Here’s the thing:
Everyone makes good cars now, so “reliability” and “safety” aren’t the selling points they used to be.
They’re givens.
That puts the name-brand Japanese brands – Honda and Toyota – in a new and much tougher environment.
And it has given a leg up to ambitious Korean brands like Kia, which delivers the same level of reliability as Honda and Toyota, but wraps it up in a sexier, better-performing package that gives you better gas mileage – at a lower price. And with a much better warranty, too.
The Optima sedan, for example.
WHAT IT IS
The Optima is a mid-sized front-wheel-drive sedan with near-luxury features and power that also delivers almost economy-car fuel efficiency.
It shares a basic underlying platform and engines with its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Sonata – but it has a completely different exterior and interior, a sportier personality – and a lower base price than its Hyundai sibling.
The Optima starts at $18,995 for an LX with 2.4 liter engine and six-speed manual transmission and tops out at $25,995 for a luxury-sport SX with 2.0 liter turbocharged engine and six-speed automatic.
WHAT’S NEW FOR 2012
A hybrid version of the Optima has been added to the lineup, targeting the Ford Fusion hybrid. Prices weren’t available at the time of this review in mid-summer 2011, but the car should start around $28k. It will be arriving at dealer later this summer, or by early Fall.
WHAT’S GOOD
Sharky good looks.
Base 2.4 liter engine makes about 25 more hp than base engines in competitors like the Ford Fusion (175 hp) and Honda Accord (177 hp).
Optional 274 hp turbo four cylinder engine outpowers competitors’ optional V-6 engines – while delivering much better gas mileage.
No fussy controls; handsome and functional interior layout.
High-end equipment at a (much less) than Lexus – or BMW or Audi – price.
WHAT’S NOT SO GOOD
Headroom in both rows can be a close shave for taller drivers, if you order the optional sunroof.
UNDER THE HOOD
Like its cousin the Hyundai the Sonata, the Optima comes with either a non-turbo 2.4 liter four or (optionally) a turbocharged 2.0 liter four.
The standard 2.4 liter engine – equipped with direct injection – is one of the strongest non-turbocharged four-cylinder engines currently on the market, producing a very impressive 200 hp (192 in California) while also delivering an even more impressive 35 MPGs on the highway, 24 in city driving – mileage that’s about as as good as many economy cars with 50-75 less hp. For example, a 2012 Honda Civic sedan with a smaller 1.8 liter engine that produces only 140 hp – 60 hp less than the Kia’s engine – achieves 36 MPGs on the highway and 28 in city driving, a not-huge difference in fuel economy.
The 2.4 liter engine is available with either a six-speed manual or – in higher trim versions – a six-speed automatic.
The optional 2.0 liter turbo engine produces 274 hp – which is more hp than most current V-6s with twice the displacement . For example, the Honda Accord’s optional 3.5 liter V-6 is rated at 271 hp; the Ford Fusion’s optional 3.5 liter V-6 produces 263 hp.
But gas mileage with the 2.0 turbo liter engine is still 34 highway (22 highway) which is better than most competitors’ comparably powerful – and much larger – V-6s.
The Honda Accord V-6, for example, is rated 20 city, 30 highway. The Ford Fusion’s top-dog 3.5 liter V-6 is even thirstier: 18 city, 27 highway.
Also, the Kia’s quick.
Equipped with the 2.0 liter turbo engine, an Optima can shoot to 60 in 6.5 seconds – dead even with the V-6 Accord and quicker than the V-6 Fusion, which gets to 60 in about 7 seconds flat.
The soon-to-be-here Optima hybrid will improve the line’s already very solid fuel economy marks. In-city MPGs will likely be in the low-mid 40s, with highway mileage in the same ballpark as the non-hybrid Optima equipped with the 2.4 liter engine.
All Optimas are front wheel drive.
ON THE ROAD
The turbo version has a noticeable turbo surge as the boost wicks up – something that other automakers have been trying (for reasons I can’t appreciate) to dial out of their turbocharged engines. It’s not a furious, tire-skittering rush like in a Mitsubishi EVO or MazdaSpeed3, but it is there. A slight whistle, too. The boost comes on strong just above 3,000 RPM – and there’s definitely enough on tap to scalp the pavement a little, if you really get on it. But no torque steer issues – surprising given this is FWD and not AWD car and all that power is hitting the pavement through the front wheels.
Other high-powered turbocharged cars like the Subaru WRX modulate the output through AWD. The MazdaSpeed 3 is the only other car on the market with similar power on tap that’s also FWD – and it has torque steer issues, fun as it is to drive.
The experience is civilized violence. The Optima will go when you punch it – but it’s not necessary to keep both hands tightly clenched on the wheel, ready to countersteer. This is in keeping with its grown-up demeanor. The Optima is more Audi-like than rowdy frat-boy hot rods like the WRX or MazdaSpeed3.
But just because it graduated, don’t think it can’t still party.
That includes the non-turbo version with the 2.4 liter engine. 200 hp (and a six-speed stick) is solid – especially for under $19k to start.
For some perspective, consider the Audi A4. It has a turbocharged 2.0 liter engine but its output is only 211 hp – while its MSRP is $32,300.
Handling/eagerness to corner is not as tight as its looks might lead you to expect – about a 7.5 on a scale of 10, with 10 being BMW (or Acura). It’s similar to something a little on the softer side, like the Lexus ES350. Nothing wrong with that, either. The ES350 is a monster seller, in part because it’s a nicer driver than the stiffer-riding (if better all-out-handling) BMWs and Audis out there.
The Optima emulates that kind of driving feel and ride quality – only it’s about $10k less and it gets better gas mileage, too.
AT THE CURB
At 57.3 inches, the Optima sits about half an inch closer to the pavement than its Hyundai Sonata cousin. It’s also slightly longer, nose to tail (190.7 inches vs. 189.8). Longer and lower – plus some very crisply pleated sheetmetal (with BMW M-like fender vents), rakish front, rear and side glass plus an available oversized smoked black glass panorama sunroof – put distance, style-wise, between the Optima and its more formal-looking Hyundai relation.
Even though these two cars share the same basic platform and chassis, they are very different looking cars.
It’s like back in the 1970s when GM sold the Chevy Camaro and the Pontiac Firebird. Both cars shared the same platform, but their sheetmetal was unique to each car, with the ‘Bird being slinkier looking than its Chevy stablemate.
It’s a similar deal inside; you’d never know these cars – Optima and Sonata – sprang from the same source. The dash layout, the shape of the console, the controls – unique to each model.
The Optima has a more Euro-look. It reminded me a lot of current Audis – especially the spread of the dash, with individually stitched sections and the center stack with its very Audi-ish buttons – while the Sonata’s cabin/dash layout is closer in theme to current Lexus and Infiniti designs.
Among the high-end (and Audi-like) equipment you can get in the Optima: Multi-stage seat heaters and coolers, with large, ergonomically designed buttons for these on the center console – and an available Technology Package that adds an upgraded eight speaker Infinity sound system bundled with GPS and LCD display and driver information system.
Order the Premium package and you’ll get a heated steering wheel, too.
And you’ll still be under $30k.
There are a few potential downsides, though.
That slick-looking roofline cuts into the available headroom, especially with the optional dual-section panorama sunroof. Taller drivers may have to skip the sunroof to avoid their heads rubbing up against the headliner.
On the other hand, both the Kia and its Hyundai cousin have a lot more front seat legroom – 45.5 inches – than competitors like the Ford Fusion (42.3 inches) and Honda Accord 42.5 inches) though backseat riders will pay a penalty for this.
There’s 34.6 inches of rear seat legroom in the Optima vs. 37.1 in the Fusion and 37.2 in the Accord. But – try it – there’s still plenty of legroom in the rear seats for someone my size (6ft 3) to sit without assuming the fetal position or even having my knees rubbing up against the backs of the front seats. The only issue I had was with headroom. But if you’re less than six feet tall, it probably won’t be an issue for you.
THE REST
Though the Optima’s a looker – and a runner – what’s most impressive about it is the car’s superior power-to-gas-mileage ratio. Both engines, but especially the optional turbocharged 2.0 liter engine. Mid-30s on the highway from an engine that produces 274 hp is a have-your-cake-and-eat-it-too situation.
For a bit more perspective on this, consider the Ford Fusion – also a very nice car and a direct Optima competitor. The base engine in the Fusion is a 2.5 liter four that makes 175 hp – about 100 hp less than the Optima’s smaller 2.0 liter engine – yet the Ford’s 2.4 liter engine is less fuel efficient than the Kia’s 2.0 liter engine, rating a so-so (in comparison) 32 highway.
The Fusion’s top-of-the-line engine – for which you’ll pay close to $30k – is a 3.5 liter V-6 that’s almost twice the size of the Kia’s 2.0 liter engine but it still doesn’t make more power (263 hp) and it gets significantly lower gas mileage (27 highway, 18 city).
Granted, you can get all-wheel-drive in the Fusion – a feature that’s not available in the Optima. But if you want very high power without very large gas bills, the Kia is hard to top.
Also hard to top is the Optima’s confidence inspiring warranty package. The whole car is covered for five years/60,000 miles and the engine/transmission for 10 years or 100,000 miles. Ford is still peddling a shaky three year/36,000 mile basic warranty and is only willing to extend its coverage on the engine/transmission to five-years or 60,000 miles.
Same with the Japanese name brands (Honda and Toyota).
Five years after you’d be 100 percent on your own with those cars, Kia’s still got you covered on the biggies for another five years – twice as long.
Keep in mind that car companies don’t pull their warranty numbers out a hat. They’re based on very careful internal research as to what is likely to fail – and when it is likely to fail. If it’s covered, it’s a good bet the part is probably not going to crap out on you during the warranty period.
And, the reverse…
THE BOTTOM LINE
It’s not easy writing 1,500 words about a car that has almost no flaws without sounding like you got a check from the company that built it. But it’s a risk worth taking if I can get you to take a look at this one before you buy one of its competitors.
It’s that nice – and that good .
Really.
Go and see for yourself.
Throw it in the Woods? 
I would provide one exception to the long warranty=reliable equation: Chrysler products. Recently they started offering very long warranties on some of their. Ehicles in order to compete with GM who was also lengthening their warranties. This was a bad move as the engineering at Chrysler had not caught up. They’re still suffering from that one.
That said, Hyundai and Kia have really built up a head of steam over the past ten years or so. They have successfully started to make the transition from “cheap” to “value” especially in the past few years. With successes like the Genesis from Hyundai and the Optima from Kia, they’re looking to pull the same trick on the Japanese car companies that they pulled on American car companies about 30 years ago. Better quality at a lower price. Hurrah for competition.
I remember talking to the second I command at one of the largest dealerships in Louisiana. They sold GM, Honda, and Hyundai at the particular site I was at. He told me that they sold more Hyundais than they did Hondas yet only needed one mechanic certified on Hyundai vs about four for Honda (and loose to twenty for GM, though they sold the most of them). He told me a story that in about 2003 or ’04, a Hyundai engineer from Korea actually toured several dealerships with Hyundai execs talking to the mechanics as well as dealership owners. They were trying to find out why their. Ads weren’t selling as well as they predicted. They discovered that electrical problems plagued the cars and traced it to a poorly designed electrical coupler used throughout the car. A couple of years later, the flaw was fixed and the repairs dropped dramatically with few other changes. They’ve been as reliable or more so ever since, from the dealer’s perspective, and sales have skyrocketed.
Amazing how the free market system rewards good work and penalizes those who stand still.
It is one thing to have one longest warranties in the industry, but it is another thing when you have to sit in the dealership every Monday night to have yet another problem checked on your new car.
Agreed!
But on the other hand, both Hyundai and Kia have come a long way and their products today (and recently) are excellent. I would not hesitate to buy one myself.
Iam a service advisor for KIA and literally the optima barley has any problems, trust me the only thing you’ll be going there for is just for your regular maintenance.
What is a Optima Barley? Is it a customized Optima?
I recently purchased my 2012 Optima.. I took the dual sunroof because well I’m 5’3 head room is not an issue
But I have to say that I did get the tech package and while the speakers are excellant.. when it rains like today they don’t work 
horrible to drive 1 1/2hrs to work with no sound at all!!!! Overall I LOVE my Kia.
This is my first brand new car and I’m loving seeing milage under 100k
I purchased a 2012 Optima SX (31,800) on 1-13-2012 and today the dealer bought it back ($5,000 loss for me). The car pulls left and they can not fix it. Check out the KIA Optima Forum site. This is a well documented problem that KIA can not figure out yet they keep selling the car. It is a dangerous situation and very annoying. I would rather take the loss and get rid of the car than have to drive it for the next several years. KIA should be made to fix the problem or buy the car back at the selling price. It is not right the buyer gets stuck with this dangerous issue.
Hey Everyone,
I came across this thread because I have been vigorously researching negatives about the Optima SX… and I honestly can NOT find ANYTHING. I’m currently driving an Acura, and I would have never have thought that I would trade it in for a Kia. Like everyone else, I truly see the value, but am concerned for the reliability down the road. I understand Kia offers 10yr/100k warranty, but more concerned with the materials (as in buttons fading, the power moonroof shades failing, cooling seats stop working after 3yrs, power folding mirrors breaking, etc.) since I will probably drive this vehicle for the next 5-7 years. My 04′ Acura looks brand new, and has nothing wrong with it, but I would like more features.
Therefore I am in a position where I don’t NEED a new car but it seems that I WANT a new car, and it happens to be a KIA. Can you guys offer me some insight? Do you think the quality will be there in 5 years?
The only thing I know for certain is that recent vintage Kias have a good record – high customer satisfaction scores and few major recalls for defects or other issues.
The truth is that until a given car model has been in service for at least five years or so, it’s hard to do more than generalize based on the past performance of that brand.
But all in all, I’d take the risk as Kia the company seems to be squared away and its cars seem to be well-built, etc.
You get what you paid for… I bought a 2012 Optima EX fully loaded and within the first 30 days I have already taken the car back for service 8 times, too many small issues. This is my 6th week driving the car and now the driver heated seat is not working among other electrical issues. Now I regret trading my old simple car for new car with more toys and more issues… 2012 Optima may be a new car design with lots of toys, but you know what they say Kia is a Kia and will not be your Toyota or Honda. Kia still has a long way to go.
Thank you, both, for your honest opinion. As you can see, Eric thinks it’d be worth the risk, as “Sha” is dealing with issues. However, it seems that Sha bought a fluke. I’m in awe that you put all that time into commuting back and forth to the dealership within one month. If I were you, I’d probably go with lemon law (you’ll get somewhere dealing with corporate-it won’t be easy but it’ll be worth it in the end).
Eric- It’s been about a week now since I test drove the car…and although I love everything about the car-the interior still haunts me. I’m hesitant about the quality of them. For example, the power window buttons are straight up plastic-it feels as if I was going to snap it in half when I apply the button. As well as the buttons one the steering wheel. Other than that, if the fit and finish (interior) was just a little bit better, I’d consider a KIA. Hell, it’d probably be sitting in my driveway right now.
In my opinion, I think the SX or new Limited model(s) should have “nicer to the touch” materials on the inside, than the lower trimmed models.
Overall, my point of my last thread was that a few buttons are holding me back from purchasing a vehicle. Sounds crazy, but something as simple as that, is very important to me.
Well, few cars are perfect – and plastic abounds (even on high-end cars). The upside is it’s usually cheap if it breaks and easy enough (usually) to replace. I’d be much less concerned about, say, a plasticky (and possibly chipped/broken downthe road) door pull or power window switch than something like a defective transmission or blown head gasket.
**Update** I couldn’t stop thinking about the car and had to take a 2nd test drive…Long story short, I went to another dealer and they made an awesome deal that I couldn’t refuse. I signed papers and took delivery of an 12′ Optima SX Premium Package today. I actually met a guy there who was trading in a Lexus ES350 for one…
Congratulations – and, keep us posted!
As a writer, I’d like to compliment you on your excellent grammar and skill. As someone looking to perhaps buy an Optima in the near future, I’d like to thank you for your thoughtful review. But as someone who follows politics, I have to say that you scare the hell out of me.
Normally people who hold your views couldn’t write a coherent sentence if their lives depended on it. A well-spoken, articulate person like you, who believes what you do and promotes the ideas that you do, is enough to give any reasonable person nightmares.
Hi Doug,
Thanks – and welcome!
I’m curious as to why my advocacy of Libertarian ideas frightens you. Bear in mind that my fundamental moral principle is the principle of non-initiation of violence. I oppose – and loathe – all forms of theft, violence against individuals and repression of individuals – whether by other individuals or groups of individuals acting under the auspices of “the government.” With regard to the latter, I especially loathe our current turgid militarism, empire-seeking and rape of civil liberties.
Why would any of that be frightening to anyone – except a Clover?
PS: The Optima’s a great car; if you haven’t done it yet, go take one out for a test drive. Beyond how it drives – and the great value it represents – I also think it’s one of the nicest looking cars on the road right now.
I also find it strange that people fear libertarians. Since libertarians reject for lack of a better word – criminality, it is hard for me to understand what would make any rational person fears us. Maybe it is because we want to be able to just live our lives and allow others to do the same? Gee what a horrible concept.
That is a “horrible concept” for sure. I will NEVER understand it, but some people (a lot of people)can’t stand to leave others be. I don’t give a crap what anyone does, has, or wants to do. All I want is people to leave me alone. How simple is that! -impossible
You’re one of the few – but be proud!
As frustrating as dealing with our Clover-encrusted society can be, I take a lot of personal pride in trying to live my life on the basis of the principles I espouse. There’s a great country song that says it better than I ever could: “I don’t want nothin’ from no one, if I can’t get it on my own. You don’t like the way I’m living? You just leave this long-haired country boy alone!”
I point out to people that it’s not cool to steal – whether you do it personally or by voting to do it.
I tell people I am not comfortable with the idea of threatening people who haven’t done anything to me or anyone else with violence – whether I do it myself or vote to have a gang (the government) do it for me.
I tell people that I think the voluntary society is the best possible humanity society because it would be the most free – and least violent – society. You’d think liberals especially would like that, but I have discovered that liberals are among the most mean-spirited violent – and personally cowardly – people you’ll find.
Those that fear libertarian thought have been brought up to believe and are convinced of the idea that government protects us from evils. They believe that government does good. They believe that people are basically selfish or worse and can be made good at by force of law. Libertarians are the most selfish because taxes to them are “giving” or the “price of living in society” Like Clover they do not believe there is violence behind the system and define society/civilization as the state/government.
I think the key to breaking through to people may be educating them that the government is influenced by, effectively run by and for the people we were taught in government school that government protects us from. How the robber baron families got into banking, founded the NGOs, set tax,”public”, and foreign policy (for their own benefit of course). A prime example is how we got government schools in the first place.
I’ve never understood it, either. Well, I take that back. I do, to some extent. Low-grade Clovers fear Libertarianism because they’re fearful people, the type who easily buy into the “safety” and “security” shibboleths presented to them by higher-grade Clovers such as politicians, who are in it for the power and prestige that comes from controlling others via the machinery of the government.
Both types instinctively distrust/dislike allowing individuals to exercise their own best judgment and live their lives as they see fit. They often equate Libertarianism with “selfishness” (because of our opposition to being forced at gunpoint to “help” whomever the Clovers decide “needs” our money) and see it as “anti-social” because we reject all forms of coercive group-think and group-do.
Another poster here suggested re-classifying humanity into two distinct groups: People who have no desire to coerce anyone to do anything, who have no interest in taking anyone else’s property for any reason except by mutual voluntary consent – and the Clovers.
We’re probably 10 percent (no more) of the population, so it’s going to be an uphill battle.
Eric ,
below is a quote from the ” Daily Reckoning”
It comes from the Age another Murdoch owned piece of trash ……I quote …
…..Melbourne’s The Age newspaper. On the rare occasion you do find an opinion in the news, it’s usually best left unread. Unless you’re in the mood for a good laugh.
Well, Chris Middendorp might just be our new favourite comedic writer. The title of his piece? (Are you ready?)
“A caring state is no nanny, it is doing its job.”
Your editor nearly spat his Burger Rings into the next aisle when he read that one. “A caring state.” Ha! The favourable personification of a non-human entity. The slavish, drooling adoration of one’s own keeper. This had to be one of the most poorly disguised cases of political Stockholm Syndrome we’d ever come across. But there’s more. Here’s a choice quote from a little later in the piece:
“Our government exists specifically to represent the best interests of citizens.”
Seriously. Did you read that, Fellow Reckoner? Bill Hicks had a line for this too: “Go back to sleep, citizen. Your government has everything under control.”
Of course, Bill Hicks actually was funny…as in, funny to laugh with, not at. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The author has more for us. Here he is again, struggling to explain something so simple it needs no explaining at all:
“Bodies that aggressively advocate free market economics are most vocal in their criticism of what they consider to be government meddling.”
Well…Yes! Free market advocates would be opposed to unfree, para-market intrusions, wouldn’t they? We would think it might even go without saying…for the same reason we don’t bother to accuse assault and battery victims of (aggressively?) defending themselves against “what they consider to be punches and kicks.”
What fuels this hatred for freedom of choice, we wondered. Further along we get to Mr. Middendorp’s primary vexation: Individual responsibility
“The central point is that human behaviour is often problematic,” he writes, winding up for the punchline. “We cannot rely on individuals to behave responsibly.”
The Socialists and Elites just mouth this stuff…..worse they believe it ! and for a real libertarian like me they inhabit the universities and halls of power ! so go figure !
Is the second half of your comment meant to be satire?
“Normally people who hold your views couldn’t write a coherent sentence if their lives depended on it.”
Which tells me you have ZERO experience with these views, because I’ve found the true liberty-minded (not to be confused with the “TSA and million-man standing army = liberty” types)to be among the most articulate, sane, and logical folks you’ll find anywhere.
War is peace, freedom is slavery, reason is unreasonable.
I honestly don’t know why these comments even surprise me anymore….
@Doug
Weird, the views you consider nightmares many consider dreams.
I’m a little late in replying to this, but getting back to the article itself, I have the Optima in the photos. Same color combo. I have owned MANY vehicles over the years and can say that I have NEVER had as many compliments and “what kind of car?” questions asked as I have had with this vehicle. I truly love it. There are a couple of issues with it, none of which are major, so for me – it’s a win/win!! Love this vehicle. I’m very surprised that I don’t see more of them on the road. Guess it’s the economy. For me, though, that’s good because I have one of only a few of them that you’ll see on the roads. Beautifully designed sporty looking vehicle inside and out. Great job Kia!!
Hey Tom,
That was my experience, too, when I had the Optima for a week. Meanwhile, most people paid no attention to the $70,000 BMW 7 series I had a couple weeks earlier….
Tom, I too purchased the SX and could’nt be happier. A freind of my daughters works at a nearby car dealership and knew I was testing out used BMW’S. 3 Series mostly. He told me I needed to test drive a car on his lot but wouldnt tell me the name in fear that I wouldnt come over. When I did drive the SX I was astounded by the feel and the overall smoothness of engine accelleration. Very happy with this car. I too get a lot of looks and questions about this car. Very Euro but athletic looking at the same time.
I had the pleasure of driving one of these as a rental car recently and am now considering one. Sleek design, great interior, and runs smoothly. Only minor complaint is that it’s rather hard to see out of the rearview (shouldn’t come as a surprise from looking at the car given the huge slant). But overall it’s a good value and probably my favorite new 2012 car that I’m considering.
I’m seeing a fair number of them on the road in my area; others seem to agree with us!
Is the 2.0 Turbocharged trim available in a 6 speed? If it’s only available in the automatic that is a HUGE con and would be a total deal-breaker for me. If I’m buying a 4cyl with that much power, it has to have a manual transmission. That’s the one think I hated about the V-6 Honda Accord, the 6 speed is only available in the 2dr….only auto in the 4dr
When I tested the car earlier this year, it was automatic-only with that engine – which I agree is a negative. On the other hand, there are other sporty/performance cars that are automatic-only and maintain a following; one example being AMG Benzes. The Nissan Maxima also still sells well, even though it’s no longer offered with a manual, either.
The only bad thing I have to say about the Optima is “what about daytime running lights???” The Sonata has them, and they are pretty much a standard feature in this segment as they should be. It’s hard to understand why Kia didn’t include DRLs in what is otherwise such a nice vehicle. I’ll end up having to get the fog lights wired as DRLs post-purchase or something like that.
Hi Roy,
The value of DRLs in a country with normal light conditions (and assuming competent) drivers is very debatable/ For example, DRLs add “visual clutter” to the driving environment; they make it harder to see motorcycles and emergency vehicles and pick them out from the surrounding traffic. They also produce glare. And, because it takes energy to burn headlights, they increase energy consumption. I oppose DRLs for markets such as the US, which has normal light conditions. I hope they are never made mandatory and I am happy several automakers still haven’t made them standard equipment.
Confused by all the clutter that does not discuss Optima.
I recently purchased a 2012 Optima with no prior experience with this brand. I don’t even KNOW someone who owns one. I have owned Honda and liked it but wanted a family sedan that didn’t yell “OLD LADY DRIVER”.
I LOVE THIS CAR. As I work with many people who can actually afford the luxury sedans, I was quite taken aback when everyone I worked with wanted to know whose new car that was in the parking lot and was it really a KIA?!! Then there was a rush of people wanting to sit in it. Really, these are not people I can easily impress, but I did with a budget priced family sedan.
I still cannot believe it’s a 4 cylinder engine. I’ve driven a V-6 for the past 10 years and can only tell the difference when I continually get to pass gas stations without filling up.
This car is just amazing.
Barb, my sentiments exactly about the unrelated “clutter.”
I totally agree with you about getting something that didn’t scream “old lady driver” (like I’m sure the Mercury Marquis I formerly drove and traded in screamed). Like Dee, I purchased the 2012 Optima, in dark cherry, on Dec. 31. Love, love, love the color.
My seven-year-old granddaughter accompanied me on the test drive and fell in love with it. I was sold. It is a pleasure to drive.
I just brought my 2012 Optima in dark cherry home yesterday! After researching many, many cars over the past few months, I finally decided this was the car for me. I traded in my 2005 Prius (loved the fuel economy but was oh, SO TIRED of the uncomforable drive on my long commute). The Optima is simply a beautiful car, inside and out. Too many amenities to count, and the fuel economy (which is still important to me) is still within my target range. Just thrilled with the purchase. This article (which I hadn’t read before today) is a nice confirmation for me.
Congratulations! I’m sure you’ll enjoy your Optima; keep us posted…
Thanks Eric! Nice of you to get back to me!
Nice of you to join our group!
i bought a black optima 2012 (ex) 2weeks ago i love everything about this car the drive is very comfortable pick is great and its giving me almost 500miles in one tank i will give 10 out of 10 to kia optima and will surely recommend it to anyone who want to buy a brand new car in a great price.
buy EX version as it has almost everything u need leather auto start climate control and other small but important things
thx
Good stuff, Shazad!
Welcome to the site, by the way -
I buy a new car every December. Last year I bought a 2011 Kia Sorento. Never any problems. Perfect car. This year, I decided to buy the 2012 Optima LX with automatic. My wife and I both love the car and think it is waaaaaaaaaay better than that POS new Corolla I bought in 2007. Now that Toyota had some problems.
I’m definitely a Kia lover all the way. I wouldn’t have said that 5-years ago. Kia has blown by all the Jap competitors. I’ve owned just about every car made and bought and sold cars for 40-years and am a certified mechanic. I see absolutely zero issues with both Kias I’ve owned. Buy one. You won’t be sorry.
Last but not least, everywhere I go, when I come out of a store I always have the nicest looking car in the parking lot. People drool over how nice it looks. Awesome!
I like the car, too. Not just looks – the whole package. I really impressed me. Kia has its shop in order!
Love my 2012 EX Optima.
Something is wrong with the gas miliage though. Getting average of 18.5. In need of help here.
Something is wrong – unless you’re driving like me!
You didn’t say whether you have an EX turbo or regular EX, but either way, both versions ought to average about 25-26 MPG. But if you’re running hard, that could drop to what you’re getting. How fast do you drive?
Not a turbo. Not heavy on pedal. Average drivef. Not a speeder, never was. Drive same routes I took my 6 cyl pickup. Got better milage with that. 19 Average. This is 18.5
Ok – something’s not right. First (and I’m just asking) are you sure you’re averaging 18.5? I mean, have you actually calculated your consumption yourself, by filling up the tank, noting your mileage, then driving the car to near empty, refilling the tank, taking that number of gallons you added and dividing that by the mileage covered? If yes, and you still come up with 18.5 (or anything like that) your next stop is the dealer. If you aren’t dogging it, you shouldn’t be using this much fuel.
Keep us posted!
I bought my 2012 kia optima sx with premium touring pckge last week. I’ve been getting 33.4 mpg on the highway and about 24 mixed. Great built quality, drives as smooth and quiet as a Lexus and sporty as an Audi. Only thing that frustrates me is that I can’t test its power until the break in period as it only has 280 miles on it.
Hi Fevian,
While most new cars don’t have a set “break in” schedule as older cars commonly did; usually, the advice given by the manufacturer is to drive moderately (avoiding full throttle run-ups, sudden hard braking, etc.) for the first few hundred miles to give friction parts time to wear-in, which is smart policy to get maximum mileage/performance/longevity out of the engine and drivetrain.
BTW, a lot of people at work and where I live at just stop to stare at the car. Everybody at work has been asking me for a ride. I got mines white pearl which I think is one of the best, if not the best color for this car. I was searching for the perfect mid size sedan for years now and I wanted it new as it was going to be my first new car. Couldn’t be more happier!
It was a hazy Southern Califonia day in 2011 when I first saw you. Thinking I was not in your league, the high maintaince all those guys staring at you. With that said I never thought you could like a peasant like me. Yet a year later I was able to DRIVE you out the door for under 20k. True Love or Love at First Site. I love you Black Beauty
Hate to be a spoil sport, but the Kia’s and the Hyundais have poor re sale trade in value, they they drop value much faster than other main stream build cars such as Toyota, Nissan , not defending Toyota etc, but the Korean cars are 3 year cars only .
Caveat emptor !
That’s been true in the past, but I expect it to change. Keep in mind that the current Hyundai-Kia stuff is light years better than the stuff they were selling as recently as three years ago. Meanwhile, the Toyota/Honda stuff is no longer what it once was.
The resale values will reflect this soon.
yea but can you work on the car yourself ????
Don’t get me wrong , the cars are great to drive, but if one breaks down by the side of the road in the middle of nowhere , good luck in getting things fixed on it !!
That problem is a general problem with any new car. They’re all harder to work on than pre-modern cars because of their much greater complexity and also their packaging. The engine compartments are typically very tight – and if it’s a transverse engined (FWD) car, accessing things on the other side of the engine can be a real bear!
The upside is that almost any late-model car will usually not need much more than the occasional fluid/filter changes, brake pads, tires, etc. for the first 8-10 years or so from new.
by the way I had a Subaru Outback, would not ever buy another Subaru product ever again .
I am a big fan of old Subarus. As in, 1980s-era. They were incredibly tough, durable cars. Not glamorous or quick, but they’d go for 300,000 miles – the engines, at least. Current Subarus are overpriced, gas pigs and (from what I gather) not nearly as reliable as they used to be.
re: subaru. MPG has gone up significantly with CVT; time will tell if the 2010 engine re-design will lower maintenance. So far the data are looking promising but who knows with new cars these days? So many things can go wrong with them.
some reliability issues are starting to surface here in Australia.
Eric
I have had many cars over the years, I am a “car guy “, I had a Outback with the 2.5 EFI engine, the twin cam design, Subaru put the same engine in the Forrester, Outback etc, what I didn’t know was that particular engine, from 1997 to 2003 had the head gasket leak coolant at the back of the engine between the head and the block consistently at 70,000 miles or 180 k and then its a expensive job to fix, $3 to $4k fix !, I noticed Subaru owners in the US had a successful class action against Subaru in the courts, no such luck anywhere else in the world.
A billion dollor corporation like Subaru lets a design problem go for 6 years and through at least two model changes before they fix the problem ?
all for money and profit ? tens of thousands of people have been given a dud !
No wonder the japs are losing out to the koreans !
Chris, Subaru surely assed it up with the head gasket issues in the years you mention. Just think of all the thousands of otherwise working vehicles that got thrown in the woods because of HG failure. A bloody shame. They claim to produce a coolant now that reduces the risk of failure in the 97-03 years but I still wouldn’t fool with a car made then.
That said, I recently drove a new Legacy sedan in a colossal Florida rain storm and I was amazed at how well it handled deep puddles of water. No jittery steering feedback when I hit a 6 inch puddle at 25 mph, it just blasted through. Not sure that kind of stability is worth the price tag, but it was impressive.
mikehell
crap like Subaru pulled only gets found out AFTER the event by reading as many of the online forums as you can, my mistake was only reading the sites after the problem surfaced !, which is often the case, but I wonder if giants like Subaru care enough about the problem, so whats 20 or 30 thousand unhappy customers, who probably will not ever buy another Subaru car again ?
It SHOULD matter in these tough economic times for car makers, the interesting question is, if the marketing is slick enough most people will buy.
by the way I used to drive a little Mitsubishi Mirage from Florida up to Carollton GA and got good handling and reliability from said car, till the computor module controlling the engine sensors packed it in. nuff said !
yeah, subaru’s marketing is nauseating. All those happy moms driving all their Ritalin-fueled kids to soccer practice, barf barf.
Hey guys,
Catching up late on the convo. Well, I fell in love with and bought the “Belle of the Ball” in early March. A 2012 Corsa Blue Kia Optima SX with the UVO system. What an absolute gorgeous car(you can’t go wrong with any of the colors really) in and out. The Turbo when you need is wonderful and with all the amenities and smoothness of the ride it really makes the driver feel like they are sitting in something special. I also just had my first compliment on the car while getting gas.
This is my second Kia, I had the basic Rio model, 2008 LX which did not even have cruise control. But that was a neat little car that never gave me a single problem other than wind noise on a rear corner window which they had to work on a few times the first year I had it. Other than that, ZERO problems.
KIA has come a long way, getting the guy who used to design for AUDI was a major coup. The new line of Optima’s have to be making other competitors in their class very nervous.
Good stuff, Brandon!
I was very impressed by the car (and Kia) as well, as you could probably tell from the review. The Optima looks like a much more expensive car. Personally, I think it looks better than a new BMW – and within a couple of years, I expect they’ll be driving as well or better than BMWs, too.
I am thinking of purchasing a 2012 Kia Optima EX Luxury Sedan. I live in Canada by the way. How is the Optima for rusting issues? Does it rust easily? What is the noise rating for the car (inside)? Is there a lot of road and wind noise when driving in the city? What about for highway travel at higher speeds – road and wind noise? What about driving on rougher roads – what is the noise like?
I’ve read that the paint quality might be suspect? Is it durable? Would there be problems going through an automatic carwash and the water pressure that is used? Will it peel or come off under the pressure?
I would like an honest opinion on this car. Is it a good quality car, one worth buying? What is the longterm outlook for this car? Lots of questions but I don’t want to waste my money.
At present I’m driving a 2008 Saturn Aura XR which has been a good car so I don’t need a new one. The new car bug is buzzing around and I’m looking at the Optima. As I said, I don’t want to waste my money. I welcome yours and any other comments, positive and/or negative about the 2012 Kia Optima.
Thanks.
I haven’t encountered (or heard about) a premature rust issue with any new/late-model vehicle. They’re very well protected against corrosion at the factory, so I would not be concerned about that at all. NVH (insider talk for wind noise, etc.) is low – but take the car for a test drive yourself to be sure you’re comfortable with it. Paint quality is another almost non-issue with new cars. Modern base-clear finishes are superb and usually still look new ten years down the road. The paint is not going to peel off in a car wash!
Go check the car out – and also check what current owners are saying about. That ought to help ease your mind. And keep us posted!