Esquire , known for its hard hitting pieces on male lifestyle choices and fashion praised the head turning style and comfort of the 2011 Kia Optima by including it on its list of ”The 2011 Design and Technology Awards”.
The editors at Esquire commended the Optima’s “clean and inspiring” design that provides a refined and upscale feel at an extraordinary value. Kia released a statement saying, ”Esquire defines and shapes men’s style and fashion in today’s contemporary culture, and this recognition further validates the Optima’s tremendous value proposition with its unmatched combination of world-class design, advanced technology, and fun-to-drive performance,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communication, Kia Motors America (KMA). ”The stunning design and value of the Optima has significantly increased awareness, perception and consideration for the Kia brand and with demand continuing to outpace supply we are looking forward to the first U.S.-built* Optimas arriving in showrooms in the coming weeks.” Truly, when you see the Optima, you are stunned at the idea that you could own one with just a $20,000 auto loan.
The Esquire nod follows on the heels of 2011 “Editors’ Most Wanted” vehicle by Edmunds’ Inside Line, a 2011 “Best New Model” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, and being included as part of the “Ward’s 10 Best Interiors” list. The Optima also received a “Top Safety Pick” by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) and a five-star crash safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). All of these awards seem to validate the entire Kia production stable as a world class competitor that will have staying power in the American market.