And the 2.4 4-cyl is available with the 5 speed auto. You can get leather with the 4-cyl. It has nice looking lights and the dash looks really cool. Here's a link http://kiausa.com/06optima/optima-specs.php

QUOTE(Perry Manessis @ Apr 4 2006, 09:52 AM)

And the 2.4 4-cyl is available with the 5 speed auto. You can get leather with the 4-cyl. It has nice looking lights and the dash looks really cool. Here's a link http://kiausa.com/06optima/optima-specs.php
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You get an inferior car at a higher price:

Weaker V6
Many things standard on the Sonata LX are Options in the Kia... at a higher price: MSRP $24,400

I envy the blue instrument backlighting and the seat bolsters. :thumbsup:

I don't know if I like some similar some of the Hyundia and Kia vehicles are becomming....especially since they both follow a similar pattern ever since Hyundai aquired a portion of Kia. I mean....check out the Kia Sportage - last released back in 2002 and it was a tiny little crap, re-released in 2005 and it's the Hyundia Tucson's identical twin (in engine and interior but modified exterior). At least for the Optima, they kept the Sonata's engine significantly more powerful this time around. BTW, has anyone seen the Optima's interior? I heard it while its nearly identical to the Sonata, they cleaned it up a bit more...

You're right. Didn't realize that the ESC, Traction Control and ABS were optional and it's only available with the new all aluminium 2.7L V-6. But at least the 4-cyl is offered with the 5 speed auto. I guess they strip them down to lower the MSRP and then when you start buying back all the options that are standard on the Sonata, you end up paying more. But I still like the looks of the exterior and interior.

This is purely marketing.

Manufacturing-wise, a 2.7L costs exactly the same as a 3.3L. All parts are probably common. Bore size and pistons are a tad smaller is all.

Maybe this is done to make fuel economy more attractive to the economy-minded customers, but even fuel economy differences is almost nil.

When Hyundai announced that they'd be releasing 7 all-new cars in two years (Tuscon, Sonata, Azera, Accent, Entourage, Santa Fe, Elantra), they also announced that they would focus Kia's lineup on sporty and Hyundai's on upscale/luxurious. I think the new Sonata and Optima are a good example of this separate marketing structure. The Optima doesn't have as many of the standard luxuries, yet it's got more sporty features like the seat bolsters, blue backlighting, 5-speed transmission, etc. The same thing goes for the Accent/Rio, Elantra/Spectra, and Tuscon/Sportage.

FYI, Hyundai is also currently testing a brand new rear wheel drive luxury vehicle that is said to be a 5-series fighter, and they're considering launching it as a new brand, similar to Toyota's Lexus. They're also testing an SUV that is larger than the Santa Fe.

I like the look of the Sonata better but admittedly I wish the Sonata had been available with the 2.7. The 3.3 is just too much engine for my needs.

Yah, its called the Equus or something wierd like that. I believe they released a limited amount of it back in '99. The upcomming one is slated for the late 07-08 (as typical Hyundai new releases are) and is expected to hold 3.8 270hp V6 rear wheel drive engine...while other rumors suggest that it may even have V8 in it just to stiffen up the competition even higher against Lexus, BMW, Infinity...etc...

The new SUV you refering to, if i'm correct, could it possibly be the Entourage? If so, then it wouldnt be an SUV but rather fall into the class of minivans? I know the new 07 Sante Fe (hopefully we'll see it later this year) is expected to be quite larger than the current one....

The SUV I'm referring to is not the Entourage. It's code named the EN, and is supposed to be bigger than the new Santa Fe... probably somewhere between the size of the Lexus RX and GX. Rumor has it that it may be a second vehicle under the new luxury brand.

Hyundai EN

Hyundai EN

Hyundai EN

Hyundai EN

And here are some photos of the Equus luxury sedan, code named the BH:

Hyundai BH

This post has been edited by LevelThree: Apr 4 2006, 11:22 AM

Well thats news to me. How about this one : New Hyundai?

That's supposedly the next generation of the Tiburon (the drawing, not the rebadged Ferrari... hehe). I also noticed in another thread that you liked the idea of a Sonata Coupe... don't be surprised to see one... or a convertible for that matter. Both have been whirling around the Hyundai rumor mill.

I like the idea of that! It seems that 2008 will be a big year for Hyundai. But then again, it seems like ever since the Tuscon was released back in 2004, Hyundai has been on a roll, churning out newer and better stuff each year anyways. Here some more talk on Hyundai's future luxury line...

Here are a few pictures of the real car from the Auto Show in Detroit and Toronto. For some reason the Canadian version is called a Magentis; weird ?? Optima sounds much better.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/06toronto/060206-11.htm
http://www.canadiandriver.com/news/06detro.../kia/optima.htm

I'm going to need to see this one in person before I decide whether or not I like it. The front reminds me of the old Infiniti Q45, and the back somewhat resembles the last generation Accord, mainly the shape of the tail lights. Overall, it looks good... definitely better than the last Optima.

Remeber Kia and Hyundai are built in different factories. It looks like the 2.7 is the same 2.7 thats been around for a while but with variable timing on the valves. I think fit and finish are better on the Hyundai's than Kia's, just my personal opinion. I do like the blue guages though!!!!

It's actually a downsized version of the 3.3. It has a timing chain, not a belt and variable valve timing. It will be the base motor in the new '07 Sante Fe. It would have been a nice mid-range option for the Sonata since it is almost as fuel efficient as the 2.4.