We’ve witnessed the introduction of the 2009 Kia Optima at the New York Auto Show earlier this year, but our spy photographers have spotted a new prototype that clearly shows the 2009 Optima sporting Kia’s new ‘signature’ grille with horizontal bars and a chrome squeeze above and below the Kia badge.
Although we’re seeing both mesh and horizontal bars on Kia grilles, the heavier chrome above and below the center badge is carried over on the new Forte (Spectra), as well as the upcoming 2010 Sorento, and we believe it will eventually spread throughout the lineup.
The Optima on display at the New York show used a mesh-plastic grille that did give the car a bit of a bargain-basement look. However, the new chrome setup does give the car a much more upscale look. We think the new face of Kia is definitely a step in the right direction.
August 8th, 2008
