Lexus Cars And Automotive Reviews

The 2009 Kia Optima is a mid-size sedan that offers solid handling, a spacious cabin equipped with a bevy of comfort and safety features, great value and warranty coverage. The second-generation Kia Optima is a fun-to-drive car, offered in three trim levels – the LX, EX and SX. The Optima sports a redesigned exterior and interior establishes Kia Motors’ distinctive, aggressive new look while the robust engine packs powerful punch without sacrificing fuel economy.

Power and Performance

Two engine types are available on the 2009 Kia Optima – a 175-horsepower 2.4-liter Inline four-cylinder is standard on the LX and a 194-horsepower 2.7-liter V6 engine is standard on the EX and SX and optional on the LX. The Inline four-cylinder engine is matched to a five-speed manual transmission or an electronically-controlled Sportmatic gearbox, while the V-6 engine is teamed with a five-speed electronically-controlled Sportmatic transmission only. A front-wheel drive system is standard on the 2009 Optima.

EPA estimates for 2009 Optima are 22/32 mpg (City/Highway) for the four-cylinder and 20/28 mpg for the V6-equipped Optima.

The 2009 Optima has an industry-leading 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program.

Body and Styling

The 2009 Optima gets sleek, bold styling and aggressive stance. Significant exterior features include body-color side moldings; dual body-color heated power mirrors; in-glass antenna; side mirror turn-signal indicators; variable intermittent front wipers; gas strut hood; and trunk lifters.
The attractive interior of the 2009 Optima offers abundance of headroom and legroom, and convenience features which can be configured to meet individual requirements. Power windows with driver’s one touch auto down; front center console with armrest and storage; overhead sunglasses holder; power door locks; fold-away rear center armrest with dual cup holders; AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sirius audio system; 60/40 split-folding rear seat; USB/auxiliary input jacks; and six-speakers with front door mounted tweeters. Cargo capacity of the 2009 Kia Optima is 15.0 cubic feet.

LX Convenience Package, EX Convenience Package, SX Convenience Package and EX/SX Premium Package are optional packages available on the 2009 Optima.

Safety Features

The 2009 Kia Optima comes with state-of-the-art standard safety equipment such as four-wheel disc brakes; a tire pressure monitoring system; front and rear crumple zones; rear child safety door locks; side-impact door beams; traction control system; electronic stability control; 3-point seat belts for all seating positions; full-length side curtain airbags; dual front advanced airbags; dual front seat-mounted side airbags; and lower anchors and tethers for children.

The Kia Optima has earned perfect five stars (the highest) in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests done by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It has also received the highest possible rating in front and rear impact tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

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The 2009 Jeep Liberty is a mid-size SUV that can accommodate five passengers. Following a redesign in 2008, it retains most of its features for 2009. The 2009 Jeep Liberty’s major competitors in its segment are the Suzuki Grand Vitara and Nissan XTerra.

Powertrain and performance

The 2009 Liberty comes in two trims – base Sport and upscale Limited. Both the trims use a mid-power 3.7-liter V6 engine that delivers 210 horsepower and comes with a standard four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. A front-wheel or all-wheel drive configuration can be used on the 2009 Liberty. The four-wheel drive is fitted with a Command-Trac II part-time system. Estimated EPA of the 2009 Liberty is 16/22 mpg (City/Highway). When properly equipped, the Liberty can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Body and styling

Standard and optional convenience features on the 2009 Liberty include simple-to-use temperature controls; radio knobs; and easy-to-spot gauges; six-way power driver seat with adjustable headrest; front passenger-side fold-flat seat; rear 60/40 folding split reclining seat; stain/odor/static resistant fabric; premium cloth bucket seats or cloth low-back bucket seats with adjustable head rests; remote keyless entry; steering wheel-mounted audio controls; leather upholstery; AM/FM stereo radio with in-dash CD/MP3 player that includes an auxiliary jack; leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls; UConnect studios; Sirius satellite radio; one-year SIRIUS Radio Service; tilt steering column; speed-sensitive power locks; electronic vehicle information center; and nine-speaker infinity premium sound system (standard on the Limited trim).

Prominent exterior features of the 2009 Jeep Liberty are 16-inch and 17-inch wheels; roof rack side rails; rear window defroster; power fold-away mirrors; power windows with driver’s one-touch down feature; power heated exterior mirrors with manual fold-away or power windows with driver’s one-touch-down feature; fog lamps; and deep tint sunscreen glass.

The Sky Slider full-length canvas roof that slides open to give an airy experience is optional on the 2009 Liberty.

Safety aspects

The 2009 Jeep Liberty offers safety measures with latest gadgets such as hill descent control; hill start assist; side guard door beams; tire pressure monitoring; electronic roll mitigation; emergency brake system; supplemental side curtain air bags; advanced multi-stage front airbags; pre-tensioners and load-limiting retractors on the front seat backs and strong sport bar design; integrated restrain system; and electronic stability Program which comprises of an anti-lock braking system, all-speed traction control and a stability system.

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