Added on March 29, 2018  The News Wheel   , , ,
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2019 Updates Look Good on Kia Sedona and Optima at New York International Auto Show

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2019 Kia Sedona
Photo: Kia

Sporting refreshed looks, updated tech, and advanced safety features, the 2019 Kia Sedona and 2019 Kia Optima made bold impressions at the 2018 New York International Auto Show.

Check Out: 2018 Kia Sedona

The Kia Sedona sports a more refined exterior for the 2019 model year along with newly designed rear and front fascias. The “tiger nose” grille is accented with an intricate mesh-like pattern. You have the choice of 17-, 18-, and 19-inch wheels, and the side door handles of the EX trim and above feature a power sliding door button.

“Adding more flair to the model line is the SXL trim, which comes equipped with a unique bumper, skid plate, LED headlamps and foglights, 19-inch chrome wheels and distinctive side sill,” reports Kia.

An available wireless charger and sunglass holder are handy amenities in the cabin, which can accommodate seven or eight passengers. The Sedona still offers versatile seating with the available second row “First Class” foot-rest enabled reclining lounge seats, Slide-N-Stow seats in the second row, and split folding 60/40 seat.

Infotainment upgrades include the available Rear Entertainment System complete with 10.1-inch dual touch screens and available USB charge point in the cargo area. For premium sound, the 2019 Sedona now features an available Harman Kardon® audio system. The SX and SXL trims are equipped with an electronic parking brake as a standard feature.

Driver Attention Warning (DAW) is available on the 2019 Sedona.

“DAW is designed to detect when driver concentration has waned by monitoring vehicle and driving behavior. If driver fatigue or inattentive driving is detected, the system issues visual and audible warnings, including a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster, to encourage the driver to take a break,” according to Kia.

Available at five trim levels — L, LX, EX, EX Premium, SX, and SXL —the 2019 Sedona is still powered by a 3.3-liter V6 engine, but now it is paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

2019 Kia Optima
Photo: Kia

The Optima, which is Kia’s best-selling midsize sedan, showed up at the New York International Auto Show sporting a new look and new tech for the 2019 model year.

The 2019 Optima is available at four trim levels — LX, S, EX, and SX. The LX features a matte gray-finish grill, 16-inch alloy wheels, and Stinger-inspired LED daytime running lights.

The S trim sports LED taillights, projection beam fog lights, gloss black trimmed sport side sills, 18-inch alloy wheels, and a dual exhaust. Smart key, push-button start, power front windows, and smart trunk are standard features on the S.

“The EX boasts the turbocharged 178-horsepower engine with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission with an adaptive Smart Shift drive mode.  It also adds new leather seating surfaces with front seat heaters.  A new 17-inch alloy wheel design and Smart Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go are standard,” according to Kia.

On the SX and SXL trims, you’ll appreciate LED fog lights, sport steering wheel, and ambient interior lighting. Available in the SX are sport leather-trimmed seats in black and red, a Harman Kardon® sound system with UVO link with Navigation, a panoramic roof, and heated steering wheel. Available on the SXL are seats covered in Nappa leather.

Learn How: To identify and correct bad driving habits

Standard driving assist technologies, Kia’s Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), on the Optima include: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Forward Collision Warning System (FCW), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Keep Assist.

The UVO infotainment system on the 2019 Optima features Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ compatibility while UVO link with Navigation is available.