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-
Optimum Optima - 2011 Kia Optima
By rockinrn - November 24 - 9:11 amJust picked up my new 2011 Kia Optima EX. It is Snow White Pearl with grey leather interior. After driving the car for a few days I can say that it is great value for the money with better than average performance. The six speed automatic shifts smoothly and quickly. The 200 HP four cylinder engine has performance that is adequate for all but the most speed obsessed driver. The car has an amazing amount of front leg room. My 6 4" frame has room to spare and that is highly unusual in any car regardless of price. The fit and finish as well as the quality of the materials is top notch . Great car so far, but I still cant figure out the mood lighting in the armrests.
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Great Start...a few nitpicks - 2011 Kia Optima
By flip00 - October 19 - 3:22 amWow, Kia hit a home-run with the new Optima. Researched and then drove all the competitors in both 4 and 6 cylinder high end versions, and the Optima hands down was superior. had to wait almost 3 months to get mine, I had really just wanted an EX with the premium package...love those cooled seats in the hot El Paso sun, but have not regretted the SX. Have not experienced the pull to the left, and the car is as quiet as my former Accord EX-L on the road. A few quality issues with the sunglass holder and mood lighting not functioning on the passenger door and I do get have the rattle from the sunroof. getting an average of 24-28 in mixed driving in part due to elevation Would buy again!
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24/35 MPG? ...Yeah right! - 2011 Kia Optima
By kookoo4cars - June 7 - 8:33 pmPurchase my Kia Optima EX 9 weeks ago. In this day of $4-5 gallons of gas, I bypassed the turbo engine with the idea that it would just make me want to drive faster burning more fuel. With the posted MPG on the sticker of 24/35, I was expecting somewhere around 27-28 combined. What Im getting after 9 fill ups is more like 19 MPG - which is a big disappointment. So now I have a car with no power and no great fuel savings either. The 186 HP engine is a slug - feels like the pistons are going to come through the hood, and the car sounds like a go-kart. Otherwise, a pretty decent car for the money. If youre considering it, go turbo - if only to get you out of danger while merging onto highways
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50k+ and zero issues - 2011 Kia Optima
By deeper - December 19 - 12:01 pmCar has shown no wear on leather seats or elsewhere. No squeeks. No issues. My Lexus LS430 had more problems at this mileage and mention this because at 1/2 the price makes Kia Optima a compelling used car buy.
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Optimal Optima Follow-up - 2011 Kia Optima
By rockinrn - November 4 - 4:54 pmThis is a follow-up review to my 12/12/10 review. Just drove the Optima to California from Arizona in March 2011. I was astounded by the road roar the car makes at 70 MPH on the freeway. The noise is so loud it is impossible to make a cell phone call and the radio had to be turned way up to drown out some of the noise. I feel that the low rent Nexus tires are to blame. Many, many good features on the car, just extreme road and wind noise on the highway. Before buying one take it on the freeway for a while at 70 MPH and evaluate the ROAD NOISE.
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Love my KIA Optima!! - 2011 Kia Optima
By sabz - August 17 - 11:57 amIt is a great looking car. I get tons of compliments!!! People are always stopping me in parking lots and telling me how nice of a car it is. I love to drive it. However, the other day it would not start. Turns out it had a problem with the brake switch. KIA had it fixed and back to me the same day. Also about 3 months of owning the car, I noticed that the radio screen was scrambled. KIA replaced it under warranty. I would still recommend it!
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2011 kia - 2011 Kia Optima
By fmarie - August 7 - 11:50 amLast week I bought a 2011 kia optima stick shift with 26,000 miles on it. It looked brand new and even smelled brand new. It is very spacious and luxurious on the inside and very classy, yet sporty on the outside. I have been disappointed in the gas mileage, I have been averaging about 26, 27 in city and on highway. The front seat is a slight uncomfortable because i cannot adjust the angle of the front seat. There is a blind spot on the right back passenger side. It seems a little jerky when going into first and second shift, but when the engine is running it is very quiet. Its a much bigger car than i realized at the purchase.
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2011 Kia Optima - 2011 Kia Optima
By vatili1 - August 3 - 3:43 amI have driven the new Kia Optima for about 10 days now and it is a very nice car with many good features however it has excessive road noise - Kia pls fix this issue ASAP and you have a excellent car that can compete with the best in its class.
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Need moe refinement - 2011 Kia Optima
By jerryjerry - December 29 - 4:46 pmPerformance -- most good, but power and transmission appears to be out of sync. Comfort -- the noise level is higher than camry and accord. Value -- though it has more features, it still could be priced more competitive. Fun to Drive -- as mentioned before. the engine and transmission appears to be out of sync. Engine power does not translate to overall performance. Some what loud noise from engine. Interior Design -- Overall good Exterior Design -- This is subjective. Overall it looks good, my only concern is the profile doesnt look that attractive. Build Quality -- Appears good, however, its a Kia. time will tell. Reliablity -- Again, its a Kia. Its know for minor issues.
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A nitpickers review of the few bad things... - 2011 Kia Optima
By race117 - August 17 - 12:53 pm6mths 6k miles, SX getting 27mpg avg. Outside noises flood the cabin! Try driving this car on hwy in moderate rain & you will know what Im talking about. The wheel wells have like a pourous industrial felt instead of a plastic liner, look at them before you buy. Drive though smoke/skunk/exhaust and pay the price as smells flood in. Sunroof bug/wind shield rattles (while closed) when you hit bumps. Ride rougher than expected & seats are somewhat uncomfortable. Side view mirrors hold water and fog easily. Windshield has a fogging problem I think is related to the cabin not being sealed well. Gas lock release works poorly. Backs of legs touch car getting out. Great car overall though.
