2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Consumer Reviews

2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

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2012 Kia Optima Hybrid

Starting MSRP $25,800

Average Rating

4.0 out of 5
Review This Car
Comfort:4.4 out of 5
Performance:3.7 out of 5
Exterior Styling:4.8 out of 5
Interior Design:4.3 out of 5
Value for the Money:4.0 out of 5
Reliability:4.0 out of 5

18 out of 22 people would recommended this car to a friend

Consumer Reviews

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Corvetteman

by Corvetteman
from Bright IN | November 5, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Owned a Toyota hibrid gone.. KIA opt hibrid best car on the road which I still own cant say enough about warranty, gas savings ,ride,room in side options on car nice,nice........."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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0 out of 1 found this review helpful

A Great Car!

by Dallasmsl
from Bedford, TX | October 5, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Yes, a GREAT car! I bought mine on January 21, 2012 and was disappointed by the gas mileage. Until I learned how to drive the car. Now, October 5, 2012, I get an ACTUAL mileage of 35 mpg per tank (city/highway). The least I have gotten is 32 while the most is 36. Not bad for a full size car that you don't have to risk your life in everytime you get into it! And I found out that it beats out the Mini-cooper and Fiat 500 in Gas mileage (actual not EPA). There are two issues I have. One, starting from standstill power is lacking. Do not attempt to just bolt out into traffic - you'll get hit. Two, there is a blindspot when changing lanes on the right. I've had to learn to be extremely careful even when looking and not relying on mirrors. This is a design flaw that should be fixed as it is dangerous. I still believe it is a great car for all of the good points. Great styling, comfort, economy, AC that doesn't lower gas mileage, and a dream to drive."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Poor Mileage

by the car purchaser
from Austin, TX | August 23, 2012

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 3 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Overall, I'm extremely happy with almost everything about the car. The styling on the outside is excellent, and on par or better than much more expensive vehicles and brands. The interior is spacious and comfortable, with a good stereo system, and a great air conditioner that even thrives in 105 degree weather in Austin, TX. I love the UVO sound system, and voice recognition functionality of the car. The ONE complaint I have (and it really bothers me): The gas mileage is nowhere near what they advertise. Average mileage is supposed to be around 37mpg, with 40mpg on the highway. The dealership told me if I went easy on the acceleration, I would see even better numbers. For the first 6 weeks, I have driven the car EXTREMELY soft on the pedals, to the point where people behind me honk because of how long it takes me to get up to speed. On average, I'm seeing about 29mpg, with a balance of city and highway driving. The gauge on the car is reading 32mpg, but when I calculate fuel used/mileage on my own, its coming in at 29. Really my only complaint about the car is the gas mileage, and I think the numbers they are advertising are completely false. Everything else has been great so far."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Bought for 95% City Driving

by Octagenerian
from St. Petersburg, Florida | August 18, 2012

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"Took delivery KOH in late April. After 1000m of city driving I averaged 25mpg. My Kia salesman gave me a courtesy call on his cell phone and I explained my concern about the city mpg. He walked to the service mgr. who agreed to run some diagnostic tests the next day.The next day when I related my concerns to the service mgr. about the city EPA rating of 35mpg city, he went ballistic. He said the EPA ratings were meaningless and to convince me EPA was meaningless he told me what lousy mpg he was getting on his Kia Turbo. (This mgr couldn't pass Management of Customer Service 101 if he had a cheat sheet for the final exam). Then it was bad gas (no BP is not bad), didn't use the same pump at the same gas station (not in the owners manual), and of course we didn't know how to drive a hybrid--nearing 80, my wife and I are not the muscle car driver types. The service mgr walked back into the dealership and never touched the car.There is a dicohtomy of reviews of the 2012KOH, both professional and consumer. One pro. review found the EPA of the KOH disappointing in the real world and one consumer review even suggested a class action suit for poor EPA performance--but I gather from reviews that corporate Kia has a deaf ear to the consumer concerns. I hope anyone considering a KOH will research the professional and consumer reviews. With the diverse claims for the Kia EPA ratings --that buying a KOH for fuel efficiency is the luck of the draw. The first pro reviiew I've read on the 2013 KOH, its the same disappointing EPA in the real world."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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10 out of 10 found this review helpful

Great Value

by Hybrid lover
from Woodland Hills, CA | August 5, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Over 1 mo. in and I love this car. MPG not as advertised. only 32 mpg combined and I know how to drive a Hybrid. Have had 2 previous Prius models at 48mpg avg. Other than that car is solid in all categories. Great looking, Love the cool seats in the heat. Very good sound system and the Nav. and electronics are wonderful. Plenty of room in cabin,I wish they could find more trunk space like the Camry Hybrid. The 5yr.60K warranty is not as comprehensive as it sounds. Some limitations exist. Hopefully, I won't need to use it. Worth checking out and researching before purchasing. Great bang for the buck."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Nice, but not the gas mileage Kia claims

by Big Splat
from Denver, Colorado | July 30, 2012

Rating from

(4)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 4 out of 5
Value for the Money: 4 out of 5
Reliability: 4 out of 5

"We have owned the Kia hybrid for three months and although it is a nice car, it does not get extraordinary gas mileage. We consistently get between 30-32 mpg. Not bad, but not as advertised or promised."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Don't buy for economical city driving

by 80 years of age:95% city driving
from St. Petersburg, Florida | July 9, 2012

Rating from

(1)
Comfort: 3 out of 5
Performance: 1 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 3 out of 5
Value for the Money: 1 out of 5
Reliability: 1 out of 5

"I expected mpg in city to be close to the EPA rating of 35 mpg. After three fillups--premium, regular, and 90 octane nonethanol--at a total of 1000 miles, I was averaging 25+ miles per gallon. The Kia service manager explained to me that EPA ratings were meaningless, that I probably used bad gas(I asked if BP was bad gas). that I probably didn't use the the same pump at the same gas station. and of course Kia's old fallback that you got to learn to drive it. I think Kia has a big manufacturing quality control problem."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Pretty Darned Good Car

by DB
from Central Massachusetts | May 10, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 4 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"Both sexy AND great on gas (averaging 42 MPG), I really couldn?t be happier with my 1 week old new car. There is some ?clunking? when transitioning between engine types ? but not that bad - and certainly not enough to detract from the product overall as some of the criticisms I've read seem to indicate. Simply astounded at the features that come standard. Recommend the 'Convenience' option package as it has the UVO / Sat. radio and rear-looking camera display when in reverse. Still pinching myself that I got such a head-turning automobile past the wife's budget control armor. This occured because KIA's pricing is phenomenal! I got a cherry ride that barely sips the petrol for a price LESS than the current median new car cost! Worth a look if you can get one..."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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2 out of 2 found this review helpful

It's a Head Turner

by Kia Owner
from Dallas, TX | May 9, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 4 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I absolutely love my new car. I drive over 40 miles each way to work and am averaging 40+ mpg. Unlike most hybrids, the Kia actually gets better mileage on the highway, than it does in the city. With the current price of gas, I am saving enough each month to make half of my car payment. The car is a real head turner, I've gotten lots of complements on it. I absolutely love the backup camera. I am still learning all of the features of UVO. I have loaded some of my music into the jukebox and I always have music I like to listen to. My only regret is that I didn't get the heated steering wheel and seats."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting


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1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Sweet Looking Hybrid

by McDaygo
from Salt Lake City, UT | May 1, 2012

Rating from

(5)
Comfort: 5 out of 5
Performance: 5 out of 5
Exterior Styling: 5 out of 5
Interior Design: 5 out of 5
Value for the Money: 5 out of 5
Reliability: 5 out of 5

"I ultimately chose this car's version of a Hybrid mainly because of the new Optima are sweet on the eyes, but also because this car still has some get up and go compared to other offerings. It has around 200HP combined, more than enough for me as I am aware I did not buy this to beat someone to a red light. It only has 2 trims one loaded the other for $5000(ish) more fully loaded. I did not get the extra option, as I feel the standard Hybrid is more than loaded to me. My only question is this: who can complain about a sweet looking car WITH a 100,000 mile warranty? This is one of, if not the first car I see being happy with for much longer than my loan lasts. Check out Kia people, they are going crazy with making good looking cars! Enjoy!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around


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1 out of 1 found this review helpful

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