2005 Kia Optima User Reviews

Pros

30.5 mls on a trip, very comfortable

Cons

none

Rented one on holiday in Scotland for 3 weeks and fell in love with it!
So a month back from holiday I traded my 2000 Stratus in and have no regrets.

Its comfortable, economical and nice to look at.
I have had it now for 5months and as happy with it now as the first day I brought it home.

Pros

it dont look to bad

Cons

problems getting warranty work done

I have a kia now and had it in the shop and was told it was normal for the head lights to go dim and come back when the A/C CLUCH cycles and the front seat to go crunch under your legs after ajusting it and also it was normal for it to vibrate the steering wheel at a idel and also they dont always give you a slip on repair done...read morehide

Pros

Attractive, comfortable, roomy, easy to purchase if you have bad credit

Cons

Engine RPMs sputter, check engine light on, Dealership is the PITS!

It looks as good as a Camry, Maxima, and some other higher priced cars. I bought my car brand new, and it has been easy to maintain for the most part. However, while driving sometimes the engine revs for no reason. The check engine light comes on for no reason. My 1999 Kia Sportage did the same, and it was always the missing or loose gas cap that caused it. My #1 gripe is the dealership. Yes they sold a car to someone like me with bad credit, but they were very messy with paperwork, and unproffesional in dealing with me after the sale. I do NOT want to go back to the dealer for repairs!!!! For someone who needs a nice, pretty car for not alot of money, this is great. For someone who wants a truly trouble free, easy, and respectable car, I'd go with Honda or Toyota....read morehide

Pros

Gets better gas mileage than my Jeep did. ONLY Pro I can list!

Cons

This car I bought is a LEMON!

I bought this 05 Optima used with 20,000 miles from a Kia dealership. After only three months I had to take it to the service department to fix a list of problems. Most of the problems I noticed after having the car less than a month, but I live over 90 miles from the dealership so I put it off until my check engine light started coming on. I took it to the dealership to have the following fixed: 1) Check Engine Light stays on. 2) Have to push really hard on break to take the car out of park 3) Door lock on passenger side doesn't work 4) Antenna won't get reception on radio 5) Speaker in drivers side door cracks when door is opened/shut 6) steering wheel vibrates. I have to make the 90+ mile trip again next weekend as they didn't have the part needed to fix the problem with my check engine light. Overall, this car I have should be legally classified as a LEMON! I would never in my life purchase another Kia, nor would I puchase one from Big Red Sport in Norman, OK. The left me sitting in the waiting room for three hours, with an appointment and had not even started on all the problems with my Optima. Unexcusable! Bottom line: If the car wasn't such a heap of junk then I wouldn't have to be sitting at the dealership having repairs done!...read morehide

Pros

Not bad looking, roomy, quite, decent stereo, fuel economy

Cons

Drive seat uncomfortable in long drives, better instrumentation

Bought the car used (15k on odometer) only had it a week but "check engine light" keeps coming on. I do like the car, it is nice for a small car, seems to have plenty or room in the back seat for 2 adults (or 3 kids) I like the rear arm rest back there. The fit and finish on everthing looks nice. I would prefer to see more gauges in the instrument panel but for the price what can you expect. Fuel economy is fine (compared to my van) and the V6 has a little bit of a punch (but if I want hp I'll drive my small block V8). My biggest gripe isn't so much with the vehicle but with the dealership, and the check engine light. They claim there is nothing wrong but If the check engine light keeps coming on something is wrong somewhere....and it ain't the gas cap like they keep claiming (cuz I get the "3 clicks" everytime I fuel it up) and the promised loaner cars for service never seem to meterialize...MA general law says they get 3 chances to fix the same problem before I am entitled to a refund. one more time with the engine light and I may be reviewing a different car...There moto "a promise made is a promise kept" is a crock...read morehide

This car is worth the money it drives well and turns heads. Everyone who has seen my car loves it and would love to have one for themselves.

Pros

Good fuel economy,Power everything,smooth cruiser

Cons

Just fog light bulb.

For the price,this car is a steal.Takes u to anywhere competently without fear of been stranded.I used think if u dont get an E-Class MERC u might not have this level of comfort,but waoh!I was wrong.Even,E-Class owners turn their heads around and steal glances at this cute CAT everytime it leaves them in its trail.I have to buy another KIA,maybe AMANTIS and give this Optima to my wife who is having an affair with our KIA Optima.
Though a bit conservative about power,KIA did an excellent JOB,atleast on this OPTIMA...read morehide

Pros

Fuel Economy and Warranty

Cons

Old Technology, Slow and Unresponsive, Cheap Materials, Sloppy Handling.

A four cylinder Accord or Camry performs far better than the V6 Optima and are leagues ahead of the Kia in terms of engineering, materials, fit and finish and handling. I rented this car over a weekend. It was very new with less than 6,000 miles on it. The only thing worth noting was the great fuel economy. The performance is dreadful, the V6 engine is underpowered, unresponsive and feels like a 4 banger. The handling is uncertain and sloppy, floating over smooth roads. The suspension does an adequate job isolating bumps and road imperfections. Since I rented this vehicle, it is likely the only objective review on this page...because who is going to admit they made a terrible mistake not spending 2,000 more on a Honda or Toyota? This car is equivalent to an early 90s Accord or Camry...It's really not a good value considering the small price difference between a car with state of the art engineering and one that costs a few bucks less but has obsolete engineering. Kia has a long way to go....read morehide

Pros

Excellent Ride, Packed with standard features

Cons

Automatic downshifts suddenly

Just bought the Kia Optima 2005 EX V6. I love this machine, the car drives like a volvo due to the independent suspension system. Automatic everything, Infinity sound system, Sunroof, automatic climate control, Homelink autodimming rearview mirrow, AM/FM/CD/Cassette: this car is just full of goodies. The ride is remarkably stable, and the V6 accelerates admirably. The V4 is a little underpowered, but good for the frugal-minded. If you want a little more heft, however, the 170HP V6 has plenty of bang for your buck, especially considering the incredibly generous warranty. Take one for a test drive: You'll fall in love....read morehide

Pros

Cheap Price, decent ride

Cons

Very underpowered

Kia will over-take Nissan, Toyota and Honda, are you kidding me. This was a decent car at best. In no way does the Optima compare to the Altima, Camry, or Accord. The only category this car wins is in price and there is a reason for that. The 4-cyl feels like it has a 5-hp Briggs and Straton under the hood; no power what-so-ever. As far as the gas mileage goes, the Optima is sad. The Accord and the Camry get about 4 MPG more hwy while the Altima gets 1 mpg less, but does so with nearly 40 HP more under the hood.

Overall, this car isn't that bad looking and it drove reasonably well. If you're looking for a cheap car to go from point A to point B, it'll probably do and you will save $3,000 over any of the cars listed above. Like everything else in life, however, if you pay less for something, there is a reason. The Kia Optima is no different....read morehide