An optimization including electrostatic interactions has been performed for the parameters of an anisotropic united atoms intermolecular potential for benzene for thermodynamic and transport property prediction using Gibbs ensemble, isothermal-isobaric (NPT) Monte Carlo, and molecular dynamic simulations. The optimization procedure is based on the minimization of a dimensionless error criterion incorporating various thermodynamic data (saturation pressure, vaporization enthalpy, and liquid density) at ambient conditions and at 350 and 450 K. A comprehensive comparison of the new model is given with other intermolecular potentials taken from the literature. Overall thermodynamic, structural, reorientational, and translational dynamic properties of our optimized model are in very good agreement with experimental data. The new model also provides a good representation of the liquid structure, as revealed by three-dimensional spatial density functions and carbon-carbon radial distribution function. Shear viscosity variations with temperature and pressure are very well reproduced, revealing a significant improvement with respect to nonpolar models.