2006 Kia Optima EX V6 Auto
All photo credits
- Photo: Optima Regal Black-First Picture by Thisplus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Optima Regal Black-Second Picture by Thisplus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2006 Kia Optima EX V6 Auto is a 170-hp V6 with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $20,400 MSRP and is rated at 21 mpg combined.
It makes 170 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway (21 mpg combined).
The Optima measures 185.9 inches long on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,279 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | Sedan |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $20,400 ($32,887 *) |
| MSRP with Destination | $20,990 ($33,838 *) |
| Destination Charge | $590 |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | Delta G6BA 2.7L DOHC V6, MPI, naturally aspirated |
| Horsepower | 170 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, 24-valve |
| Bore and Stroke | 86.7 x 75 |
| Injection Type | Multi-point fuel injection |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 18 MPG |
| Highway | 25 MPG |
| Combined | 21 MPG |
| Recommended Fuel | Regular unleaded |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16 in |
| Wheels Rear | 16 in |
| Tires Front | 205/55R16 |
| Tires Rear | 205/55R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 185.9 in |
| Width | 71.5 in |
| Height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 in |
| Cargo Volume | 13.6 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 3,279 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 39 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.6 in |
| Legroom Front | 43.3 in |
| Legroom Rear | 36.2 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 56.9 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 55.7 in |
| Hip Room Front | 55.8 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 55.8 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2006 Kia Optima EX V6 Auto with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | Not rated |
Other tested variants (1)
- 2006 Kia Optima 4-DR w/SAB Early Release: overall not rated
Recalls
2 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Kia OPTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Jan 17, 2012 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 KIA OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JANUARY 29, 2008, AND MODEL YEAR 2007 AND 2008 KIA RONDO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 13, 2006, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2008. THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) MAY BECOME DAMAGED THROUGH USAGE OVER TIME. IF THE CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY BECOMES DAMAGED, THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT WILL EXPERIENCE A HIGH RESISTANCE CONDITION POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG TO NOT DEPLOY.
Consequence: IF THE CLOCK SPRING DEVELOPS HIGH RESISTANCE, IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: KIA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING CONTACT ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 11, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign 12V014000
Mar 9, 2011 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
KIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2008 OPTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 29, 2005, THROUGH JUNE 13, 2007. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SHIFT CABLE MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED INCORRECTLY, CAUSING TENSION IN THE CABLE. IF PRESENT, THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE CABLE TO DETACH FROM THE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY'S DOWEL PIN PREVENTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM BEING SHIFTED. THE SHIFT LEVER CAN THEN BE MOVED INTO THE PARK (P) POSITION WHILE THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN THE LAST USED GEAR BEFORE DETACHMENT.
Consequence: IF THE DRIVER LEAVES THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PARKING BRAKE, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE VEHICLE CAN ROLL INJURE A PERSON IN ITS PATH OR CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SHIFT CABLE AND REINSTALL IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 23, 2011. OWNER MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign 11V153000
155 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2006 Kia OPTIMA
Owner Complaints
155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Kia OPTIMA (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Air Bags | 46 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 27 |
| Electrical System | 23 |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Structure | 12 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2006 KIA OPTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.