Overview & Reviews

For 2012, the Kia Optima receives the optional Uvo voice command system on all but the base models and a minor shuffling of features between trim levels and option packages. The front seats have also been slightly reshaped for improved comfort.

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

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

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 111.00

• 

  so far so good - 2012 Kia Optima
  By dawoj52 - November 29 - 2:38 pm

  I got my kia optima 2012 LX used. I thought it would make a great commute car i drive around 80 miles per day to and from work. I currently have 80,000 miles on my kia and so far it has been a joy .I do have some minor problems like the passager and rear windows cant be rolled up or down from the driver control panel ,r/s cigarette lighter does not work,inside temperature gauge quit working ,so i have to take it back to the dealer. The tires on the kia are very cheep and need to be replaced asap upon purchase. MPG is great i drive from Chicago to Indiana all highway miles and i spend no more than $ 55 per week on gas . I get complements on a look of the car all the time !!

• 

  6-months and counting... - 2012 Kia Optima
  By t1000 - May 12 - 8:40 pm

  The build quality, I rated a 3. Heres why: the body material is quite flimsy. Very light actually compared to previous cars I owned (Honda, Lexus, Toyota, Nissan). As I wash my car, I can feel how easily the hood can collapse under your hands, the rear fenders are plastic like and feels like I can bend it all the way to the back. However, it does have a 5-star crash safety rating. Go figure.... The comfort, I will never give a 5-rating because I havent found a seat that I like. Overall, this car has excellent acceleration, very sporty looking, head turner, excellent warranty, high tech features and a lot of them for such a low price.

• 

  Short-Term Review (5k Miles) SX Premium Touring - 2012 Kia Optima
  By cura04 - January 15 - 3:14 pm

  Currently owned for 3 months (my last car was an Acura TSX). I researched like hell because I never thought that I would purchase a KIA in the near-future. Overall, I am in love with the vehicle. I mainly purchased the vehicle because of the appeal, features, performance/fuel efficiency, and size (in order of whats important to me). I like to point out the price point- Retail $30,395. No car in the mid-size region offers every option as the optima SX for that price. Of course, pending where you live, incentives and supply/demand will dictate the final price. I couldnt be happier with my purchase and I feel like a million bucks (as I drive down the street knowing what I actually paid for it)

• 

  A good buy with a few flaws - 2012 Kia Optima
  By upacrk1 - October 26 - 9:16 pm

  I bought a new 2012 Kia Optima LX in Snow White Pearl back in May 2012. Originally I had an issue with the drivers seat not being very comfortable. (I didnt notice this in the short test drive.) In the 9 months Ive owned it, my butt seems to have gotten used to it. The acceleration is great! So good that if the roads are slick, I have to put it in ECO mode so the tires dont slip. This may also says something about the OEM Nexen tires. I havent been driving much so far- only 4700 miles. (Try to walk/bike as much as I can). MPG per tank is 22-27 with an avg 24.5 . As expected, mileage is lower in the cold winter months. No long trips yet - cant wait to see what Ill get then!

• 

  No Spare Tire!! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By alanbala - October 19 - 2:37 am

  My wife and I had to purchase a new car, after our less than two year old car was totaled. After ruling out several cars, we decided we really liked the 2013 Kia Optima EX with the Premium Package. We got a really good price considering it is a 2013 model, and as we were settling on the sale, we discovered the car comes with NO SPARE TIRE!!. Instead, you get some kind of hinky tire inflation kit good for one use. We bought the car anyway. Now we have to go out and buy a space saver spare, a jack and a lug wrench. The jack and lug wrench are easy to find. Not so the spare. Chevy started this stupid trend. its a shame all the other manufacturers are following suit.

• 

  Nice car but...... - 2012 Kia Optima
  By sassy1866 - February 24 - 9:05 pm

  So far I really like this car. Handles great, no lack of speed and enjoy the interior. A couple of negatives are gas mileage, wind noise and the passenger seat feels like youre sitting on the floor.

• 

  Premium and Value - 2012 Kia Optima
  By Acclaimed - January 22 - 7:19 pm

  I currently own a fully loaded 2012 Kia Optima EX Turbo and it has been "smooth sailing" with minimal problems since my ownership back in April 2016. My car had exactly 60k miles on it at time of purchase which was slightly high miles, but I was too thrilled about getting rid of my old 2004 Chrysler Sebring that was moderately reliable with the exception of significantly ignition coil and repeated oil leaks issues. Back to the Optima, after one week of ownership, my car kept dying and come to find out it had a dead battery cell and I had to replace it, alongside with my proximity key fobs that were dead after purchasing my vehicle. Several months later, my fog lamps have stopped working and I think it has something to do with the wires and now I need a coil spring to enhance my cruise control and steering wheel features to become accessible again. Most importantly, last December Kia had to replace a coupling part to stop my vehicle from clicking at every left and right turn. With that said, the value and luxury and performance of my car have been great. I love the panoramic moonroofs on hot summer days, and speaking of hot summer days, the climate control seats work wonders not to mention the rear heated seats for the winter months, along with the heated steering wheel. Oh -- I cant forget about the 2.0L Turbo that has V-6 power with 4-cylinder fuel economy with 274-horsepower and 269 lbs. ft. of torque with a modest to none torque steer.

• 

  GOOD CAR AND MPG - 2012 Kia Optima
  By cde5151 - September 30 - 7:56 am

  Had the optima 1 month, have put on a 1000 miles, has total of 21432 miles now. comfort fairly good, I am 62. I think the car looks great. Can fit 4 adults, 5 would be a tight fit. A lot of talk about poor mpg. I drive 40 miles a day. 30 miles on hwy and 10 a day in the city(Lawrence, Ks.)I average 32 mpg so far. So no complaints here,,,...

• 

  A very nice driving experience! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By garlin1 - February 25 - 4:32 am

  I would like to reply to all those customers who are complaining about the Fuel economy of the Optima. I just bought a new 2013 Optima LX and after reading your peeves about MPG I am flummoxed as to whether or not we are driving the same model. First off, I am approaching 7000 miles and I have averaged 30 MPG. No, I do not only drive on a traffic free highway, for I happen to live in California. Also, if you have the LX or EX model in a 2.4 Litre and you complain about getting under 20 MPG there is something specifically wrong with your driving style and habits. Fuel economy relies where and how you drive. What matters is how smoothly and how often you depress the accelerator.

• 

  Wish I Wouldnt Have Leased So I could Sell It! - 2012 Kia Optima
  By bjk2 - September 20 - 7:43 pm

  If I had bought this car I could sell it & cut my losses on gas. Most everything is great about my 2013 Optima SXL 2.0 Turbo except that I average 16 mpg. No I dont drive it hard or fast. I get better mpg in my Chevy HD2500 4x4, 4gr, long bed diesel. If I was getting the advertised 22 mpg city Id be happier. I hope there is such a thing a a break-in period to get the advertised mpg. Id rather have my gutless 1.8L Toyota Matrix that gets great gas mileage at this point in time. The low ratings are all about the mpg.