Overview & Reviews
The Optima gets several revisions for its third year on the market. Most obvious is its new front-end styling, which replaces the Optima's reserved countenance with a more upscale European look -- double light clusters call to mind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Other changes include new wheel designs, and inside, a new center stack, new door panels and fresh seat fabric. A manual transmission will no longer be available on the four-cylinder SE model; all automatic four-cylinder models will offer Sportmatic manual-shift capability. The LX model now comes with cruise control and a CD player (at the expense of the cassette deck). The SE will include automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, Homelink and Infinity speakers; a wood- and leather-trimmed steering wheel is now part of the Leather Package. Lastly, engine horsepower ratings have been lowered following parent-company Hyundai's announcement that it had misstated outputs (the Optima is a corporate twin of the Sonata), but the engines themselves are unchanged.
- Excellent warranty, pleasant highway ride, lots of bang for your family sedan buck.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 63.00-
Like it! - 2003 Kia Optima
By sharron99 - September 15 - 2:00 amThe car is a great value. I have the V- 6 and it rides great. I have had only one problem with the sunroof motor that was repaired by dealer, no charge to me. Car has excellent warranty! 5 year 60,000 bumper to bumper! 10 years - 100,00 powertrain.Most options are standard and I also got the leather package. The interior set up and controls look nice and function well. The styling is great, and several people thought I was driving a Mercedes because of the new front grill European style. A car with all the options I wanted for just slightly over $20,000! Time will tell, I hope the vehicle lasts. So far, so good!
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A lot of car for the money - 2003 Kia Optima
By Sewwolf - September 4 - 10:00 amso far after 3 weeks of ownership there isnt anything I dont like about this car. This is how the big three should learn how to make cars. We looked at a lot of cars in this class and nothing could compare to the Kias for price and warranty.
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Worth It! - 2003 Kia Optima
By Babs - February 8 - 10:00 amThis is a great car! I have put over 5000 miles in less than 3 months and not one problem. I switched from a Maxima with all the options and this is just a good if not better with the warranty! I got the sunroof and leather and infinity stereo. You have to get that, better than the Bose in the Maxima. Pearl color is just like the lexus pearl! Nobody ever guesses this is a KIA! You cant beat the warranty! I bought the 4 cyl., worth it with gas today!
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A GREAT COMPETITOR - 2003 Kia Optima
By GaryG - January 1 - 2:00 amAlthough we just purchased the 2003 SE Optima it has the beginnngs of a keeper. I have sold others and this car will be difficult to compete against, even without the 10-100 warranty. The leather interior is a great opton, well thought out. The 2.7 is more than adequate for civilized driving. Freshened build for 2003 was needed.
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In Love with My Kia - 2003 Kia Optima
By POP4YES - June 22 - 10:00 amI like my new Optima because it is easy to handle. I have back problems and it has the 8 point seat adjuster and it really helps when I drive for more than half an hour. I am 5 ft. tall and getting in and out is awesome. It is very roomy especially when my 6- 1" brother is in the car and in the back seat. My two Children love the storage/ cup holder the have in the back. the trunk space is incredible, I was able to put 20 bags of grocerys plus two soccer balls in there.
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Best Car Ive ever owned - 2003 Kia Optima
By JPhelan - May 17 - 10:00 amThe Optima is a luxury car for an economy price. With Leather, Wood Interior, Moon Roof and all the extras, the Kia is a steal for the money I paid. I went to a Toyota dealer with the price I paid for the Optima and they could barely get me into a stripped down Corolla for that price. Ive had the car for nearly one year and put on 28,000 miles and I have not had a single problem. The blue color is very nice looking also. I wanted the Pearl white and settled for the Blue and now I think the blue looks even better!
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Kia Optima LX 4 - 2003 Kia Optima
By KatyChowChow - May 4 - 2:00 amLove this car! Great handling and pick up. Wonderful gas mileage, for a full sized "luxury" car. Large,roomy interior. Looks like it cost a lot more than it really does. Better than th e Hyundai Sonata(Kias cousin). Smooth ride, great comfort for short or long rides. Nice safety features. Would reccomend to anyone looking at a Taurus or comparable car! More car, less money!
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2002 Kia Optima Excels - 2003 Kia Optima
By S. White - October 15 - 10:00 amAlthough I have not had this 2002 Kia Optima LX-V6 very long, it has impressed me with its quality build, comfort and performance. I highly recommend the V6 engine over the 4 cylinder. Much smoother and better performance with the automatic. The car is roomy and I am a large man who is over 6 feet tall.
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Another winner from KIA - 2003 Kia Optima
By Allen Mitts - August 28 - 10:00 amWe purchased a KIA Sadona last year and have been very happy with it. So when our 2nd car needed to be replaced, there was no hesitation on what make of car we were going to look for. We went to the dealership and the choice was between the Spectra and the Optima. I really wanted the V6 so that left the Optima as our choice. I only have 200 miles on the car, but I love it! It drives very nice, and the look of the car compares to many luxery sedans. The price was right and I am sure when we are ready to trade our Kias in .... we will be buying 2 more new Kias!
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why pay more - 2003 Kia Optima
By Bob Hoskins - June 14 - 2:00 amwhy pay the outragious prices of new forign luxury cars? when you can spend less and own more. and have a much longer warranty.make sence, did to me thats why i also bought the optima se. it is the best deal i ever received.
