2011 Kia Optima consumer reviews

I just got rid of a Honda Civic, paying $279 a month. Kia, originally was not even a thought in my mind just from its reputation. My first experience with this car was actually an open test drive at the mall near my house and I began to have interest in the car. After shopping numerous different car make and models I eventually made my way to the Kia dealership. Although I got the base model of the LX with few options, it came well equipped and at a great price. The car comes standard with Bluetooth and iPod connectivity, power everything, gorgeous interior, comprable to that of Audi and BMW. The exterior of the car is stunningly beautiful and agressive looking at the same time. The car is extremely roomy, quick with its 2.4L 200hp engine and great on gas. With some much more car in the base model with nearly no options except for the tire and dig warantee package, as opposed to a nearly fully loaded honda civic ex it only came out to $289 a month, thats only $10 more. I recommend this car to anyone, first time drivers and long time drivers that were trapped by luxury car dealerships. If you can afford, without a doubt go for the SX, but the LX is still an amazing car. As long as Kia keeps up with this new image along with affordable prices, I will be sticking with Kia for a long time. Not to mention the 10 year 100,000 warantee that cannot be beat!

The review title is just one of the comments I've received on my 2011 Kia Optima SX. A few more: "That is the most beautiful car I've ever seen!" "I can't believe that's a Kia!" "I'm likin' the Kia." My UPS guy loves the wheels. It is the most svelte car I?ve ever driven. Great long distance cruiser too ? made it from Pittsburgh to DC in May on a ? tank of gas, and had another 250 miles to go till empty. Roughly a 500 mile range driving at 65-75 mph. That is respectable for a large vehicle. I bought a base SX, with NO options on April 30th, 2011 from a dealer in Pittsburgh, PA. Did a lot of research and price shopping at cars.com online before ever stepping into a dealership. Usually, the end of the month is the best time to buy, because dealers have to meet their quotas. Make sure you drive the car you plan on purchasing. Some of the early production runs had left pull issues - mine did, and was rectified after second visit to a different Kia dealer. Also, pre delivery inspection of your new car should include checking tire pressure. My tires were at 47psi - it was like driving Fred Flinstone around. The car rides much better with 35 lbs in the tires. This car is Snow White Pearl, and looks like nothing else on the road. It has the 18 inch ?Pizza" sport style wheels - they are super easy to clean. The SX had enough standard features on it for me,(HID headlights, larger brakes, wheels and tires, stiffer ?sport-tuned? suspension, LED tail lights, turbo, boy racer body bits) so I shopped around until I found the car, color, and price I wanted to pay for a base SX. I used my 1999 Audi A6 Avant as a benchmark when starting the quest for a replacement vehicle. Build quality, style, handling, interior ergonomics, and comfort were on my checklist. I drove an EX with the 2.4 liter 200 hp engine - liked the car. Then I drove an SX at 274 hp - sold. This engine has incredible torque. Feels like a six. I find myself taking the long way home every day. The doors close with a nice thunk ? not hollow and cheap sounding like a Honda door. Steering is electronically assisted, and takes a day to get used to. By design, the steering is programmed to be on center. Another reason I went with the SX over the EX, is the Supervision instrument cluster and the dark interior. The EX with the two tone interior reminded me too much of rental cars. The dash layout is very legible, with a minimum of buttons. Fit and finish are excellent. Pros: Car is sexy as heck ? looks more expensive than it is Engine ? no turbo lag, even with ECO mode engaged Warranty ? the best (especially when beta testing the turbo) Bluetooth for hands free calling via voice command Proximity key and push button start Gas mileage - averaging 23 city, 33 highway on regular gas. Car has 3200 miles on it at this writing - mileage should improve after the first oil change Handling - Very good for a sporty sedan Auto-dimming rear view mirror, just like my dear departed Audi.. Roomy ? I?m 6ft 2, and someone as tall as me can sit behind me comfortably Cons: The standard audio system has wimpy speakers No power adjustable passenger seat in the base SX Front field of vision is slightly impaired by huge rear view mirror ? ditto the rear view ? car has a high tail. Be careful backing up. (If you are short ? buy a loaded car with the backup camera) Snow White Pearl is hard to keep clean The stock tires are a little noisy at first HID high beams, LED Daytime Running Lights, Headlight Washers are not available on US spec cars, but available in Australia and other countries Can't order options separately - liked the Infinity sound system, but did not need the sat nav Nitpicking about the cons - hard to find fault with this vehicle. It offers a combination of style, speed and value that the competition simply can't touch.

Styling--just look at it--part Jaguar, Infiniti, Lexus, but still different enough and easily $5-10, 000+ less than Infiniti. With Turbo EX ( 270hp) it will give a nice highway boost 70mph+and general all round power. Interior layout and console elegant and functional. Back seat legroom is spacious as is trunk.Leather all over. Cornering is no awd sports car, but the ride around town and uneven roads makes life more tolerable. Fuel consumption is a real plus. HWY I got 33mpg, and around town averages 24mpg. Overall, it is a pleasure to drive

This by far is the best car I have ever owned. It has everything I could have asked for and more. I love driving in it. I make up excuses just so I can go out and take another cruise. If you are not sure if you are going to get this car then let me tell you "You will not be dissapointed". Sweet Ride.

By far worth it's price. Driving is Great & Comfortable. Great Power & Steering. Wouldn't trade it for ANOTHER

The Kia Optima performs well beyond expectations based on what I consider really incompetent reviews by all the supposed experts. First, the supposed numb steering is simply a slight loss of response due to the use of more efficient electric motors over hydraulic. More importantly, the car corners fantastically and inspires confidence. Would a car with more responsive steering and inferior cornering like my prior Honda Accord be better, of course not. Amazingly, the ride comfort is also so good, it makes the cornering ability seem more incredible. The Consumer Reports claim that the car has much road noise is also bogus. The NEXEN tires that come with the car are noisy for the first few thousand miles and by 3000 miles no problem. I have 7000 miles now and the car is very quiet at all speeds. The NEXEN tires have few other quibbles other than not thrilled how they respond above 75 MPH so you may want Michelin Pilots or something more high performance. I also recommend the Nav system as it really makes the car by integrating everything and the back-up camera is great. The cloth seats blow away the leather seats so think twice about the EX model, leather was no where near as comfortable and slippery plus heated/cooled would be a must with leather. The car also makes nearly all other cars look antiquated. An SUV, Mini-van, or a pick-up truck seems like a stagecoach next to it, it is so sleek. With 7000 miles, no problems and it has the best warranty. FOR A MID-SIZE CAR, i DON'T SEE HOW YOU CAN DO BETTER.

Way more car than I'd expected for the price. Looms great, great interior and loaded with features. I can play tunes from my iPhone, talk on it via blue tooth and love the heated steering wheel. Way to go Kia!!!

donot like lag in turbo .the car is fanastic. some guy chased me i itn a parking garaged wanting to say what kind of car .

Yes, folks, there are those of us out there who think the Subaru Outback is overrated. My wife bought her Outback last June and from day one little pings of doubt snuck in. From non breakaway side mirrors to seats that felt you were sitting on burlap. After a rather snowy NJ winter,even the 4 wheel drive didn't seem that good. So it was time to bite the bullet and check around. A few family members who own KIA's told us to check them out. Of course, KIA, was never in our car radar, but we did. We actually were looking at the Sorrento, but the Optima caught both of our eyes. Test drove it twice on the highway and around town.Handling was great, much quieter than the Outback and the "goodies" found on this car for the price was outstanding. If this was a BMW it would cost 20K more with the stuff on this car. Have driven it 1k so far and my wife and I love everything about it. So there is life after a Subaru !

Test drove several different KIA's but settled on the 2011 Optima EX equipped with both the technology and performance packages. Smart styling, smooth ride and best warranty of all manufacturers, bar none. Test drive one and see for yourself.