2012 Kia Optima consumer reviews

This automobile is absolutely fabulous in every way. Handles supremely on the curves as well as the straight aways. The styling is crowd pleasing as I am getting compliments on the looks of the car from everyone. The interior is impressive and the comfort that the seats provide is outstanding to say the least. I was completely surprised at the power of this car. Step on the gas and it goes and goes but also it is very good on the fuel when I drive sensibly. I can say enough good things about the Optima. It's been one of the best large purchases that I have made. I would recommend it to anyone.

Great ride, steering feels kind of tough, but it is very responsive. I would recommend this car to anyone. I changed my 2011 VW CC for this car and I am not looking back.

I can't say enough about my 2012 KIA Optima. I love everything about my car....except the Bluetooth Technology. I'm not crazy about the multiple layers of commands that are needed in order to make a call. It would be nice if you could just say "call Sally cellphone" instead of 3 separate commands. But that's my only area of disappointment. The rest of the car is excellent; the interior and exterior styling, ride, mileage, features, everything!!

Had the car 3 days and I love it!!! Very quite I love the Bluetooth for my cell phone. How about the built in cooler in the glove compartment are you kidding me!!! Huge trunk for my golf equipment. Rides good plenty of room I love this car!!

I am 56 so you can imagine I have purchased many a vehicle in my days and this car by far is the best EVER!!! I am 6'6" and this car fits me just fine especially the head room and I have the panoramic sun roof. The power is beyond expectations and my current mileage is 30mpg back and forth to work and long distance driving is was at 35.1mpg. Stereo is extremely loud and clear. No problem with being able to see, i.e. blind spots, and love the looks. First time getting gas and a guy approached me and said how he really liked the car and that just blew me away. Never had that happen to me EVER!!!! What I also enjoy are the little things that Kia has added, interior lights come on when approaching the car, if I unlock the doors and do not get in it automatically re-locks itself, rear seats fold down and gives you ample access to the truck, and also my wife had parked the car and the wheels were turned excessively to the left and when she went back into the car the message board between the tac and speedometer informed her to realign her wheels. I could really go on and on about this car and how many heads it has turned but I recommend you test drive one yourself and you will be very amazed at this car.

Just bought a 2012 Optima SX last week and I am so happy! I never thought I would own one. I checked out numerous brands and so glad I bought my Optima. The 2012 model has the better tires unlike 2011. My car does not pull to the left and the seats are comfortable. Everyone is surprised on how the Optima has changed for the better. The pickup is quick and my friends are surprised. It's fun to drive and has a lot of options for the price. Check it out and test drive one. You will be glad you did!

KIA seems to have come along way these days. Looks are great, gas mileage is very good with the ECO button on, and very comfortable. Fun car to drive. I also have noticed a slight pull to the left. Not a big issue, but I will have that looked into. I can't believe the power of this 4 cylinder. The handling is very tight and responsive. Interior has lots of standard features, roomy and very well designed. Well worth the money.

This car does everything right. The only gripe is the fact that the passenger seat is too low and can not be raised. I've considered having a cushion made for it.

I was so ready to buy this car because it looked so dang good, what a great design. When I got inside at the dealership showroom I was even more impressed as it had every gismo and gadget including cooled seats. Wow. My dissapointement started when I took it for a test drive. First of all I noticed that it just didn' t have any good visibility and that I felt like I was sitting so low and boxed in. This is a result of the sleek styling that looks so great from the outside but just doesn't work from a practical point of view. But I pushed that aside and put the pedal down for a test drive. Ok power but something just didn't feel right here. I can't explain it but to say that the ride just didn't have that refined feel that I am use to. Still jazzed with the way the car looked I had my wife come take a drive the next day. I asked for a different car to make sure it wasn't just a bad apple. The first thing she said is she couldn't see out of the car well, the same thing. She said it looked great but just didn't drive anywhere near as well as the Honda Accord she had. I just read an article in Car and Driver from Aaron Robinson that said the pretty much the same thing. My conclusion is that KIA spent all it's money on the look of the car but it just doesn't have the refinement mechanically as the competition.

The Optima is a great vehicle but there is an issue with some that has yet to be fully solved. On the 2011 and with some 2012's, there is a pulling left issue on some cars. There were two TSB's (technical service bullitens) from Kia that were directed at this issue. My dealership simply alligned the car and told me the rest of the issues were in my head even after showing them the specifics. From the research out there, once it gets handed up to Kia, they do have a remedy for the pull left problem. Other than this issue, which Kia has promised to resolve, the Optima is a great car for the money. Bottom line, you must test drive the vehicle that you want to buy before accepting it. If it has a strong left pull or tendancy to drift left, do not accept delivery of the car. Do not let a service manager chalk it up to the crown of the road and the low profile tires.