First Drive: 2006.5 Kia Optima

[Michael Reynolds]

I don't know what, if anything, can be notched in btwn the Optima and Amanti because as is the dimensions of that vehicle already mirror those of the Sonata very closely. If anything the Amanti needs to be dumped in favor for an Azera based Kia.

[old_fairmont_wagon]

The Amanti is a stop gap carryover from Korea from what I read. Kia will be getting a larger vehicle than the Optima in the next two years. It will likely share some stuff with the Azera, but, it won't be a clone like the old Sonata/Optima were. Then, supposedly, the Amanti was slated to be redone on a slightly larger platform (interior room wise). However, since I read that, the overall positioning plan for Kia and Hyundai changed. Kia is now the Value brand and Hyundai is the mainstream, almost uplevel brand. Hyundai is strongly hinting at a forray into the premium segment, and the Azera is their first attempt at something that could be sold under that brand. As a Hyundai, the Azera is pretty darn good. As an entry level luxury car, well, its so-so at best. But, look at it as a market study that competes with the 500/avalon/maxima/impala/imperial. Eventually, we'll see Hyundai's premium brand here. It will likely flop even harder than Mazda's aborted attempt at a lux brand, but, I would expect it to eventually settle into the territory above Volkswagon but below Lincoln. Maybe in Buick's new ballpark as they settle in where Cadillac used to be.