KIA OPTIMA / K5 / MAGENTISTiming chain or Belt?

The Kia Optima / K5 is a passenger car (D-segment in Europe) manufactured by the South Korean marque Kia. This vehicle began to be sold in 2010 as the successor to the Kia Credos. In some markets, it was sold as Kia Magentis until 2010. Subsequently, the car continued to be sold under the name of Kia Optima. There have been a total of 5 generations of the Kia Optima / Magentis.

The first generation Kia Optima was a rebadged version of the Hyundai Sonata. In Europe and Canada, this car was sold as Kia Magentis. It had the same engines as the Hyundai and differed only in minor equipment details.

The second generation was launched in 2005, this time as Kia Magentis (and Kia Lotze in South Korea). It was still a version of the Sonata, but better disguised this time. Kia’s global platform was used to manufacture this model. In 2008, the model was revised with a new, more modern exterior and an improved interior finishing. Theta II engines with dual continuously variable timing were also used.

In 2010 a completely redesigned version of this model was launched, which was also renamed Kia Optima. It used the same platform as the Hyundai i40. It used newer, more efficient engines. In addition, the vehicle now had a much sportier and more attractive design. In 2012, the first hybrid variants arrived.

The fourth generation of the Kia Optima was launched in 2015. In addition to the sedan version, this generation saw the introduction of the estate version, called the Kia Optima Sportswagon, which arrived in 2016. A plug-in-hybrid version was also launched this same year. Mid-cycle, the sedan version was updated with exterior changes.

The fifth and current generation of the Kia Optima is marketed globally as the Kia K5. It has a fastback body and a much sportier design than previous versions. In fact, it has a GT-Line version with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that generates about 286 hp. In addition, there are models with four-wheel drive.

The Optima was born as a high-end vehicle, but economic within the standards of this brand. However, this model has climbed in category with the passage of generations, both in materials, quality and design. That is why it is somewhat complicated to show alternatives vehicles to this model: it depends on the generation we take as reference. Currently, this vehicle rivals the Chevrolet Malibu, Ford Mondeo, Citroën C5, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6 and Peugeot 508 among many others.