2012 Kia Optima - Expert Reviews
Expert Reviews from Around the Web
We have scoured the web for expert reviews of this car and found the best ones for you to read. Found 17 reviews. This list is displayed in ranked order based the reviews we think are the best.| Ranking | Details |
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| #1 |
2011 kia optima Professional Edmunds ReviewSource: Edmunds...The Optima Turbo's EPA-estimated fuel economy is 22/34/26 -- outstanding for a car with this much power. The 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine generating 166 hp and 154 pound-feet of torque paired with an electric motor making 40 hp. Combined, the two power units are good for 206 peak hp and 193 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic is again standard. In Edmunds performance testing, the Optima Hybrid accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.9 seconds, which is reasonably quick for a hybrid. The EPA estimates the Optima Hybrid fuel economy at 35 mpg... |
| #2 |
2012 Kia Optima Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...as options, but for a fraction of the cost of equipment included in more expensive automobiles, and with arguably better quality. For example, the backup camera in the Optima has better definition and is more enjoyable to use than the cameras in almost any sedan — luxury or mainstream — I’ve driven. Of course, the midsize SX T-GDI won’t beat something like the Aventador Coupe off the starting line. The all-wheel-drive Lamborghini comes with a 6.5-liter, 48-valve V-12 engine (509 foot-pounds of torque, 700 horsepower). By comparison, the front-wheel-drive SX T-GDI is a... |
| #3 |
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...I never managed to get close to returning those mpgs. Of course, I never once had to visit the gas station during my busy week with the Optima Hybrid, which is no small feat in my book. When it is time to hit the gas station, the Optima Hybrid uses regular gas. SENSE AND STYLE Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Good Times INTERIOR Kia went all out when it came to the Optima Hybrid's interior. It has a sporty but upscale cabin with dual-zone air conditioning, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and an eight-way... |
| #4 |
2011 Kia Optima Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...Still, the turbocharged Optima ranks among the quickest family cars; the V-6 Camry and Altima are perhaps a smidge stronger, but the V-6-powered Honda Accord and Dodge Avenger feel more modest. The turbo engine is standard in the Optima SX and optional on the EX. The six-speed automatic offers responsive enough kickdown , though with 274 hp and 269 pounds-feet of torque — the latter available at just 1,800 rpm — any delay comes at little cost. Steering-wheel paddle shifters are standard on the SX; they induced reasonably quick shifts, but the responsiveness is a bit conservative... |
| #5 |
2012 Kia Optima Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...Optima SX Don't be fooled by the lack of two cylinders; Kia's turbocharged four-cylinder gives the Optima SX the acceleration of a V-6 family car — torque steer and all, noted one editor. With little sign of turbo lag, the car accelerates swiftly, storming up to highway speeds with power to spare. It's a quiet drivetrain, too, though another editor found the engine buzzy at certain speeds. Still, the turbocharged Optima ranks among the quickest family cars; the V-6 Camry and Altima are perhaps a smidge stronger, but the V-6-powered Honda Accord and Dodge Avenger feel more modest. The... |
| #6 |
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...While getting those terrific mileage figures will make you feel better on your commute, the higher payments at the end of each month might be a downer. The hybrid battery cuts into trunk space, as it does in nearly every hybrid sedan. In the Optima, cargo space goes from 15.4 cubic feet in the regular version to a very small 9.9 cubic feet in the hybrid. The Toyota Camry goes from an identical 15.4 cubic feet in the gas-only model to a very respectable 13.1 cubic feet in the hybrid version. Plus, the Optima Hybrid's rear seats don't fold flat. Equipment My tester was a base model with cloth... |
| #7 |
2013 Kia Optima OverviewSource: CarGurus...Minor tweaks to the front air dam, rear bumper and the interior are likely, however.The trim lineup for the front-wheel-drive 2013 Kia Optima is expected to remain the same: LX, EX, EX Turbo, and SX. The EX Turbo and SX trims are expected to be equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that reaches a class-leading 274 hp and 269 lb-ft of torque. The LX and EX trims will come standard with a 2.4-liter inline-4 gasoline engine that tops out at 200 hp and 186 lb-ft of torque. The LX trim will be able to be equipped with either a 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive or... |
| #8 |
2012 Kia Optima Hybrid Professional Cars.com ReviewSource: Cars.com...heated and cooled front seats Optional rear seat heaters Optional heated steering wheel Optional navigation system with a backup camera Under the Hood Mechanical features include: Standard 200-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder that teams with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission Optional 274-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which works only with the automatic transmission Safety Standard safety features include: Antilock brakes Side-impact airbags for the front seats Side curtain airbags Electronic stability system Optima Hybrid Like its sister vehicle, the... |
| #9 |
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid — Flash DriveSource: MSN Autos...In real-world conditions, including Seattle hills, I saw fuel consumption in the high 30s with no compromise in driving experience. Unlike most other hybrids on the market, the Optima Hybrid shuts down the gasoline engine at cruising speeds up to 60 mph when the batteries are charged and the electric motor alone can maintain the desired speed. The gasoline engine kicks in to get the car up to cruising speed, but once it's not needed to maintain speed, gasoline consumption stops. The engine turns back on instantly if needed for additional acceleration. Kia continues to impress with its newest... |
| #10 |
2012 Kia Optima OverviewSource: CarGurus...Then there are remote power door locks, driver’s side power window, telescoping tilt-wheel steering and, of course, air conditioning. An MP3-capable single-CD player and 6 speakers provide entertainment aboard the LX, bolstered by satellite radio and Bluetooth hands-free technology.The EX and EX Turbo amp things up with 17-inch painted alloy wheels, leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, front power windows, dual-zone automatic climate control with its accompanying cooled storage compartment, front and rear floor mats and a universal remote garage door opener. Some extra... |
Kia Optima Related News
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid: First Drive Review
If any brand has emerged from the bottom of the market into awareness lately, it's Kia. The Korean brand is halfway through introducing an entirely refreshed line of smart... August 31, 2011 by John Voelcker 2
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid On Economy Drive, 69 MPG So Far...
We've learned to take official EPA gas-mileage ratings with a pinch of salt in the past. They're useful for comparing model to model, but not always representative of the... August 29, 2011 by Antony Ingram 9
2011 Kia Optima Hybrid To Cost $26,500, Less Than Camry, Fusion Hybrids
Kia has announced that its 2011 Optima Hybrid midsize sedan will carry a starting price of $26,500 when it arrives at dealers in June. (That price does not include a... May 10, 2011 by John Voelcker 6
Success or Failure: 2011 Kia Optima Goes Turbo
There is no doubt that the folks driving Kia today have a sense of humor. There is also no doubt that they have an agenda to get noticed by consumers and go head to head with... December 27, 2010 by Jonathan McGrew
2010 Los Angeles Auto Show: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid Details
Kia has been on a roll lately. The younger, lower-priced sibling of Korean car colossus Hyundai has received rave reviews for the styling, features, and general competence of... November 19, 2010 by John Voelcker 4
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