Skip to main content

2011 Kia Optima consumer reviews

$19,200–$20,700 MSRP range
side view of 2011 Optima Kia
(130 reviews)
90% of drivers recommend this car
Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.6
  • Interior 4.7
  • Performance 4.6
  • Value 4.7
  • Exterior 4.8
  • Reliability 4.4
Explore the 2011 Kia Optima
Shop the 2011 Kia Optima

Love it so far.

Was in need of new car after my third Benz. Test drove almost 15 vehicles and last but not least ended up at....of all places...a Kia dealer. Drove the Optima EX 2.4 and we loved it. The otions were that of an E class. AC and Heat front seats...great when you live at the beach like us.(well the AC). Drive is smooth and crisp with low inside noise. The touch nave is better then the Benz. Double sunroof is the same as a C and E class. infinity sound system is fantastic also. Trunk room is impressive as to others in class. The styling is outstanding. I have been asked several times what car is it, when people cant see the Kia name plate. Over all I Love it so far.... The price also makes it a no brainer. Oh I forgot the gass milage is FANTASTIC and at $3.80 per gal that helps.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Fantastic Value For the Money

I was sold on my first test drive. These cars are well equipped, roomy, and fun to drive. It only makes it better that they have excellent fuel economy and they stack up well with the competition in virtually every category. If you're looking for a great family car with lots of style, good looks, and thousands of dollars less than their competition - this is your car! Be safe and happy motoring...

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 4.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Remarkable Value

I treated myself to a fully decked out SX model, with Turbo, the fancy roof, sport suspension, paddle shifters...even geo positioning and back-up camera. Now three months and 2000 miles into the mission, I am delighted with the Kia Optima. Highway mpg is 36; mixed is 26...all on regular. The paddle shifters allow me to wiggle back and forth between 3rd and 5th, thus keeping the turbo in action. Suspension cooperates for lots of fun driving. I could go on and on with the virtues of this affordable auto....the back seat leg room, the huge trunk, the elegant looks, the air conditioned front seats.....so many thoughful features. I should point out one minor disappointment. Steering is just a bit vague at the center point. I would give up a mile or two in fuel usage to get conventional power steering rather than electric. One can only hope that electric power steering will be refined as time goes on. With the arrival of the Optima, Kia has shown that it is able to duke it out with the more established marques. If it is as reliable as my 2008 Kia Sportage, I will be delighted beyond words.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Transporting family
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Fabulous car

I have owned my Kia Optima for about 1 month. It is a fabulous car. I bought the 'loaded' version and I am really happy that I did. From the affinity speakers to the GPS to the high style, it is just a great car. I am gettting about 35 mpg cityhighway with mostly highway. I drive 600 miles a week and already have over 2550 miles onmy car. The best mileage i hit on my 112 mile trip was today when I hit 37 mpg. I love the easy start button, the easy lock/unlock button, the mood lighting in my doors. I just love this car.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 4.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Excellent car, excellent value

Haven't had long, but wow, is this a nice car. HID headlamps, dual zone ac, leather seats and some minor items you don't read about much like a gas strut that helps open the hood, interior lighting built into the bottom of the front arm rests etc... Have been getting very good gas milage, can't wait to take on a trip.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Great car for the money.

This car could have cost 50 grands if it had a BMW badge on its face. I like this car more than my Lexus IS. different segment?... well, the price tells us that the ES is not the competitor... but even if it did compete with ES, I would take the Optima over the ES.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a Used car
  • Used for Commuting
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Most for your Money$$

I have had my 2011 Optima EX for 4 months now & I have put about 3500 miles on it so far. I went from a Pontiac G6 to my Optima and I coudnt be happier!! I went with the pearl white color with tan leather interior. The exterior styling is my favorite part about the car. It is so stylish and sporty and doesnt look like any other car out on the road. With the Optima, you get more options for your money. I have never had a car without a sun roof, so that was a must-have for me. The panoramic sunroof is great! Other great features are the heated AND cooled seats,heated steering wheel, the AWESOME gas mileage (I get about 30 mpg avg with city and highway combined...MUCH better that my G6), the dual AC/heat system, memory power seats, smart start/keyless entry and manual shifting option. With all of these luxury options, I was floored when I learned the price of the Optima! Talk about top value for your money! I wasnt looking forward to going to a 4 cylinder from a 6 cylinder...but I honestly cant tell all that much. For a 2.4 engine, it has good power and pick-up. And, like I said before, the mileage is great...esp with gas prices these days! Evn though the gas mileage compares to that of a compact car, the Opima is extremely roomy! The backseat is spacious and has ample leg room, as do the front seats. The center console is roomy too. More deep than wide so it doesnt take away any room from the seating area. The trunk is a good size and the rear seats can be folded down so the trunk can accomodate larger items. One thing that I would like to see improved is the stereo system. The sound quality with the bass and treble could stand to be upgraded. But I am sure it is fine for most people, as I tend to "jam" sometimes. It has a CD, AM/FM and satellite option. There are stereo controls on the dash face and on the steering wheel, which is nice and convenient. Another plus is that it has an MP3 hook up, as well as a USB hook up. The clock is super easy to set too. I decided not to go with the navigation package, as I use my GPS and my cell phone is also equipt with navigation. However, the navi option that Kia offers is quite nice. One option that I feel is missing from the Kia Optima package is remote start capability. Maybe I am spoiled bc my last two cars were equipt with it. I was just surprised that, with all of the loaded options that the Optima includes, remote start wasnt one of them. However, this wasnt a big enough gripe to warrant 4 out of 5 stars in the value category. The 5 year warranty more hans makes up for the lack of the remote start! Speaking of the 5 year warranty, I have noticed some ppl speaking of the issue of their car pulling to the left. I havent noticed it in my Optima, but I will now pay closer attention. If I havent noticed it in 3500 miles, it will probably be nearly undetectable. However, once they do figure out how to fix this issue some Optima owners are having, it will be covered under the 5 year warranty. At last, I will also add that I have received many compliments on my Optima, from males and females alike. I hadnt even made it home from picking the car up at the dealer before someone rolled down their window at a stoplight to tell me how much they liked the car. My husband really likes it too. It is a versatile car that both of us can/will drive and we both love it!

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does not recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

Kia Optima

Great car for the money. Only had it for 3 months. I never thought that I would own a Kia. So far alot of compliments. I have ever option except sub roof and GPS. Alot od car for cheap money.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

optima ex

Good pick up on a 4 almost like a 6 cyl,more then enough power for every day driving needs,outstanding good looks,very upscale inside and out,looks like a car that you might pay 8 to$ 10,000 more,fun to drive, with good MPG.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 4.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Used for Having fun
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No

A real attention grabber

Have owned EX model for 3 months and very pleased with performance,handling and comfort. Displays are easy to read. with controls a pleasure to use. It stands out for all the right reasons, unique styling among its peers. Turning heads and double takes are very common along with compliments. The one thing that could stand to be improved is the sound system, specifcally front to back balance. Overall I'm thrilled and very pleased with the Optima Ex. I enjoy driving it when my wife will allow to.

Rating breakdown (out of 5):
  • Comfort 5.0
  • Interior 5.0
  • Performance 5.0
  • Value 5.0
  • Exterior 5.0
  • Reliability 5.0
  • Purchased a New car
  • Does recommend this car
0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
Yes No