Kia Optima

The Kia Optima/Magentis is a mid-size four-door sedan manufactured by Kia Motors and marketed globally through two generations and various nameplates.

The car has been marketed as the Lotze (hangul:기아 로체) in South Korea, and as the Optima in the United States since 2001, Australia since 2001, and Europe since 2002. In Chile the first generation was marketed as Optima, and since as Magentis. In Canada it is marketed as the Magentis.

The Optima is produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng Yueda Kia Automobile Company, a joint venture with Kia.

2001

The 2001 through 2005 model year Magentis were mechanically identical to their sister car, the Hyundai Sonata. Thereafter the Kia Optima differed only from the Sonata in exterior styling and options.

2003

The styling of the Magentis/Optima was revamped for the 2003 model year. American models did not wear the Kia logo on the grille, but the Kia logo was used with that grille for Canada. The grille was redesigned for 2004 to feature the Kia badge, and the headlights were restyled for 2005.