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2021 Kia Optima getting two turbo engines, all-wheel drive option

Even before we've had a chance to drive it, the 2021 Kia Optima is proving to be an interesting sedan. For one thing, it might not even be called Optima anymore, with a switch to the Korean-market K5 name rumored. The styling is thoroughly aggressive, too. As for the latest Optima news, it's getting a pair of turbo engines for the United States, and two more drive wheels as an option. Unsurprisingly, the Optima will be available with a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four, just like many versions of its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata. It makes 178 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. There's also mention of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-four with the same 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque as the Sonata's base engine. Kia doesn't specifically say it will be offered in America, but its presence in the Sonata means it will probably be available. If those engines aren't powerful enough, the Optima will be available with a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine making 286 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Presumably, this is the same engine that will be in the Sonata N-Line and future Genesis G70. Kia says this engine is good for a 0-62 mph run of 6.6 seconds. The other big news about the Optima, besides the engines, is that it will available with all-wheel drive as an option. The Sonata does not offer it, making it a unique selling point for the Kia. It will join a growing number of sedans with available all-wheel drive including the Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and of course the Subaru Legacy. The Ford Fusion is also among this group, but will soon be discontinued. In addition to all-wheel drive, Kia said Optimas will be available with either six- or eight-speed automatic transmissions, though it didn't specify to which engines they would be paired. The same goes for the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic announced, but seeing as the Sonata only has that on the N-Line, it's probably exclusive to the turbo 2.5-liter engine. Pricing isn't available yet for the new Optima. But Kia did say it will go on sale in the first half of 2020. Related Video:    

Best 3rd row SUVs of 2022

If you plan on using a vehicle's third row a lot, let us at least make the suggestion that a minivan would be a smarter bet than anything you're going to see on this list of best three-row SUVs. Their third rows are bigger, more comfortable and easier to get to. The kids will definitely be happier. Here are our two top choices.  OK, now that that's out of the way, we totally get why minivans are totally depressing and that if the kids want to be happier, they can buy their own darn vehicle. You're buying, you're driving, you're being seen in it and you'd rather have a three-row SUV. Fair enough. Luckily, there are more choices than ever and they're really good. The best do a particularly good job of being family friendly without looking like a drab transportation appliance, although really, you can't go wrong with any of the mainstream three-row SUVs. Now, some of the luxury choices are a bit suspect, including those that are otherwise very appealing but have cramped third-row seats (the Genesis GV80 comes to mind). We're focusing on three-row SUVs here, so having a usable third row is a must.   In this list, we have broken things down into four sub-categories: Best Three-Row Crossover |  Best Full-size Three-Row SUV Best Luxury Three-Row SUV |  Best Flagship Luxury Three-Row SUV Note that we define crossovers as SUVs since most buyers use the terms interchangeably, but acknowledge that "crossover" is literally a vehicle with a car-like unibody structure as opposed to the truck-like, body-on-frame construction that traditionally has defined "SUV." In other words, we consider all crossovers SUVs, but not all SUVs are crossovers (specifically those in the full-size segment and some in the flagship luxury segment). Best Three-Row Crossover SUVs of 2024 2024 Honda Pilot Why it stands out: Exceptional storage and cargo space; unique second-row functionality; refined ride; versatile and capable TrailSport; advanced AWDCould be better: Subpar acceleration with lackadaisical transmission and engine response; so-so driver assistance tech Read our full 2024 Honda Pilot Review The Honda Pilot was completely redesigned for 2023. It maintains its predecessor's family friendly packaging and overall focus, but it has injected a welcome sense of style (especially in the TrailSport pictured above) that makes it stand out much better from the big crossover crowd.

Kia Optima could be renamed the K5 here in the U.S.

We recently showed you the Korean version of the 2021 Kia Optima, which is called the K5 there. And if a report is to be believed, the midsize sedan could carry that nameplate here, too, when it debuts. Korean Car Blog reported earlier today that Kia plans to replace the Optima name with K5 in its overseas markets, including the United States, saying it got confirmation from company officials in South Korea. Autoblog sought similar confirmation from Kia here in the U.S. but haven't heard back. Further, Motor1 reports that Kia was granted trademark protection in the U.S. for “K5” in 2012 and again this year. Reports have also swirled that the brand has applied for a trademark protection in Korea for a new logo that is similar to the stylized Kia badge shown on the “Imagine by Kia” electric sedan concept from Geneva in March. It appears Kia has submitted at least 50 trademark registrations since May with the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service, with a modernized script in both red and black versions, both set against a white background, that look almost like “KN” with the N being backwards. It can be seen as an attempt to spiff up the existing no-frills logo of a brand that has made major strides in the quality and refinement of its vehicles. Many will note there's already an alternate Korean-market Kia logo that customers frequently apply to their cars here in the United States.  At any rate, the new Optima/K5 features aggressive, muscular new styling and a powertrain likely to mirror that of the new 2020 Hyundai Sonata, with a choice of either a 191-horsepower naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or a 1.6-liter turbo-four making 180 hp, both mated to an eight-speed automatic. Going on sale this month in Korea, the K5 grows nearly 2 inches longer to 193.1 inches, and an inch wider, to 73.2 inches. It also gets a longer wheelbase, and the height drops by nearly an eighth of an inch to 56.8 inches.  Despite the overall decline in sedan in the U.S., the Optima still sells respectively, with 89,482 sold through the first 11 months of the year, a drop of 5%.