Kia’s front-wheel-drive midsize offering, the Optima, sees plenty of upgrades in 2009, with a new engine, more power, refreshed styling and an entirely new sport trim level, the SX. This represents the second significant makeover in recent years, following 2007’s total redesign. The four-door Optima is available in three trim levels - base EX, luxury LX, and sport SX - with two engines and two transmissions. Both engines get a power boost for 2009, due to variable valve timing and a variable intake system. The base 2.4-liter four cylinder increases 13 hp to 175, and the 2.7-liter six increases 5 hp to 190. The four comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional five-speed automatic that comes standard on the 2.7 and features “Sportmatic clutchless shifting.”

Styling changes abound inside and out, with new front and rear fascia, as well as small detail changes for the sides. The front foglamps and lower grille have grown, while the headlamps have narrowed, along with the taillights. Overall length has increased as well, almost 3 full inches, to 189, although this is the only dimension affected. The interior has also been refreshed with new design, materials, and colors, as well as new electronics. The base model now has MP3 compatibility in the audio system, as well as a USB port and the option of satellite radio. An in-dash navigational system is newly available as well.

The big news is the addition of the sport-minded SX trim, which has several unique features over the other trims, including a sport-tuned suspension, special trim both inside and out, and 17-inch chrome wheels, an upgrade over the 16-inch wheels available on other trims.

NHTSA test results are not yet available for the 2009 Kia Optima, but as very little has changed structurally since 2008, that year’s results can be taken into consideration, where five stars were awarded in all categories other than rollover resistance, which received a four-star rating.