It's another breakthrough for Kia: The all-new 2011 Optima has now become the first Korean-built vehicle to garner a five-star overall rating?the highest possible score?in the U.S. government's recently introduced, more stringent crash-test evaluations. In fact, the Optima received five stars in each category of the testing conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including for front, rear and side impacts, as well as for rollovers.
And notably, this recognition comes after the Optima had already been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
"As the most recent addition to Kia's lineup, the 2011 Optima incorporates some of Kia's most advanced safety technologies with head-turning style, performance and comfort to provide consumers with high value and peace-of-mind," said Byung Mo Ahn, group president and CEO of Kia Motors America and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.
Among those technologies is standard safety and security content like:
- Six airbags, including dual advanced front airbags, front-seat-mounted side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags
- Front active headrests
- Side-impact door beams
- Height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners
- Three-point seatbelts at all seating positions
- The Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for securing child seats
- A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
- Four-wheel antilock brakes with a brake-assist system and hill-assist control
- Electronic stability control and traction control systems
"As the first Korean-built vehicle to be awarded a five-star crash safety rating under NHTSA's new, stricter guidelines," said Ahn, "Optima creates a new benchmark in the segment and underscores Kia's commitment to offering consumers the highest levels of quality and safety in all of our vehicles."