Overview & Reviews

The Kia Optima receives only minor revisions for the 2004 model year. The grille has been revised, 16-inch wheels are now standard on V6 models and the alloy wheels on the EX (last year's SE) have been redesigned. Finally, an in-glass antenna replaces the old power mast style unit from last year, but only on the EX and the LX with the optional cassette/CD audio system.

• Excellent warranty, pleasant highway ride, lots of features for the price.

User Reviews:

Showing 101 through 110 of 155.00

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  Reliable Kia Optima LX sedan 4cyl(1.8L) - 2004 Kia Optima
  By 1st Time Kia - September 5 - 5:20 pm

  purchased in 05 w/approx. 11k mi. Driven to Den.,CO & back. Not alot of torque for hills,but nice speed. Man/Auto Trans(nice for accel). Pwr steering defective twice. just hit 97k mi. needed Timing belt. Doesnt brake good on quick stop;will slide. Quarter panel dents easy a little. Paint around doorkey fades & driver doorlock played out in the rain 3 days ago. No real complaints. Has good features(pwr lock,cd,compartment/storage,cruise, starter safety(kill)switch,trunk square (space). Takes about $60 to fill @$3 p/gal. OK mileage. Maintain w/svc every 3k mi. & no problem. Oh,it jus start shaking, maybe coil- pack/misfire. Jus fixed timing,hope shop did its job & check for underlying cause!

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  3 years with this car - 2004 Kia Optima
  By illnino - July 10 - 10:00 am

  When i first got it, i wasnt sure at first on getting a KIA, it wasnt my dream car. I had it for 3 years now and ive seen some of the reviews. It CAN be true when it comes to breaking down..but the fact is, its only for some people that could just get to point A to Point B. I only had trouble TWICE within 3 years of having it. Im very patient when it comes to driving, slowing down, and i always do my oil/transmission/ and tune ups on time. I recommend ONLY for slow patient drivers, its a long lasting vehicle

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  So Far, So Good - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Jim - July 5 - 1:10 pm

  This car has been a pleasant surprise. I had to trade in my wifes Eddie Bauer Explorer to save money while I went back to school. Settled on the EX- V6 since we had gotten used to all the features on the EB. It has not let me down other than a few quirky issues mentioned below, the car has been a real pleasure to drive with great power, comfort and initial quality. Anyone looking for value should give this car consideration. I got mine with all the goodies for less than 17K. However, keep in mind the resale stinks so it is a real committment. If I can put 150-200K miles on the car with minimal service I will be exstatic. So far, it looks very promising.

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  best bang for your buck - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Lebruf - June 27 - 3:20 am

  I bought this used from an auction through my cousins dealership. I was out the door for under $11,000. I was skeptical at first because of the name and Hyundais prior reputation...but I was thoroughly impressed. I was sick of doing repairs on my old VW and wanted something with a warranty. I never have had a problem, and I beat this thing up in terms of mileage. Its great for long trips, as quick as I need it to be (the V6 Tiptronic HAULS) and well... it makes me feel good. I feel good because 4 or 5 of my friends spent about 5-6 grand more on an Accord or Camry and it wasnt as nice as the Optima.

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  Try Anything Once! - 2004 Kia Optima
  By E.D.B. - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I find that the accutaments included in this vehicle as standard equipment are far more than what seems to be available in any other offering I have run across. I really cannot comment on the gas milage, except to say that I dont believe it will be as high as the published estimates of 32/33mpg city/highway. Overall, this vehicle seems to be an exceptional value.

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  Forget Naysayers - 2004 Kia Optima
  By groovemac - March 26 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my Kia Optima after doing months of research. I looked at Camrys, Hondas, and Hyundais. When I settled on my Kia I had doubts based on comments I had heard from others about Korean reliability. This by far has been the best car I have owned. The enginer runs so quiet at times I think its not running. The car has all the features I wanted i.e. Infinity Sound totally adjustable driver and passenger seats. Automatic headlights, suroof etc. Great warranty and I payed less than $20,000.

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  Great Car. - 2004 Kia Optima
  By SeaJay830 - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my Kia. It has performed better than I could have ever expected and I have the 4 cylinder model. I get 32-35 MPG highway and I dont drive it easy.

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  2nd Kia - 2004 Kia Optima
  By mandrew - March 21 - 10:00 am

  We truely love the Kia products and the Optimas value was extreemly good.We feel like we are driving a Mercedes at a fraction of the cost! Keep up the great work Kia!

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  Kia Optima EX V6 - 2004 Kia Optima
  By Nauman - February 18 - 10:00 am

  Great driving car with alot of extras for the money. Would like to have a little better gas mileage.

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  Heating/air conditioning - 2004 Kia Optima
  By lvargo - February 11 - 10:00 am

  Disappointed at the heating/ac system. The auto temp control works well, however, you cannot utilize the lower and upper temp feature together with air or heat. If the a/c is on in the dual mode, the lower vent will blow the temp of the hot air outside and not cool air. Conversely, if heat is on, the top vents will blow the temp of the outside air while the bottom is heat. Sad part is no one can fix it and main hq of Kia has not responded to my inquiries since the problem started in Dec 04! Dealership acknowledges the problem but cant get an answer from Kia on how to fix it either!