Emerging From Hyundai's Shadow

After years of lingering in Hyundai's shadow, Kia is one-upping its big sister.

The inequality between the two brands has been especially stark in recent years. When Hyundai received the glittery Genesis near-luxury sedan and performance coupe, Kia was bestowed with a midsize SUV — just as the segment was becoming completely irrelevant.

Sure, there was last year's great and Kia-exclusive Soul. But, overall, Kias typically have been overshadowed by similar models from current media-darling Hyundai. Both brands are owned by the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group and share platforms and powertrains.

Now, with the stunning new-generation '11 Optima midsize sedan, on sale in November, Kia jumps to the forefront, thanks to styling that is cleaner and more-organic than that of Hyundai's super curvy and chrome-tastic Sonata.

The Optima shares the same powertrains as the Sonata, meaning many consumers likely will shop both. Badge engineering is rarely a good thing, and Hyundai-Kia needs even greater differentiation under the sheetmetal in same-segment models to limit cannibalization.

But there's nothing wrong with the Optima's 2.4L 4-cyl. all-aluminum gasoline direct-injected engine, which performs just as well as in the Sonata.

Noteworthy for its power and fuel efficiency, the engine delivers 30 mpg (7.8 100L/km) on a low-speed (34 mph [55 km/h]) route in southern California. A longer, faster-moving (40 mph [64 km/h]) drive results in a more modest 23.3-mpg (10.1 L/100 km) average.

The Optima's engine makes 200 hp, 2 hp more than the same mill in the Sonata. Torque is 186 lb.-ft. (252 Nm), also two up on the Sonata.

As in the Sonata, the naturally aspirated 2.4L can feel underpowered at times, and the car's new 6-speed automatic up-shifts a little too quickly in an effort to maximize fuel economy. Taking the transmission out of the Eco setting helps, but to really tap into the available torque requires shifting in manumatic mode.

Still to come for the '11 Optima is a turbocharged 274-hp 2.0L GDI 4-cyl. and a hybrid-electric version, two powertrains that bow first in the Sonata.

The Optima rides on a fully independent suspension with MacPherson struts in front and a multi-link setup at the rear, the same as the Sonata. However, Kia dials in somewhat stiffer settings. The sporty SX grade, offering only the 2.0L turbo I-4, gets firmer shocks than the base LX and mid EX grades.

Still, handling in an EX Optima is best dubbed “sport lite.” The car's ride can be rough, but not so much so to induce pining for a Toyota Avalon.

Steering is on the light side of a BMW 3-Series, putting the Optima squarely in the we're-trying-to-please-everyone midsize sedan segment in the U.S.

Where the new sedan really shines is styling. While design is subjective, the Optima, with its relatively unadorned exterior, looks better than the Sonata.

Instead of lots of character lines or bling, Kia uses the shape of the headlights and taillights and its now-signature tiger-nose grille as the design focus of the car.

The most obvious similarity between the Sonata and Optima is their tails, which share the same heavy eyelid look with an overlapping trunk lid.

Optima's interior, at least in the EX testers driven, is equally stylish, although the center stack, skewed toward the driver for easy access, is more conventional, with its single fan-mode button instead of Sonata's man-in-chair controller.

Typical of new Kias, interior lighting is a menacing red, contrasting nicely with the black interior and red stitching.

Fit and finish is above average in the EX grade. Pillar trim fits tightly together, and the headliner is finished, not frayed, where it meets the windshield.

Some flashing on hard-plastic door pockets, and puckering where two pieces of leather meet on the back of the front seat, are noticeable flubs.

Seating comfort is so-so. More bolstering is needed to keep the driver in place.

The LX model offers a 6-speed manual or automatic. EX and SX trims are standard with the 6AT. The EX grade comes with either the 2.4L naturally aspirated I-4 or 2.0L turbo; the latter is the only engine in the Optima SX.

Standard features across all grades include a cooled glove box, steering-wheel mounted controls, keyless entry and power windows. Navigation is optional.

The '11 Optima finally will carve out a niche for Kia in the midsize sedan segment, thanks to its emphasis on style and fuel economy.