Kia Optima SX Limited Is one way to spend $34,900

America's most sort of exciting mid-sizer — the Kia Optima SX — just got better! Ok, not really better. Or faster. And there's no manual transmission. But it is more expensive in new SX Limited trim, almost reaching the $35,000 mark. What do you have to be high on to pay that for a mid-size sedan? Oh… right.

Mimicking their Super Bowl Ad, Kia launched the new trim with the little fairy dude and a Chicago-based Motley Crüe tribute band. What, no Adriana Lima?

It's also the same car from the commercial, distinguished by the shiny chrome wheels, red brake calipers and LED running lights.The SX Limited trim brings the car even closer to near-luxury with numerous chrome accents, wood-trim, Nappa leather, and a fancier headliner trim.

Otherwise, the Limited shares the Turbo's 2.0-liter GDI turbo with its Camry-and-everyone-else-besting 274 horsepower. It still also only comes with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Pricing details were absent from the release, but they mentioned a price south of $35,000 at the press conference and Car And Driver mentions a price of $34,900. That's a $7,650 increase over the base SX and uncomfortably close to some real luxury options.

The Optima SX is best-in-class with a price to match, but anything over $30,000 for a FWD mid-size Korean sedan seems odd. Either Kia customers keep buying the most expensive trims or someone in the accounting department has been snorting fairy dust.

Follow Yahoo! Autos

RESEARCH A CAR

Top Rated

Category: Sedans

More Articles

  • New 2014 Subaru Forester is our top-scoring small SUV

    A new small SUV champion has been named: the 2014 Subaru Forester. This redesigned model earned an impressive road-test score of 88 points (out of 100 possible), besting last-year's model by eight points and trouncing the previous leader, the Honda...

  • If you are in the market for a new car or looking to rent one for travel, these best-fuel economy vehicles with their lengthy cruising ranges will help you reduce stops for fill ups.

  • Should states lower the blood alcohol content levels for drunk driving?

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently recommended that states reduce their blood alcohol content (BAC) limits from .08 to .05, or even lower, in an effort to eliminate alcohol-impaired driving. The move is a bold one, so we decided...

  • First ride: BMW C 600 Sport maxi-scooter has the brand's sporty flair

    With a brand forever linked with the "ultimate driving machine" tagline, you might not associate BMW with scooters. But BMW has built scooters for years in Europe, and it has been making inroads stateside with its own take on efficient,...

  • Tesla Model S

    When it comes to the hype surrounding electric-car maker Tesla Motors Inc., one man says he has put his money where his mouth is.