The 2014 Kia Optima SX Limited made its debut at the New York International Auto Show->ke226 and offers a sporty package for the mid-sized sedan market.

The Kia Optima->ke1325 line is the best-selling line for the Korean automaker->ke41 and the SX Limited model offers a more upscale feel. The cars styling has subtle details that set it apart from the other cars in the model's lineup.

The SX Limited offers a high performing engine and a lot of tech goodies. The more powerful engine option is given away with styling cues such as larger chrome alloy wheels, red brake calipers and chrome accents. Kia is hoping that this model will help give the car a bit more excitement than the lower level cars in the model's lineup.

The design of the car was out of Frankfurt Germany to help ensure a pleasing European design. The Limited is styled to compete with sporty mid-size sedans from Europe and Japan and looks like it will give them a run for their money.

Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Kia Optima SX Limited.

Exterior

The Kia Optima SX Limited has a more aggressive and sporty exterior from the lower end cars in the Optima line. The Limited model comes with larger 18-inch chrome alloy wheels covering red colored brake calipers. Beyond this, it has a more aggressively styled front and rear end as well as LED fog lights. Also, to add to the sportiness, it comes with dual exhaust accented with stylish chrome tips.

Standard Exterior Features

-18 inch tires w/alloy wheels

-Dual exhaust w/ chrome tip

-Outside heated mirrors w/ turn-signal indicators

-Solar glass

-Body-color side molding

-Chrome/Body-color exterior door handles

-Projection-style headlights

-HID headlights

-LED rear combination lamps

-LED positioning lights

-LED front fog lights

-Tinted glass w/windshield sunshade band

Interior

The Limited model offers Napa leather seats to help ensure buyers feel like they are in a higher end car. To help keep the driver in as much comfort as possible the car comes with an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat.

In a mid-size sedan cup holders are a big deal and the Optima SX Limited comes with illuminated front cup holders, so you can see where to put your soda even when driving in the dark.

Overall, the interior is sport-inspired, giving the driver a sports-car-like feel in a mid-sized sedan. The steering wheel is leather trimmed and offers the driver plenty of grip.

Standard Interior Features

-AM/FM/CD/MP3/SiriusXM audio system

-Six speakers w/door-mounted tweeters

-USB/auxiliary input jacks

-Bluetooth® wireless technology

-Steering-wheel-mounted audio control buttons

-Push button start w/ Smart Key

-Tilt & telescopic steering column

-D-shaped steering wheel

-Drive Mode Control

-Supervision meter cluster w/4.3" TFT LCD display

-Steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters

-Dual-zone automatic temperature control w/ionized air filtration

-Rear air conditioning

-Power windows w/driver's/passenger's one touch auto up and down

-Power door locks w/remote keyless entry

-Dual map lights w/sunglasses holder

-Auto-dimming rearview mirror w/ HomeLink

-Cooling glove box

Drivetrain

There are two engines offered in the Kia Optima SX Limited, a 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 2.0-liter GDI four-cylinder engine.

Horsepower and performance figures have not yet been released, but they are promising the performance of a six cylinder engine from their turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The current 2.4 liter engine offers 200 horsepower and the 2.0 liter turbocharged engine offers 274 horsepower, so it is a pretty safe bet that the new car will at least match those numbers.

Suspension and Brakes

Kia has an interesting option system for the SX Limited that allows the driver to set the sport-tuned suspension settings to their liking. This allows the driver to set the car to a firmer ride when they want to take it on a nice twisty road or a softer ride when driving the family around town. A set of 225/45R18 tires help to keep you glued to the road when you choose to drive a nice curvy road.

Pricing

The SX Limited will be available for sale in the Fall of 2013. Pricing will be announced at a later date.

Competition

Mazda6

The Mazda6 offers up to 184 horsepower with a Skyactiv-G 2.5 liter engine in 2014 that will help give the car a nice feel. While not the most powerful sedan, it still feels like it has sufficient kick. Where the Mazda6 makes its mark is its 38 mpg on the highway.

A diesel variant of the Mazda6, which uses a 2.2-liter engine, is set to arrive in the U.S. sometime in the 2014 model year, but no performance numbers are available yet. We do know in Europe that it ranges from 148 to 173 horsepower and 280 to 309 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, it delivers a hybrid-killing 50 mpg.

Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion offers up to 237 horsepower from a 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine that helps give the car very good performance. It also offers a stylish design that helps to set it apart from other cars in the segment.

Conclusion

The 2014 Kia Optima SX Limited offers a sportier option over the standard car and will give someone looking for a practical yet good performing car something to enjoy. The car has really started to come into its own with European inspired styling and looks to have the performance to match its looks.