As 2018 moves steadily on into the spring months, customers here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis are dealing with mounting excitement. The current year's models are on display, being test-driven daily, and winning over many with their comfortable interiors, as well as high-tech features. We got wind of a big story today regarding next year's Kia Optima: there is completely revised packaging for its UVO infotainment system, which is now broken up into three tiers. Currently, UVO Play, UVO Link, and UVO Navigation are the varieties for the system's functionality. With next year's Optima, the base LX model comes with UVO play, which is the platform for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Buyers can man all of the smartphone-mirroring software with very useful voice controls, and on the Optima S and EX models, UVO Link includes extras such as vehicle diagnostics, maintenance alerts, and many other very cool features. The Link app allows users to remote start the car, activate the horn and lights, and lock or unlock the doors as well. Built-in navigation will aide you in your journey anywhere from Forest Park or City Museum, to the colorful blues bars and casual pizzerias of the Soulard District. Next year's Optima has a slightly redesigned front fascia with new LED running lights, and the top-tier level trim now is also graced with red-and-black two-tone leather seats.
The LX and S trims are aptly powered by a 2.4-liter engine with 185 horsepower, while the EX gains its momentum from a 1.6-liter turbo Inline 4 with 178 horsepower. Every 2019 Optima will have the very important automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning features. Visiting us for a test drive during the later months of spring will clue you in to just how upper-end the Optima SX trim is: you get a trim-specific steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, and the red and black two-tone seating. You can also opt for bronze-and-black leather upholstery, and the active-safety features as well as updated infotainment system will allow it to maintain a very competitive edge in the very demanding mid-size-sedan segment.
The Drive reported over the last month that Kia's overall performance stats and image “is not to be messed with”, and that our design language is looking consistently sleek with each new model and up
grade. The Optima continues to be a best-seller due to its stand-out appearance as well as handling, and the value of the UVO features will now be better understood by buyers. You'll love how the vehicle alarm notifications, geofencing and speed alerts, as well as remote start and climate control give you a greater sense of safety. Lane departure warning with lane-keep assist is one of the most valuable alerts out there: it alerts the driver if the car shifts out of the lane, and then automatically takes steps to correct the steering to gravitate back to the correct lane, assuring ultimate safety for you while on the road. 