kia optima review

About Theta II, rethink about Rondo, I remember they did mention that its engine is THETA II not THeta I4. If that's the case, the difference found on the intake manifold compared to Theta I4 in Optima/Sonata. No dual CVVT, just intake site only.

SIME, Kah Bintang & Naza purposely refuse to bring in the facelift Sonata & Optima. Reason is the Sonata & Optima sales quite low. Why waste money to bring in facelift variant if many dislike it. Most marketing people will think that maybe they dislike the looks. They didn't notice that if they could reveal to every1 that the entire technical is Japanese Mitsu especially 4B11 rebadged Theta engine, people will go for it. Too bad, Koreans ego is more important than sales.

They are waiting for newer replacement instead as the public might like the new 2010 Sonata/Optima design. More hope compared to facelift Sonata. The big jaw dropping grill in facelift 08 Sonata is quite irritating. Optima/Magentis 08, it is sold only in the US just like Cerato facelift '07. Not available in any other country including Australia, Singaland, Thailand, India, HK, Taiwan, etc.

Rondo is advertised as having the Theta I engine, not Theta II.

You got the poor sales the wrong way round. It is because of poor sales, that both Naza and Oriental have tonnes of unsold stock. When you have unsold stock, you are not going to bring in new models. Besides, both cars are CKDed so retooling is required. Naza and Oriental are certainly not going to bring in CKD packs for the facelifts when the current models are not selling. It is not an issue with Korean ego. The issue is the sheer ignorance of the Malaysian public when it comes to Korean cars.

Just today, latest sales figures from Australia have Hyundai moving up to 4th position, behind Toyota, Holden and Ford. Hyundai is within striking distance to Ford and I expect them to move to No 3 by the end of 2009. Note that all marques in the top 3 have manufacturing facilities in Australia. Hyundai is solely an importer.

The new Sonata YF will be launched in Korea next month. Spy pics are already on the net. It's going to be a looker.

Yes, the Optima facelift is not being sold in Australia only because Kia Australia the same problem moving stock. The Australians love their Holdens and Fords with V6 engines that guzzle more fuel than they should. Any manufacturer with a vehicle in the same category as the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon are going to have their work cut out.

The Sonata NF facelift is being sold in Australia though.

The Kia Cerato and Hyundai i30 are doing extremely well in Australia though.

hi,

if i'm to buy kia optima second hand car. which year you think the engine is better ?

Hi Kevin!

Aussies love their country own cars a lot but at the same time, they protest that these cars are highly overpriced comparable in price to German luxury cars. But non-white Aussies claimed that these cars have poorer build quality and really don't deserved buying. Will be hard to find Chinese with PR or citizenship there owning Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.


Hi Mr Martin,

As what Vermaltech said, go for Theta & Gamma engines and you'll be happy. If you are going for used Optima:

Optima '04-07 (same platform as Sonata EF)
It's using remoulded 4G63 older Mitsu engine named as SIRIUS (Mitsu 4G6X series). Technically ok but it emphasised much on safety standard making it heavier. The engine doesn't have valve timing.

Optima '07-'09 (sold by Naza Kia Sonata NF platform)
Theta I4 engine - better FC & performance - more effort placed

Optima '07-09 are less appeared on sale. Getting a new 1 from Naza with discount for 2.0, I think it's around RM93k brand new but could be existing stock. Discount could be higher for older stock. Pay a visit to find out first before you buy anything. No harm testing cars. Just like before getting married, go date all girls 1st. See how they fare.

thanks for advise,

i'm thinking of buying used kia optima which i think around RM 35 - 45k which is good price for me
things still make me considering is cost of repairing of maintenance will be same as japanese car like other 2.0ltr car or
much more expensive to maintain...

Engine spare parts ok. Maintenance is ok but fuel consumption is a bit higher. Hyundai targeted US market at that time so they have to meet the requirements on strong chasis and pass the crash test with flying colour. In western countries, car insurance policies price depends on safety standard. Small cars like most Daihatsu are barred from entering Australia and smaller cars have more expensive insurance policies rate than bigger cars in Western Countries. Without valve timing and heavier body caused poorer FC. Optima '04 headlamp costs around RM500 a piece at that time. Now not sure.

now spore KIA FORTE like hot cake waiting list 4month

Probably that's the reason why Forte is still not available on local market.

GOt limit production n supply spare part