Overview & Reviews

Technically, the all-new Kia Optima debuted midway through 2006 and was referred to as the 2006.5 model. However, most shoppers will be encountering it as a 2007 model. Compared to the previous-generation '06 version, the new Optima is larger, offers more options and is a much better-looking vehicle all around.

• Plenty of standard features, roomy rear seat, stylish exterior, generous warranty coverage, surprisingly involving to drive around town.

• Average driving dynamics, V6 runs out of steam on the highway, ABS not available on manual-shift LX model.

User Reviews:

Showing 61 through 70 of 74.00

• 

  Good all around new car - 2007 Kia Optima
  By p - August 14 - 12:33 pm

  I compared Honda, Toyota, Ford, Saturn, Pontiac and was surprised to find that the Optima beat out the others. The deciding factor was the standard safety features and room. I am 64" and found that most of the others wouldnt accommodate my knees. The backseat is great and there is more than enough room all around. I have owned the car only a short while but have been very impressed with the overall common-sense design. The ride is very good. It is a midsize sedan, not a sports car. The standard 2.4 is plenty for me especially with the ability to down/up shift. I did the comparison, crunched the numbers and for the money you just cant beat it.

• 

  First new car - 2007 Kia Optima
  By happyasaclam - May 7 - 2:03 pm

  I have owned this car for one year today, and I love it more and more each day that I get behind that wheel. I hate to say that my baby has had to be in the shop a total of 8 times now. That is all do to the dealer that I bought it from. It got so bad, that I had to find a better dealership. There are a few things that are going wrong, and I am hopeful that they will be fixed right this time. The air bags in the front passenger side work when they want, the gas mileage is something all on its own, and the rear end is now having some problems that I have been waiting for to be fixed. All in all, I would never drive anything else. I love my KIA.

• 

  best used car value - 2007 Kia Optima
  By usedcarbestbet - April 15 - 7:00 am

  Was looking for a 2006 Hyundai sonata used then found this beauty which is a 2007 and got a way better price than the 2006 sonata and car is very similar. Has the same engine as the sonata and a better 5 speed auto trans sonata has 4 speed. This car gets better fuel economy than the sonata. The sonata does have a quieter and smoother ride however not as sporty on the turns as this car.

• 

  Avoid at all costs- Please learn from me - 2007 Kia Optima
  By KenInPasco - March 13 - 7:10 pm

  Ive had to replace the wonderful automatic transmission twice. Kia needs to address the problems people are having with their five speed automatic transmissions. AAA roadside assistance has had to tow me three times with this vehicle. Twice for the transmission and once for a failed starter.

• 

  Scarry to drive Optima - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Customer - February 20 - 4:23 pm

  We have this car for two years and have constant problem with passenger air bag sign not turned off if passenger about 150 lbs is present. No problems with passenger of 200 lbs. NHTSA has 32 complaints for Optima 2006-2008 for the same problem with couple of injured persons, but the only thing Dealer and KIA representative suggested is "passenger need to sit exactly in the middle of the seat, only in upright position, no legs crossed, no leaning on one side or another.If problem occurs, stop the car and restart it". Seems as just an excuse for malfunctioning and dangerous design flaw. Quite scary to be a passenger in this car, no proper company response to the unsafe design flaw so far.

• 

  Kia Rules - 2007 Kia Optima
  By JK - January 25 - 8:10 am

  Smooth ride and good road feel. Quite cabin and very responsive to sudden maneuvers. Strong 4 cylinder engine...good torque. Exceptional fit and finish. Feels like quality throughout.

• 

  5.5 Months since Purchase - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Jason - December 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the Optima LX (4cyl) with 45,100 miles. I have 52,000 now. Its been mostly back and forth to work (16 miles each way) and one trip to Michigan which was 1,000. On the trip I averaged 33 mpg with the AC running. I think the car is made solid. People have told me Kias are reliable, we will see I have a 5 yr loan on it. I have an issue with the dome light coming on by itself, which temporarily I fixed by removing the light bulb. Handles nice, acceleration is awesome (esp in manual mode), braking is good (only had to stomp the pedal once).

• 

  Been a great little car... - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Mike Z - December 3 - 10:06 am

  I was skeptical when I test drove the Optima, Im 63 and 220 lbs, so I thought I wouldnt fit in it. The seat is fine, and I have more than enough room to sit with an adult in the back seat behind me. Ive been impressed with the fit/finish and reliability. Ive got 46,000 miles on the car and the only time its been in the shop is for regular maint (oil/trans), and the visor broke twice. By far the most reliable of the 10 cars Ive owned in my life. I went from a loaded SUV, so I went with a loaded optima; leather, moonroof, and the infinity sound system is amazing. Smooth ride, plenty of power.

• 

  My Greatest Mistake - 2007 Kia Optima
  By Tom - November 30 - 12:53 am

  First I have to say that it saddens me horribly to write a poor review for this car. It was such an amazing car for the longest time. My commute is 148 miles everyday and my Optima handled the long daily drive like a champ until this last month. At 63,373 miles the engine failed. It seized just cruising down the highway and nearly caused me to crash into the center divider. After a nice little dance with Kia, they agreed to replace it. At 65,973, the transmission had to be replaced. Finally a Kia mechanic told me that the 07 models have some severe quality issues. He said that owners who do heavy driving, and have long commutes have had head gasket, engine and transmission problems.

• 

  Boring, but I love it! - 2007 Kia Optima
  By bkoeth - November 27 - 12:10 pm

  I looked at every car out there. I liked the Optima right away. After I first drove it, I knew it was the car I wanted. I am very picky with my cars, and have a couple of styling gripes (why is the roofline so much higher in front than in back!?) but overall its an unassuming car I dont have to be embarassed to be seen in. Fit and finish are superb. The only thing that feels cheap are the interior door handles. The car is unbelievably quiet, which makes it a pleasure for leisurely driving. Mileage had proven to be amazing for such a large car. On that note, it is VERY roomy and for thousands less than a Civic LX I just feel like I got more car for the money.