New Model News

Redesigned 2021 Kia Optima teased showing Kia Stinger and Hyundai Sonata-ish looks

Eileen Falkenberg-Hull
Nov 4, 2019, 2:10 pm

The redesigned 2021 Kia Optima has been shown off via Kia Motors Group's Facebook page.

Photo courtesy of Kia Motors Group

The next-generation of the Kia K5 (what the Optima is sold as in some overseas markets) has been shown off on the Kia Motors Group Facebook page, giving a good hint at what Americans will see when the next-gen 2021 Kia Optima reaches U.S. shores.

From the pictures, it is easy to see Sonata-like similarities with the new Optima. A similar pinched nose ends with the distinctly Tiger Nose grille and its C-Pillar and nearby glass rakes like a fastback. LED light signatures rise high up onto the hood and along the sides showing Stinger-like athletic proportions and styling.

The car showcases a two-tone body design, something the Optima used to gain attention just one generation ago.

2021 Kia Optima exterior render new The 2021 Kia Optima features looks that are reminiscent of the Hyundai Sonata, Dodge Challenger, and Kia Stinger.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors Group

The fastback design includes a spoiler at the rear that has badging at the center. A new horizontal light signature dominates the back end, which appears a bit on the square side, like a Dodge Challenger.

The released rendering of the Optima's cabin shows a spacious model with horizontal design lines. Those are things that the Kia team already executes in other vehicles. Its wheel isn't markedly different than what is already on the market. Vent design and the appearance of the car's infotainment touch screen appear to be evolutions of current Kia design.

2021 Kia Optima redesign interior cabin This rendering of the Kia K5 shows a futuristic design motif that plays on current Kia themes.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors Group

The cabin rendering does not explicitly show a shifter, though the dial in the center near the driver may be it. There also appears to be a touch pad (say it aint' so, Kia, please) while most buttons, levers, and knobs are kept to a minimum. That may, however, be an illusion as the final design process often requires practicality to take precedence over forward-looking design.

Current Hyundai Sonata and Kia Telluride technology tells us what to expect in the forthcoming Optima. There will likely be a good list of standard and available safety and driver assistance technologies as well as convenience tech like a head up display driver information display camera screens.

The 2021 Kia Optima is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in late 2020. The 2019 model starts at $23,190 and it is likely that Kia will want to keep the price similar when it arrives on dealer lots.

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2022 Kia K8 replacing the oft-forgotten-about Cadenza in company's lineup

A diamond mesh grille fronts the 2022 Kia K8.

PhPhoto courtesy of Kia Motorsoto courtesy of Kia Motors

Goodbye, Cadenza. Hello, K8. The Kia Cadenza is one of those cars that is easy forgotten about (if you ever knew about it in the first place) and frequently passed over in favor of the Toyota Avalon or the like. Still, most every automotive journalist who has driven it likes it.

So, Kia's taking the lessons learned from the Cadenza and some from the K5 and Stinger, and rolling them into a new large sedan, the 2022 Kia K8. This week the company unveiled the first official images of the car ahead of its debut. This is the first vehicle named the K8 in Kia history.

2022 Kia K8 The K8's headlights have integrated turn signals.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

2022 Kia K8

"Following our recent company rebrand, we keep moving toward our new brand values with a new model – the K8. This modern sedan has been designed with innovation and elegance at its very core," said Karim Habib, Senior Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design Center. "While paying homage to the K7, the K8 looks to the future. Its progressive exterior takes on character and emotion, and combines those qualities with an expressive looking front and a dynamic swooping rear, giving the K8 a high-quality, premium presence that takes direct inspiration from some of the world's most technically advanced yachts."

As seen in the photos, the car wears Kia's new logo on its badging, and has design lines reminiscent of the vehicles it has taken lessons from. There's a frameless tire nose grille with diamond lattice, turn signals integrated into the headlights, an elongated side profile, chrome finish along the bottom of the doors, and a roofline that trails off into the trunk. It's all very much from the Kia sedan lineup.

Kia promises that the car will have a "first class" interior that establishes "new benchmarks in premium quality". The sedan will deliver a high-performance driving experience yet be comfortable to ride in, according to Kia messaging.

The rear of the Kia K8 features elongated taillights.Photo courtesy of Kia Motors

The Kia K8 is expected to arrive in showrooms later this year but the U.S. might not get it until after it's arrived in Korea and Europe.

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Behind the Wheel

2021 Honda Accord Review: Doesn't cost a lot to make this sedan sporty

The 2021 Honda Accord Sport is a budget-friendly model with a lot of pep.

Photo by Eileen Falkenberg-Hull

Critics and buyers have loved the Honda Accord for a few decades now. Though it's frequently compared to the Toyota Camry, there's some models in its class that are giving the Accord a run for its money - the Mazda Mazda6, Subaru Legacy, Kia K5, and the Hyundai Sonata just to name a few.

Where the Accord wins versus the competition isn't on price or features, styling or appointments, tech or drivetrain. It wins because it's a whole package, especially as tested in the 2021 Accord Sport variety.

For the new model year, Honda has focused on updating the fascia and improving the tech in the Accord. They're all good gains.

2021 Honda Accord Sport The car's wheels help elevate the sporty profile of the car.Photo by Eileen Falkenberg-Hull

For the 2021 model year, Honda sells the Accord in six trim levels: LX, Sport 1.5T, Sport Special Edition (SE), EX-L, Sport 2.0T, and Touring. Honda leant the Sport 2.0T, which has an upgraded powerful 2.0-liter turbo-four is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and produces 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. It's available in Accord Sport 2.0T and Touring grades. The 2.0-liter is far more fun to drive than the base 1.5-liter four-pot.

Honda has done a good job differentiating the Accord from the Acura lineup, making its drive dynamics not nearly as athletic as the TLX's but still engaging, while allowing for pointed steering and easy maneuverability. Acceleration won't knock anyone's socks off, but that's not a reason to ignore the Accord. The Accord Sport has paddle shifters, which work better for mountain driving situations than they do for deriving true sport functionality, as you would get with a manual transmission.

Honda has also upgraded the braking system for 2021, designing it to engage more smoothly, especially at low speeds. The result is measured performance that is neither grabby nor soft.

Honda upholsters the Accord Sport with cloth seats but nice finishes elsewhere. While a lot of attention is given to leather upholstery, there's actually nothing wrong with the cloth seats. The ones in the Accord Sport are not only attractive but don't draw the heat of the sun or cold of the clouds and snow into them like leather does.

2021 Honda Accord Sport The interior of the Accord Sport is well appointed.Photo by Eileen Falkenberg-Hull

Buyers can spec their Accord Sport with a number of options, including appearance and weather protection packages. But, with the 2.0-liter powertrain, it already comes loaded with most of the desirable features buyers want including an 8.0-inch infotainment touch screen, 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat, eight-speaker audio system, leather-wrapped steering wheel, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a leather shift knob, rear spoiler, sport pedals, chrome exhaust finishers, fog lights, moonroof, heated front seats, remote keyless entry and engine start, and a wireless device charger.

The Honda Accord Sport starts at $27,430. Upgrading the engine adds $4,530 to that price tag, but also gets you the moonroof, heated seats, power-adjustable driver's seat, remote functionality, and device charger. That brings the MSRP of the Sport 2.0T to near $32,000. Knock a few bucks off in dealership negotiations and you're sitting quite pretty for under $30,000.

In the Sport trim level, the Accord is just as nice as Mazdas, nicer than the K5, and on-par with the Sonata. The Mazda is equally as engaging to drive but its infotainment system leaves a lot to be desired.

2021 Honda Accord Sport Honda's steering wheel makes operation of radio, cruise control, and driver assist features easy.Photo by Eileen Falkenberg-Hull

2021 Honda Accord Sport

Subaru offers all-wheel drive standard on the Legacy, something the Accord does not. But, it's not as powerful nor is its infotainment system as nicely designed. The Sonata also isn't as powerful and the sporty Sonata N Line grade takes track-readiness a step too far, ruining ride quality. The K5 might end up being the Accord's closest competitor with plenty of power, but the interior is more parts bin than is optimal.

But what about the Camry? The Toyota, now with available all-wheel drive, does offer a lot to its customer base, but it's aging quickly, especially the interior. Other models offer just as good dependability and for a lower price. They're also more fun to drive.

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