8 Across

NYT Daily • August 6, 2025

Kia sedan renamed the K5 in 2020

Answer:

OPTIMA

Hint:

"Here’s a helpful hint for the clue: "This Kia model was known for its sleek design before getting a numerical name change." This hint: - References the car’s design (a notable feature of the Optima). - Hints at the rebranding ("numerical name change" for K5). - Avoids repeating the original clue or giving away the answer directly."

Explanation:

The clue "Kia sedan renamed the K5 in 2020" leads to the answer "OPTIMA" through the following reasoning: Direct Reference: The Kia Optima was a well-known midsize sedan produced by Kia. Rebranding Context: In 2020, Kia rebranded the Optima as the K5 in many markets (though it retained the Optima name in some regions).