Overview & Reviews

A face-lift for 2009 makes the Kia Optima slightly longer and more aggressive, while a new SX trim level lends a sporty flair with blackout accents and 17-inch alloy wheels. In addition to the visual tweaks, the Optima gains some muscle: the 2.4-liter inline-4 now makes 175 horsepower while the V6 puts out 194 ponies. Inside, the Optima has a new base audio system with satellite radio and a newly available navigation system. Last, standard safety equipment grows as antilock brakes and stability control become standard across the board.

• Excellent crash scores, plenty of standard features at a low price, spacious backseat, generous warranty, surprisingly involving to drive around town.

• V6 offers little advantage over the more efficient inline-4, automatic sometimes slow to downshift.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 49.00

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  traded down from a Sorento - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Shanna - July 31 - 10:26 pm

  Bought car 3 wks ago after buying a Sorento I had 8 wks. This car was suggested by dealership. I highway miles a day so Im a bit dissapointed. My kids are a bit tight w/ 2 boosters & a 13 yr old in back, but its doable and he can buckle ok. The side mirrors are rectangular & takes getting use to, dont feel like I always get good coverage. Powers good & handles huge daily hill ok. The material is CHEAP & pills (balls up on seats). Ill be investing in seat covers! Got silver & it hides dirt well, looks sharp. Happy w/ purchase, wish I had electric seats/sunroof but was upside down & couldnt afford more. overall I dig it.

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  Want Mustang Back - 2009 Kia Optima
  By NotHappy - December 6 - 2:13 pm

  I had a 2007 Mustang for 3 years but after many issues and the warreny being up at that time 11 days. I was thinking of trading..found Kia for another car but ended up buying Kia Optima. The car is very good car over all but the seats are so hard and not comfortable at all. My back hurts after drving the car. I would advise really drving the car for more then a short test drive. I did drive the car 3 times however a really long drive would be better. I try to hurry up and get to where I need to go so I want have to drive the car long. The only plus is the safety/warrenty and the radio is good other then that I wish I never got this car.

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  Nice car, give Kia a chance! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Steve - September 9 - 12:00 pm

  Picked up my LX automatic the very last weekend of Cash for Clunkers, which combined with the $3000 rebate made the car very affordable. Great list of standard equipment, good exterior and interior design, and a killer warranty made this an easy purchase. Ive averaged 25 mpg in mixed city driving and just averaged 31 on a 300 mile road trip. Considering that I traded a 13 mpg SUV, Im loving the savings on gas.

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  Good Car - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Seriouscoin - April 12 - 7:03 am

  Had to trade in my Rx-8 (worst car ever) and got this. I loved this car!! Very good gas, and price was not bad at all. Highly recommended for a family car.

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  wow - 2009 Kia Optima
  By kinkejay - November 2 - 2:23 am

  I truly never thought I would ever buy a foreign car but I have now bought two Kias in 6 mths and love them. The Optima is an inexpensive luxury kind of car. You really do get the bang for the buck with this one. Ford, GM, Chrysler take notice, Kia is here to stay.

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  Watch the car mileage - 2009 Kia Optima
  By airport kia - March 1 - 10:36 am

  The Optima is a beautiful car both on the interior and exterior. The new 4 cyl engine stuggles while driving in the city.It get only 15-17 mph city which makes it a clunker. The driver seat is very un comfortable. After driving the new Chevolet Malibu, I realize I bought the wrong car. I can live with this car but would not recomend it to family and friends. The engine is a underperformer. To compare the Optima to the Camary is like rating a race horse versus a donkey. All the features on the car work excellent. The red lighting on the dash get annoying after a while. And what is with the 16 inch wheels?

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  Second car, Love it! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By carmansam22 - July 16 - 4:38 pm

  Great Car! Bought it Oct. 11, 2010. Havent had any problems with the car. Its the first 5 speed Ive owned and I love it. Its pretty quick and fast, I can downshift to third and pass cars with no problem. I once had a loaded car (at least 800ibs extra weight), driving up steep hills and still got 25MPG. I feel I got a lot for what I paid, just a little over 12,000.

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  Transmission - 2009 Kia Optima
  By dholder35 - August 27 - 3:31 pm

  KIA needs to make a better transmission. This is the second Kia Optima I have owned and the transmission always seems to go out. The service department will always say you need a transmission flush, but then after the warranty runs out the transmission will quit working and I have to pay for the transmission to be replaced. When I apply my brakes the transmission will down shift hard.

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  Simple, but nice - 2009 Kia Optima
  By Hopeful skeptic - July 14 - 5:20 am

  Recently purchased an 09 LX Optima, used, with less than 12k on it. I test drove this car simply to say I "shopped around." There was not a real intention to purchase a Kia. However, I found myself more satisfied with it than the Accord, Camry, and Malibu, all of which I had driven in the same afternoon. It doesnt really stand out in any one category, but does all things well. Controls are simple, but well placed. Nothing feels all that cheap, like I expected. Fit and finish is on par with the Honda and Toyota, notably nicer fit than the Chevy. The whole car is simple, but very well done. Hopefully the long term impression is the same as the first! Oh, $4k less than comparable Honda/Toyota!

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  Husband against imports. Not anymore! - 2009 Kia Optima
  By AMYMARIE - June 7 - 2:56 pm

  Husband had to go from a Taurus (19- 21 mpg) to an import because of his 50 mile one-way track to work everyday. He was against imports until he sat in the Optima. The conv. package with the 8-way lumbar seat, dimming rear- view, alloys and trip along with the dealer package of the rear spoiler, LEDs on side-view mirrors for turn- signal, and pin striping made this car a looker! Not a plain Jane anymore! Car was 22K and with rebates/trade we paid 15K. Was a leftover with 18 miles on it. Dealer put another 100K on the pwrtrain warranty for a total of 200K! Hubby did not think he could find a mid-size import with the mpg he liked. Thumbs up so far!