Overview & Reviews

The Kia Optima is a completely redesigned model for 2011.

• Lengthy warranty.
• Impressive value
• Powerful and fuel-efficient engines
• Good ride/handling balance
• Handsome cabin
• Top safety scores
• Copious features

• Disappointing real-world fuel economy and driving experience for hybrid
• Numb steering.
• Can be tight on headroom

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 91.00

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  Best 4 Banger for the Buck - 2011 Kia Optima
  By skyflyin - July 19 - 6:29 am

  I have to agree with the reviews so far, this is far and away the best in class. Great looks, good performance with an interior that has more standard features than some cars have features. I purchased the EX with Premium Package and I couldnt be happier. Everything about this vehicle is smooth, the steering, acceleration and braking are all refined as well as the interior features are well thought out and intuitive. The engine has ample power and if I get anywhere near the EPA estimated gas mileage I will be even happier. Kia has come a long way with this vehicle from an also-ran to a leader. Well done!

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  Poor road mileage - 2011 Kia Optima
  By ernesto109 - July 1 - 5:44 am

  We have had this car for two years and took it on the first road trip in January, 2013. We drove 6500 miles to Florida and back to the west coast. The average road mileage for the entire highway portion of the trip was 25.7mpg. We checked each tank and the mileage ranged from 24.3 to 27.4. However, the mileage shown on the car computer showed between four and five miles per gallon better that the actual calculations. The car is rated at 34 mpg, so this was very disappointing. The factory will do nothing about it, even though they have given compensation to other Kia model owners. The dealer we purchased it from will not even acknowledge my complaint letter.

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  Value, Features, and Style - Oh My! - 2011 Kia Optima
  By ggunderson2 - May 31 - 1:49 am

  Unlike others I have been getting good mileage - 22 in town, 33 interstate. Engine is adequate and I always have the power I need. Engine noise is loud outside of car, but unlike others I have had no problems with noise levels inside the car. I purchased for $23K with leather, heated and cooled seats, dual sunroof, and 60K warranty. No Japanese, American, or German car comes close to matching the overall value - If you are looking for a family sedan price and compare. Only weaknesses is it rides low so front frame scrapes when backing out of driveway, etc. View outside constrained by thick C-pillars. But rides very nice and has more truck and interior space than large cars.

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  Real Pleasure to Drive - 2011 Kia Optima
  By jillyfish - May 23 - 4:02 am

  Former Lincoln owner, this car is fun and comfortable! Fantastic value.

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  Here we go again - 2011 Kia Optima
  By rockinrn - May 7 - 2:42 am

  I am rewriting the review of my 2011 Optima EX because my original review and many other drivers reviews have disappeared. I have owned the car for 5 months now and I can say that it is a very good value. The interior and exterior styling are very modern and eye-catching. The quality of the materials is above average and the car has many standard features such as Bluetooth, leather-trimmed interior and a 6-speed automatic transmission. However there is bad with the good. The seats are hard and acceleration is unimpressive. AND boy is this car noisy on the freeway. Tire roar/wind noise is so LOUD that it is impossible to carry on a conversation with out practically yelling.

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  Nothing but problems - 2011 Kia Optima
  By kjanney - April 6 - 5:42 pm

  I was so excited when I puchased my Kia Optima last June. However, that quickly changed. Two weeks after purchase, the turbo blew out while we were on vaction. It took forever to be fixed because parts on a new car were not readily avaiable. Once we got it back, the Turbo blew out AGAIN in less than a month. Not to mention that the alignment has been out since I bought the car. The Turbo hasnt blown out since the 2nd failure, but the alignment continues to be out, even after multiple attempts to fix it. Im tired of fighting the steering wheel to stay on the road. The car looks slick, and has cool features, but I cant keep this one. Looking for another car.

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  So far, so good - 2011 Kia Optima
  By im714 - April 1 - 7:55 pm

  Ive had this car for 6 weeks now and have put 1600 miles on it. The build quality seems to be pretty good although there is a squeak coming from the passenger door. The turbo is a lot of fun to drive, but doesnt make the vehicle a sports car. The vehicle makes the weirdest sound when accelerating but I guess that is normal (sounds as it if has an electric engine or something). Visibility out the back window is limited but you get used to it after a while. I love the exterior design of the car. The interior is good but it could be better. I wish I had gotten the Infinity stereo-the standard is loud but thats about it. As for MPG, the computer estimates 2 MPG higher than the actual number.

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  Awesome design and Fun to Drive - 2011 Kia Optima
  By mavic19 - January 28 - 7:50 pm

  I am absolutely in love with this car. The design is very sporty and draws a lot of attention and compliments. Great interior design and layout. Wood accents are sweet and not overly done. Performance is great. No torque off the bottom, but one she hits 4k she rips. Only thing I dont like is the NEXEN CP671 tires. Gas milage has been consitent at 28mpg after 3 tanks of mixed driving.

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  Test drive review - 2011 Kia Optima
  By canreda6 - January 20 - 12:54 am

  I have been test driving the 2011 Sonata and Optima. Optima looks like an Infiniti or Audi and offers features the Sonata doesnt like hill start assist and dual exhaust on all trims. I am leaning towards the Optima and I really want to buy a manual trans, but Kia decided, in a truly bizarre move, to not allow you to get cruise control with the manual trans. Otherwise the car is excellent. Very good acceleration and you cant hear the valve train noise like you can on the Sonata which is nice. Also seems like the suspension is more upscale than the Sonata. No options allowed or a turbo with a manual trans?? Change the packaging and they would steal sales from BMW/Audi and others...

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  Great car for anyone with realistic expectations - 2011 Kia Optima
  By titan415 - January 17 - 8:51 am

  Im always interested to see how people react to things. Some people drive this car and see it for what it is: a great value and a really good car. And then there are those to say that its not a good car because they have driven, owned, or dreampt of better. Youll see plenty of those reviews here and other places. The reality is that this car is great for the money, offers a huge range of features, has a warranty that should allay any fears about the uknown, and, finally, it looks hot. Its not a perfect car, true. The wide c-pillar creates a blind spot, the engine isnt V6 smooth, and its true that the seats arent the best. But nits aside, this is a seriously good car.