2012 Kia Optima

Rating from Dave

(3)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		2 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		5 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		3 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"I have a 2012 EX with the 2.4L 4 cylinder and 6 speed automatic. When you take your foot off of the accelerator at 40 mph or slower, the transmission "hangs up" and then downshifts one and sometimes two gears. The dealer drove other identical models and they said they do the same thing. Standard operation, nothing they can do about it. Why would a manufacturer program a transmission where the car wouldn't coast? It just wastes fuel. I really like this car, but I am seriously thinking of trading it in because of this problem."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from CP CCE

(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:		3 out of 5

"Love my Optima -What I love the most is when people drive buy and mouth WOW THATS A KIA. I like the size-style and the interior. My wife and I and I ARE AMAZED at the hiway mpg the only negative is the blue tooth has some kinks with older phones"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from optima owner

(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 love the feeling of being in a cockpit!!!the trim work and leather are unbelievable..i dont even mind riding in the back seat..it is as comfortable as the front seat!!if i didnt know any better i would have thought i was in a european import"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting

Rating from Lk

(1)
Comfort:		5 out of 5
Performance:		5 out of 5
Exterior Styling:		1 out of 5
Interior Design:		5 out of 5
Value for the Money:		2 out of 5
Reliability:		5 out of 5

"We also bought our car new. And 8 months later the paint started to peel off. We took to the dealer and they said they would not cover it. They in fact said it probably was acid rain. Seriously. We took it to auto body shops also and they said there was stuff under the paint. In fact you can see it. Have been talking to there customer service and they do not want to fix the problem. So watch out may seem like a good buy till your paints starts to peel off and it not even a year old. They do not stand by their product."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from I have had many new cars

(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 bought many new cars over the years and the Kia Optima EX I bought six months is a great deal for the money. IT is ecomical and fun to drive after 6,000 I had no issues, IT has many extras like great technogy package, as the bluetooth works great and A/C and heated seats are a find for a car at this price. Warranty is bes in industry. I had cars costing three times as much without extras my Optima EX has."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from 2012 worst car

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

"We bought this car new of the lot. We loved how it looked and drove. And it does drive nice. Feels sporty. However we had only had this car for about 8 months when we notice one spot on the hood come off. We took it to the dealer. And the said they would not fix it. Then the next month we noticed there more spots all over the car. We took it back to the dealer. And they would not fix the problem. We have taken it to body shops. There is contamination under the paint. This is making the paint and clear coat to come off. KIA will not stand behind there product and fix the problem."

I would recommend this car to a friend: No

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from Kia Driver

(4)
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:		4 out of 5

"An excellent value, very, very affordable. If you're looking to race, this isn't the vehicle for you. But if you're looking for a really great looking, comfortable car with all the creature comforts at a very reasonable price, this IS the car for you!!!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from Girlie Car Nut

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

"I traded in my '04 Honda Accord EX V6 with 55K miles for a loaded used 2011 Kia Optima SX with 20K miles. Honestly, the first 2 weeks I was slightly nervous at the idea of ditching my 'dependable' Honda which overall ran good but had it's host of problems...constant chatter in the brakes from warped rotors that I had turned twice and replaced brake pads twice, a radio display that burned out at about 20K miles and did have fixed under warranty, headlights that fluctuated in brightness as I drove at night, a trunk lid that wouldn't stay open,and an automatic transmission that started to periodically slip and clunk...to name a few. And, I never really cared for the styling of the front end of my Accord but accepted it. I decided it was time to upgrade and I started my 2 year research process for a performance car with an import/European feel. After test driving used late models of the Lexus IS, Infiniti FX (which I really liked, but not the price tag), Infiniti G35X, the Audi A4, the VW Passat, Hyundai Genesis, and new models of the newly redesigned Hyundai Azera, and the Ford Fusion, I found none of these cars to excite me enough to 1.) pay the inflated prices (which I could actually afford but care not to advertise) 2.) offer a significant reduction in road noise, or 3.) give up my much loved Honda. However, after seeing the Optima, and liking it's exterior design, I finally decided to 'break down' and try the Kia (for I have always thought Kias were junky cars). Much to my surprise, from the minute I sat in the car I was highly impressed. The ergonomics of the interior controls are equivalent to any of the above mentioned makes, and the list of features was astounding for the listed sticker price. I had certain items I was not willing to give up on my next car, like dual climate zone and heated leather seats. Well, I got that PLUS cooled fronts seats and heated rear seats, and rear heat controls! My pre-teen and teenage kids are in heaven with these features and have more leg room than before! I didn't want to give up my sunroof and instead I got the panoramic sunroof! I wanted blue tooth so I could use my phone hands free, and just today I figured out I can also bluetooth pair my iPad to the car and listen and control songs within a playlist! Another thing I didn't want to relinquish was the power of my V6, yet had wishful thinking I could get better than the 24mpg of the Honda. Got that! The SX Turbo is VERY responsive (maybe a tad short of my V6 with it's higher rpm revs but nothing I haven't been able to accept) and I average about 30mpg! I have seen as much as 36mpg with all highway driving, but my regular driving habits are a combo of mostly stop and go city with some highway in between. This is minor, but I love the turn signal indicators on my outside mirrors. I feel they really do help with visibility to other drivers when I'm changing lanes on the highway. And, a feature many of the higher end car manufacturers do not offer. The comfort of the driver's seat is very good considering the multitude of adjustments with lumbar, height, tilt, etc and I have two driver power seat memory controls. The quality of leather on the seats may not be as luxurious as the other brands, but, is not rigid and is adequate for my life of shuttling kids from one function to the next. I have the navigation package which I'm still trying to get used to because I don't use it much, but I love that I have the touch screen vs the 'dial' control many other cars use. Overall, I'm thrilled with my purchase. Only regrets are that I didn't buy a new one so I could get the color I wanted! Also, the SX model is definitely a firmer, bumpier ride than my last and I probably should have test drove the EX for comparison. However, it was love at first sight and I knew after my first test drive that this was THE car. I am giving 4 out of 5 stars for comfort because it is a bit bumpy on rough rodes, for interior design because as a passenger you sit a little too low in the car for visibility out the windows, and reliability because I have had it for almost 2 months and my sunroof shade sticks upon opening and needs adjustment. I feel these are all minor issues that would not prevent me from purchasing the car again. I am proud every time I pull into my neighborhood and drive past my neighbors who have Mercedes, BMWs, Lexus and the like sitting in their driveways, because, I KNOW I have more features than they do at half the cost!!"

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: Used

Primary use for this car: Transporting family

Rating from kmnewcar

(4)
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:		4 out of 5

"I find it seems to hesitate a little bit while I drive in town. I find the driver's seat very uncomfortable to my lower back and butt. I love everything about the car, but it always feels like it wants to stop working and just break down sometimes. I only have 6K miles on it and have had only my first oil change. It's much too soon for me to have to feel a car act as though there's something wrong with it."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Just getting around

Rating from flarob08

(5)
Comfort:		4 out of 5
Performance:		5 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

"this car has everything in a car valued at $50,000. for about 1/2 the price. i looked at lexus, mercedes, and this one was it."

I would recommend this car to a friend: Yes

This vehicle was purchased: New

Primary use for this car: Commuting