2011 Kia Optima officially priced from $18,995
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/carbuying/" rel="tag">Car Buying</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/kia/" rel="tag">Kia</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-first-drive/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01kiaoptimafd2011opt.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>2011 Kia Optima - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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The <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/optima">2011 Kia Optima</a> appears to be a quantum leap improvement over the 2010 model, with improved aesthetics, powertrains and technology. But do all those improvements come at a cost? According to <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/kia/">Kia</a>, the 2011 Optima will start at $18,995. That's $1,000 more than the outgoing model, but still $1,000 or so lower than many competitors' midsize offerings, and lower still than its cross-Korean cousin, the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata">2011 Hyundai Sonata</a>. With the base model comes standard power window and door locks, Sirius Satellite radio and a USB interface for your iPod.<br />
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Move up to the LX trim level with a six-speed automatic transmission and the starting price is $20,495. The LX comes standard with alloy wheels, cruise control and an eco mode for more efficient driving. The EX is the next step up the luxury ladder with leather seating surfaces, an eight-way power driver's seat, dual zone climate control, 17-inch wheels and push-button start. <br />
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If horsepower is your thing, the EX Turbo supplies 274 horsepower, a revised front grille and special interior accents for a reasonable $24,495, which in this case actually costs a little more than the Sonata Turbo at $24,145. The top-end Optima, the SX, starts at $25,995. Standard features for the SX include a host of interior upgrades, 18-inch wheels, revised lower trim, a sport-tuned suspension, HID headlamps and LEDs out back.<br />
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$18,995 is a very reasonable starting price to pay for a vehicle that appears to have gone from being a rental fleet afterthought to a midsize contender in a single product cycle. But what about resale value? The residual value experts at ALG, inc. claim that the 2011 Optima will retain 53 percent of it's value after 36 months, a 66 percent increase over the outgoing model. That's not at the resale level of a <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/accord">Honda Accord</a>, mind you, but a definite step in the right direction. <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/2011-kia-optima-officially-priced-from-18-995/#continued">Hit the jump</a> to read over Kia's official press release.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-first-drive">2011 Kia Optima: First Drive</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-first-drive/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/01kiaoptimafd2011_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-first-drive/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/02kiaoptimafd2011_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-first-drive/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/03kiaoptimafd2011_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-first-drive/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/04kiaoptimafd2011_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-kia-optima-first-drive/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/09/05kiaoptimafd2011_thumbna il.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.thenewsmarket.com/Releases/StoryDetailPage.aspx?GUID =4e2e291c-4339-488b-9373-022a594ef839#">The News Market</a>]<p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/2011-kia-optima-officially-priced-from-18-995/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>2011 Kia Optima officially priced from $18,995</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/2011-kia-optima-officially-priced-from-18-995/">2011 Kia Optima officially priced from $18,995</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.thenewsmarket.com/Releases/StoryDetailPage.aspx?GUID =4e2e291c-4339-488b-9373-022a594ef839#>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/2011-kia-optima-officially-priced-from-18-995/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19721049/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/17/2011-kia-optima-officially-priced-from-18-995/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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