Original MSRP: $15,794
Air Conditioning Front air conditioning
Airbags Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System Cassette · AM/FM radio
Brakes Power
Convenience Features Center Console · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power steering · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Instrumentation Clock · Tachometer
Lights Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Mirrors Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats Type: split-bench
Seats Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Security Power door locks
Tires and Rims 14 Inch Wheels · Wheels: steel
Windows Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows · Rear defogger
Price $15,794 MSRP
Body Style Sedan
Engine 2.4L 149 hp I4
Seating 5
Fuel Economy
19MPG city
26MPG highway
Drivetrain FWD

Price

MSRP$15,794
Invoice$14,237

Transmission Options

Drivetrain FWD
5-Speed Manual
Fuel Economy
19MPG city
26MPG highway
4-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy
18MPG city
24MPG highway

Safety

Driver AirbagStandard
Passenger AirbagStandard
Front Side AirbagsStandard
Rear Side Airbags--
Curtain Airbags--
ABS BrakesOptional

Amenities

Sunroof/Moonroof--
Air ConditioningStandard
Leather SeatsOptional
Power SeatsPassenger: Standard
Power WindowsStandard
Power Door LocksStandard
Navigation System--
StereoRadio, Cassette Player

Engine

2.4L 149 hp I4
Power 149 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque 159 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM

Dimensions

Maximum Seating5 seats
Fuel Tank Volume17 gal
Front Legroom43.3 in
Back Legroom36.2 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Length185.9 in
Width71.5 in
Height55.5 in

Cargo and Towing

Cargo Volume13.6 cu ft
The 2001 Kia Optima LX sedan is the base model of the new mid-size luxury family car. It comes with a 2.4-liter, 149-hp I4 engine and a standard 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed... Read More
The 2001 Kia Optima LX sedan is the base model of the new mid-size luxury family car. It comes with a 2.4-liter, 149-hp I4 engine and a standard 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed automatic with manual shift is optional. Sitting on 14-inch wheels, the 2001 Optima LX has a wide ovoid grille reminiscient of a Cadillac.
You won't get too much in the 2001 Optima LX, but it does come with power windows, locks, and mirrors, intermittent wipers, tachometer, air conditioning, a cassette player, and dual front and side airbags. ABS brakes are not offered on the base I4 LX. Aside from the auto tran, you can also get cruise control and a CD player. Owners of the 2001 Optima LX report numerous problems with the car (power window failure, check engine light coming on constantly) and with the dealers in terms of the warranty. The I4 has terrible pickup, but the overall ride is smooth, and the interior cabin very roomy.
Original MSRP: $18,094
Adds to LX:
No additional major features.
Air Conditioning Front air conditioning
Airbags Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System Antenna Type: power · Cassette · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes Power
Comfort Features Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features Center Console · Cruise control · Multi-function remote: trunk release, keyless entry · Power steering · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Driver Seat Power adjustments
Instrumentation Clock · Tachometer
Lights Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights
Mirrors Exterior mirrors: power, heated
Rear Seats Type: split-bench
Roof Moonroof: power
Seats Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Security Anti-theft alarm system · Power door locks
Tires and Rims 15 Inch Wheels · Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows · Rear defogger
Price $18,094 MSRP
Body Style Sedan
Engine 2.4L 149 hp I4
Seating 5
Fuel Economy
19MPG city
26MPG highway
Drivetrain FWD

Price

MSRP$18,094
Invoice

Transmission Options

Drivetrain FWD
5-Speed Manual
Fuel Economy
19MPG city
26MPG highway
4-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy
18MPG city
24MPG highway

Safety

Driver AirbagStandard
Passenger AirbagStandard
Front Side AirbagsStandard
Rear Side Airbags--
Curtain Airbags--
ABS BrakesOptional

Amenities

Sunroof/MoonroofStandard
Air ConditioningStandard
Leather SeatsOptional
Power SeatsDriver: Standard
Passenger: Standard
Power WindowsStandard
Power Door LocksStandard
Navigation System--
StereoRadio, Cassette Player, CD Player

Engine

2.4L 149 hp I4
Power 149 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque 159 lb-ft @ 4,500 RPM

Dimensions

Maximum Seating5 seats
Fuel Tank Volume17 gal
Front Legroom43.3 in
Back Legroom36.2 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Length185.9 in
Width71.5 in
Height55.5 in

Cargo and Towing

Cargo Volume13.6 cu ft
Moving up one trim level gives you a lot more features with the 2001 Kia Optima SE sedan. Though it shares the same 149-hp, 2.4-liter DOHC I4 engine and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-s... Read More
Moving up one trim level gives you a lot more features with the 2001 Kia Optima SE sedan. Though it shares the same 149-hp, 2.4-liter DOHC I4 engine and choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed Tiptronic transmission with its LX counterpart, the 2001 Optima SE is fully-loaded. And its price tag still comes in well under the better known competitors. The SE sits on 15-inch wheels and has dual front-side airbags standard. ABS is not offered on the SE I4, only disc brakes.
Full power features and an 8-way power driver's seat greet you inside the 2001 Optima SE. A sunroof, keyless entry, heated mirrors, security system, a CD player, and leather trim on the wheel and shifter are the upgrades you get from the LX. The SE also has cruise control and intermittent wipers. Aside from the auto tran option, you can also get leather seats. High points include handling, the long list of features for what you pay, and the front legroom. Downsides include problems with the transmission and power windows, and so-so gas mileage. Pickup suffers with the I4 engine. Another complaint was the location of the dome light, which is in the front rather than the middle of the car due to the sunroof.
Original MSRP: $18,994
Adds to LX:
No additional major features.
Air Conditioning Front air conditioning
Airbags Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System Cassette · AM/FM radio
Brakes Power
Convenience Features Center Console · Cruise control · Multi-function remote: trunk release · Power steering · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Instrumentation Clock · Tachometer
Interior Aluminum accents
Lights Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps
Mirrors Exterior mirrors: power
Rear Seats Type: split-bench
Seats Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Security Power door locks
Tires and Rims 15 Inch Wheels · Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows · Rear defogger
Price $18,994 MSRP
Body Style Sedan
Engine 2.5L 170 hp V6
Seating 5
Fuel Economy
17MPG city
23MPG highway
Drivetrain FWD

Price

MSRP$18,994
Invoice$16,639

Transmission

Drivetrain FWD
4-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy
17MPG city
23MPG highway

Safety

Driver AirbagStandard
Passenger AirbagStandard
Front Side AirbagsStandard
Rear Side Airbags--
Curtain Airbags--
ABS BrakesOptional

Amenities

Sunroof/Moonroof--
Air ConditioningStandard
Leather SeatsOptional
Power SeatsPassenger: Standard
Power WindowsStandard
Power Door LocksStandard
Navigation System--
StereoRadio, Cassette Player

Engine

2.5L 170 hp V6
Power 170 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque 169 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM

Dimensions

Maximum Seating5 seats
Fuel Tank Volume17 gal
Front Legroom43.3 in
Back Legroom36.2 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Length185.9 in
Width71.5 in
Height55.5 in

Cargo and Towing

Cargo Volume13.6 cu ft
The new mid-size luxury offering from Kia is the Optima. The 2001 Kia Optima LX V6 sedan features a more powerful 2.5-liter, 170-hp DOHC V6 engine and is matched only to a 4-speed shif... Read More
The new mid-size luxury offering from Kia is the Optima. The 2001 Kia Optima LX V6 sedan features a more powerful 2.5-liter, 170-hp DOHC V6 engine and is matched only to a 4-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Other than the powertrain, the 2001 Optima LX V6 offers the same features as the I4 LX. Power windows, locks, and mirrors are all standard, as are intermittent wipers, cruise control, and a cassette player.
Dual front-side airbags are also standard, and in the 2001 Optima LX V6, you can get optional ABS brakes to replace the disc brakes. This is not offered with the LX I4. The only other option offered with the LX V6 is an upgraded stereo with a CD player. Rear seats split-fold 60/40 to increase trunk space. Gas mileage runs at a so-so 20/25, and the Insurance Institute gives the 2001 Optima only acceptable crash ratings. Drivers like the noticeable improvement in pickup with the V6 engine, and always comment on how smooth the ride is. Peeling paint and problems with the power windows are common complaints with the 2001 Optima LX V6.
Original MSRP: $20,444
Adds to LX:
No additional major features.
Air Conditioning Front air conditioning
Airbags Dual front airbags · Front side airbags
Audio System Antenna Type: power · Cassette · Single disc in-Dash CD · AM/FM radio
Brakes Power
Comfort Features Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features Center Console · Cruise control · Multi-function remote: trunk release, keyless entry · Power steering · Steering wheel: tilt-adjustable
Driver Seat Power adjustments
Instrumentation Clock · Tachometer
Interior Aluminum accents
Lights Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights
Mirrors Exterior mirrors: power, heated
Rear Seats Type: split-bench
Roof Moonroof: power
Seats Front seat type: bucket · Upholstery: cloth
Security Anti-theft alarm system · Power door locks
Tires and Rims 15 Inch Wheels · Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Windows Front wipers: intermittent · Power windows · Rear defogger
Price $20,444 MSRP
Body Style Sedan
Engine 2.5L 170 hp V6
Seating 5
Fuel Economy
17MPG city
23MPG highway
Drivetrain FWD

Price

MSRP$20,444
Invoice

Transmission

Drivetrain FWD
4-Speed Automatic
Fuel Economy
17MPG city
23MPG highway

Safety

Driver AirbagStandard
Passenger AirbagStandard
Front Side AirbagsStandard
Rear Side Airbags--
Curtain Airbags--
ABS BrakesOptional

Amenities

Sunroof/MoonroofStandard
Air ConditioningStandard
Leather SeatsOptional
Power SeatsDriver: Standard
Passenger: Standard
Power WindowsStandard
Power Door LocksStandard
Navigation System--
StereoRadio, Cassette Player, CD Player

Engine

2.5L 170 hp V6
Power 170 hp @ 6,000 RPM
Torque 169 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM

Dimensions

Maximum Seating5 seats
Fuel Tank Volume17 gal
Front Legroom43.3 in
Back Legroom36.2 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Length185.9 in
Width71.5 in
Height55.5 in

Cargo and Towing

Cargo Volume13.6 cu ft
The top end of the new Optima mid-size sedan lineup is the 2001 Kia Optima SE V6, packed with plenty of standard features and a 170-hp, 2.4-liter V6 engine. The only transmission is a ... Read More
The top end of the new Optima mid-size sedan lineup is the 2001 Kia Optima SE V6, packed with plenty of standard features and a 170-hp, 2.4-liter V6 engine. The only transmission is a 4-speed Tiptronic shiftable automatic. The 2001 SE V6 is loaded with the same features as the SE I4, but has a few more options available to it.
Dual front-side airbags are standard in the 5-passenger Optima. On the V6, ABS brakes are also optional. Seats split-fold 60/40 to expand on the 13.6 cubic foot trunk. The SE also sits on bigger 15-inch wheels than the base LX sedan. Some features you'll only find on the SE are a sunroof, heated mirrors, keyless entry, security system, CD player, and a leather-trimmed wheel and shifter. It also has full power features, including an 8-way power driver's seat. Along with the ABS option, the 2001 Optima SE V6 can be equipped with leather seats. Drivers feel the 2001 Optima SE V6 is a good value since it comes with a lot of features. They also like the roominess. Problems with power window failure is a major downside.