2012 Kia Optima User Reviews

Pros

Unbeatable value. Style. Fuel economy.

Cons

Large trunk, but slightly narrow opening. A minor inconvenience with larger items.

Purchased As New

2012 Satin Metal Optima EX 2.4L with Premium Package.

I wasn't this excited about my wife's '07 Infiniti G35x, an incredible car. I expected that to be great. The 7 midsize sedans I compared now should be solid, affordable family cars. I got so much more:
Unequaled luxury & value - the style, features, and attention to detail are unmatched at this price point. Some cars costing $10K more lack this level of sophistication. How many cars light up for you as you approach, inviting you back?
Heated steering wheel!
Front (2-stage) & rear seats heated. Front seats cooled.
Rear air vents.
Power folding and heated exterior mirrors.
Keyless entry/ignition. What a convenience.
Rearview camera.
Standout styling - a chiseled, athletic look that sets it apart. A head turner.
Satin Metal - a handsome medium silver, but not boring, with a je ne sais quoi that makes you look twice. (So luxurious it made me break out the pretentious French phrase. But apt.) And in lower light, it becomes a pale champagne. Tres chic.
Expansive panoramic sunroof.
Slightly less headroom than in some, but no worry if...read morehide

Pros

great performance vehicle A+

Purchased As New

Very pleased in how Warren presented himself and Tempe Kia, he was very direct and forth coming. I couldn't be more satisfied with the total process than if I had done it myself.The bush family thanks Warren and Tempe Kia for everything.

Pros

Price and packaging w/ excellent fuel economy

Purchased As New

Warren was very direct and straight forward when pricing the Optima SX Turbo, we were very happy with everything that Warren did for us from the beginning to the end of the process.

Purchased As New

00hp on my base model LX. Awesome MPG , and so much more WOW factor than my Camry! YES ! she wanted a Camry and I chose the Optima. She loves to drive my Optima ....when I let her !

Pros

Good all around performer, comfortable and much improved quality

Cons

Only minor complaint, cupholders in console can be intrusive, rear vision compromised by styling.

Purchased As New

I am overall happy with this Kia. It handles well, has good performance and value for the dollar with all the options. I am somewhat amused by other reviews that involve handling and ride or fuel economy. Handling is improved at the cost of some stiffness, if you by a car and expect great handling, it comes at some loss of ride quality. If you expect a 50K car for less than 30, you will never be happy. For what it is and how well it performs against the competition, it is hard to beat. A plus for me is that Kia is building cars in America with non union workers. Unions are no longer what they used to be and I want no part of them....read morehide

Pros

Comfort, Style, and Great MPG!

Cons

Passenger front seat very low, can't see out the front window very well.

Purchased As New

My husband and I just bought this car...our very first brand new car and we love it. The gas mileage is even better than advertised, the trunk space is huge, the interior is stylish and very comfortable, and the price of $23,200 just could not be beat!!! I am short and can't see very well from the passenger side front seat, but my husband hates side seat drivers so that is a major plus for him...LOL! I highly recommend this car to anyone and everyone!!!...read morehide

Pros

Stylish, many luxury features, good fuel economy, FAST!

Cons

Price

Purchased As New

I upgraded from a 1995 Toyota Corolla to the Kia...my first ever brand new car. It was love at first sight. This car had everything and then some that the comparable competitor cars had.

I don't feel that my dealer gave me a great deal and I should have haggled more but my old car was breaking down and I needed something fast.

I don't have a problem with road noise personally. My husband has an F150 with mud tires on it...talk about road noise!

I get 25mpg when I drive aggressive city driving, and 34 on the interstate.

The engine in this car has been amazing so far. It has amazing get up and go with the turbo and direct fuel injection.

I have only had it since the end of December and have already logged almost 10k miles.....no complaints!...read morehide

Pros

Good Power, Decent MPG, Good Looks

Cons

Noisy tires, Cheap feel in some places

Purchased As New

I would reccomend this car. Best HP in class and best MPG. Getting 22mpg in city as advertised. Handles well for midsize sedan, good acceleration minus some lag. Nice amenities. Trunk feels really plastic and cheap.

Pros

Nice redesign, lots of features, power, cost

Cons

Kia reputation, wind noise, quality

Purchased As New

The whole exterior feels like plastic and especially down towards the bottom of the car, they feel flimsy. I had an Accord and it did not feel like that.

I can hear wind noise coming in, but it does not leak during rainy seasons. I guess I can live with that. It's not that loud, but noticeable compared to all my other cars I own.

Poor, cheap stock tires. That is all the cons I have found so far.

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Pros are very fast and styling. Very nice features found on high end luxury sedans and all for just 30k. V ery nice gas mileage for my turbo charged SX. I'm getting 25.7mpg non ECO mode on combination city and freeway driving. Keep in mind I've had this car for 5-months now.

Nice aggressive design for the body. Love the sharp lines, lower profile look. Wind diffusers, etc. All tech and touring package. Can't be beat.

Only concern is just how long this car will last being a Kia. Hopefully a redesigned car will also have revamped reliability....read morehide

Pros

Styling, performance

Cons

ROAD NOISE, WIND NOISE, Gas milage not as stated

Purchased As New

I fell for the styling and performance. But after living with the car for the last seven months I wish I had never purchased the it. The road noise can become unbearable. The wind noise is horrible. It sounds like there is something loose and about to fall off when I go over bumps. The bluetooth does not work properly. It tells me "Pairing Failed" and "You have more than five phones paired, please delete some of the phones". I don't have any phones paired. The power mirrors move on there own. The best MPG's I have achieved without the ECO button on is 26 on the highway 18 average. With the ECO button on I have gotten 32 on the highway and about 22 average. The car looks great and the engine is powerful, but the comfort and quality are lacking. The service manager where I bought the car told me he has the top-of-the-line Optima model and he hates it because it is cheaply built and too noisey. He should have said that before I bought it....read morehide