design concepts, in which the Red Dot quality label is awarded to winners. The Red Dot Design A ...

"Best of the Best" Award. Kia Optima A1A Convertible Concept

Kia Optima Convertible Concept

The Kia Optima Convertible Concept was shown in 2015; a 4-door

concept car A concept car (also known as a concept vehicle or show vehicle) is a car made to showcase new styling or new technology. Concept cars are often exhibited at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not ...

similar to the Kia Optima sedan without a roof and rear-hinged doors for the rear passengers in place of the front-hinged doors of the production car.

Fifth generation (DL3; 2019)

The fifth generation Optima is badged as the K5 worldwide. It was first unveiled in November 2019 and released in South Korea on 12 December 2019. Its overall design is similar to that of the

Sonata In music a sonata (; pl. ''sonate'') literally means a piece ''played'' as opposed to a cantata (Latin and Italian ''cantare'', "to sing"), a piece ''sung''. The term evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms until th ...

, with a fastback-like profile. However, the styling is unique, featuring Z-shaped running lights, a textured grille and a chrome strip that runs along the window line and becomes more prominent at the C-pillar. The interior has been redesigned significantly as well, with an optional 12.3-inch digital cluster and 10.3-inch center screen, augmented by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an optional 12-speaker Bose audio system. Under the hood, engines mostly mirror that of the Sonata, with the base 4-cylinder turbo 1.6-liter engine producing 180 hp and 195 lb⋅ft of torque and the GT receiving a high-performance 2.5-liter

turbocharged In an internal combustion engine, a turbocharger (also known as a turbo or a turbosupercharger) is a forced induction device that is powered by the flow of exhaust gases. It uses this energy to compress the intake air, forcing more air into the ...

four-cylinder unit with 286 hp and 311 lb⋅ft of torque. All-wheel drive is newly available on some trim levels, distinguishing it from the Sonata. Depending on the market, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) include Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) with Surround View Monitor (SVM) and Blind-spot Collision-avoid Assist (BCA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) or Navigation-based SCC (NSCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). Kia has confirmed that the car is not to be available for the European markets or any right-hand-drive markets (such as Asia, Australasia and Africa) due to the shrinking traditional sedan market. File:2021 Kia K5 GT-Line, rear left, 09-09-2023.jpg, Rear view (GT-Line, US) File:Kia K5 Hybrid DL3 HEV Snow White Pearl (11).jpg, K5 Hybrid (South Korea) File:KIA K5 INTERIOR China.jpg, Interior

2023 facelift

The K5 facelift was revealed on 25 October 2023 in South Korea, and at the 2024

Chicago Auto Show The Chicago Auto Show is held annually in February at Chicago's McCormick Place convention center. It is the largest auto show in North America. Event History Samuel Miles, formerly a promoter of bicycle shows, produced the first "official" ...

for the 2025 model year in North America. Changes include redesigned headlights and taillights, new front bumper with larger faux vents, new exhaust pipes for non-sportier trim levels, new exterior colors, new alloy wheel designs, an updated interior with a pair of screens, the traditional gear lever replaced by a rotary selector, and new technological features. File:2024 Kia K5 (DL3) 1.jpg, 2025 K5 (facelift) File:2024 Kia K5 (DL3) 2.jpg, Rear view (facelift) File:Kia K5 Hybrid DL3 HEV Martian Brown (1).jpg, Interior (facelift) The facelifted K5 also has a new base engine, dropping the 1.6-liter turbo in favor of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4 cylinder making 191 horsepower and 181 foot pounds of torque.

Markets

North America

In June 2020, Kia unveiled the US-market K5, renaming it from the Optima. Both the 1.6-liter turbocharged and 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream inline four-cylinder gasoline engines will be available with either front wheel drive or all wheel drive; the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is available only in front wheel drive and is mated to an eight-speed wet

dual-clutch transmission A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) (sometimes referred to as a twin-clutch transmission) is a type of multi-speed motor vehicle, vehicle Transmission (mechanics), transmission system, that uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear train, ...

. Trim levels include LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. US specification models will be assembled at Kia's

assembly plant ( KMMG). The K5 is no longer available in Canada as of the 2025 model year.

Powertrain

Safety

The 2021–2022 K5 was awarded a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

Motorsport

The third generation Kia Optima was an official entry in the Pirelli World Challenge. In June 2012, Michael Galati drove the Infinity Audio-sponsored Optima to Kia's first victory in round 8 of the 2012 season at

Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (formerly Mosport Park and Mosport International Raceway) is a multi-Race track, track motorsport venue located north of Bowmanville in Clarington, Ontario, Canada, approximately 75 kilometers (47 miles) east of To ...

in Bowmanville,

Ontario Ontario is the southernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada. Located in Central Canada, Ontario is the Population of Canada by province and territory, country's most populous province. As of the 2021 Canadian census, it ...

, Canada, while teammate Mark Wilkins finished in second place. Kia Racing clinched the 2014 Pirelli World Challenge Grand Touring Sport (GTS) Class Manufacturer Championship in only its third season of competition. Kia defeated rivals Ford, Chevrolet, Porsche, Aston Martin and Nissan to become the first Korean auto manufacturer to win the championship. Kia Racing finished the season with 13 podium finishes, including 5 race wins. Meanwhile, the turbocharged Optima race cars led more on-track miles than any other manufacturer in the class this season. The race car weighs and is powered by an inline 4-cylinder engine generating 368 horsepower and uses a 6-speed sequential transmission. It reaches in 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of .

Sales

References

External links

* (U.S.) {{Kia North America K5 Mid-size cars Sedans Convertibles Station wagons Police vehicles Front-wheel-drive vehicles 2010s cars Cars introduced in 2000 Hybrid electric cars Euro NCAP large family cars Plug-in hybrid vehicles Vehicles with CVT transmission